Phoenix {Cato Hadley}

Chapter 5 - Sparring Session

 

   "What the hell is your problem Cato?" I'm silenced when my back is slammed against a hard surface. Cato's body presses up against mine and his muscular arms create a cage trapping me. "Do you really think he can protect you from the games, Princess?" He seethes out the word he so I'm guessing he's talking about Thresh. I snort without any humor, "You mean protect me from you? You're my only human threat and you know that Cato!" He slams his hands right next to my head into the wall obviously not liking my attitude. "I'll kill him and then you're all mine. Mark my words." Why does he insist that I am some sort of object? "I am not yours and never will be. Mark my words." With that I take my knee and slam it into his groin. His arms slack to reach to his stomach, so I take that as my chance to escape. Training is already over for the day I don't bother going back to lunch and head straight home.

After the incident with Cato, Haymitch Peeta and I played card games for the remainder of the day. "Oh bullshit! You forgot to say Uno." "Don't be such a sore loser Sweetheart." Haymitch taunts while sticking his tongue in my direction. Peeta watches the both of us amused. "Nope. I demand a rematch right now!" Effie rises from her spot on the couch. "No way hośe, tomorrow is your guys last day of training." The three of us sigh defeatedly almost in sink. "Come on Effie why don't you come play the last game with us?" She pinches her nose and starts walking towards the table causing me to smirk. "Just one more game!"

Haymitch explains to Peeta and I that today we need to show what we are made of. He says that if the other tributes think of us as easy targets that we will be the first ones dead. "So Violet what are you planning to do?" "I will throw some axes, shoot some arrows, and kick ass with my sword." I wait a moment and mumble under my breath, "and spar Cato." Haymitch nearly chokes on his drink. "Spar who now?" He asks angrily. "What better way to show people not to mess with me than taking down my biggest threat?" He doesn't look too sure about but nods. Haymitch thne turns to Peeta. "What are you going to do?" Peeta starts to think and shrugs his shoulders obviously not confident in himself. "Why don't you show off your strength?" Haymitch nods at me. "Yes do what Sweetheart says, throw those heavy balls." Peeta nods and checks the time on the wall. "Well Violet and I have to get it training. See you later Haymitch."

     Entering the basement, Peeta and I immediately head over to Thresh. He is at the weaponry station tearing apart a dummy. "What did that poor dummy ever do to you?" Thresh turns around and chuckles. "Hey Violet." "Yo!" I see something shiny out of the corner of my eye and notice a sword. The sword is beautiful but most importantly deadly. Almost in a trance I pick up the sword and look at it closely. It fits perfectly into my hand and feels like it was made for me. Like I was destined to find it. I face the dummies and go to work. I slice and stab the dummies in places that would be instant kills.

Standing up I notice everyone's eyes on me. I scan my eyes through the crowd to see that most tributes look at me with fear and respect in there eyes. The game makers look throughougly impressed. Smirking, I reluctantly place the sword down and move over to the axe throwing station. None of the axes stand out to me like that one sword has but I grab the best looking one. Holding the axe above my head I swing my arms forward causing the axe to implant itself into a dummies skull. Grabbing another axe I do them same thing. Then again and again until there are no more axes on the shelf. After I am satisfied with my performance I head towards the archery station. I've had lots of practice with bow and arrows from hunting animals for meals. I excel in the archery station as well, hitting right between the eyes of every dummy.

I have done everything I had to in order to show dominance to the other tributes. Except for one thing, sparring with Cato. I search for Cato and find that he is in the weaponry station completely mauling dummies with his sword.

     "Hey big boy want to spar?" He turns to face me at a lightning fast pace. "What did you just call me princess?" I guess he didn't like the nickname. "Big boy. Did I stutter?" I watch as his fist ball up. "I would love to spar you." Cato speaks in a loud tone causing a crowd filled with all the tributes to surround us. Cato walks comes closer and puts his hands into a fighting stance. I do the same and start circling him like he's my prey. He throws the first punch and I side step it causing him to lose balance. Taking the opportunity I punch him in the jaw and then the stomach. He shakes off the pain and lunges at me taking us both to the floor. Cato straddle my waist and pins me to the ground. He smirks triumphantly thinking he has won. I bring my knee up into his groin for the second time and shift my our weight so I'm on top of him. I straddle his waist exactly like he did to me but with more pressure to make sure he can't get out. This time it was my turn to smirk triumphantly. I lean in close to his handsome face and brush my lips past his check "Tap out." He grunts and tries to get out of my tight hold but to no avail. He's stuck. Cato has no choice but to raise his hand and tap twice on my thigh earning gasps all throughout the basement. I release my hold on him and stand up with a smirk knowing anyone who messes with me in the arena will die.

- 1062 words