We Wouldn't Make it Five Miles
-Chapter Seven-
Hmm this chapter is a little short but I felt I got what I needed across so there was no point in dragging it out. Also I had graduation and stuff so it's hard to find time to write this week. Hope you like it, sorry if there's any mistakes and thank you once again for all your kind reviews and favourites! I love you all! :) x Sadbh.
Chapter Seven
The voices are muffled at first but I focus every part of my mind on listening and all other sounds disappear as I clue in on their argument. It's just like hunting.
"I just feel we're wasting time with these people." Janus, I guess from the gruff, ever present anger in his voice. "They're starved, malnourished and desperate."
Gale's grip tightens around me, making me wince. I lose their voices as my face dusts over in pink. For a moment all I can hear is my own heart drumming in my ears.
"-Besides a lot of our assassins come from nothing. The most deadly asset you can have in a war is to understand your enemy. You of all people know that," Lucrii says.
His ever calm voice sets me on edge and I wonder if he's ever been angry in his life.
"They're children and the girls sister is a capitol puppet. Think of the leverage they have on her!" Janus shot back
"Which is exactly why they'll least expect her. Who would think the Everdeen girl would do something wrong when her sister is in the hunger games or whatever those bastards call it."
"I believe you both have a valid point which brings us to a tie," Korbin finally speaks up.
I let a shaky breath escape, his voice creeping me out.
"Perhaps we should ask the two who listen outside?"
I can't move. I all I hear is my rapidly beating heart and the feeling of Gales grip tighten so much he hurts me. Then I hear the sound of a chair scrape against the wooden floor and before I can even register it, I'm running.
Gale appears at my side, the little noise he makes even when runs unsettling. We pass through thicket ascending sharply. My thighs burn like they're engulfed in flames. A branch cuts through my cheek but I don't stop, not until we're near the fence.
"Katniss," Gale says and I stop.
I drop to my knees, heaving. My lungs scream for air and I'm ready to pass out .
"Oh god," I manage to croak. I turn around and find Gale sprawled against a tree trunk, his eyes closed and brow knotted. Despite the red in his face, he forces himself to breathe steady. I on the other hand, continue to wheeze and breathe through my mouth.
"What was that?" He hisses through his clenched teeth. He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. Before I can answer his eyes widen when he sees the gash on my face.
He runs a thumb along my skin and catches the drops of blood. I watch as he spins around and grabs a leaf. My throat burns so I don't reply and allow him to clean up the mess that is my face.
"I guess you're not interested?" He says, his voice tight and low.
I wrinkle my nose as his rough hands brush against it and no matter how much I chase his eyes I can't hold his gaze.
"Possibly," I admit as he drops the bloody leaves into my hands, curling my fingers over them.
"Don't throw them away till you get home; don't want to leave any tracks," He mutters and rubs the flecks of blood into the end of his shirt. He takes my hand and leads me to the fence. "I thought you were going to kill me."
The sides of my mouth curl upwards which feels unusual. I nod and don't answer until we've clambered through the hole in the fence. "I was. Still am too," I whisper.
I sit down on the couch and let my head fall back against the weathered material so I stare up at the ceiling. I hear Gale down a drink of water from the large bottle my mother had collected this morning. I'm breathing normally again but I stink of sweat and my clothes are sticking to me in the humidity.
"Maybe I shouldn't have brought you," Gale thinks aloud as he lifts my legs up and sits down setting them back down on his lap.
I feel his fingers tap a light beat against my bare shins. I'd changed out of the hunting gear into shorts. The day is growing hotter by the hour and when I avert my gaze from the cracks in the ceiling to Gales face, I find his forehead glazed in a shine of sweat. I don't have to look to know I'm the same. I consciously wipe my forehead and sigh, closing my eyes.
"Why not?" I ask and sit up. "Lucrii's right. They won't expect me to do anything, it's perfect."
"It's stupid," He grumbles with a frown, "You don't have to get so involved, it's dangerous and -"
"Gale, I'm capable of looking after myself."
He stares at me, his brow knotted and his mouth hanging open like he's waiting for a reply to slip out. "I never said that," He snaps.
"You implied it."
"Damn Catnip, I don't want you getting hurt!" He brings his hands to his face and drags them down to his neck while groaning in frustration.
I raise an eyebrow and shake my head, "If you're doing this, so am I. I won't let Prim... she won't get hurt."
He raises a hand and cups my face, his thumb following the bone of my cheek. His eyebrows are tilted in desperation and he gulps. "I, I know."
I know that's not what he wanted to say but I ignore it and lean in so close I can feel his soft breaths against my face and our noses touch.
"I know," He says again but this time I believe him.
I give in to the temptation and fill the last few centimetres between our lips. His hands hold my back as he pushes me up against his body. He kisses my jaw and lets me down onto the couch. His lips are pulled into a small smile as he moves to me lips and my head clears of all thought. A giant weight lifts off me and I know he's the answer to forgetting everything.
He pulls back and smiles, a glint in his eye. I can feel his cool breaths on my face. "It'll be ok," He promises before leaning in again.
