Chapter 2 – Let the Games Begin
It's been a week since Peeta left, and after I injured myself in my own fury at the fact that Peeta was picked for this year's games. Yes, I was spared, but not my best friend. I wanted one of the twins to volunteer to take his place, but they never cared for his life, and him being my only best friend, caused them to anticipate his death.
"Your friend's not going to last ten seconds in the games," Max snarled in my ear whenever we had to watch the tributes on our own television in the house. I ignored their comments as I took down the bread that I ate for three of my meals. That's all I got, bread and a cup of water. The bread isn't even warm by the time she gives it to me. I just looked at Peeta, and listened to what he had to say.
"What is Katniss doing?" Katrina said sitting on my lap. The girl's ten but she still likes to sit on my lap as if she was four.
"I have no idea," I responded. I was happy to be with Katrina again, my ankle has healed considerably and the cut on my left has healed without a scar. I can't thank Gale and Ms. Everdeen enough. I'm sure she's proud of how her daughter looks so beautiful in that dress, but also scared for her safety in the arena. After Katniss's three minutes were up, Peeta was next.
Katrina and I hushed clinging onto every word that would be coming out of his mouth. We let out a small laugh as he and Caesar took turns sniffing each other. After that Caesar asked if Peeta had a girlfriend back home. I watched as he shook his head. I agree with Caesar, Peeta has never had a girlfriend, and he told me he's waiting on Katniss to say yes. Peeta can't wait on that girl forever. Then, he did something that I never thought he would on television, telling the whole of Panem that he has a crush on Katniss. My mouth just dropped open in surprise, even though I knew this information already, but to confess is love for her for everyone in Panem to witness is wow. He is braver than I thought.
"Wow, I wonder how long he has been in love with Katniss!" Katrina said as I turned the television off. All of the interviews were over, and it was close to Katrina's bed time. "Gabriella, I know you knew about his love for Katniss for a while now."
"I'm not telling, I swore I wasn't going to tell anyone," I said to her lifting my right hand up, to show her that I won't tell her unless Peeta decides to reveal more about his love for Katniss for the whole of Panem. She tried her best to get it out of me but it never worked. "Good night, Katrina," I said as I managed to wrestle her into bed. Sure my aunt hates how I'm bonding with her daughter so well, but she doesn't even bother to put us in separate rooms. I close the door behind me and slowly walked downstairs to close the store up. Just as the lights went out I knew they cut the electricity. I don't know why our electricity never lasts. Sure it's nice to see the billions of stars at night, but it would be nice to be able to feel warm during the cold winter nights, that are coming soon.
After I made sure that the doors were locked I walked back upstairs to find that the twins were still up. I walked over to see what they were doing. I peered over their broad shoulders and found that they had names of all the tributes and they had their money out as if betting to see who wins. "Are you two gambling again?" I asked them. I assumed I startled them because they didn't hear me walk up towards them.
"Yeah, and what are you going to do about it?" Mavis said in this childish tone. I rolled my eyes, knowing that if I tell their mother she wouldn't believe me, until she sees it for herself. Sure I want to see the twins in trouble, but I never schemed against anyone, and I don't think I ever will. I stayed silent, and they knew my answer. "That's what I thought," Max said as they turned back to the names of the tributes, and started talking about who had the best possibility of winning. I shake my head and walk towards the bathroom for a quick shower, and climbed into bed next to the window. I choose it because I didn't want Katrina to fee cold during the nights, and that I can "count" the stars if I can't fall asleep.
I picked up my sword, and left the house. Living in the square doesn't make going to the woods is not as convenient for someone who live at the seam. But it's one place for me to escape from my living situation.
Once I reached the fence I did my usual routine to see if the coils were alive with electricity. A smile played on my lips when I didn't hear the hum of electrons on the wires. I lifted the coil with my sword belt, and went into the woods. I smiled as I heard the sound of mockingjays flying around the trees, and the sound of the wind rustling the leaves and playing with my hair. I realized I should have secured my hair because strands of hair were obscuring my vision. Well, it's kind of late to go back to the house that never welcomed me with open arms. I pulled out my sword and started with some warm up stances.
After what seemed like a couple of hours; well the sun was far from being "behind" the mountains. I didn't even notice how the light of the sun permeated through the thicket of leaves above me. I panted as I looked back to where the fence is located. Hopefully electricity hasn't returned yet. I put my sword back into my scabbard and started walking towards the fence, but something caught my foot and I was hanging in the air upside down. I looked for the hilt of my sword but found it on the floor below me.
Great, I'm gonna die with blood rushing to my head. I thought as I tried to do a sit up and look at the knot on my ankle. Then I heard a branch break somewhere nearby. I looked around as I felt the blood rush to my head. I heard a familiar laugh fill my pounding ears. My eyes meet those familiar gray eyes. He had amusement in his eyes, and I just glared at him. "At least help me get down," I said crossing my arms.
