Katniss wasn't going to let one more person tell her how to live. She had given Panem everything she had and they had taken it like she owed it to them. Her life had been treated like a play, her heart song molded and twisted into an anthem, they took it all away and made it their own until there was nothing left of Katniss Everdeen. All that remained of her was the woods. In the wild Katniss was at home. It had always been the place where the Capitol could not touch her and now that she and Peeta had left it would never touch her again.
When she had decided to leave, Peeta was the first to fill her thoughts. He was the only one who understood what it was like to lose everything. He knew what it was like for everyone to want you dead. The thought of going without him made her chest get tight and it was like the floor would drop out from under her.
The only time Peeta had spent in the woods was when he had been in the arena. Katniss had expected fear and reluctance from him, but he hadn't shown any of that. Instead, he seemed relieved and even a little excited.
The day they crossed over the fence the spring sun was just beginning to rise. The air was still cool in the mornings, and the spring breeze gave Katniss goosebumps on her neck. She zipped up her jacket and shifted the weight of her pack as they climbed a large hill. They had not yet spoken but when they reached the top of the hill Peeta broke the silence with a gasp. 'It's beautiful.' He marveled, taking in the valley before them. A river wound through the bottom of the valley and trees dusted the hills on the other side of the river. On their hill leading down to the river were hundreds of dandelions as if they were leading the way, beckoning Katniss to move forward and have hope.
Peeta had never seen anything so naturally beautiful. Everything was gray in District 12 and in the Capitol everything had been so unnaturally colored, cold and sharp. Here the colors were vibrant and everything looked invitingly soft and playful. He had the urge to roll down the hill, to feel it with his whole body, become part of what he was looking at. Peeta could sit here for hours and draw, he cursed himself for not making room in his pack for his paints. He realized Katniss was watching him and began to feel a little self conscious but then he offered her a toothy grin and it must have looked ridiculous because Katniss laughed. It felt so good to hear her laugh, he had forgotten what it sounded like.
'Let's find a good place to cross this river and follow it as far south as we can like we talked about. We should stay by the water as often as possible, we will keep it in view but I want to get into the tree cover. Animals will be coming to the river to drink, it's best if we keep a bit of distance.' Peeta gave her a nod and they pushed on.
They had learned in school that the ocean had risen plunging most of the world outside of Panem underwater but Katniss had a suspicion that the Capitol had lied to them. It could be the same as the way the Capitol had kept the districts isolated from each other. They could be walking into anything but Katniss was not going to take the Capitol's word. She wanted to see it for herself.
Her time with Peeta so far had been almost professional in nature. They only spoke of plans and survival strategy and had kept each other at a distance. She wondered if he trusted her at all, but he must if he came, right? It was going to be a hard journey if he didn't so she vowed to bring it up when they made camp.
By the time they reached the river the sun was high in the sky. They put down their packs and took some sips from their canteens. They sat on a boulder to catch their breath and rest. They needed to get to the other side of the river. It had the trees they needed for shelter and to make a fire. Also, she needed to hunt. They had decided mornings would be for travel and afternoons would be for setting up camp and hunting and gathering. After the short break, they continued down the river for a few more hours but had not found a lull in the river. The sun was getting lower and it was time to accept that a crossing wasn't going to happen today. 'Let's find some higher ground and make a fire with some of this driftwood.' With their arms full of driftwood they decided to make camp against a group of boulders and just hope it didn't rain. Luckily the sky was clear and rain seemed improbable.
Peeta made the fire while Katniss searched the meadows for rabbit but had no luck. She set up a snare though and planned to check it in the morning. They sat by the fire sipping from their canteens and eating a bit of their food stuffs but being very careful to ration it. They'd be going to sleep hungry tonight and without shelter. Not a great start.
The sun set quickly and they were soon enveloped in darkness. They watched each other nervously across the fire. 'This is a fresh start, Peeta. I know we will never forget what has happened in the past and we probably will never fully understand it all but let's just agree that most of what we think we know are lies. We only have each other now and it's time to let go of the past and start over. I promise to never lie to you. No one will ever make me lie again!' She blurted it all out, stumbling on her words as they spilled out of her. 'You should know that I care about you, Peeta. I owe you my life.' She added to her own surprise, and she felt her cheeks get flushed. She brought her knees to her chest.
Peeta's eyes went wide and he looked down picking nervously at his double knotted shoelaces. There was so much distance between them and Peeta wondered if they would ever cross it. He looked up watching the flames glowing on her face and he was brought back to the games. She was wearing a crown of flames as they were pulled in a chariot. People were shouting their names and Peeta closed his eyes tightly, squeezing his fists, willing the memory away. Those memories tended to lead to blood, pain and screaming. The shouts died away and he was back in the quiet with only the sound of the crackling fire. Half moon marks on his palms from where his nails dug into his skin.
'I don't know if I will ever not be broken. I don't know if I can start over. But I know we protect each other. I get that now. I'm going to try. Maybe one day we'll be happy.' He mumbled and his words were strained.
'Let's get some sleep', was all she said after nodding. They rolled out the sleeping bag and with their backs to the fire closed their eyes. She could feel his back rising and falling with each breath. His broad shoulders were inches from her face. She fought the impulse to bury her face in his warm skin. She fell asleep with memories of a cave, dripping water, lips and arms. It wasn't real, she told herself.