36

Once we got back we went straight to bed, it was nice being back home though we were just here this morning.

I went up to my room flopping on the bed, I take a huge sigh smiling to myself, I made it. These last couples months were hell but it's over.

I hear footsteps coming into my room, Cato coming over to my bed. "Scoot over."

I smirk, this boy wants more attention then a girl does I swear. I don't mind him being here though, I quite like it actually.

I move to the further side of the bed, once he gets under the covers he pulls me into his chest.

" Night." I yawn.

" Night Musak." I hear Cato mumble, sounding just as tired.

I think we both fell asleep almost instantly.

————————Time jump——————————-

It's been a couple months since the last tour. Uneventful to say the least, not that I mind, I missed the quietness.

I haven't even thought of talking to Nelly or the Blake boys. Everytime I'd see them I'd turn the other way, or pretend like I didn't see them. Couple times they tried talking to me but I had no ears for it.

They kept that from me, why would I want people like that in my life?

Though it's also been kinda lonely, but I'd rather have myself then people who can't be decent human beings.

I go to my parents house once or twice every week, but they always are busy, more now with cadet training. Crazy how many get hurt, keeping my mom busy.

Cato still has all his friends, he'll go out often he always asks if I want to go with but I'm not the hugest fan of drinking anymore. Every time I do I always feel sad, reliving the games.

That feeling of void. It's a numb kind of hurt, it makes me think of every person I killed, the guilt being right there.

—————

I was just making some food, half paying attention to the television. Something in 11 blew up killing 50 people, damaging majority of the crops.

Huge price raise to sum it up.

The door opens, Cato comes in running his fingers through his wet hair. I glanced outside, I guess I didn't realize it was even raining.

" Hey." I said acknowledging him.

" Hey." He says sitting down on one of the stools across from me. " Whatcha making?" He asks.

" Wraps. How were your parents?"

He chuckles, " Mom was fine, she said she misses you. Zane.. he always has something to say."

I turn cocking my brow, " He doesn't give out compliments often..don't worry about it."

" I also ran into Danny and his new girl they want to have dinner one of these nights." He said eyeing me.

I don't like Danny, or his girlfriend. I know this is Cato trying to get me to be social. " Yea. Maybe." I lightly say not paying much attention.

Cato stands up coming over to me, backing me up to the counter. " What's going on?" He asks.

" What do you mean?" I ask trying to sound innocent.

" You haven't been out of the house in forever."

" I go to my parents."

" Once or twice a week.... And your only there for a hour at most. I want to go places with you Kay, everyone is asking where you've been."

" I just don't like going out that much anymore, I'd has enough social interaction to last me a lifetime. I'm still appreciating the peace."

" Well... enjoy it. Tomorrow starts training remember."

Right....

We train for the next games now until then. See each and every kid and see who we think will be the best. more at the 18 year olds then younger ones, we just condition those.

Cato said it was pretty easy for the most part, you just stare and give tips if you see something you don't like or if they ask questions.

I just hope it'll be that easy.

" Stop worrying."

I snap my attention to Cato. " What?"

" I said..Stop worrying."

" I'm not worrying."

He tilts his head, " I know you Kaylaya... You were spacing out. Your thinking."

" What I can't think?"

" No, then you get yourself all worked up."

He brings his food to the couch looking at the TV, "Are you coming?" he asks.

" Yea, just let me clean up-"

" - We have avoxes, we'll call one in the morning, come here." He demands.

I sigh bringing my plate over to the couch sitting next to him. " Did you hear about that huge explosion in 11?" I ask.

" I did. Zane was talking about it. Rebels actually did it , though they won't ever put that on television. They labeled it as a leak, they already caught the rebels."

I lay on his chest just saying " oh."

He wraps one of his arms around me, We watched Tv for the rest of the night. At some point I fell asleep, Cato went to workout and take a shower sometime.

When I woke up I was in his bed, his soap's smell filling my nose. He was lightly snoring beside me, I roll over going back into a deep sleep.

It was maybe a hour later when his alarm went off, making me roll my eyes. First day of training.

I go into my room changing, Cato doing the same. I go down stairs grabbing apples for me and Cato to eat on the way there.

It felt weird going to the training center, last time I was here was with Aspen. I felt that small ache thinking about him, I try not to think about it as much as I can.

Because if I think, it ruins my whole mood. I can't be thinking about him right now, I need to focus on this training thing.

But it's hard losing a district partner that your close with, especially when it's your best friend. Everywhere I go reminds me of him. The only time I was near the training center was when I was with him, dropping him off and picking him up.

I think that's also a reason I don't go out much, because when I'm walking I'll get a smell of his favorite dessert or look at his favorite place to stand when waiting to train....

