Chapter Seven

There were always reasons why I loved sunsets and now I have added another reason. My eyes were awake and I didn't know if I had dreamt that or it actually happened. After the sun had set that day, we walked back hand in hand, not really talking but both of us smiling. Getting to her door, she walks in and as she turns around still smiling.

"Thank you for the 'walk,'" she says.

"We should do it more often," I say. "Sorry, can't stop smiling."

I see her face begin to blush so she looks inside her house.

"Well have a good night," she says.

"Goodnight," I say.

The door closes and all I can do is just turn and whistle happily back home. It feels like I am not even touching the ground. Still warm on the inside, and I can still feel her hand, still feel her lips. Still see her eyes as she is standing in front of me.

Walking in, I see the boxes and begin to take them up one by one into the second bedroom where I have most of my art supplies. After the last box is upstairs, I go back downstairs and start to bake pastries and breads.

Packed up the breads and place a note on them.

'Sae if you could do me the favor and place them on the Bakery makeshift counter?'

Placed the cheese buns on a plate

'Sae, these are for the girl next door, can you make sure that she gets them?'

The Pastries I put them in the refrigerator.

Walking upstairs I take a quick shower and get ready for bed. Knowing full well on what I have to do tomorrow.

The whole night I had dreams of the cave, and having her next to me. The water dripping from the rain outside, the thunder and lightning in the distance. It was our home back then, and the rain kept us inside, healing and getting to know each other better. She says that she wants to remember me the way I am now, but I want to now remember everything for me. The sensation of the thunder would wake me up in the night. Walking towards the window I would see clear skies and the stars out blanketing the night sky.

Barely slept but funny thing is that I wasn't tired at all. Woke up early enough to get ready, grabbed my backpack, a sandwich two apples and made my way to the meadow. Didn't want to take the bread since now, because of the moisture in the air, would cause the bread to give a funny taste. Sae would typically get to my house in about two hours, which by then the sun would be out and would burn off the moisture.

Picking up the pace, I want to give myself enough time to get what I need done. Seeing the willow tree, I smile and remember yesterday. Funny how a great memory can replace a horrible one, and now I still remember what my father told me there, but it is mostly about her singing to me.

Making my way through the fence, I find that in the earliest moments of the day, there is hardly any movement from animals. The color of the forest isn't as bright as it would be without the sun. It is like even the trees are sleeping.

Seeing the hole, I quickly recognize that this would be the place where Katniss would go through. Taking out the knife I work quickly to the first tree that is about thirty yards away. There are many fallen trees, showing a short of path. Thinking to myself, today might be the day. If there is any place it would be, it would be here in this area.

Walking quickly to into the forest, I turn back and see that the Seam is slowly disappearing; however I can still see the red marker on the tree. I slow down as I am coming to a clearing. They teach you in District Thirteen that any clearing should cause you to pause in caution because it is always areas where animals or other people like to stalk their prey. I slowly move and hear no movement. The wind breezes through without any interruption. Placing the marker I continue walking now, keeping my eyes out for any movement.

When Katniss would tell me about her times in the forest hunting, she would tell me about the wild dogs and bears, so I have to look out for them. Every couple of minutes I look for a tree sturdy enough to climb. The markers on the trees not only tell me where to go to get back, but it also tells me what tree to climb.

Coming to a rock formation, I see there is a small cliff. Remembering how Katniss climbed trees to get a better vantage point, I think that the cliff would be a great place to just see where I am.

Climbing the rocks I look around and I see in the distance to left, I can see what I think is the lake she was referring to back on the roof of the training center. I make a note on my makeshift map where the cliff is. Thinking about it, I don't think that a marker in the rocks would work, so I climb down and find the previous marker. Walking towards the edge of the rocks I place a marker.

I peer down and see a slope in the terrain, which is more difficult to walk. Getting a couple of feet down the slope, I make my way zigzagging from tree to tree. Looking back I see that it might be a little bit more difficult coming up the slope.

If the lake that I saw from the rocks was the lake that Katniss mentioned, I wonder how she would get there. Knowing her and the amount of times she would hunt around here, she must have an easier route. Looking around I find a good sturdy branch to use as a walking stick.

