First Fanfiction... Takes place eight years after war. I know now that Katniss didn't agree to kids for 15 years (THANKS Ellenka) but i'm changing that. I absolutely LOOOVE Gale sooo... It pisses me tht he doesnt get her... Criticism is wanted! R&R!
Spring had sprung and along with it came many wild turkeys. Unusual for the woods beyond district 12, but either way, what a way to indulge! I had gone out with my almost-two year old son, Mason, while Peeta and Sara, our daughter, baked rolls, and cakes. Today was Sara's fourth birthday. Mason, who was hanging over my shoulder, now sat on a log, messing one of my empty quivers. The one on my back was full. I asked him to take out mommy's bow from the hole in the log beneath him. He put it in my hands. I asked him to stay right there and dig a big hole. I had no use of it, but it would keep him occupied if he thought I needed it.
I walked deeper into the woods, shooting a squirrel within minutes to put in the hole. It will make him feel better if there's something to burry. I put the animal in my game bag and continued walking until I heard a turkey speak. I treaded silently until one was in view. I strung my sharpest arrow, pulled it back, and let it go with ease. The turkey fell silently, lucky for me- maybe I could manage one other. Two should be enough.
I strung my bow over my shoulder and climbed a tree. Around the tree wrapped a grape vine. I lay on a branch, lazily dropping grapes into my mouth. When another group of turkeys waddled into view, I sat up and readied my bow, shooting a last bird. I jumped down and stuffed it into my game bag with the squirrel and first turkey. I walked back to the log and found Mason continuously digging. Smiling I sat cross- legged next to him, and dug out the squirrel. I put it in his hands and whispered, "Cover this, but not entirely. A wild dog might come across and sniff it. We'd be doing him a great favor." I kissed his cheek and stood to stow my bow.
"Mada," he said excitedly. I watched him as he ran to a bush and picked a berry. He put it in his mouth and put on a guilty face. I smiled and walked to him. The berry was from a black berry bush. I pulled out a smaller bag from my hunting jacket pocket and asked him to help me fill it. He put in three and pushed it into my pocket. That was all he wanted, so I grabbed him by the arm and swung him onto my back. He giggled. I ran back to the fence, pausing to listen for a buzz. Silence. I helped him scoot under and followed.
He bounced around the nearest corner. I heard a rock being thrown. I trusted him to walk home. He knew the way, everybody knew him, and it was a small town. I took a detour to Gale's old house. It was currently the home to a district thirteen girl who had fallen in love with Gale's oldest brother. He was killed in war what felt like long ago, but she held the house together for his sake. I knocked on the door. No answer. I looked through the window. She was probably at work. I turned and walked away. I had done this many times before, most of them to talk to Hazelle, who had been a wreck ever since Gale left for Two. She was recently moved to the mayors house to be cared for. No visitors.
I walked through the hob, past the old bakery, and into "victor's village". The fourth house had the lights on. The third did too. Haymitch was in the third. Why he wasn't first and we were second, I have no idea. Peeta used to live in five, but since we married, he moved into my home. As I passed three, I heard plates clatter. He was probably drunk. Good old Haymitch. Four smelled great. I walked the steps and pushed the door. It was warm. I closed the door, and slid into the kitchen. A letter was sitting on a loaf of bread. Peeta had written it in his distinct hand-writing. It read,
" Katniss,
I give you this to not eat, but watch. A form of trust. It has been poisoned, you see. If you don't trust me, you'll eat it. But I know you do. So believe me when I say, I love you with all my heart. I love my kids. I love the way we fit. Sadly, I am being forced to write this. If I could, I'd tell you in person. But I can't. If you trust me, you won't go into the bedroom. It'll scar you. If someone makes you, you will die before you do. But that would go against the trust of the bread now wouldn't it. So you have a choice, bread or bedroom? I love you. Trust me.
Forever yours,
Peeta Mellark"
Confusing as it was- on top of the fact that is was shakily written- I figured it was a surprise. I believed the bread was poisoned. But he knew I would, so that I would choose the bedroom. I stepped out of the kitchen and looked up the stairs. Looked normal to me. I heard Mason ("Mada") from the other room. Stepping towards the stairs, I heard a door knock. Answering it to Haymitch, who said in a slurred voice, " Don't do it ma! They'll getcha anyway." I rolled my eyes and led him to the sitting room. Back to the stairs. Up the stairs. Outside the bedroom was another letter, shakier than the first,
" Remember when we you told Ceaser Flickerman that your favorite part of me was my face? If you do, It'll be even more painful. If you're reading this you don't trust me. Forget everything if you're going to go inside. Our entire past. Even that cold day when I gave you bread. All of it. I love you. Goodbye."
Once again it was un-mistakenly his writing. I opened the door. Our dresser was emptied and re-stuffed, over flowing with messy clothing. On the bed lied Peeta, face-down. His legs were patterned with lines of open flesh. His shirt was gone and his back ripped. His left arm was sticking out at an odd angle. I tried to forget. I didn't listen to him. Why didn't I listen to him? "Peeta?" I said, "Peeta, who did this?" No response. I ran to the bed and turned him over. Where his face should be were bloody remains and gruesome flesh. The first tear fell. His beautiful face, my Peeta, was gone. Ripped from me. At the foot of the bed was another note. Not Peeta this time
"Love,
The Capitol"
I stared in disbelief. The capitol had been gone for five years. Why were they still after me?
"P.S. Happy Birthday"
Sara. They took her. Must of. I tore downstairs to get Mason. He was gone and so was Haymitch. I ran/sprinted to Hazelle's home. By the time I arrived, I was drenched in sweat and tears. I knocked. No answer. I pushed. The girl from 13 was in a chair by the fire.
"Hello," I said.
"I remember you."
"The capitol, they've taken my daughter and killed my husband."
"Is that so?"
"Someone's taken my son too."
"Yes. You're probably not a fit mother. He is probably with the mayor. He'll probably be fine."
"I need him back."
"That cannot be done."
"Look, girl. I have absolutely no idea what's going on. I know you do. I know that you're from 13. I know the capitol did this. I know my girl is taken and my boy is gone. I WANT HIM BACK."
"YOU'RE THE REASON GALE IS IN 4! YOU'RE THE REASON HAZEL IS EMPTY!" She stood.
"GALE KILLED MY ONE REASON FOR LIVING! HE KILLED MY SISTER! HE KILLED HIS OWN SISTER! Accident or not, he gave no pity to Hazel or me. TO HELL WITH HIM! HOW DARE YOU BLAME THIS ON ME! I LOVE HIM BUT I LOVE PEETA MORE! I LOVE MY BOY! GIVE HIM BACK!" I gasped with sobs. My throat burned. It went black and I fell into emptiness.
Soooooo? GOOD? Hope so! More to come!