The same spot a group of younger kids were standing. I feel that pit, looking away quickly to anywhere but that spot.

" I need to talk to some of the trainers. Go find a room for us ok?"

I nod going into the center, looking in each and every room to see what one looks like it'll be a fit.

I heard fighting noises from the next room, I looked in to see a girl sparring.  She was  about 5'8 and a man with punching gloves on shaped as circles.

He was fast, but she was faster blocking all the hits, adding her own to faze him. She had good coordination.

But her foot work was a tad sloppy though,  she wasn't using her whole body, tons of errors for an opponent to pick out and use against her.

I didn't realize I walked in to watch, but I saw her eyes quickly dart over to me before looking back at the man. she punched him in the face then ducking below him.

" Can I help you." She snaps a small smile on her face, obviously proud someone was watching her.

" No-sorry-just watching." I say with a smile.

" Well then what did you think?"

My smile grows a bit more, " Your good,but a tad sloppy." I admit. " Your not using your whole body, and your footwork is all over.. on a flat surface it's fine but get somewhere with texture... You can fall and.. possibly not get back up."

" I bet I coud beat you with my 'sloppy' footwork." She snaps.

I lift a brow, " You think?"

She motions the man to leave, " I do."

I could go for some hand to hand.

" Fine."

I threw my hair up in a bun, before I was even done she charged at me. I ducked just in time, securing my bun I elbowed her.

I hear a small hiss before she comes back up with a fist. I duck again hitting her rib cage.

I come back up looking in her wild eyes." Messy, messy." I tease. She grits her teeth before landing another blow, it's time it hits me But I spin hitting her head.

She stumbles back glaring at me.

" Done?" I say with a smile.

She nods rubbing where I hit her. To easy.

" Your really fast you just need a few tips, then you'll never lose a fist fight."

She glares readjusting her jaw, she squints before her face falls. " I just fought against Kaylaya Musak THE victor?" She asks shocked in her voice.

I smirk, " Yes you did."

" I think you've been the only one that's beaten me."

" Obviously, you look like you haven't taken a hit in awhile."

She rolls her eyes chuckling,  I smile, " What's your name?"

" Priya."

" Priya-?"

" Kentwell."

I forgot Clove had a sister, actually a couple I guess, they look exactly alike.

She has the same round face as clove with her big eyes, the only thing different was some of her facial features and the color of her eyes.

" Your the most talked about girl right now." She mentions now looking at me like I'm a celebrity or something.

I chuckle, " You'd think that's a good thing?"

" How is it not? You get the fame, and the money, you can do whatever you want."

It's not that glamorous, though it's like illegal to actually say that to civilians of 2. We want eager kids.

" It's a lot of pressure. Being famous and all." I say simply.

I hear someone walking through the halls, mumbling something. I turn to see Cato walking, he happened to look in the room we were in.

" I was wondering where you were."

He looked over, " Priya."

" Caty Cat." She says with a smirk, Cato giver her a dirty stare returning his attention to me.

" We need to pick a room and go over the roster for the kids."

" Ok."

I turn back to Priya, " Bye."

She smiles, I turn back to Cato " Come on Caty Cat. We got a lot of work to do."

I hear Priya snort under her breath. Cato gives me a nasty glare walking out.

I turn back at Priya giving a smile before catching up to Cato.

" I hate you." He says trying to stay mad.

I give him a big smile, quickly planting a kiss on his cheek before laughing again.

" how old is Priya?" I ask.

" 16"

I stop," That's it?"

" Yep."

" She's really good for her age."

" Yes she is."

For the rest of the morning we picked a room, which was the biggest one, of course. We loaded it with weapons, fake and real, also with lots of dummies and mats for hand-to-hand.

By the time we were done it was later evening, and all I wanted to do is get out of this clothes and take a shower.

Tomorrow will be the training for the kids, I feel a little better about it then yesterday, I saw a lot today they all seem like they would be a good fit.

Walking out, there was a group all huddled around talking, when they saw Cato and I walk out their faces dropped.

" Make good decisions!" Cato yelled looking back at them with a stupid grin.

I see some of them relax, except for a couple girls tense, still unsure.

" Why did you say that?" I ask once we get a ways away.

" Wasn't it obvious?"he asks.

" If it was I wouldn't ask."

" They're night hunting."

I thought the really crazy ones only night hunted. They go out and kill the slacks of two, pedos, rapists, drunks, murders, anyone who shouldn't waste oxygen. Basically anyone in the slum area of 2.

Peace keepers don't normally care if they find one dead, but if they see them hunt, they are no better then murderers. Rule: Kill on sight.

" Aren't you supposed to report that?" I question.

