Hey everyone Sorry I haven't updated in a while, been busy with college work and finished reading Mockingjay again aha! So The Hunger Games movie was incredible right? Please enjoy this chapter and remember review i love hearing what you guys think :D xx

Disclaimer - All the rights of this story belong to Susanne Collins who enlightened us with the world of Panem and the Hunger Games.

Chapter Four

After a few moments, I find myself rocking back and forth. The fresh grass soft beneath my fingertips. Could it only have been this morning since Katniss and I were here?
Tears begun over following down my cheeks, I should man up at least. Be brave for both of our families. If Katniss doesn't make it back it's up to me to make everything right. If Katniss doesn't come back... I don't know if I'll be the same again.

Time seems to pass too slowly for my liking, the birds are singing high in the trees, echoing the tune of the bell releasing the miners from work. In two days I'll be just like them. Surviving the reaping for the past 7 years, forced into work in such dangerous mines, just to provide a quarter for my family. Rory will sign up for the tessera this year and continue doing so until he is 18 like me. I really hope Katniss survives and we can then finally move away from here. But then she won't. If we left straight after the Games, she would miss the Victory tour, being a mentor for the future Games, living in the Victors Village. She wouldn't want me, wouldn't need me.

My eyes shut forced to block out my reality. I remember the tormented look in her eyes and how it reached down to her soul. 'Primrose Everdeen' rings in my ears, vision of Katniss volunteering for her little sisters place clogs my memories. The I begin to wonder what kind of tribute Peeta will be? The boy I met in the bakery is a completely different to the boy I met in the Justice Building, the look of anger and distress, the look of fear and misery all bound by emotions until Katniss was in conversation. I shook of my confusion and rose to my feet. I looked out to the grey sky and sent a secret prayer to hope Katniss comes back to me.

A small cough broke my concentration turning defence mood on, I pulled out one of my arrows straight towards the person to my left. Madge Undersee, Katniss's friend, stood inches away from me in her reaping clothes. She pulled out a tissue from her pocket which was located on the front of her dress and outstretched her arm towards me. I took the tissue without no hesitates, and blew my nose into it. As I was scrunching the tissue into myself, Madge spoke. "I know you love her Gale, but I love her too she's my friend." my eyes reached hers, tears are forming in her bright blue eyes, her blond curls lying peacefully on her shoulders as the first tear falls I catch it with my index finger. "Every thing is going to be okay Madge, Katniss is strong. She will win." I paused slightly my hand resting on her right cheek, "She will win!"
"Gale..."
"I've got to go" dropping my hand from her face and nodded briefly before saying "I have to go check on her family."
I walk right past her, back towards the fence, back towards the seam. Once Madge is out of sight, I started to be build my courage back up, make sure I am the protector for both mine and Katniss's family.

Before going home I decided to go visit Mrs Everdeen and Prim, I walked through the door of their house and the image I am seeing is unforgettable Mrs Everdeen is sitting in a large chair by the fire with Prim in her lap they are both crying, red eyes bloodshot and their bodies were shaking, I coughed slightly to indicate I was with them Prim turned her head in my direction and got out of her mothers lap and ran over to me. My arms were outstretched and caught her as she leaped into them. I could feel Prim's tears on my shirt and I can hear my self repeated what I said to Madge only moments ago. I rubbed Prim's back and gently pulled her away, I held her hand comfortingly and looked up at Miss Everdeen who was watching me, with tears still falling from her eyes. With Prim by my side, I got Mrs Everdeen to her feet and guided her towards the table with my other hand placed on her back.

I turned the Fish screw off that was cooking on the stove, pretty sure that it would be cooked by now. And saw the strawberries that me and Katniss picked only hours ago sitting on the middle of the table. This isn't a moment of Celebration but they both have to eat. I let go of Prim's hand and pulled out a chair for her to sit on, then walked over to the stove and dished up a plateful of Fish Stew each for Prim and Mrs Everdeen. Once I sat it down in front of them Mrs Everdeen spoke, "Thank you Gale, You mean a lot to Katniss you know. Remember that."
"Thank you" I mumbled. "I should be back later, need to go and see if Mum and the kids are alright. So see you again soon." Mrs Everdeen nodded and said "Of course,"
"I'll be back soon."

Then I headed out of the room and into the cold, I walked back home passing the remaining miners leaving work, I simply nod and raise my right hand to my lips bringing the 3 middle fingers to my lips and out towards him.

Seeing my house in the distance didn't help the dreadful day that is now heading behind me. I walked into my house and began to cry once more as I fell into the arms of my protector, my mother.

"Did you see her off on the train?" my mother asked.

"Yes," I whisper.

"What is it Gale?"
"After seeing Katniss leave on the train, I keep thinking about all of the things I wish I could of said to her. The little things. Important things. I just don't want to be sitting in the living area or down at the hob seeing her struggle in the arena, and then thinking of a million and one more things I should of said, and the only thing that is keeping me going is the promise I made her by protecting her family."

"Well Hunny don't take this in the wrong way but I think that you need to also take into account that you may not see Katniss again, she volunteered Gale to be part of The Games, that isn't something that's going to happen over night and make her reappear in the morning. You should still be there for the Everdeen's as Katniss's family is our extended family in some ways, but you also need to prepare yourself of the possibility of not seeing Katniss again. She was your friend Gale, but this experience will still haunt her even if she makes it out of the arena alive. She may even be different to the girl who volunteered for the sister today."

As I take in my mothers words, I know there is meaning behind them but I can't open up to anyone right now. The one person I want to talk to is miles away. I break free from my mothers embrace and take a deep breathe knowing that the next couple of weeks are going to be tough on not only me but Mrs Everdeen and especially Prim. I will keep my promise. I will protect Katniss's family.