Chapter 1
We arrived at our hunting grounds, and Mom left me to shoot while she gathered. At fourteen, she trusted me enough to get meat for both our dinner and the Hob, and I was good enough using a bow and arrow to provide it. Even if my shots weren't as good as Moms- right in the eye, every time- I could still make a clean kill.
I spotted a wild turkey near a bush, and I aimed my arrow towards it. I had a strange feeling someone was near, but I disregarded it and focused on my prey. Mom always told me to watch my back, though. I was about to make my shot, taking a deep breath in, when suddenly I heard leaves crunch behind me, followed by a male voice.
" Hey Ca-" I immediately turn, not recognizing the voice. My arrow still notched, I faced a man in his thirties, shocked at what just happened. Nobody except the Mellarks went this far out into the woods, if they went into the woods at all. He didn't look familiar, he wasn't anybody that was from town, but he looked so much like my mother I wondered if they were related. He was certainly strong, and it was strange I didn't recognize him. My blue eyes met his grey ones, when he attempted to speak.
He got ready to speak, faintly making a noise, but not ever completing or even starting his sentence. I decided he was a threat, so I took action.
"One more step and I swear I'll shoot." I said confidently. I wasn't quite sure I would shoot, but I had to appear unafraid. "Mom!" I called, eyes still locked on the offenders even more shocked face.
She came out of the trees, carrying a bundle of roots from various plants.
"Ivy, I found-" she seemed to just have noticed the man my arrow was pointing at. She stopped short, looking surprised, shocked, even angry. "Ivy." She said, her voice hostile. "Get Dad. Go. Now."
I didn't argue with her, and I handed her the bow and quiver of arrows, still watching the man with intensity in my eyes. As soon as mom was armed, I took off, braid flying behind me, grandfather's coat (which Mom generously let me wear) loosely on my shoulders.
I reached the District borders, climbing over the gate, and running into town. The whole time I wondered who that guy could be, certainly someone from my Mom's past. Two years ago, when I was of reaping age, I learned all about my parents past, of the Hunger Games. They sat down and told me everything, even showed me a book they made of all the fallen friends they had. I can't say they haven't been through a lot just to get here.
I arrive at the bakery and I can already smell the fresh bread and sweets from inside. I run in and find my eight year old brother, Pane-named after my father's late brother (and yes, named after bread)- and my father icing and stacking display cases. When I walk in, Dad sees me and smiles warmly, but it quickly fades when he sees my expression. He always knows when something's wrong.
"Couldn't catch anything?" Pane teases.
"Not the time, Pane." I turn to face Dad. "You have to help."
" What's wrong?" He questions, throwing off his apron and jumping over the counter. His protective instincts are kicking in.
"There's... Some man in the forest! Moms there now, she told me to come and get you!"
"Who is he? Did he have a weapon?"
"I don't know, and no he wasn't armed. He looked like Mom." Something tells me to add that detail in, I don't know why.
Dad stiffens. Recognition passes his eyes, along with pain, anger. Definetly someone from the past, but I still don't know who. I'm afraid he'll have an episode- when I was 12 they also explained to me about his hi-jacking- and Pane is still too young to know why Dad raves sometimes.
"Pane!" I say. "Go to Uncle Haymitch's house! Tell him what happened. I'll find you after." He doesn't argue, and he throws off his apron, running out the door. "Dad, come on! I'll show you the way!" I grab his arm and pull him through town and eventually near the woods.
Dad stops when we reach the gate. "Ivy, go to Pane and Haymitch. Don't follow me, I don't know the whole story yet."
"But Dad!" I exclaim, wanting to know what's going on. "At least tell me who it is!"
Our blue eyes meet each other. " Haymitch will explain. We'll talk later I promise."
I hug him firmly. His strong arms hold me. "They're that way." I say once I let go, pointing out the direction. Without another word, he climbs under the gate- with some difficulty because of his large build- and loudly runs off into the woods. I watch him go, and when he's out of site, I run to Haymitch's house, hoping for the best, expecting the worst.