He shakes his head," No. We all did it before. That's why we win, because we all killed before.I think every victor except you."

He says it like it was a bad thing.

" I still won. Even without killing civilians."

" I didn't mean it like that Kay. I'm just saying it's normal. If they suck someone will get caught, if you want to be in the games you need to know how to be stealthy. This is great practice."

Well, I guess we'll see if anyone gets caught tomorrow.

Training is bascially just observing until the games, you help when you need to, keep mental notes of who is outdoing everyone else. Then see how old they are.

Then if they are 18, and 18 only you ask them to be a career.

We get a ride into town, when we walk in all the kids were already there, from ages 12-18. Some were practicing, climbing, some knives, swords, some where learning about survival.

It was exactly like the training center at the Capitol. mentors at all the stations, kids trying to show up each other.

I see some of Cato's younger friends which one of them being Vad.

He makes eye contact with me, I give him a glare before looking away at some of the other kids. I see the group of boys and girls we saw last night.'

None of them got caught I see.

The black haired girl has sweet eyes, she looked very timid and sweet, but that could also be deadly.

The blond seemed decent, she had some spunk squaring up with the boys, she looks like she could do some competition.

The Brunette though, she was the one glaring before, stone cold eyes. just by the looks of her she looked deadly, I'll need to watch her.

She happened to glance at me, her eyes looking me up and down in disapproval. She said something to the group, Vad answered with a grim look slightly tilting his head towards me.

I see the girl glare straight at me, I do the same. No way I'm letting her do that, who does she think she is?

Cato must've noticed me fixated on something, he followed me glare to the girl, " Odessa! Staring like an idiot isn't going to get you through the games!" He yells.

The whole room seems to quiet down, looking over to the group. They all seem to snap into action even the Odessa girl, but not without a glare at me then Cato.

" Who is that girl?" I mumble to Cato.

" Odessa Belldonna. She's something for sure, her attitude sucks but she'd be a good one." Cato says.

I nod skimming over the other kids, I see Priya in the corner in one of the weapons station. " I'll be back." I tell Cato as I walk her direction.

She was whispering profanities as I got closer, I slipped in the small booth looking at what she was doing.

She was trying to make a makeshift spear...I think. "For the hundredth time I told you I don't-" she spins her head around looking up. She stops mid sentence when she realizes it was me.

I smirk leaning down by her, " Even if I wanted to help you I can't. I never was any good at making weapons either." I inspect her spear seeing her sloppy knots getting in the way of where her spear head should rest.

" Maybe try knots?" I recommend.

She sighs, " They told me the same thing." She grumbles. She sets her spear down giving me a grin, " I see you met Belldonna and her friends."

I roll my eyes, " I wish I didn't they seem... not likeable. How about your friends? Where are they?"

She shrugs, " Don't have any. Clove said it's better to not get attached to anyone..especially when your going into something like this."

Her face straightens as she talks about her, I could tell they were close.

I shrug, " Well, I don't have any either. and I already went in the games, so we can be. I can give you pointers."

" I suppose we can." She says sarcastically, trying to hide the smile she was growing.

" Why don't you actually come train kids that are worth you time." I hear behind me.

There Odessa was with two other girls, she shrugs giving Priya a malicious grin. " We all ready know Kentwells don't last in the arena."

She reminds me to much of Mel, and I won't have any of that. Priya gives her a look but she doesn't say anything.

" Then I guess you've never seen her fight." I try to say levelly.

Odessa grins, " Yea? And you have."

" I have. And I bet money you'd be on the floor."

Priya looks at me wide eyed, but I ignore her. " 100 dollars you'll be on the ground."

" Deal." Odessa says.

She goes to one of the spreading mats, I turn to look at Priya, who just looks like she got selected to go in the games.

" Your going to get me killed." She spits.

" No you won't, just tire her out. I'll do the rest." I reassure. What this girl needs is a lesson.

Priya gives me a look before going to the mat.

A lot of other kids take notice, I look over at Cato his face straightening as she sees who's on the mat.

" Whenver you two are ready." I chime in.

" Ready." Odessa says instantly.

" Ready." Priya says confidently thought it sounds a little fake.

Her confidence completely goes out the window with Odessa, which makes my blood boil. I guess she maybe has a habit of being mean to Priya.

I'm guessing Clove was the one who would stand up for her and she's not here to do so anymore.

" Start."

They go around the mat a couple times before Odessa charges at her. Priya doges it seamlessly. She does that a couple more times making Odessa annoyed.

" Come on Kentwell! Do something!" She mocks.

Still Priya stays silent, she's focused.

The madder she gets the sloppier she becomes, I see both of them getting tired.