The birds start singing and I can start to make my way down the slope. The leaves on the ground does not allow for traction, not to mention my artificial leg doesn't help either.

Finally making it to the bottom of the valley, I look up and see the slope is a lot steeper that I had anticipated. Seems almost like it would be near impossible to get back up the way I came down.

'Will have to find an alternate way up,' I think to myself.

Walking; I place the marker and start to look to the right for a path back up. Walking for about ten to twenty minutes I see that the path back up is up ahead another ten minutes as the slope begins to taper down.

Finally reaching a place where the slope is more manageable, I look up and see that the sun is almost straight above me, so therefore have to get going pretty soon as it would take the same amount or more to get back to the fence. I place a marker there on the tree by the beginning of the slope and walk towards the direction of the lake.

'Couple more minutes before I have to head back,' I say. 'Don't want to get stuck out here in the dark.'

The brush becomes very thick and finally pushing through, I feel the ground give, and can see mud on my shoes. Pushing aside the brushes I see the lake. My imagination could not have prepared me for what my eyes are seeing. It is like finding a pearl in a clam. This little spot is definitely tucked away from everything and everyone. No one would be able to find this unless they were looking for it.

The water has this shining reflection, and a couple trees bend down, with the branches touching the water. It is almost like if someone were to bend down and with the tip of their fingers touch the water. In the distance I can see the little house that Katniss was talking about.

I can see a flock of geese swimming across the water. Wonder if I can quickly take a dip in the lake. The way Katniss spoke about it, it makes for a tempting endeavor to experience. Shaking my head I look at the sun's position and know that I am almost at the point where I do not start heading back I wouldn't make it time.

Finally found it, although I would probably not be able to get to it and back to District Twelve before it got dark.

Looking at the map, I place the location of the lake on the map, and begin to make my way back to path. Walking back up I find that it is a lot easier coming down than it is going up. Halfway up the smaller slope, I have to sit on a nearby tree as I am not as strong as I use to be.

I hear the birds singing, and I think to myself what kind of birds are those. Are they regular song birds or are they mockingjays.

'Just think if I was in the Games, I would probably be the first one out with the shape I am in,' I say huffing trying to get enough air.

Keep moving I tell myself. Thinking of Finnick telling us to keep moving through the jungle, to keep the pace and not stopping. Pushing myself, up the slope, I finally making it to the top.

Looking around, looking for the marker, that is when I hear it. The birds have gone quiet. I hear some rustling, and slowly pull out my knife. Scanning the landscape on where the sound is coming from, I see a hint of red and start to walk in the direction of what I believe is the marker.

'If I need to, I will make a dash for it, and up the tree.' I think to myself.

The tension in the air leads me to quietly move towards the marker.

Without hesitation, I turn and make a run for the red marker. Just as I am about a couple of feet towards it, I see the first one cut me off. There stands a wild dog, with his teeth snarling. I brandish my knife, waiting for it to make a move.

Just then I hear growling coming from behind, and I turn to see another one. There are now three leaving only the slope as my only retreat. The adrenaline kicks in and I can feel everything slow down. I feel one of the dog lunges; I turn and move out the way, kicking it in the ribs. Just then another one goes for my arm and I fall to the ground avoiding his teeth.

I turn onto my hands and knees get up and dig in my feet to make a break for the tree. I hear the running of the dogs next to me. Couple of feet I feel one actually rams into me knocking me on the ground while the other jumps to get my face. I lift up my arm to defend and that is when I feel it, the teeth sinking into my right forearm.

The pain makes the arm go numb, reaching over with my left hand stabbing the dog with my knife. He goes down immediately, limping off, and then collapsing a couple of feet away. I turn the knife around and swinging back cutting into the other dog into the ribs.

The one I had kicked is seen limping away, as I look around and see the two other dead next to me. Looking at my forearm, blood is coming pretty easy. I take off my shirt and tie it around the forearm. The scent will be out in the air, and if there are any other animals out there they will come. I have to hurry.

I start to run towards the marker and when I get there, I am dizzy. The marker. Where is the marker. The trees are moving. I place my hand on the tree and see the blood all over my hand.

There.

The red marker.

Two more.

I am running now, and stumbling along the way. Finally getting to the marker. I see that the fence is after the next marker. Have to get to her.

