Hello again readers!

So I decided to post another chapter tonight, I know, it's really soon. But I couldn't wait! This time I really want to hit a certain amount of reviews before posting another chapter! So please, review! Anonymous reviews are enabled so feel free! Thanks for reading guys, it means the world!

Okay I'll shut up now.

Jenna x

Chapter 2

I slip back on my mother's old hunting boots, still warm from my morning hunt. She taught me to hunt the day I turned 12 years old. Dad says I'm a natural with my bow, just like mom. Mom, of course, says I still need improvement, all about constructive criticism she is. I hear my brother's footsteps approaching.

"Where are you going?" He says. The poor kid didn't say a word throughout the entire conversation.

"For a walk." I reply curtly. He sighs, "Dad says to be home by nine for breakfast." I nod silently, and then walk out the door.

The fresh and crisp autumn air against my skin feels amazing. I walk straight into the forest. Apparently there was once an electric gate surrounding our district, but that's long gone. Usually I stay near the Meadow; it's where my brother and I used to play. I also, according to dad, took my first steps there. But for some reason, today, I just walk right on through. I walk for God knows how long until I come across the most amazing sight. A pond...or maybe it was a lake, surrounded by lush green grass. Fall leaves cover some sort of hut near the edge of the water. I decide to get a closer look.

Its small and extremely old looking. The ceiling is black and charred; obviously a fire had been started in here recently. Suddenly I realize how quiet it is; too quiet. No birds, no movement. My heart starts beating faster and faster as my hunter senses kick in. Someone else is here. I am in danger. I turn, slowly and quietly, making my way towards the door. I step one foot onto the grass and hear the sound of metal clicking right before I feel the searing pain of my ankle getting torn apart. I hear myself make an unnatural yelp. And then it's black.

"Hello? Can you hear me? Shit. Come on, wake up!"

I feel someone shake my shoulders. Opening my eyes, I slowly remember where I am. Then the pain returns, and takes my breath away.

"Who ar-ahh." I start to say. But the hurt is too much and cuts me off mid sentence.

My ankle feels as though a hundred arrows have been shot straight through it. Tears fill my eyes, and I hate myself for feeling so weak and vulnerable.

"Whoa, hey slow down there, your ankles damaged pretty bad." says the boy.

I get a good look at him for the first time. He's got dark hair and olive skin, exactly like mine. Grey eyes like my mothers and brothers. He's well built, with a strong jaw and torso. One of his parents must have been from the Seam, just like me. He looks to be about my age, maybe a few years older. Odd, because I've never seen him at school or around town before. I try to sound nonchalant when I ask,

"Uhm, who are you?"

He smiles broadly, revealing a perfect set of white teeth.

"Blade Hawthorne," he smiles, "but you can refer to me as your savior."

He picks me up in his arms and I let out a cry of pain.

"Easy..." he whispers soothingly as he starts walking.

I try and regain control. "Okay Savior, want to tell me how that snare got setup so quickly? And why haven't I seen you around here before? And where are we even going!"

He laughs. Apparently he's finding this just hilarious.

"Slow down with the 20 questions" He grins. Then he frowns. "I heard something, and figured a wild animal had walked into the hut, so I set up the trap as quickly as I could for when it walked out, sorry." he adds. "I'm from District 2," he continues, "but once a month my dad brings me to this forest to do some hunting, he says it used to be his favourite spot when he lived here. Oh, and we're going to a cabin we built down that hill a few months back. It's got a great first-aid kit. My dad should be back soon enough."

"Sounds like a plan." I say.

"I haven't gotten your name yet..." His voice trails off. "Safflower Mellark," I answer, "but most people just call me Saff. "

"Sorry we had to meet like this, Saff." He sounds so genuine, like we've known each other for more than about 10 minutes.

I just smile. I feel a headache coming on from the fall, so I let our conversation die out. The trip to the cabin is long but silent; there really isn't anything to say. Blade's arms are strong, his chest warm. I feel oddly relaxed in his arms, considering the situation. I take the time to think, and realize that I feel as though I'm forgetting something important. Then it hits me.

"Holy shit! What time is it?" I exclaim.

Mom and dad are going to be furious. I see him take a peek at his wristwatch around my body.

"Ten to eleven," he says, and then he sees my expression, "Uhm, you okay?"

Oh no. Oh no no no no no. My family is going to kill me when they find me. Or worse. I remember once when I was around 8 years old, my parents took me to this sort of celebration that they had been invited to. It was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the successful rebellion. I recall wandering away from my family, into the main square of District 12, surrounded by people. I ended up sitting against a wall, just people watching. When my mother found me, she broke down. She kept saying, "I thought they took you. I thought they took you away from me." I had no clue what she was talking about, so I just hugged her and told her I was fine. Dad just held me close, and refused to let go. When we got home a few hours later, after picking up Rye from Uncle Haymitch's house, they both agreed to never attend another one of those occasions again.

I know they must be worried sick. Most likely they're out searching right now. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about it at the moment, given my condition. So instead, I just say,

"Fine, are we almost there?"

"Soon," he replies evenly, though I can tell he's still curious," just a few more minutes." My head hurts, my foot aches, and I'm worried sick about my family. My patience is running severely low. I look at my foot and see that it's bleeding profusely. Blade's jacket is covered in it, as well as my entire body. I feel bad.

"I'm sorry about the blood." I say sheepishly.

This makes him smile. "I'm sorry I made you bleed in the first place."

I laugh, "Touché."

The next event happens so quickly that it's all a blur.

My father bursts through the shrubbery, yelling my name. His eyes lock with mine, only for a second. Then a deadly look fills his crystal blue eyes as he really takes in the scene. His deathly glare moves to Blade, and their eyes meet. Immediately, Blade places me on the ground. I shriek in pain from the sudden movement. Dad's on top of him before he can reach is weapon.

"Who are you? What have you done to her? Why are you covered in my daughter's blood!" Dad screams. This is so unlike him, I must be dreaming. Violence has never been my father's initial reaction; clearly the two hours I've been missing have been tortuous for him. He looks completely insane.

"I-I- no! I didn't hurt her! Well, technically it was my snare – but it was an accident!" he sputters.

Dad looks like he's about to knock him out cold, so I finally intervene.

"Dad! Stop it! It was just an accident. Blade was only trying to help."

My voice sounds surprisingly even, and seems to calm him down, but before he can say anything in return, a new voice fills the woods; a strong one.

"I'd listen to your daughter, Mellark, and let go of my son. That is, unless, you plan on losing your other leg anytime soon."