A soft, haunting breeze floated through the dark, empty Meadow – not a soul in sight.
It was late, and as the clock ticked, the night deepened, casting dark, looming shadows across District 12. There was almost no noise; nothing except the swishing of grass in the warm, early summer wind. Eva was beginning to wonder if she was too late; maybe Phoenix had already come and gone, maybe he hadn't waited for her.
Although the night was warm, Eva felt the hair on her arms stand on end; she felt so exposed, standing alone in the desolate field.
She decided to move closer towards the fence, closer towards where she'd first met Phoenix – maybe he was already waiting for her there.
She didn't have to walk far, and before long she was standing beside the tall barbed fence, directly beneath a large, drooping walnut tree.
"Psst."
The unexpected sound made Eva jump and she turned sharply towards where she'd thought she'd hear the noise, but the plains behind her where still empty. There was no one there.
"Hey, Eva – up here!" Came a sharp whisper.
Eva looked up into the branches of the walnut tree and sure enough, several feet above her was Phoenix, perched there like a bird.
"Get up!" He called down to her, still keeping his voice just above a whisper.
Eva remained motionless, still confused as why Phoenix was sitting in a tree; she was about to ask him when he reached down to her, extending his hand in her direction.
"Don't ask, just climb!"
There was an urgency to his voice that dispelled all doubts she had, and although she was still confused, she took his hand.
After several moments of difficulty and several scraped elbows, Eva was up in the tree beside Phoenix, clutching his arm for dear life while trying to maintain her balance.
"What are we doing up –" She began, but was startled when Phoenix placed his finger over her lips, letting her know that words could wait for later.
He pointed then, out into the Meadow and suddenly, Eva knew exactly what he was talking about.
Out in the field, waving a flashlight around, was none other than the new head peacekeeper, Cray.
Eva froze then, afraid even to breath for fear she might give herself, and Phoenix, away. Cray was still several hundred yards away, but the sight of him made Eva's stomach clench. She's been out past curfew several times before, but she'd never even considered the possibility of being caught. She'd always just assumed she wouldn't be, but now she wasn't so sure; and sitting there, high in a tree that stretched over the fence – if they were caught Eva was sure the punishment would be severe.
She'd only seen Cray a handful of time since he'd begun working as a peacekeeper, and he and his men usually stayed in the Seam, and around the Hob – that's where everyone said they were needed.
He was young, and he couldn't have been much older than Phoenix. He was from the Capitol, and had been assigned to District 12, everyone assumed, as a punishment. He'd only been in charge for a few months, but his overly zealous attitude in respect to his job had everyone – even the Town people – on edge. It couldn't last too long, after all, every other peacekeeper assigned to District 12 eventually eased up on rules and regulations – and the last had slowly descended into alcoholism.
High up in the walnut tree, Eva watched as Cray drew nearer and nearer, and she found herself wondering why he'd decided to search the Meadow – tonight of all nights.
After what seemed like an eternity Cray turned after coming within almost twenty years from their tree, and headed back into the Seam, flicking off his flashlight and disappearing into the night.
Eva let out a breath then that she hadn't even known she was holding, letting go of Phoenix's arm.
Beside her, Phoenix motioned for her to stay quiet, and she watched him as he listened, his ears straining for any hint that Cray might still be watching. When he seemed sure that all was clear, he relaxed, as much as anyone could relax in a tree and Eva noticed the ease and comfort in Phoenix's body as he sat there. She knew than that climbing must not be as new to him as it was to her – he seemed, almost at home.
"We can climb down now." He said, this time, not whispering.
With the ease and grace of a bird he jumped down from the tree, a good twelve foot drop from Eva's perspective. Once he was safe on the ground he looked up, holding his arms out to Eva.
"Jump down – don't worry, I wouldn't drop you."
Eva couldn't help but smile cautiously at his boldness, but remained where she was on the branch, suddenly feeling very helpless without Phoenix to cling to. She looked below her, eyeing the ground with a skeptical gaze.
"Are you sure you can catch me?" She asked, a slight tremor to her voice.
Phoenix laughed softly, and Eva felt shudders run through her at the sound.
"Of course I can, wouldn't even be hard."
Eva couldn't resist his lopsided grin, shaking her head and laughing with him, albeit somewhat nervously.
"I'll catch you Eva." He said then, a sudden seriousness in his tone.
All laughter and cockiness gone; Eva could tell by the look in his eyes that he wanted her to trust him.
It was what she wanted to, and without another thought, Eva jumped, the short fall sending her heart into her throat.
After only a fraction of a second, she landed safely in Phoenix's arms, a feeling Eva found that she loved.
For a moment, they stood there; eyes locked, and Eva's arms around Phoenix's neck before he lowered her gently down the ground.
Eva couldn't breathe and her heart was beating so loudly she swore Phoenix could hear it.
"See? I caught you, that wasn't so bad was it?"
Eva shook her head.
"No, it wasn't half as bad as I thought it'd be."
Phoenix grabbed Eva's hand then, pulling her away from the fence, out into a stop in the Meadow where several large boulders lay – three of them, side by side. They formed a small space, hidden from view to sit in. There was no covering over their heads, and as Eva sat down beside Phoenix, she looked up and the entire night sky stretched out above them – it looked almost like a blanket of brilliantly bright stars.
There in the deepness of night the pair talked. Phoenix asking Eva questions, and her likewise, both leaning back, looking up at the sky. As they talked Eva felt like Phoenix took her into his world – and she began to realize just how different they were.
It was crazy.
She was from Town, he from the Seam; he was dark and she was fair; he was bold and talkative, and she was milder and quiet – but still, she felt like she could open up and talk with him. She could share her feelings freely after only knowing him for a few short days.
After a few hours, she felt like they knew each other, almost in the same way she and Wade did. He was kind, and he listened; he could pull her feelings out of her just like Wade could – something that had taken Wade years to learn how to do, Phoenix had learned in minutes.
She'd never felt such a deep connection to anyone in her entire life, and it was easy flowing and genuine.
The hours seemed to fly by, and before she knew it, Phoenix was telling her that the sun was peaking over the trees and morning was coming.
She stood quickly, but stayed where she was – she knew she needed to go, but she wished that somehow she could stay there in the Meadow, just her and Phoenix, forever.
"I should go." She said.
Phoenix nodded, nodding his head towards the Seam.
"I should too." He said.
For a moment, neither one said a word, but they looked each other in the eyes, each thinking the same thing. It was Phoenix however, that said it first.
"I'd like to see you again."
Eva nodded eagerly, her wavy blond hair falling into her eyes as she did.
"Me too."
"Friday night," said Phoenix. "Meet me here, as soon as you can get away."
"I will!" Eva said, turning and walking back towards her home.
The light around them grew stronger every minute, and Eva wished she could hold on to that moment forever.
"I won't forget!" She called over her shoulder as she began to run towards Town.
As the sun continued to rise, Eva felt hopeful for the first time.
I'm really getting into this story, so I hope you all like it. It's hard for me to motivate myself to write when I'm not getting feeback, but I'm determined to finish - I may need some encouagement though ;) Thanks to all of you who've reviewed so far! You're awesome! Let me know how you liked this chapter!