"I don't know, I actually enjoy seeing you like this," Gale said leaning on a nearby tree. I rolled my eyes, hoping he will take me down soon. He even had the nerve to kick my sword even further away from me.
"My blood is rushing to my head, please!" I said doing another sit up and holding it until I started to feel the pressure in my head; nose, eyes, and ears start to fade.
"You seem to be taking care of yourself well, though." Gale said teasingly. I was starting to get a bit annoyed with his teasing. I had no idea Gale could be this annoying. Why do I even have a crush on him? "Alright fine, I'm letting you down," He finally said as he took out his dagger and started sawing away at the rope that kept me tied up. I let out a yelp as I suddenly fell to the floor. I heard a chuckle come out of his mouth. I rubbed my head and my back.
I sat up, "A warning would have been nice," I said taking the loop off of my ankle. I started to stand up slowly, hoping I won't experience a head rush.
"Sorry, just thought you would know by the sound of a blade finishes cutting a rope," Gale said stowing his dagger back into its sheath. Is it just because I use a sword? I sighed and went to pick up my sword. Has he always been like this? I have to ask Katniss, well if she is the victor of the Games. It started today, and the citizens of Panem have the opportunity to watch the start of the Games tonight. I already know that there will be a lot of deaths in the middle of arena.
I looked up at the sky to see the sun was at eight o'clock. I wonder how Peeta is doing so far in the arena. I knew he wouldn't be dead on the first day, he's so strong, and he's likeable. He must have some sponsors who pity him for being in love with a girl who doesn't seem to like him back. "How do you think Katniss is doing?" Gale suddenly asked me.
"I don't know, but I'm sure she's doing well," I said reassuring him. The two are best friends, I know how he feels. "I should probably head back," I said breaking the silence between us. Gale and I don't really talk that often. Sure I have seen him at school but, I never had the courage to talk to him, and where was this courage coming from? I usually blush like mad whenever he was around. Maybe I am finally getting over him, but what if I don't want to?
"I think we both should head back," Gale added pointing to the sun that was inching closer to nine o'clock. I nodded and we both started walking towards the fence that never had a charge. It was a silent walk, I don' know what to talk to him about, besides the technicality of snares or the fun and exhilaration he gets from hunting. I don't hunt; I just exercise with the sword my dad made me. I didn't see any purpose in learning how to fight with a sword, but now I do. I could have been picked for the games, my parents were lucky enough that they were never picked. Why would my dad train me, for the games? Maybe he didn't but, it sure seems like he was getting me ready for the Games.
I was out of my thoughts when I felt Gale's arm stop me from moving any further. I looked up and we were at the fence. "Thanks," I managed to say before listening for any hint of an electric current.
"Is it safe?" Gale asked as he also leaned in to check for himself.
"Yeah," I replied ducking under the coils. Both of us started walking towards the square, I guess he's selling off what he hunted with his snares.
"Want to come with?" He asked me. I didn't think he wanted me for company. Katniss and Gale always sold their game separately, and kept what they needed.
"Um, sure," I said, so I tagged along with him to different shop owners who buy what Gale has hunted in the woods. Many of them were thankful towards him because they had no other way of feeding their families. Now, I wondered if my aunt ever bought game from Gale. And sure enough, she has because we started walking towards the plain brown door. Gale knocked; I wonder if he knows that I live here. He'll find out if Katrina opens the door.
The door swung open and a tall Mavis was standing in the door way. He looked at me as if he had no idea who I was. "Here's the wild turkey you requested," Gale said pulling the bird from his belt. Mavis grabbed the turkey and gave Gale, I assume what they usually gave him. Of course I wouldn't know if they ever had meat, my aunt never served that to me, or even bothered to show it to me. Katrina did try to slip me some meat but she was severely punished for it. So I told Katrina not to try again, I did not want to see her get hurt by the hand of her mother.
"So do you live in the square?" Gale asked as we started walking towards the Hob, the place where the Black Market business runs. I looked at him, unsure of what to say.
"Yeah, I do live in the square," I replied with a smile, to show him that my life living at the square is perfectly fine.
"I guess that's why I don't see you anywhere besides school," Gale added with a smile of his own. His smile was what made me fall in love with him in the first place. He cheered me up after I received the news of my parents' death. Peeta was sick at home that day, so I was lucky that Gale even bothered to talk to me.
"Yeah, I guess," I said. I would be talking to Peeta right now, not Gale. This is so surreal, I can't believe that I'm talking to Gale Hawthrone, and he's talking to me. Acknowledging my presence and we're talking. We're not close but this is the best day ever, so far.
