star crossed lovers ➸ cato hadley

xix. madness

     Gone was the knives Natalie held close to her. Gone was the humanity she no longer had. All within a matter of seconds. She couldn't bare being anywhere close to the weapon that killed Rue.

She had so many years ahead of her and it was all taken away by the hands of Natalie.

The female scrubbed at her hands, trying to rid of the blood that was once coated on her hands. She didn't care that the only source of water they had was being tampered with blood; Natalie didn't want any more evidence haunting her.

She was grateful that Cato and Peeta had left to get supplies. Natalie didn't want them to see the monster she had become, especially her own brother. She needed them gone for just a moment. She needed everything to go.

The blood had no intention in going, always going to be a reminder of what she did. Each of her victims had families; Glimmer, Marvel, Rue and the District 3 male she didn't know the name of. They were daughters and sons, brothers and sisters. She had taken them away. For all she knew, the fallen tributes could've been the families last hope.

Natalie covered her face in her hands, screaming as loud as she could. She was a murderer and if she wasn't stopped, she would keep killing.

She reached for the discarded knife with tears streaming down her face, wrapping her hands around the handle. She needed to die. She wasn't going to be afraid anymore. No one would want her after what she had done. Her brother would find a way to survive. Haymitch would make sure of it.

     "Murderer." Natalie could hear the voices echoing around her, faces flashing from all different directions. "Do it." They whispered.

Her tears subsided, replaced by a numbness that would consume her. She placed the tip of the knife against her stomach. All she had to was push and she would no longer be a problem.

All the pain and endless torture would be gone. She would no longer see the faces of those she killed. She will no longer be haunted by the ghosts of them. She will be guilt free; the suffering would've finally ended.

So without any more hesitation, she stabbed herself.

➳

Natalie jolted awake, feeling the knife sinking into her skin linger from her nightmare. She self consciously reached for Cato's hand, the only comfort she felt in the dark. Peeta was keeping watch, leaving the two alone in the cave they had found only a few hours before. As much as she loved her brother, he couldn't give her comfort that she needed. Cato understood her pain, having to kill for his own survival.

He would be able to understand the torture inside her head.

Natalie laid back down, watching the district two male sleep. He had looked as innocent as all of them did. Whilst Natalie didn't know much about what she was feeling, she did know that she needed Cato by her side. He was the light in her darkness, he was going help make her feel whole again.

"I can feel you staring." He whispered.

Natalie blushed in the dark, her mind quiet for the first time in a while. "I-I wasn't." She stuttered. The female was never any good at lying, she usually gave herself away.

Cato didn't answer, instead pulled the girl into his arms. He couldn't care less if Peeta walked in, Cato needed to hold her close. He felt her toss and turn in her sleep and he knew it was from the nightmares. He wanted her pain to stop but he didn't know how to fix it.

Slowly, Natalie was going to fall deeper into the deep pit of madness and if something or someone didn't stop her, they may lose her forever. So Cato did the only thing he can think of.

     He kissed her.

➳

so please excuse this short filler chapter mess but they finally kissed! im super excited for what's coming up next, especially for part 2 as there's only six chapters left before i officially started catching fire. so if you guys wanted an requests then make sure to comment so i can include them.