Born to Die (Clato Fanfic)

Chapter 19

Frosted leaves crunched under my feet as we walked. I shivered and wrapped my arms tightly around my body, trying to stay warm. The temperature had continued to drop rapidly each night. Unfortunately for us, that's when we did our hunting. Cato and I set out each icy night, trying to find our last few victims, trying to get home. The odds hadn't exactly been in our favor. We hadn't even seen a sign of life in the last two days and our time was dwindling. It wouldn't be long before the audience grew bored and the Game makers made adjustments.

Our food supplies was also running low. We occasionally received meals from sponsors, but they didn't last long. I found myself weak with hunger and wishing I paid more attention in our hunting classes. I did end up killing one rabbit, but it wasn't enough to share and I couldn't seem to kill another. It had only been two days since Marvel's death, but the days were dragging by.

However, we did have a bigger problem. Katniss Everdeen was in the way of my victory. We decided that Twelve had scored her eleven with her archery skills. I had only scored a ten and that made her better than me. She could be watching us at any moment and we wouldn't even see her arrows piercing our skin. I hated that we needed something to protect ourselves, but I knew we couldn't risk it. Each time a parachute arrived I hoped it contained some sort of armour, but it never did. That wasn't something our sponsors could provide. So, when a feast was announced, we knew we had to go.

The moon shone from between the trees, illuminating the arena in a light glow. I shoved my hands deeper into my pocket's as the frigid air seeped through my jacket. I cringed as the anthem began to blare through the arena, announcing that there had been no deaths today. I glanced at Cato as he cursed under his breath. He was hoping to see Lover Boy because according to him, Peeta should already be dead.

Tomorrow morning was the feast where everyone would get the item they desperately needed. I was sure there would be blood. That was the whole point of the feast. That's what they wanted.

We were headed to the edge of the woods, where we'd camp until dawn. We had more than enough time to discuss our plan and I knew it would work. We arrived at the Cornucopia and took out our weapons, eagerly waiting for the rising sun. Suddenly, the ground split in two and a table draped with a pale tablecloth and four backpacks rose out of the ground. Cato reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. It was time for the execution.

Centuries ago, Cato had promised that I could kill Katniss and he had kept it. I was her assassin and I would not fail. We stood on the edge, waiting for the perfect moment to break free. Someone beat us to it. The girl with the fiery red hair sprinted through the plain and snatched her bag. Cato jumped to his feet, eager to follow her trail.

"I'm going after her," he announced, grabbing his sword.

I didn't like the idea of splitting up, but I didn't protest. "Okay, we meet back here? After I've hopefully killed Katniss and gotten the armour and you've killed Five."

Cato smiled and brushed his lips against my forhead. "Go get her, Clove," he said and took off after Five.

I was perched at the edge of the woods, two knives gripped tightly in my hand. I could see her clearly, hidden among the trees on the other side. She looked around quickly and cautiously moved forward, bow in hand. Suddenly, she was sprinting, but I was just as fast. The knife shot out of my hand, heading straight toward her head. She dodged my knife and reached for an arrow, sending it toward my chest. I avoided a fatal hit, but the arrow still punctured my left shoulder. I gritted my teeth as pain surged through my arm. I yanked out her stupid arrow and peeked at the blood seeping through my jacket. Luckily, I was right handed.

Katniss sprinted toward a tiny bag that could only fit something as small as a tube of medicine. I immediately realized it was for Lover Boy, for the wound from Cato's sword. They were trying to survive toegther, just like us. The next knife was flying out of my hand as soon as she had a grip on the bag. It sliced her forehead, sending a stream of blood pouring down her face. She staggered back, her fingers fumbling for another arrow. I saw my chance and I seized it. My body slammed into her's, sending us tumbling toward the ground. I knocked her flat on her back and pinned her body to the ground.