Life As We Knew It: Before the Games

by ellisss3377

Ever wondered what life for the Hunger Games characters was before the 74th games? Here you'll see Katniss's, Gale's, Peeta's, and maybe Madge's life before that games. (P.S. I'm sticking to the story. No pre-Katniss/Gale, Katniss/Peeta or Gale/Madge stuff.)

1. Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own the hunger games.

Gale POV

I spy with my little eye... a smallish 11 year old girl looking at one of my snares. Who the hell does she think she is, checking out my snares, which now contain my family's dinner for tonight? Better make a move before she steals the rabbit. I move quietly away from my hiding place and try my best to sound hostile. I don't want to lug her around too.

"That's dangerous." The girl jumps back with a startled look, then scowls a little. Then, a wave of recognition hits her. Yes, I know you too. Your father died in the same mine accident as mine. And we're both hunting illegally to support our families. It's so funny how alike we are, huh? We even look like brother and sister. "What's your name?" Maybe she can help me get more food. You never know.

"Kat..." I can barely hear her! So, I make up my own name.

"Well, Catnip, stealing's punishable by death, or hadn't you heard?"

"Katniss," she says a little louder. "And I wasn't stealing it. I just wanted to look at your snare. Mine never catch anything."

I scowl at her. What? So those other snares that I always trip over are supposed to be catching my family's food? Good thing they never do. So where did she get that squirrel if her snares never catch anything? "So where'd you get the squirrel?"

"I shot it." she says, pulling a bow-a bow!-off her shoulder. How did I never notice it?

"Can I see that?" I ask eagerly. I hope not too eagerly. Or maybe she'll think I want to steal it from her.

She hands it over to me. "Just remember, stealing's punishable by death." that brings out a smile from me. I almost never smile, and if I do, only my family can get it out of me. I have a feeling we're going to be good friends.

So, do you like my new fic? I'm thinking of doing Katniss' and Gale's life before the games. And I'm sticking to the book, so no Katniss/Gale business. Though, I will show Gale's jealousy. I'm going to alternate through the chapters, one chapter Gale's POV, another Katniss's POV. Maybe even occasionally Peeta's, Prim's or Madge's POV. Thanks for reading!