In Arms of Sorrow - CHAPTER 3

''We've been running for hours!!'' Glimmer whined.
''She's near! Really!''  Loverboy tried to defend himself
''Where is she!?'' Cato growled threatfully back at him. The woods were awfully quiet. There was only a few more tributes out there, and most will die tonight.
''We've already been here.'' Marvel added somehow annoyed. I looked around. He was right, this place, we've been here a while ago. I knew it. Loverboy was fooling around with us.
''Let's just kill him. NOW!'' I said impatiently. I hated him, he disgusted me. Playing his love game. The whole Panem fell for their scheme. How could someone fool around with something so true and fragile as this. I imagined grabbing Loverboy, pushing him into the nearest camera and making him confess before slicing him to pieces. By the end of the day, I'll have to admit I was just jealous. I couldn't help but to wonder how Cato and I would work out as 'star-crossed' lovers. It angered me, I wasn't fast enough to sell our story. I didn't care about the sponsors as much as I cared for Cato. My look slipped to Glimmer. But than again, I'm probably not good enough.
''Clove's right. Any last words  Loverboy?''Cato said, turning to me, staring at me for some time. His voice was calmer and he's look has softened. Did he finally realise that I was right?
''Give me another hour.. I promise.. –'' Peeta still went on begging. I sighned and turned to Marvel who shushed me.
''Can you hear that?'' He said quietly
''Someone's here!'' I replied .He than quickly turned around to the river and raised his spear.
''I found her! She's here!'' he screamed with excitement in his voice. I looked down. It was Twelve! She was wounded. As soon as she saw us, she panicked.
''Loverboy… look who joined us.'' I said winking to him. He gulped loudly, making me laugh as a result.
'' Get her!'' Cato screamed, sprinting towards her. I pulled out my sharpest knife. She was a goner. All of us ran behind. The dust underneath our feet was raising, the wind blew through our hair and the adrenalin in our blood pumped wildly!
Twelve was running as fast as she could. She was in pain. She had some pretty bad wounds all over her body. Gasping for air, she made her way into the forest. Cato just behind her. We followed close behind. It has already seemed as Cato caught her, but we found him standing beneath a tree, looking up.
''Don't tell me she escaped!?'' I snarled at him, returning him his own attitude. Cato just looked at me saying nothing.  Marvel came closer looking up, saying: ''Glimmer, can you shoot her with your bow?''  Glimmer stood behind us quietly, than stepped closer. ''Ofcourse I can!'' She said proudly. The arrow flew and fairly missed our target. Glimmer just giggled and said; ''Wow, that was bad.'' She prepaired her bow for another shot.
'' Useless piece of –'' I murmured, than noticed Cato's stare on me, confused I stared back at him. He than shook his head pulling the bow from Glimmers hand. ''Give me that!'' He growled at her. He shot at Katniss but missed, ripping off some of her hair. ''Goddamn it!''He threw the bow on the floor.
''I'm going up..'' he said. I fastly threw myself inbetween of Cato and the tree.
''Are you stupid?'' I said harshly.  ''The tree is wet and the brunches are weak.. You're too heavy!'' He didn't listen to me. ''The tree is old and fragile.. You'll just end up falling down and probably even breaking your spine!'' Cato grabbed me around my ribs, pushing me away, saying nothing. Cato grabbed the first branch after that another and another. He was already in the middle of the tree. Glimmer was cheering for Cato, Marvel  was quietly studying the situation than mumbled;.''Oh no..'' The branch where his left foot was placed began to break. ''Cato watch out!!''  I screamed uncontrolably loud. Cato turned his head in my direction, catching my stare. Our eyes met for a second. His mouth sligtly opened, he muted something but I couldn't tell what it was. The next moment Cato's body crashed hardly against the ground. Motionlesly he lied there, so peacefully as if he was asleep.
I fought my way through and kneeled by his side, placing my hands on his chest, shaking, pushing, pressuring it. ''Cato! Cato wake up! Come on!! Cato!'' I was screaming repeatedly. Never before was I so scared. ''Cato.. please..'' I said in a weaker voice. I could feel Cato's breath again, feeling a huge relief. Cato's head twitched a little than he opened  his eyes. ''You fool!'' I shouted ''I told you what will happen. Why don't you just listen to me!?'' I kept shouting at him. Cato just quietly stared at me with a confused look. ''Clove..'' he whispered, calmly looking at me. My anger wanished, my body froze. ''Are you okey?'' I aksed quietly. ''I am.'' He nodded, pulling himself up. Briefly he gave me a glance, saying; ''thank you.'' And walked back to the tree. I still remained kneeling on the ground next to the print of Cato's body, caused by the crash. I placed my hand on it, closing my eyes.