Don't know how but I think I am hallucinating, could be the lost of blood.

"Peeta, you have to keep moving," She says.

"No, no you aren't here. You are dead," I say.

"I know silly, but you still have to keep moving." She says.

The breathe become shallow, and finally make it to the fence. Right as I am getting into the hole. I feel the whole thing go dark.

"Peeta!" I hear and open my eyes, to see Thom.

"Get me to her," I say.

"Don't you go and die now." He says.

I can feel myself being taken through District Twelve, finally hearing a door opening and being placed on a hard surface. Must have passed out because when I wake up I am in a bed upstairs. Looking around I see that I am not in my room. She is there sleeping on a chair next to the bed. I look down and see she is holding my hand.

"Hey," I say.

She opens her eyes.

"Hey," she says. "You gave me quite a scare."

"Sorry," I say taking a dry gulp. "Didn't mean to."

"Rest, Peeta." She says.

Closing my eyes, I find that my body still not strong enough to keep conscience. It is okay because Thom got me to her. Just feeling that she is here and I feel safe. It is like the cave all over again.

This time I wake up and find that the lamps are on, and I can hear the rain outside. It is dark so it must mean that it is night time. Must have slept through the day.

I feel her hand on my forehead, gently caressing my hair, tenderly. Opening up my eyes I see that she hasn't moved or if she did she is back next to me holding my hand.

"Welcome back," she says. "You need to eat something so if you are up to it, I have some broth on the night stand."

I look over and see on the ground the ball up tissue paper. Her eyes all puffy and red.

"I am sorry," I say.

She lifts her hand which she has covered with her sweater up to her nose.

"It is okay," she says grabbing the broth from the night stand.

"No," I say. "It is not."

She places the bowl back down and looks at me.

"If you die, what am I going to do?" she says. "What were you thinking going out there alone, especially to that area, you remember all the stories I told you?"

"Wanted to see it with my own eyes." I say.

"What could be so important that you almost died, Peeta? You lost a lot of blood. You have been out for two days." She says.

Trying to get the words out, I can see that she is angry.

"Sketch book," I say.

She lets go of my hand and reaches for my bag. Opening it she sees a sketch book.

"Third page," I say.

She leaf through the pages and finally sees the makeshift map that I have been doing. The quick sketch that I had made on the house on the lake.

"Wanted to see it," I say. "To get started."

"Started on what?" she asks.

"Building the house in my dreams." I say.

She looks at me, closing the sketch book and placing it in the chair. She stands there looking outside the window, unsure of what to say. Nothing I could say, that would show her how much I am sorry for putting her through this.

"All this for a house you have never seen?" she says.

"You said it was the happiest place you could remember, and if you could go anywhere it would be there. Wanted to see it, get it prepared for you. I wanted to always make you happy." I say.

She turns and looks at me. Still not happy, but no longer upset, that has to count for something I say to myself.

"You already make me happy." She says. "Dying is something that is no longer an option for you."

"And for you," I say.

"Promise me something then," she says. "That you will let me go with you next time?"

I nod and take a deep breath.

"I didn't mean to you put through this," I say.

"I know," she says.

She grabs a spoon of the broth and begins to feed me one spoon full at a time. After the whole bowl is gone.

"Didn't we do this once?" I say. "Something about a kiss, when I was done?"

She can't help but to laugh about it. It seems that it was something she said once, but that was back in the Games.

She leans in and kisses me on the nose, telling me

"That is what you get for almost dying," she says.

Almost dying back then, and now almost dying right now, she says that she is going to have to teach me to hunt, because she cannot keep an eye on me forever.

"Well you did say that you were going to put me away somewhere, where I wouldn't get hurt," I say.

"Did you remember that on your own, or from the video?" she says.

"There was a video about it?" I say.

She nods and I shrug.

"Guess I am remembering." I say.

After eating she just lies back in the chair.

"Come here," I say.

I start to move over to the left, and find that my body is weaker than I had thought. I do however get enough of a space for her to come and join me. She at first refuses, until I tell her

"No more kisses until you do," I say smiling.

She walks over and lies down next to me. Finally as the whole day comes to an end, we both fall asleep in each other arms. Although one of my arms is covered in bandages, she doesn't mind.