The night was a black as my soul. The trees were as bushy as my cat Buttercup after she had fallen into a puddle last July. A lamp shade floats in the wind, I can see it vaguely in the horizon, turning pink by a glowing sunset.
I see a worm before me, struggling though the mud, a bread crumb strapped to its back. I say to myself "Hello worm. What art thou worm up to?" It reminds me of my first journey through the Hunger Games.
That's when I see him. Long, shabby orange hair surrounded by a halo of love.
"Hello Peeta."
"Hello K-9" That's his nickname for me. Swoon.
He takes two and a half steps forward and kisses my chin. This also reminds me of the worm.
Suddenly, Gale comes up from behind and wraps his arms around Peeta's waist.
"Hey buddy" He whispers into his ear. This is a friendly thing they do.
"What about me?" I laugh, throwing my head back and seizuring my shoulders innocently.
"Oh hello Catnip" He says back, ruffling my hair. I shrug him away.
"STOP IT GALE!" I shout. He obviously still wants me. 'I'M MARRIED NOW!"
I see a single tear glistening in the corner of Gale's eye. He gets frightened from loud noises. He too is looking at the worm, no doubt reminding him of his past. Sometimes I forget Gale is a sensitive boy.
"I'm sorry Gale" I say. I tuck my hands underneath his armpits and pull him into a hug. I reach up onto my tiptoes and bring my lips to his ear. "Be strong" I whisper.
When I lower my heels back down I narrowly miss the worm. I crouch down.
"Sorry worm. Won't happen again." I am one with animals. I stand up. Peeta joins the hug from behind Gale.
We stand there for a moment, then I feel familiar arms wrap around my waist. I look down, they feel familiar. Those arms only belong to one carcass. "Effie" I whisper.
I break from the hug. Peeta and Gale are still hugging. Such good friends. The worm is still in the mud.
I turn to face Effie. "I have some bad news" She says. Her eyebrows are pulled together until they look like one. It is in these moments her true native ethnicity shines through. She is wearing nothing but fuzzy pink socks. I understand. The worm does too.
"What is it Effie?"
"You're going back into the Hunger Games." I punch her. I faint.
I wake up in the Hunger Games.