Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 41

We head toward the north east corner of the arena as we'd planned that morning. As before we take no chances, Cato carries the trident and I walk with an arrow strung ready just in case we come under attack. The day is overcast with a light wind although the air is humid and heavy with moisture. Obviously the gamemakers can plan the weather conditions as they see fit and a thought occurs to me. Are they changing the weather ready for some twist to come from the arena or is it just random, something else to keep me guessing?
It's dusk when we finally reach the north east corner. Two streets join at an angle of 90 degrees with one street heading back along the north and another marking the perimeter to the east, but in the corner is something that can only be described as a golden house. Every house or building in the arena has been a scene of damage, destruction and decay until now. Perfect stone steps lead up to a single silver door, the walls and windows are pristine, the walls a golden colour with the windows darkened so you can't see in. For a few moments we just look on in confusion.

"Do you think the others have been here?" I ask.

"I don't know, doesn't look like it"

I take a cautious step toward the building, worried that I might set off a pod or something.  
I reach the steps and make my way to the door, unsure if this is some sort of trick. I look round and see Cato, still rooted to the spot, seemingly unable to move.
"What's up? come on let's see what's inside" I say.

He takes a cautious step forward and slowly makes his way to my side. I turn back to the door and turn the handle, still half expecting something bad to happen.
I push the door open and we both step inside and gasp at what we see. The outside of the building is an illusion, the walls inside are a glossy white with no windows, blue lights glow from the ceiling illuminating the room in a chilling ambiance. But hanging on the walls, set into fitted shelves are rows and rows of weapons. I walk along one wall gazing at the swords, knives, spears and axes, before my eyes rest on an archery station on the back wall. On the opposite wall are clothes, jackets, bags, ropes and rations, all hung neatly from hooks.

"This is the cornucopia, the golden horn in the meadow was a trick to confuse the tributes. There probably was some stuff there but this is the true cornucopia" says Cato.

"And the others haven't found it?"

"No, if they had then it would of been picked clean by now, you were right Katniss. There was something hiding in this corner of the arena"

I take a full load of arrows and fill my sheath, then take a collection of shafts, fletchings and heads to make more. It's not long before my backpack is filled to the brim with equipment. I've loaded everything I think I'll need including lengths of rope, a thin waterproof sleeping bag and wire which I'll use to build snares, this I'll need as part of my plan. The side pockets I fill with an assortment of rations.

Cato, takes a second sword and a collection of throwing knives. Strangely enough there's no heavy weapons or tridents to take so the risk we took in getting Finnick's was worth it after all. After about an hour of picking through the supplies we make our way back outside to find darkness had completely closed in. Without saying a word we turn back to the door hoping to spend the night inside only to find the door has locked behind us, blocking us from entering.

"Okay, we get to the nearest tree and climb" I say

Cato nods and goes ahead while I string an arrow ready but as I make my way back down the steps I pause at the last one which feels odd. It doesn't feel solid like stone, it feels kinda squishy and strange. My foot starts to sink into the step and I realise straight away that this is some sort of honey trap. The weapons are the nectar, and now the arena has triggered its trap to try and capture or kill us. Cato stops and turns to look at me as the ground everywhere begins to shake, the trees lining the street start to shuffle their branches as the tremors get ever stronger. I turn to the golden house as a huge crack creeps it's way up from the door to the upstairs window, then up to the roof. Cato grabs my arm and pulls me away from the steps as roof tiles start to rain down from the crumbling building. I follow Cato as we sprint off up the street as more rubble tumbles from the other buildings. The tremors are spreading as we run, with more buildings now falling apart around us, Cato makes for a gap in the railings leading us from the street and into the forest but as we reach our route to safety the ground in front of us falls away. Cato nearly falls into the precipice  his speed and lack of balance carrying him over the edge. I grab his arm at the last moment and pull, stopping him on his toes as he stumbles back to me. We fall back onto the floor as flames shoot up from the hole in the street, in the distance I can see the golden house that was filled with weapons has vanished, swallowed up by the ground. I climb to my feet and pull Cato up behind me, the endless shaking from the ground gets worse and we both watch as the street behind us falls away a huge crack runs up the centre of the street as the hole grows ever bigger, extending directly toward us. I run, as fast as I can away from the precipice but we're not fast enough. I look over my shoulder and watch as the collapsing ground creeps ever closer, I feel a hand grip my arm and Cato throws my small body up into the air and over the park railings into the forest. I crash to the ground and tumble into a nearby tree trunk and quickly gather my senses. I leap to my feet and rush back looking for Cato, he's nowhere to be seen! I step to the railings and look out at what can only be described as hell on earth. Most of the buildings across the street are either piles of rubble or shaken to the point of fracture. The street has gone, from the railings that mark the border of the park to the sidewalk on the other side of the street, a wall of flame erupts from the huge abyss and I have to shield my face from the intense heat. I steal a glance up the street and see him! Cato hangs from the railings by his hands, the flames have took hold on his clothes and I can see the pain on his face as the flames burn at his back. I run through the undergrowth and trees until I reach him, his grip is starting to fail and one hand slips away from the railing, leaving him hanging by his fingertips just seconds from falling to his death! I rush forward and grab his sleeve just as he falls, his weight nearly pulls me over with him but I jam my knee in between the railings to stop me falling, I scream in anger at the effort at holding his weight, I won't let him go!
He looks at me with a longing gaze, a silent fair well to release him.

"No, climb Mutt, you can do this!" I scream over the noise of the raging inferno.

He grimaces as he uses his remaining strength to reach for the railings with his other hand. He makes it but seems unable to have the strength to pull himself up, his legs flail around in thin air and my heart sinks as the flames take hold of his boots.

"Climb damn you!" I scream as I use everything I've got to pull him clear.

From somewhere he finds the extra strength to help me pull him clear, he gets his other hand to grip the railings and this time, with my help he makes it over and falls into an exhausted heap on the grass. I take a damp clump of moss and smother the flames which have taken hold on both his boots and jacket. The strange thing is he doesn't seem to be bothered by the pain, it's as if he's immune to it. I sit back against a tree while Cato gets his breath back. I'm pretty exhausted myself, what with all the exertion of the day and my side really hurts, no doubt from my tumble through the branches back at the brambles earlier. I look across at the disaster before us. Flames have taken hold on what's left of the buildings across the street and the small clearing were sat in is illuminated from the darkness by the glow from the fire. We're both completely exposed to attack but neither of us could care right now.

"W....why'd you do that?" asks Cato.

"Do what?"

"Save me? I'm just a Mutt Katniss, you said it yourself. I'm supposed to die in this arena"

His question catches me off guard. I'm not entirely sure how to answer, why did I save him? I need him for the plan to work as I can't kill the water spider on my own, I'll need Cato to do that but I don't feel as if that's the only reason. Am I actually respecting a Mutt, caring for his wellbeing and actually trying to protect him? Am I worried for him?

"I don't know, without you I'll die I guess. I need you to kill the spider and if that doesn't happen then the careers will eventually hunt us down"

Cato nods "yes of course, I forgot about the plan"

I struggle to my feet, groaning with my stiff joints.
"We'd better get going, the others will probably see the flames, can you walk?"

Cato slowly gets to his feet and nods at me "I'll be okay, I just need to heal a bit. Let's find a tree where I can rest"