" Keep her going Priya!" I say loudly.

She spins her around so Odessa's back was facing me, I pull Priya out jumping on the mat.

With one movement I elbow her in the back. She grunts spinning around. Her face falls when she sees me, the adrenaline comes rushing back as I look at her.

" Come on, show me what you got." I give her a good swing which she barely misses.

She comes charging at me, as she tires she was slow so it was easy for me to step back elbowing her back again.

She falls laying there. " That was it?" I ask, that was a bit disappointing.

" Anyone else?" I ask the crowd.

I hear her get up, she and the mats weren't quiet at all. I smirk, letting her grab me from behind. I grab her arms throwing her over my head of the mat on the hard floor right infront of the mat.

With a loud thud she slammed on the floor. " Are you done yet Belldonna?" I ask going closer to her, I don't hide my sarcastic smile as I look down at her.

" T-That's cheating." She muffles out.

I chuckle, " Rule number one..there's no rules in the Games. Good to know that now." I look up at the kids watching us, " Does someone want to take her to the nurses office?"

Some of her friends helped her get up, waddling out of the room.

I step off the mat going over to Priya, who was looking wide eyed at the whole situation. Cato was standing next to her the same expression- though his was more annoyed- as hers.

" You did good." I tell her.

" Thanks."

I shrug, " I hate bullies and she reminds me of the girl from 1 in my games, she was mean."

" We're calling it a day. Priya, we'll walk you home." Cato says giving me a look making his way out the door.

I know he was mad though he had no reason to be. But we dropped Priya home, as soon as he came down from her door step he gave me a look.

" Was that really nessasary?" He asked.

" What part?"

He gives me a serious look " All of it. We better not get in trouble for that stunt."

" You had nothing to do with it, I'll take the blame. I wasn't going to let that Odessa girl treat her like that."

" What was he doing?" He asks his tone flattening.

" They were mocking her and Clove."

I see Cato clench his jaw, " I'll deal with that tomorrow."

" I was just looking out for her. And you said make friends so that's exactly what I'm trying to do."

He chuckles, " I guess I did say that. Though beating up a kid wasn't a way I though t you;d connect with someone."

We were walking back to the car I just so happen to be looking out into the town when I see a red haired girl walking quite fast looking behind her often, soon a couple men following.

" Did you see that?" I ask Cato.

" Yea." But he keeps walking.

I give him a look.

" It's none of our buisness."

It's a young girl and big men, it will become Maui business.

" I'm just going to go for a walk." I say walking away from him.

" Kaylaya!" He calls, I ignore him. She looked scared and Those men looked older.

I follow where they went, on the way I saw a knife one of them must've dropped. This can't be good, I decide to try to follow wherever they went.

I hear mumbling, knowing I'm getting close. The I hear more shuffling and a girl begging.

" Please! Don't hurt me! I couldn't get it, I'm sorry!" She begged tears flowing down her face.

One boy has her pinned against the wall, " Do we need to teach you another lesson sweetheart? I think you like when I tech you a lesson." He teases.

He pulls out a knife, opening up her leg so her upper thigh is open, dragging lettering into her leg.

" Hey!" I yell.

Both men look at eachother then at me. " Stay out of this unless you want to get hurt." They mock.

" I'll take my chances."

They all look at eachother then looking at me " Your Kaylaya Musak aren't you?" One of them said.

" Yea, so I advise you let her go. I'm pretty good at remembering faces."

" She owes us money."

I look from the girl to the men. " How much?"

" 600."

The girl looked terrified. I hear movement coming from behind me... Hopefully that's Cato.

I had a small necklace on from the Capitol, " This is from the Capitol, I think this will settle good."

I took off the necklace throwing at one of the men, "Leave her alone."

Cato came finally eyeing the necklace in their hands. " Are you ok?" He whispers.

" Yea. Now how about you guys leave huh? Before I change my mind being generous." I bark.

They all scurry eyeing Cato who gave them all his glare. " Go report them, I saw a camera in the corner. I'll stay with the girl."

" Meet me at the car K?" He said.

I nodded, he turned going to his father probably, our houses are not even a block away.

I look back at the girl who was now slumped on the wall, tears running down her face as she winces at her leg then back at me.

" Hey, your ok. Are you alright?"

She nods.

I come a little closer, " I could look at your leg? See if we should take you to the hospital?"

" I'm fine." She grimaces, " It's not even that deep."

" Well, I could walk you home?"

She nods, I give a small smile. " Ok, We'll find my boyfriend then we can go. He's reporting those guys, they should be caught within the hour."

We went to find Cato, who was by Zane. He asked the girl a couple questions before he called in a couple more Peackeepers, going on their way to find the men.