My thoughts and words were gone. I was numb.''W-We should wait her out. She will have to come down aventualy.'' Peeta said. Cato looked at him, pressing his hand on his back, which must have been hurting badly. It seemes he was too wounded to act differently. ''Fine, we'll settle down here for the night.'' He said calmly ''Marvel and Glimmer, you both will go find some good branches and wood for a fire.'' He took a short break, catching his breath. The fall must have worked him out pretty badly.. ''Me and Loverboy will guard the area. And Clove, you'll go back to the Cornucopia to get some supplies.. food, water, medicine.. anything useful you can find,'' he dragged himself to me. ''Here,'' he streached out his backpack ''take mine too, you'll be able to take more this way.'' I placed my hand on his backpack, touching his hand. Fastly I pulled my hand away, grabing the back pack. Cato lowered his head, searching my look. ''Be safe.'' He whispered. No matter how hard I  tried that moment, I couldn't have hid my blush. I nodded in reply and swung his backpack around my shoulder. ''I'll be back soon.'' I called out and ran off.
What a fool I must have made of myself. Staring at Cato numbly. My body froze leaving me speechless. My eyes and mouth, both slightly opened. I was rushing through the forest as fast as I could. The way wasn't long. The sun has already started to go down slowly. I couldn't tell what day it was anymore nor could I tell the hour, we oriented ourselves by the movement of the sun. Early, when it was still weak, it was the time to wake up, as it begun to get stronger, it was time to find water. And when it's beams started to burn on our skin, we looked for shelter in the forest, searching for food and tributes. Before it died out, we had to found a place where we'd spend the night. I reached the Cornucopia, hiding myself in the nearest bush, first I needed to clear the area for any tributes. I noticed someone, it was the girl from 5. She too was hiding, checking the area. She thought it was clear and made a run for the supplies. I caught upto her quickly, throwing myself on her, causing her to crash. I could see fear in her eyes, she was shaking hardly. I smiled and stroke my knife directly in the middle of her face, pulling it out and stroking it against her face again. She was still trying to free herself, moving her arms and legs. It was just a matter of time till she dies. There was a wide hole in the middle of her face, with blood squirting out of it. Some blood landed on my face and my clothes, staining them but it didn't bother me. The girl stopped moving. She was dead. I looked around if there were any other tributes. I saw none. Fastly I made my way towards the supplies. I found so much food it could keep as alive for a whole week. I took the backpack and stuffed in as much as I could. I left a little space for other things. I picked up a rope and two more bottles, taking both with me. I also found a flask of medicine and picked it up fastly. Cato is going to need it now. On my way back I also found some herbals. Since I learned a little about medicine back in my district I took them with me as well. From all the medicine I got, Cato will be able to walk normaly  tomorow already.
While walking back I noticed the male tribute from 3. That fool, he didn't even see me. My knife flew directly at the back of his head. I made my way towards his corpse, retrieving my knife. ''Too easy.''   I sighned. As I was walking back to the rest of the pack, I suddenly remembered Cato's fall. So vividly it sneaked back into my mind. Again I could feel the chills the same I felt that moment. Why was I so afraid as he fell? Almost forgetting to breath I crashed over the unconscious Cato, begging him to wake up. A moment of weakness. I can't allow myself more of these.I could already hear them talking, everyone was there already. As soon as they saw me they stopped speaking.
''Clove! You're back.'' Marvel said happily. They were sitting around a little campfire they had made. Cato was leaned on a tree, tiredly looking back at me. The fall has really weakened him. I looked up the tree, Katniss was still there, slowly falling asleep. She was tied onto the branch.
''Anything new?'' I asked.
'' Nothing much here.. Oh wait! The boy from 3 and girl from 5 died.'' Marvel said.
'' I know,'' I replied smiling  '' I killed them.'' I said victoriously.
Marvel raised his brow, gave me a nod and a smile. ''Well done.''
I packed out the food  that I brought  with me, placing in in front of Marvel, Glimmer and Loverboy, than made my way to Cato. ''Here,'' I said giving him the medicine and herbals. '' You'll need to smire this over your back, than put a bandage over it. Tomorow you'll be like new.''
Cato looked at me and smilled. ''Thank you so much, Clove.'' I was about to stand up and joined the others for supper, but Cato grabbed my hand.
