"We could do it, you know," Gale says quietly.
"What?" I ask.
"Leave the district. Run off, live in the woods. You and I, we could make it," says Gale.
I don't know how to respond. The idea is so preposterous. But, somehow it was reasonable.
"What if?" I say, almost mouthing the words.
"What if what?" Gale whispers back.
"What if we did? Who would trade meat at the Hob?" He reached for my hand and I pull back. I spun around and grabbed my game bag and bow, storming off toward the fence.
"Katniss! Wait! What's wrong? I'm sorry!" He shouldn't have been yelling. If I had wanted to hunt anymore, he would have scared away all the game.
It wasn't the idea in general that scared me. It was the fact that I had actually thought about running away.
"It wouldn't work. Your brothers and sister, Prim, our mothers?" I wanted him to know I thought it was crazy. But I didn't.
Gale smiled, and reached out to touch my cheek.
"I know you to well, Katniss. You don't think its crazy, do you?" I shook my head and he smiled again. I looked into his gray eyes. There was no way I could argue.
We glided quietly through the woods, carrying our stuffed game bags. I was punishing Gale with silence. He kept glancing sideways to me, and it made me very uncomfortable. I was still beating myself up for considering his idea. What would happen if we got caught? We would have our tongues cut out and become Avoxes, servants of the Capitol.
When we got to the fence, I rolled underneath it, with Gale following. I must have looked worried, because he gave me a hug and began to run toward his home. So, we wouldn't be trading our catches. That was okay with me, I had to convince Prim and my mother to run away wit Gale and I. It would be hard for my mother. She's never had to completely fend for herself; she's always had people giving her what she needs.
I burst into the house, threw my game bag on the floor, and ran into the kitchen, where my mother was preparing Prim for the Reaping.
"Mother, I need to talk to you about something," I said, out of breath.
"Katniss, what's wrong?" Prim's eyes were bright and cheery, waiting to hear what I had to say.
"We're running away," I said, waiting to hear her response.
"I know. All of district 12 is leaving."
"What?" I was utterly confused. She then explained to me that a secret meeting was held near the Hob. The people of the Seam, the poor section of district 12, had appointed three leaders for our escape. They had titled them the Counsel. Not everyone was leaving, but enough that the Seam needed leaders. They had, of course, chosen people that I didn't trust. But then again, I don't trust anyone but Gale and Prim. Gale and I were chosen to be the guides, because we were the only ones who knew the woods.
We were to leave right before the Reaping, when names were chosen for the Hunger Games. So we had only a few hours to prepare for what might be the end of our lives. I tried to reassure myself that the Capitol couldn't kill an entire district, but I knew I was wrong. They could do anything they wanted to.
While packing a light bag with essential items, I remembered the people that would stay. They would be punished for our rebellion, and I felt bad. I quickly corrected myself by remembering the people that would be saved. Gale, Prim, and most of district 12 would be saved.
"Its time to go to the Reaping!" my mother yelled in an overly cheery tone, from the bottom of the stairs. This is what most of the Seam mothers would be yelling to their children.
"Yes, mother," I yelled back, in the same tone. I stood in our shack breathing the air that will for eternity smell like coal. Grabbing my father's hunting jacket, I slid my feet into my hunting boots. I had a leather bag strapped to my back, and in it I had a few bottles of water, and the game that I had hunted that day. I was nervous, and worried that I might lose some of the people I care about.
Author's note
Thank you so much for reading and for editing, Maddie. Thank you also in advance for reviewing and subscribing.