"Are you telling me to leave?" Gale asks with a slight smirk etched across his chiseled jaw. The gentle breeze that rustles the tops of the trees picks up a few strands of Gale's dark hair. He needs it cut. It's been a few hours since Katniss volunteered to take her sister's spot at the reaping. Gale hasn't shut up about the entire ordeal since.
"No point in you hanging around. You can mope just as easily at home as you can here. Besides, don't you wanna be with your precious Catnip before she's whisk away to the capital?"
Gale scowls, "She's my best friend Horne."
I just shrug. I've watched plenty of kids being rushed off to the capital to compete in the games, some of them I had made acquaintances with. You learn to harden yourself. Those in charge take kids every year, kill them off and send the victor back to live the rest of their life trying to forget what happened in the arena. It's sick and twisted but for now it will continue on. The capital will be taken down; there are plenty of us just waiting for the proper time to rebel. It is coming I can feel it.
"She'll do fine," I say, placing a hand on Gale's shoulder. "Killing people is just like killing animals," I explain as Gales goes to leave. "I'll see you later."
"I'm not coming back tonight Horne. I've got to be there if my family or the Everdeens need me."
"Makes no difference to me," I mumble back.
With that Gale is gone; I didn't even get a pat on the head. Perhaps I should have been a bit more sympathetic. Oh well, what's done is done. Gale will eventually come to his senses. What sensible person falls in love with their hunting partner, let alone anyone in Panem. It's just not worth it.
It is still warm enough out that I do not need to start a fire. The black leather jacket, hunting pants, and boots I have acquired keep me warm enough against the spring breeze. Like most nights sleep does not come. I have to be careful. It is forbidden for anyone to be in these woods. If I were caught I would be taken to the Capital and killed or turned into an avox.
For most of the night I whittle away at a piece of firewood, forming it into the shape of a butterfly. Maybe I'll give it to Gale as a present for his little sister. I'm sure she would appreciate it. Toys are hard to come by in District 12 and even when you find some they are expensive. No one in the seam has very much money to spare.
Next Morning
I fell asleep late and wake up early. It's time to hunt down that deer I'd seen yesterday. Although I have no intention of using it, I carry my bow along just in case I come across any smaller game. The rope Gale brought me a few years back is wound loosely around my shoulder. If I do this right the deer should be an easy target.
About twenty minutes of traipsing through the dense forest I spot my target. It's ears twitch, listening for even the tiniest disturbance. Almost silently, I reach into my pocket and pull out a handful of berries I had picked while on my search for the deer. Barely breathing, I slide one foot in front of the other, careful not to snap any twigs or step on too many dead leaves. Once I reach the edge of the brush I have been using as cover, I extend my hand. This is a slow way of hunting but I find it to be affective. There is no need to me to lug the deer back to my hut and this way the food stays fresh until I need it.
The sun is hanging high above my head before the deer is overcome with curiosity and moves to eat the berries still sitting in my outstretched hand. As furry lips pull some of the food into the animal's mouth I gently loop the rope around its neck.
This is the crucial moment. If my rope holds I'll have food, if it snaps the process starts all over and I'm out of a rope. The frightened deer thrashes around, trying to escape but to no avail. My rope holds.
After a bit of coaxing I get the deer to walk with me. I continue to feed it berries out of my hand. Maybe establishing trust is kind of cruel but it makes the process a lot easier on me. Besides aren't animals put here for us to eat?
Upon returning to my small, falling apart cabin tucked away in the woods I can tell someone's been there. Quickly, I tie up my meal, fitting an arrow in my bow. I nudge the door open with the toe of my boot, ready to shoot any intruder that awaits me inside.
Inside, Gale drops a chunk of wood, hands rising above his head. He looks shocked to see me, as if he thought I wouldn't be coming back for a while. Although I lower my bow I stay tense. I didn't expect to see Gale for a couple weeks. He has other people to take care of; two widows and children who can't fend for themselves. Why is he wasting time coming to visit me?
"What're you doing here Gale?"
"You know I offered Katniss the choice, to run away, to come live in the woods like you do. She refused, said her sister and mom wouldn't make it out here," he rambles on. Everything is always about Katniss. To be honest I'm getting pretty sick of it. Gale's blind love for the girl is going to end up getting him killed one day.
"I wouldn't have let them stay here Gale. This shack is barely big enough for me. I offered you a spot here, not you and anyone else you feel you need to bring along. I watch out for you Gale. Make sure the woods are safe, leave you left over game that I don't need. Yet, every little thing is about Katniss and what you can do to make her happy. Get over it Gale. She's gone now and chances are she isn't coming back."
My friend looks hurt, like I've just let an arrow pierce his heart. "She's my best friend Horne! I taught her to hunt, how to survive in the wild. Don't tell me she's not coming back!"
I can't help but let my hand land on Gale's cheek. He's acting like a stubborn child. "Face the truth Gale! Katniss is a little girl from District 12. She's up against kids who train for these things. She'll be lucky if she lasts the first night."
"What happened to the Horne I first met? She wanted to reclaim District 13, take down the capital, and end the games for good. Now you don't even care. It's like you gave up on everything we talked about."
Gales eyes are soft. His gentle tone has a silent plea in it. I can't help but feel bad for snapping at him. He knows just as well as I do that Katniss might not come back. Instead of trying to force him to see the reality of it all I should do my best to try and comfort him. I'd want someone to do the same for me if it had been Gale whose name gotten called.
Sighing, I pull my friend into a hug. His body has grown more muscular over the years that I have known him. His chest his hard pressed up against my cheek. The muscles in his arms ripple as he embraces me, clinging to me as if he really does need me. I can't help but tilt my head back and kiss his chin.
Gale smiles, "Will you come back with me tonight?"
"Gale…" I'm torn. I can see how much he needs someone to be there for him but at the same time the town frightens me. If the wrong person sees me this entire life I've built for myself could unravel.
"Horne…please," Gale begs, his hand cupping my cheek.
"Just for the night," I agree, covering his hand with mine. His warmth is comforting.
"I'm sorry for getting upset with you earlier," I announce as we near the electric fence that is meant to separate District 12 from the woods. The area beyond the fence is supposed to be off limits to those living within the district. The only way that would ever happen is if the capital came out and turned the electricity back on.
Gale stops walking, his hands holding my waist, "You are looking out for me Horne. You've seen plenty of your friends go off to the games and never come back. You're just trying to prepare me for what could happen."
"Gale…" but before I can say more his lips press against mine.