Reaping Day…everyone's worst nightmare.
I stealthily make my way to the forest. "Dinner is getting especially hard to catch" I think as I duck under the fence. I suspect it's because other people have started to use my means of food. Lately I've had to start further back; running across those other two hunters really didn't sit well with me. Even though there friendly…most of the time. They've become almost like friends. Even though I forget their names.
Running through the forest trying to shoot and run at the same time isn't easy. Unlike my hunting "Partners", I keep my bow and arrows with me when I leave. Some people might think this might cause a problem when Hunting is illegal but It's really not that hard.
Great, bagged a rabbit and two squirrels, I smile slightly. Sighing I start heading back silently keeping a watchful eye as I enter the hunter's territory.
I hear a light crunching of leaves; I stop in my tracks alarmed. I jump up and climb a nearby tree. Fearing it was one of those dam peacekeepers. As usual I was wrong. Just some reneged person I don't know. "Pretty soon there won't be enough food for everybody" I thought slightly glaring. I continued jumping swiftly and silently from branch to branch. The trees bend and wave in the light breeze it was hot earlier today now it's rather tolerable; peaceful as well… almost. As I continued, I thought "I wonder if they'll pick me for the great honor of becoming a tribute" I think as a I roll my eyes. Or if they'll pick another innocent child like they did last year… "Primrose Everdeen" It still haunts me. I shudder. her sister Katness had volunteered for her that year…and won. If she's chosen again. I stop for a second. "Then its defiantly rigged" I think as I close my eyes. Right there I made a promise to myself….If…if a younger tribute is chosen I would volunteer for them. No matter whom it is.
I reopened my eyes and continue through the trees. Still thinking about it, I'm not really needed where I live. My parents could do without me…dad could take care of mom, she has breakdowns. It's my little sisters who would have a tough time I've never taught either of them to hunt not that they'd need to anyway. We are a merchant family, one that happens to do particularly good. I hunt to bring in money so I don't feel completely useless.
I near the fence is almost in sight when I hear a loud SNAP, stopping in my tracks. I look down from the branch I'm standing on. The girl hunter. Katness. Is standing beneath me she caught a rabbit. I sigh in relief. Her head snaps up, she pulls her bow back the arrow already ready to fire. I tense ready to jump if she shoots. That's when I hear a second set of footsteps, the second hunter comes. Startled she turns her arrow on him. Gale?..i think is his name. He puts his hands up in defense. She points her arrow to my hiding spot. He looks up squinting. Probably to see if I'm there. I stand perfectly still, knowing that the slightest movement could very well mean a arrow through my shoulder. I'd live of course but that would be more pain then I'd care to EVER have. He turns back to Katness. There engaged in a conversation, so I take that as my chance and swing to the next branch eager to get out of there. But not quietly enough, Katness shoots as im jumping luckily it skimmed past me only nicking my left arm. In surprise I fall through the branches landing with a loud. THUD. "Ugh" I think "man that was scary". I'm currently on the ground in a sitting position. I can hear their voices getting closer. "I told you I heard something Gale" Katness said. "Yeah Yeah" Gale answered. I start to get up which fails as I put my weight on my arm and it caved. "Uh oh" I go pale.
"Dang Katness" Gale said somewhat amused, standing a few feet away. Katness's moving closer as she said "I'm so sorry" she moves to help me up "NO" I hissed. She stayed put but Gale grabbed my upper right arm as I steadied myself. "Thanks" I mutter quietly. "No problem" he says after the initial shock of me thanking him passed and he cracked a smile at me. I turned to Katness and gave her a glare that I'm told rivals Gales on his Worst Day. I yank my arm from Gale's grip and swivel back around resuming my tromp to the fence which is closer by the second with the pace I'm walking at I was surprise that I heard Katness yell " wait" . I stop but don't turn around. "You're bleeding" she continues. "And?" I asked half turning so I could just see her. "Let my mom help you…she's a doctor ...to show I'm truly sorry Lilium" she adds. "The Reaping's in a few hours" I think, "Any other day it would be great, but there's absolutely NO WAY I'm having a debt like this today". I sighed "its fine" I reply. "After the Reaping" She offers again. "Sure" I say "If I'm still here" I give a grim smile at her. Gale shifts "of course you'll be here" He says not quite glaring he never can quite give a good hard glare, " YOU'RE a merchants daughter" he spits. "Gale" I say softly "my name's in 27 times there's nothing special about being a merchants daughter". They gasp. I bolt when I hear a hovercraft fly overhead. Under the fence that is never electric.
I casually make my way to were my once friend only friend lived. The Bakery.
I walk through the door and a small bell rings letting them know someone's here. I'm relieved its not Peeta behind the counter like it is some times. His older brother is there instead. I walk forward and trade my catch for 2 loaves of wheat bread. Give my thanks then turn to leave when, "He misses you" Peeta's brother says thoughtfully. My eyes widen, my back still turned then my eyes squint. "Today's just not my day" I think. "Who?' I asked feigning curiosity. "You know bloody well who" He answered a bit irritated. I coughed "of course I know" I thought "Peeta" He answered. "He misses you won't shut up about it" He continues running a hand through his hair obviously uncomfortable. I feel bad he has to be the go between… "Well maybe he should've thought about that before he broke my heart on live television" I said a bit irritated as well turning to the side my head slightly pointed down. I started out again but just as I reach the door he says "You'll have to face him sooner or later" . I freeze I know I will but... "I know. I chose Later" I mumbled darkly. Opened the door and headed out before he could retort.
The truth? I missed him too. But never would I ever admit that.
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Lestelgardios13