"Did we stop by your house?" Gale asked. I don't know how to tell him. I don't know if he can keep secrets, I don't want my living situation to be leaked out that I have to go to the community center to live. Katrina wouldn't want me to leave her, and I don't want to.
"Yes, we did," that was the only thing that came to mind. I can't reveal too much information. I'm sure he knows some details about my life.
"Which one was it?" He asked. I looked at him quizzical as to why he was so interested in my life all of a sudden. "What? I'm just curious," He added as we were stopped by a man who had a really bad scar on his right eye. He wanted one of Gale's games, and so we stopped and negotiated a price, and sold the squirrel.
"The one where a teenage boy answered the door," I said as we moved on from the man. He seemed quite content with his squirrel meat.
"You live with those twins?" Gale sounded shocked and I looked at his face to see a bit of sympathy there. I simply nodded as a reply. How does Gale even know about Max and Mavis? Did he have an unpleasant encounter with them or something because it didn't seem like it when Gale gave the wild turkey to him; Mavis was probably hiding his actual emotions towards Gale since I was standing right next to him.
"How do you know them?" I asked turning the topic back towards him. I didn't want to talk about my life, like most girls would want to, my life isn't the best, and I know Gale's probably is far worse than mine, or he would assume so.
"Had some bad encounters at school," He replied with a shrug. Those twins will always cause some trouble. I'm surprised that they haven't caused any trouble for the peacekeepers, but then again the peacekeepers don't really care about what goes on in this district. They haven't even punished anyone that is involved in the black market and for poaching. "I can't imagine how living with them is like," Gale added as he sold another squirrel to a woman who sold liquor.
"It's not that bad, just don't provoke them," I replied. The worst thing that they've done to me was leaving me in a burning building. I had to find my own way out. After Gale sold everything but another wild turkey, we walked out of the Hob and started going towards his house.
"Wish, I knew that before I met them," Gale said shaking his head, I managed a small laugh, and we both smiled. I actually felt at peace today, instead of worrying about Peeta, which is what I should be doing. I'll be able to see how he's doing in the arena tonight.
By the time we reached Gale's house it was around lunch time. I was hungry but I didn't want to eat at Gale's house. I wasn't planning on it, and I did not plan on being trapped by one of his snares. Mrs. Hawthrone did offer me some food, but I declined it. After a few more times of trying to persuade me, I gave in. The meal was delicious and it was great to be in the company of people who actually wanted me there.
"Thanks for the meal, Mrs. Hawthrone," I said as Gale waited for me at the door. Mrs. Hawthrone smiled in response as she wiped down the table. I started walking towards their front door, knowing that I will have to go back to Aunt Agave to help with the shop.
"I'll see you around, Gabriella." Gale said as he opened the door to the shop. The bell jingled and Aunt Agave's "sweet" voice filled our ears.
"See you around," I replied with a smile, I walked in and Gale closed the door behind him.
"Where have you been?" Aunt Agave hissed at me.
"I was caught by a snare, it's a long story," I replied as I went to help a customer pick out a dress. I felt daggers digging into my back, Aunt Agave was definitely glaring at me and watching me like a hawk until the day was over. By dinner time I ate what she always gave me; bread and water.
"I would like to hear about what happened today," Aunt Agave said and the two boys put their focus on me.
"You don't even care about me, so why do you want to know?" I retorted as I finished the last of my bread, and gulped down the rest of the water. I looked at Katrina telling her not to say anything. They were all silent as I got up from the table went to the sink and washed my cup. I'm surprised that Aunt Agave even let me eat at the table. It was probably because Katrina begged her for me.
"Well, I'm waiting," I heard Aunt Agave say, I pictured her crossing her arms and leaning back against her chair. I sighed.
"Woke up at dawn, went out into the woods with my sword doing what I usually do, then stepped on one of Gale's snares, he found me hanging upside down, let me down, and I accompanied him in selling his game, and I had lunch at his house, after that I came back," I said all in one breath. Hoping that she caught all of that information at once, because I was not going to repeat again just so she knows what I was up to. I really don't know why she wants to know, there has to be a reason why. Lucky for me Aunt Agave didn't say anything, she just turned on the television hoping whatever happened to Peeta would paralyze me enough so that I won't leave the house at dawn again.
And it sure did, Katniss cut down a tracker jacker nest, and stung all of the Careers and herself. The puzzling thing is what Peeta did, he saved her. Katniss won't know why he saved her. I was happy that he did, but worried if he was going to survive, especially since one of his "allies" cut a big gash on his legs, and that he was stung by a number of tracker jackers.
"Oh Peeta, please be careful," I whispered to the stars, before closing my eyes and drifting into a dreamless sleep.