Author's Note: Alright, before I beg for your forgiveness, let me explain. Firstly, I've been studying for AP exams and finals for the past month, as well as battling insomnia, playing two instruments, finishing one sport, trying out for another, and keeping up with my day-to-day stuff. Secondly, in all of this chaos, I misplaced my flash drive, which had my nearly completed chapter on it, almost a month ago. So, I promise that I really didn't forget about this. After all, who could forget the epicness of Gale Hawthorne? Anyway, I'll shut up now. Here's the chapter (long overdue).
The woods have always been a sanctum of mine. Even when the threat of the Hunger Games loomed over me, the woods were there to comfort and protect me from the storm. Now, they do that, but they also intensify my creeping paranoia and loneliness. Whereas before they were a place of security, now they just remind me that I am being hunted by the one who promised to love me forever, and they make me remember the long-ago years I spent with Gale. And with that comes the guilt of what I did to him all those years ago in District Thirteen, during the war. As much as I have tried to reassure myself that he left me after the death of my sister, I know that it was my fault for pushing him away. He was grieving too, and it was unfair of me to blame him for Prim's death.
Now, I know that I am only a few days from District Two. Only two days ago or maybe it was three, I snuck into a district as I passed. It was there that I discovered exactly how far I have come. I don't know how I'll be able to face him, to face Gale, when I can barely think his name. He would have the right to slam his door in my face. He left, but I haven't made any effort to contact him. It always upset Peeta; it made him believe that I didn't truly love him. Which I did; I love both of them. Or loved both of them. Gale was a thing of the past, nothing more. Now, I am going to him as a friend in need, the same that he came to me whenever supplies ran low in District Twelve when we were growing up. It won't be any different than that. We've both matured in the five years since the war's ended. There's no reason to let old feelings get in the way. I should have known I would think this way. Since the end of the war, I've always been very conscientious of every decision I make. I've formulated worst case scenarios for nearly everything. I'm less impulsive than I was before. Now, though, I have nowhere else to turn. I only hope that this one impulsive decision isn't a mistake.
Gale shuffles the papers on his desk in irritation. It was never his intention or desire to take a desk job; he feels like those are better left with men who can't fend for themselves physically, but unfortunately, his present job requires it. If Silver were still there, he could have convinced her to organize the documents for him, but Katli does not seem the type to be of much assistance.
The woman has adjusted well to the life in the district, considering her background of coming from the capital. Despite her assurances that she was not a Capital lapdog, Gale knows that she originated from there. He also has learned that she was an acquaintance of Cinna, who was Katniss's stylist during her time in the games. He was saddened to learn of Cinna's ultimate fate. He knows that a small part of Katniss wished and hoped that he had gotten out of the war alive.
In the short expanse of time she had been there, Gale had come to admire Katli as a person as well. Not necessarily in the romantic sense, although the thought has crossed his mind a time or two. She could be his clean slate; maybe he could pretend like his love for the girl on fire never existed. In too many ways, though, Katli is like his former friend. They share the same fire, to an extent, although Katli is much more brisk and rough than Katniss ever was. At the very least, they can be friends, but Gale knows that he will never be able to find a happy home with his colleague. Or likely anyone else for that matter.
"Haven't you finished yet?" Katli's irritated voice makes Gale jump, startled. Her green eyes are narrowed in accusation as she pushes her red hair behind her ears. He shrugs his shoulders, trying not to show his surprise at her appearance.
"Not quite." He answers with frustration evident in his voice. He shuffles the papers and looks up to see amusement glowing in her green eyes now.
"You're absolutely pitiful, Hawthorne. You can't even organize a report." She says with a shake of her head. It's been so long since Gale has exchanged banter with anyone that he can't tell whether or not she's kidding.
"I wasn't made for a desk job." He mutters under his breath before being rewarded with a howl of laughter from Katli.
"Like I said, you're absolutely pathetic." She snatches the papers out of his hands before he can protest and arranges them neatly within seconds. He stares at her, openmouthed, as she smacks the stack of papers back down on his desk. He isn't sure exactly how she did it, and he's so thunderstruck that he forgets to thank her.
"How did—" He stutters before she holds up a hand.
"Years in the business, kid. Now come on. We've got progress to check and film, and I'd like to be home before it gets too late." He scowls at her labeling him a kid; she can't be much older than he is, as she saunters out, shaking her long, red tresses as she goes. Over the past several days, the woman has shown more facets than a lump of coal. Sometimes, she is brisk and rude, and others, like today, she is helpful and light-hearted. All in all, even if he can't seem to get past Katniss as a love interest, he feels certain that he feels a friendship kindling.
Katli rolls her neck as she steps inside the door, trying to remove the day's tension. Today, it had been determined that the Nut was sturdy enough to let them tour the inside, filming as they went. She is admittedly impressed that they have come so far in constructing such a project, but she is nonetheless tired because of all the extra walking. A ringing noise coming from the direction of the kitchen makes her freeze. She is reminded again of war sirens, exploding bombs, and mass chaos before she realizes it is a telephone. Trust Silver Galloway to have one in her home, no matter however brief the time. The girl is as vain and shallow as she is fair and blonde. Katli shakes her head in exasperation as she moves to answer it. Galloway probably left something here or something to that effect.
"Yes?" She answers, realizing only afterward how harsh her voice sounds. Hoping it isn't someone important, she smooths the tension from her brow and tries to push away her exhaustion.
"Well, how's he reacted?" The perky voice of a certain blonde seems to grate against Katli's skull. She closes her eyes, trying to stay calm.
"Silver, I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about. It's late, and I need to get some rest." She responds with dull finality. She doesn't have time for more of Galloway's games; she just needs to sleep.
"Gale! Mr. Hawthorne? How's he reacted to the news?" Silver asks, clearly ignoring Katli's dismissal. Now her interest is piqued, though.
"What news?" Katli asks.
"Oh, you mean you haven't heard?" Silver asks with a sigh. I grit my teeth.
"Silver. What. News?" Katli enunciates each word slowly, feeling as if she's talking to some sort of hyperactive woodland creature.
"Oh, just something about the renowned Katniss Everdeen." Silver says the name casually, the way anyone else might speak of the weather. Katli feels her eyes widen, and she's sure that her jaw drops in shock.
"What about her?" Katli asks in shock, trying to maintain some sort of composure.
"Well, you know that she married Peeta Mellark after the war, right? That's why Mr. Hawthorne mopes around so much. Anyway, news just reached the Capital about them. Apparently, their house was found a few days ago, completely burned to the ground. They haven't found anything left of the occupants, though." Katli doesn't stop the phone as it slips from her fingers. Katniss Everdeen? Dead? She had never changed her surname, but her relationship with Peeta was known throughout Panem. Thanks to those ridiculous games. Oh, no. Was she supposed to tell Gale? She hasn't known him very long, but she knows that, for all his assurances of moving on, the man is still very much in love with her. And she knows that he will be completely devastated when he finds out. Maybe the thing to do is to wait a few days. No one else in the district knows. Besides, maybe Everdeen got out alive. After all, they hadn't found any remains, right? Katli absently replaces the phone, effectively cutting off Silver's excited chatter and walks to her bed, still at war with herself.
Okay, so I know that this chapter was terribly short and really not that great in general. But it's the best I could do to crank it out so quickly after losing the original copy, so please don't hate me too much. Anyway, I would seriously love to hear any advice you guys might have, so please review, review, review! I read through each and every one of them, and they help me to better my writing, so please do so if you can! J