They'd run as far as they could, to somewhere as safe as they could find in the forest. They'd run until their whole bodies hurt, until their skin was scotched red, and Peeta's prosthetic leg was irritating him.
They were getting ready to set up camp for the night, and Katniss was just drifting into sleep when Peeta started shouted for her to get up. She didn't really want to – it was the first day of the Games, and she could sleep for days – but then Peeta was dragging her away, and that told her this was serious.
She sat up, only to have a gruesome, half rotted face staring at her, less than a foot away from hers. It gave a slight moan, raw and harsh smelling breath hitting her nostrils. She backed away from it as fast as possible. She didn't exactly know what it was, but now she thinks it was possibly human once. And she didn't hesitate to pick up Peetas knife, and cut the thing right across the chest. She cut the thing so deep; it should have died almost instantly. It didn't!
The thing cried out, and fell to the floor. Ok, it's all over now. It's dead, Katniss thought as she knelt down and started retrieving things that she thought they might need. And then the creatures arm stretched out and its hand grasped her wrist. She let out a gasp in panic, trying to pull away from the thing. However, its grip was like a vice. She couldn't move her wrist at all.
Peeta picked up his knife from the ground and sliced through the creatures arm. It penetrated the skin, and glided through the muscle and ligaments, coming to a halt as it wedges into the bone. Its grip loosened, and Katniss managed to get her wrist free, subconsciously rubbing it as she looked at the creature. The things arm was spilling crimson blood like it was plentiful. A giant see of the stuff spread out on the ground towards Katniss, who was still sat on the ground, shell-shocked. But it didn't stop the creature from advancing. It started to crawl towards her, swimming in its own blood. The substance was almost black, not human at all.
Katniss was brought back to her senses by Peeta dragging her off the ground. She got up, snatching the quiver of arrows from a nearby tree, and preparing to fire at the creature. She let the arrow fly, hearing a slight squish as the arrow penetrated the skull and lodging into the creatures brain. Its whole body went limp, and after its head hit the ground it didn't move again. It's body twitched slightly, but when Katniss went to retrieve her arrow, it didn't move any futher.
'What was that?' Peeta asked, walking up to Katniss. She dropped the arrow, changing her mind about keeping it. Whatever caused that thing was probably on it, and she didn't want whatever that was.
Before she could reply, Katniss heard more groans and moans coming from the forest, like more of those things were surrounding them. She loaded her bow and raised it, taking aim between the nearest pair of eyes. Just before she could fire the arrow, Peeta gently forced her arms down.
He didn't have to say anything – she knew that they were surrounded by at least two dozen of the things. She lowered her still loaded bow to her side, and looked for a way out. But, there was no way out.
'We're just going to have to run for it,' she whispered to Peeta. 'As long as we don't get split up, we'll be ok.' She looked at him and he simply nodded, seeming somewhat calm in the situation.
And they just ran, weaving between the creatures, not daring to let the creatures' out-stretched hands even graze their skin. They didn't slow down, even with the challenge of dodging the trees and the hands of the many creatures around them. They must have run for around twenty minutes before finally stopping where they are now. Peeta leans up against a tree, trying to catch his breath, and Katniss tries to stay standing against a tree, but still can't support herself and falls down.
She doesn't bother getting up again. She lies on the ground, and tries to catch her breath. They shock of seeing those things… those creatures… saying it was still fresh in her mind was understating it. She could still smell the rancid smell of rotten fruit which they gave off. It had clung to her nostrils, making her feel incredibly nauseous. She could feel the bile rising up her throat, but miraculously managed to keep it back.
The same could not be said for Peeta.
About five metres away from her, Peeta is being reunited with his dinner – berries and a squirrel Katniss had shot – and he doesn't seem to be enjoying it this time. The shock and stench of those things must have gotten to him too.
Katniss struggles but manages to get herself standing. She stumbles over to Peeta as he retches up the last of his stomachs content, most of what's coming out now bile. She stands next to him and gently rubs his back, hoping that it will ease the sickness a little. After another minute or two, Peeta straightens up and leans back against the tree again. Katniss uses the sleeve of her jacket and wipes the little bit of vomit off Peeta's chin.
'You okay?' she asks him, trying not to collapse from the pressure and shock of the situation. He nods, and she sits him down on the ground, making sure he's comfortable. Then, she turns to the rucksack Peeta must have dropped and opens it. She retrives the one plastic covering that they left in there, and puts it gently over him.
'Thanks,' Peeta whispers. Katniss looks around the ground, trying to find the knife Peeta had. When she can't actually find it, she gives up and goes to get the bow and quiver. She places them near to where Peeta is sat, and takes one of the spare knifes from their pack.
'And, where are you going?' Peeta says, gently grabbing her arm. She looks back at him. He seems perkier than a few moments ago, and she would take him with her… but with the creatures like the "walking dead" strolling around, she couldn't risk it.
'I'm going to find a lake. We do need water,' Katniss tells him, a slight smile playing on her lips.
'Are you going to let me come with you?'
Katniss tilts her head to one side, as if thinking about it. The smile grows on her lips when she says 'no.'
Before Peeta can object, she gives him a quick kiss on the forehead and leaves him behind, heading downhill.