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Vindictive | Chapter 16

The moment Thresh uttered those words, I feel cold all of a sudden. Like, seriously cold. Not the cold of fall or early spring, or even the cold we usually know in winter, but a deep, bone-chilling cold. It’s at least close to a hundred degrees today and I feel cold. Those words scare the hell out of me. I don’t know whether to tell Clove the whole truth or come up with a white lie just to escape this suspenseful situation.

“What?” Clove asks me.

I take a quick glance at Richard and he puckers his lips in Clove's direction, as if suggesting telling her the truth.

“I—uh…”

“Cato?” Clove says. “Do—do you know where my dad is?”

I keep on racking my brain for anything to say but the intensity of the situation is just too much for me to handle that nothing sensible is coming to me. Maybe Thresh is right. Perhaps it’s finally time to let this poor girl know about her father’s mischief.

“Clove,” I breathe out a heavy sigh. “I know why your father is never home. I know exactly where he is right now.”

Her eyes start to form tears and at that moment, all I want to do is to shut myself up and take her tiny frame in my arms. I hate seeing Clove  this way that’s why every time she’s down; I always try my best to cheer her up. Hence the day we spent at the carnival.

Vindictive | Chapter 15

“Katniss, i-i-it’s not what you think!”

The brunette steps closer, ignoring my attempt to deny what she just heard. “And as a bait? What are you, a fisherman?”

I back away but I hit the railing. “Katniss, please.”

“Please what? Please pretend I didn’t hear you? Please don’t tell Clove? Cato, I think I have every right to let her know how much of a fucktard you are! Yes, you made her love again but you were only using her for your own benefit.”

“Katniss, no. You don’t understand.” I tell her.

“I do, Cato. You made it clear when you said you were only using Clove as bait. But for what?” Katniss screams.

I only hope the closed glass doors is enough to muffle our words from the inside. I don’t want Clove to hear this. I don’t want to ruin the relationship we just barely had.

“I’m afraid that’s one thing I can’t tell you.” I reply, my eyes looking straight into hers.

The brunette jabs a finger on my chest. “You’re a self-centered douche and I won’t allow that Clove has no fucking idea about this!” She shoves me hard, her eyes burning with fury.

Vindictive | Chapter 14

Droplets of rain splatter against the roof of my car creating a pitter-patter noise. The weather forecast says that it’s mostly clear tonight so no one really expected the sudden downpour. But by the time I reach Clove's house, the place is packed with kids from our school and the party is already on full swing despite the bad weather. Excitement rushes through every vein in my body so I hurry to find a parking spot.

Lucky for me, a couple leaves the party early vacating the space on Clove's driveway. I take it immediately as the rain continuously pours. It’s not really that heavy since it’s almost summertime but it’s enough to soak anyone who stands under it for too long.

I kill the engine and I catch sight of Clove looking out her window before disappearing. Pulling my black jacket over my head, I open my car door and head out into the rain, the droplets already creating huge splotches on my clothes. I shut my door with an unintentional slam and lock it.

“Fuck.” I mutter as the hem of my jacket gets stuck on the door.

I glance up at the sky and it’s really not hard to tell the rain won’t stop any moment soon. It’s starting to soak my clothes as well and I can’t go to the party looking like I just came out of the shower fully clothed.

Vindictive | Chapter 13

It was two weeks after I accidentally stabbed Savannah to death. Ever since that night happened, I’m always dreading the time when I have to come back home. Of course, Ryan was an incredible father but it was when his wife was still alive. He’d grown harsh and always gave me the cold shoulder whenever I try to speak to him about training, school, girls, et cetera. We barely have dinner together. I still cooked for him but each morning, I’d find the food untouched, as he did not, once again, eat his last meal of the day.

It hurt me even more as each day passes by without Ryan even saying a single letter to me. It also saddened me because I had the second chance to have another father but it only lasted for eleven years. I know it’s a long time but if I was given one wish, I’d ask for those years were I have a father to lengthen, simply because I missed the feeling of having one.

It appeared to me that he doesn’t remember adopting a son, for all he could think about was his deceased wife and the devious teenager residing on the same roof as he was. For all I knew, he was more than willing to get rid of me.

But I guess he realized he couldn’t do that so in lieu, he got rid of himself.

I was walking home one day from school. I remembered that day as one of the best because the girl I liked finally saw me. I wasn’t invisible to her anymore; I wasn’t a nobody any longer. Smiling like I just won the lottery, I trotted towards the path I usually took to get home faster. Even though I knew Ryan wouldn’t even care one bit, I was excited to tell him about my day and to let him know about the girl I like that was very similar to Savannah.

Vindictive | Chapter 12

A tall investigator named Lawrence and probably in his mid-thirties slides my original tag across the table towards me. It stops right at the edge of my side of the table and I stare at it apathetically, not even bothering picking it up. If I did, it will only make me obvious. He crosses his arms on the table and looks intently into my eyes.

“Tell me, Cato, is that yours?” He asks scrutinizing me in a highly browbeating way.

I take a quick look at the tag in front of me again and for a moment, I feel a longing in my heart. The tag I have on me suddenly feels so heavy, like it’s not supposed to be there. I should be wearing the original, the one my parents gave to me as a present for my sixth birthday. I’m glad that my mom already gave it to me before my birthday even came because if she didn’t, I don’t think I’ll be looking at it now.

What once gave me happiness and bittersweet memories will also be the one accessory that will lead me to my misery.

I shake my head innocently. “No, that’s not mine. I haven’t even seen that before.” I answer as fast and straightly as I could, not wanting to choke on my own lie.

Lawrence keeps his eyes on me as if hoping that I will break soon enough. I really want to laugh because no matter how long they keep me here at the station, I will never voice out the truth. I will never turn myself in. Unless they start using a lie detector during my interrogation, only then will I be doomed.

Vindictive | Chapter 11

Finnick insists that if I really want to go against the most wanted syndicate in the country, I need to prepare for it.

For the past few days since Thresh stopped being on the team, Finnick had always been the one by my side. He’s helped me come up with new game plans and strategies and gearing me up till the day comes where everything will be put to action.

Now as we’re running on the same route Rue and I normally go to, he’s been talking non-stop about the plan.

“I’m pretty sure after his headquarters has been spotted a year ago, his men had migrated into a new one, a more secluded one. We need to find it and then—”

“Hey, Cato!” A voice not too far from us hollers, calling my attention.

Finnick and I stop from running and swivel around to see whom the person is.

“Peeta?” I squint my eyes as I shield them from the scorching sun with my hand.