Hey guys just like to say that this is my first fan fiction so please review. It may not be the best thing you've ever read, but if you don't review I don't know what's wrong! Also review if you want more so I know there is a point for me to carry on.
Gale POV
Reaping day today. I thought to myself with distaste, as I cautiously scurried across the scruffy field separating District 12 and the woods; being careful not to be seen. I crawled under the hidden gap in the 'electrified' fence with ease. After all, it wasn't the first time I had snook into the woods illegally. I was a hunter, the provider for my family- it was my job. Without the game I caught in the woods, my family would starve and that knowledge outweighed all the consequences of getting caught.
However, today I wasn't going hunting. Today was the reaping, the day where all the boys and girls age 12-18 were entered into a draw to decide who which two children would become the tributes who took part in this year's Hunger Games. Games where people watched children fight till the death just for entertainment. That the sick, twisted, sadistic people from Capital enforce to remind the people of Panem that they are powerless against them.
No. Today I had come into the woods to get away from it all. To meet with Katniss, she's my hunting partner, as well my best friend and just enjoy whatever time we have left together in the off chance that one of us got picked. Katniss isn't like other girls in the Seam. She's hard, she'll fight for what she wants and she's amazing with a bow and arrow. Not quite as good as myself, I must say but well... good for girl.
Now deep in the woods I don't have to be as careful about being seen or what I say. As the only people who could see my now would be animals or hunters themselves. It's a huge relief to not have to keep looking over your shoulder every five minutes or to have to hold your tongue like you do back home. If some of the officials heard some of the things me and Katniss say out here we'd be arrested, whipped or beat a hundred times over! I quickly climb up the grassy hills using to foot and hand holes as I usually do up to our place. I have climbed there so many times I'm sure I could do it blind folded, although I wouldn't actually try in case I slipped. What would Katniss do without me if I did? I thought wryly already knowing the answer. She'd carry on, she's a fighter always had been, always will be.
I pull myself up onto the rocky ledge with the dazzling views of the valley whilst also being protected from unwanted eyes by a thicket of berry bushes, lean against a massive bolder covered with ivy and begin to wait. Fortunately, Katniss doesn't make me wait long as within a few minutes I see the familiar braid of dark hair and friendly smile as she pulls herself up onto the ledge.
"Hey Catnip," I say using my old pet name for her, "Look what I shot." I hold up a loaf of freshly made bread I traded at the Bakery earlier with one of my arrows slicking out of it.
She laughs and rolls her eyes. "Hey Gale." She leans forward gently taking the loaf out of my hands and smells the freshness of it where the arrow had punctured the crust. "Mmm still warm, what did it cost you?" She asks inquisitively.
"Just a squirrel. Think the man was feeling sentimental this morning. Even wished me luck."
"Well, we all feel a little closer today don't we?" She says sarcastically with the same bitter tone I use when talking about Games. "Prim left us a cheese." She says whilst reaching into her bag to pull out the goat's cheese her younger sister had made for us, from the goat me and Katniss had bought at the Hob and given to her as a birthday present years earlier.
I smiled at the thought. "Thank you, Prim. We'll have a real feast."
"Ohhh, I almost forgot," I blurt out mimicking Effie Trinket capital accent. "Happy Hunger Games!" I turn and pluck two berries of the edible bush that surrounded us. "And may the odds—" I begin whilst carefully throwing one of the berries in a high arc to Katniss.
"—be ever in your favour." She finished catching the berry carefully in her mouth. We both sat laughing for a moment knowing that it wasn't funny but laughing anyway. The alternative to laughing was crying or screaming or being scared senseless but neither of us could do fear, we were too stubborn so instead we joked about it. Trying to keep thoughts of the Games out of our heads.
We both sit in silence while we begin preparing our little 'feast', both to wrapped up in our own individual thoughts. I slice the bread and spread Prim's soft goat's cheese over all the slices, carefully placing a leaf of basil on each while Katniss strips the bushes of their berries. The weather is wonderful today. Not too hot, not too cold. The clear sky above us is a beautiful pale blue; everything is silent all except gentle breeze in the background. It couldn't be more peaceful. It was just a shame what lay ahead.
"We could do it, you know." I mutter breaking the silence.
"What?" Asks Katniss curiously.
"Leave the District. Run off. Live in the woods. You and I, we could make it." I say. Silence. Katniss doesn't answer so I add hastily. "If we didn't have so many kids." I sigh referring to our families, our brothers and sisters that we both looked out for.
"I never want to have kids." Says Katniss abruptly, not agreeing to my proposal but not disagreeing either.
"I might. If I didn't live here."
"But you do." She snaps.
"Forget it." I say exasperated with the entire conversation.
We didn't talk much for the rest of the day. Neither of us in the mood, both to stubborn to be the first to speak. On the way home we visit the Hob, the black market that operates in an abandoned warehouse that one held coal. However, when they came up with a more efficient transportation system the Hob slowly took it over. We sell half our greens to Greasy Sae, the bony old woman who sells bowls of hot soup. She drives a hard bargain and to be fair we probably would do better elsewhere but we try to keep on good terms with her as she can be counted on to buy pretty much everything and anything. After our detour to the Hob we make a quick trip to the back door of the mayor's house and sell off half our strawberries knowing he has a particular fondness for them and that he always pays fairly.
Eventually, we split the spoils of our days work and head home.
"See you in the square." Says Katniss.
"Wear something nice." I answer flately.