''Didn't you forget a little something?'' He said a bit playfuly.
''Like what?'' I muted, confusedly.
''I can't reach my own back.''
''Oh right. I'll go get Glimmer.'' Again I was about to stand up as he hecticly grabbed my hand.
''No I don't wan –'' he sighned  ''I mean.. you do it.'' Cato said quietly.
I couldn't help but to stare at him for some time. ''Fine.'' I said causing Cato to  smile. He seemed amused. ''Come on.. what are you waiting for? Spreading it over your shirt won't help much, you know?'' I said, mocking him. ''Oh..'' He said stiffly, laughed while stripped his shirt of. I held tight to my breath. I had to kill of many thoughts to focus only on Cato's wound. But wow.. just wow. His back was red and burning.
''How did you manage not to go insane from the pain?'' I asked as I realised how serious his condition actually was.''I almost did to be honest.''  Cato's voice was relaxed, it seemed as if the old Cato was back, but I didn't let it fool me, it could be just for this moment, the next moment he could just turn to me and slaughter me. But I enjoyed his presence all too much to let anything disturb it.. I had Cato to myself.
I poured the medicine oil onto my hands, rubbed them together and pressed against Cato's back. Cato clenched his teeth together, he was hurting. I tried to be as gentle is I could, but it still caused him pain.
'' Does it hurt bad? '' I asked worried'' It's fine, carry on.. '' He muted exhaustedly.'' It'll be over soon.. hold on.''
A final press against Cato's back. I could feel his body raising by the beat of his breathing. He's skin didn't burn anymore, it started to calm down. I took some of the herbals from the backpack and placed it on Cato's back, than took the bandages and wrapped them around Cato's torso. ''You should be fine now.'' I said and looked at him and smiled kindly. He nodded and returned the smile. ''Clove.. thank you.''  I stood up and took the rest of the food, bringing it to Cato. ''Here.. eat.'' He thankfuly accepted my offer and didn't need to be told twice. I could tell.. he was starving. I took some bread and water for myself, leaving the whole meat to Cato. He was the one who needed it more. It was funny watching him as he dug into the food, swallowing without chewing.
'' Slow it down! You'll choke!'' I said laughing. Cato took a break. ''Oh wow, I even forgot to breath.''
I had to laugh. ''You must have really been starving.'' My heart was beating faster everytime I laid eyes on him. I didn't strugle as the moment started to overwhelm me, freeing my body from all the worries and tension, dedicating my words and thoughts just to Cato. I turned back to Marvel and Glimmer, they were sleeping, so were Katniss and Loverboy.'' Now I'm full!'' Cato said than yawned.
''You need to get some sleep now.'' I told him kindly'' Are you kidding? Someone needs to look over the group.'' He said determindedly.
'' Your body needs resting, how do you expect your wound to heal? It's fine, I'll take the first look out.''
  ''But –''
''No but's!'' Cato lowered his head smiling and saying; ''Fine mother.'' I had to smile.
'' Than can you stay here? Next to me? '' He said quietly, putting his hand on the empty space next to him, tapping it. I looked at him surprisedly and confused. What was Cato on to? I stood up and moved to the place he asked me to. Placing my backpack on the ground and taking my jacket off. Leaning my head back on the tree's trunk.'' The sky's so bright '' Cato mumbled. I looked up, it trully was. So many stars decoraiting it.
'' That star..'' I pointed up in the sky  ''it shines brighter than all the other ones.'' I said
''Just like you..'' Cato answered, leaning his head on my shoulder  ''compared to the other tributes.''
I blushed hardly. My mind spinned and got flooded by hundreds of images of Cato. I felt so confused but on the other hand, something grew over my chest and grabbed it tight, keeping my breath away, smothering me. But it felt so warm and so right as if it was a dream.. Cato was breathing deeply. He was asleep. I gently moved my shoulder and placed him on the ground, using my backpack as his pillow. As I made sure he didn't wake up, I covered him with my jacket. My hand ran through his hair, my fingers tangling in his hair. I dragged myself a bit further from him and leaned back. I had the perfect view over everything, nothing could happen. After a while I got tired, my lids were heavy, closing themselves. I stood up, waking Glimmer.  ''It's your turn to take the guard.'' She sighned unhappily. ''Fine.'' We changed places. ''But don't fall asleep!'' I whispered to her. ''Ofcourse I won't! I'm a professional!''
''Psh..yeah right'' I muted to myself.
It didn't take long till slumber started to overcome me. The world around me spinned and I raised from the ground, leaving for the world where I was free.