I've been released from the hospital. I'm at my house, sitting on my bed. I haven't been in my home for about two weeks. Tomorrow I have to go back to training, back to Cato. Did he really care about me? Why would he? He abused me. I wanted to die because of him. I think I still do.

I get up from my bed and go to the kitchen. I haven't left my room for about three hours and I'm thirsty. I grab a glass and pour myself some milk. As soon as I take the first sip, I see my mom come rushing towards me.

"Clove, are you okay? Why haven't you left your room in so long?" My mother quickly begins to interrogate me. I guess my parents are just really worried I'll try something again.

"I- I'm fine. I just wanted to be alone for a while and think. I'm okay, mom." I force a smile and take another sip of milk.

She sighs. "Okay, but just please don't hurt yourself." She looks into my eyes with intense worry.

"I promise I won't hurt myself. I'm done with that."

She nods slowly. "Good. I love you."

I smile. "I love you too." I hug her and trudge back to my bedroom, glass of milk in hand. I look at the clock on the wall. 10:35. I decide that I should go to bed. I need to be well rested to face Cato tomorrow.

I take a shower, brush my teeth, put my pajamas on. I go to bed. As I'm trying to sleep I think about the Training Center. I think about throwing knives. I think about all the other kids who are trying to be good enough to win the Games. I think of pain. I think of Cato.

The knife flies out of my hand and stabs the target. Bullseye.

"Nice one, Knives." A voice says from behind me. I turn around.

"Leave me alone, Cato."

"But I had something fun planned for today." He smirks.

I feel a small amount of fear building up inside me. "Just… Just go away."

He walks toward me slowly, grinning devilishly. I automatically start backing away. "Cato, get away from me." I try and say it as a command, but it comes out in a fearful tone. He puts his hands on my shoulders.

"Tomorrow's the Reaping, you know." He whispers as he gazes into my eyes.

"It- it is?" Nobody had informed me of this. I hadn't been keeping track of it since I was in the hospital.

"Of course it is, Knives. Haven't you been checking your calendar?" He grins at me. "Are you gonna volunteer?"

I widen my eyes at him. "Why would I volunteer?! I almost died already! I'm not going to take that chance again."

"I thought you wanted to die…"

"No." I shake my head. "Not anymore." I look away from him. "… Are you volunteering?"

"What do you think? It's my last year, of course I'm volunteering."

I look back into his deep blue eyes with an icy glare. "I hope you die." My voice doesn't sound weak this time. For a split second I feel no fear of this monster. I only want him to be gone.

He suddenly lets go of me. "I won't hurt you today." He looks at the floor, then reluctantly turns away from me.

"Why not?" I raise an eyebrow.

He sighs. "Because I think you'll decide to volunteer tomorrow. I can't do anything to you the day before that." He begins to walk away.

I cross my arms. "Wait. Why do you think I'll volunteer?"

He stops in his tracks and looks back at me. "If you want me to die so much, then don't you want the chance to kill me yourself?" And with that he walks out of the Training Center, leaving me with an increased amount of confusion. Do I want to kill Cato Sanders?

The answer comes to me that night. Yes.

AN: So this one's a little longer than the last :) I'll update soon. Love you guys :D