AN: I'm ever so sorry it took so long to get this up! :( I've been having such a busy time lately with starting a new job and my studies and my little sister being born and gah, i'm just sorry.
However, I feel like i'm losing a lot of readers on this story :( Please please let me know what you think of this chapter? It really does help me writing.
I pulled my bow tighter as I heard the snap of a twig behind me, pivoting on my foot to make sure I wasn't caught unawares. Taking a deep breath I aimed with perfect precision just as the beast jumped out from behind the bushes, ready to pounce on me. I let my arrow fly, right through the eye socket, lodging its self into the brain of the giant dog. I smirked, taking the knife out of my bootstrap and slitting its throat just for good measure, like mum always taught me to do when I was younger. I whistled the signal up to Finn and felt him drop down beside me, landing like a cat on all fours, crouched down and smirking at the thing at our feet.
"Looks like we're eating wild dog for a while then?" he asked, straightening himself up and licking his lips. I giggled at him softly, feeling heat rush to my cheeks as I remembered the dream I had last night about that oh so skilled tongue... Stop Rosie. It meant nothing. The waking up in his arms however... That was nice. Alas, all good things must come to an end and after checking our food stores for breakfast to find a couple of dried fruit packets I decided to go hunting, putting the other three up in a tree to keep them out of harm's way. I didn't even get very far before sensing the dog circling around us. Lucky for me I guess.
"We need to clean the meat and start a fire to cook it whilst it's still light. We don't want to attract any unwanted attention from the Peacekeepers that are still around." Finn nodded in understanding before going to collect some branches and leaves to create a small fire with. I got to work skinning the animal just as Jacob and Azure got down the tree. They were both becoming rather skilled at tree climbing since we came out here almost two weeks ago.
"Rosie?" I head a little soft voice ask me. I looked around to find Azure staring at me sadly.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" I asked, internally cringing when I used the same nickname as Haymitch without even realising. Azure was looking at the dog on the verge of tears.
"Why did you kill the dog?"
"I had to, Azure."
"Why? Does this mean you have to kill Benji too?" Instantly I understood why she was upset. The little golden retriever that she had been bought for the birthday a few weeks ago was still sat at home, probably being looked after by the neighbours. I sighed sitting down in front of her, my legs crossed Indian style and pulled her down to curl up on my lap.
"I would never have to kill Benji. Benji is a good dog, he's a house dog. This dog here is a bad dog and he would have hurt us if I hadn't killed it. Do you remember the dog that hurt Finn?" I waited for her to nod before continuing. "Well this dog here is exactly like that one. He would have hurt us all in the same way too. I promise, I won't ever hurt Benji. And he will be there waiting for you when you go home."
She started sniffling a little. "I wasn't to go home now, I don't like it here!"
I held her tighter, rocking her back and forth in my arms. Jacob also come and sat beside me, wrapping his arms around the two of us. "I know you do. I promise you that no matter what, we will be home as soon as possible." Azure nodded softly, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her head in my shoulder. I stroked her currently unruly black hair and kissed the top of her head. I noticed Finn come back and place the wood down for the fire before silently taking the knife from beside me and cleaning the meat. Once that was done, he discarded the bits we wouldn't need and began to light the fire. I watched him as he began to cook the meat and he watched me as I comforted our siblings. We each gave one another a tentative smile over their heads before turning back to our respective jobs.
If there is one thing I know about Finn it's that he appreciates everything I do for him and Azure. Even the smallest things like comforting them when they need to be comforted. I kissed Azure once more on the head before singing her a lullaby, just to put her mind at ease that little bit more. Once again I felt Finn smile in my direction, a huge smile on his face as he listening to me sing. Shyly I stared at my fingers running through Azure's hair, fighting the blush that was trying to creep it's way in.
I don't understand why I'm having such adverse reactions to the smallest of gestures by him, but I'm not complaining at the warm safe feeling I have at each and every one of them.
Later that night, after both Jacob and Azure were asleep once more I found myself in Finn's arms again, the blanket wrapped tightly around our shoulders and his arm around my waist, my head resting upon his shoulder. I sighed in happiness feeling the warmth radiating from his body on the particularly cold night.
"We should probably circle back around tomorrow towards the house, just to see if mum and dad have been by yet. They'll never find us out here. I just hope the Peacekeepers have left."
"Hmm, It would be nice to sleep under a roof for a change too," Finn chuckled. "Not that I don't love looking at the stars before attempting to sleep, but damn it's getting cold." I nodded in agreement, my mind feeling miles away from what he was saying. As if sensing my lack of attention he gave my shoulder a little shake. "What's going on in that little head of yours?"
I turned my head to look at him in amusement. "Just because my ego is smaller, Odair."
He laughed softly, the noise going right through me, sending little tingles down my spine. "No, really, Rosie, what's going on up there?"
I shrugged slowly. "I don't know I guess, I'm just overwhelmed. I thought we'd be home by now. I thought they'd have come for us. And... I'm scared of what's going on out there. What will happen when we go back... I don't know. I guess I've become comfortable here... as strange as it is."
"I always knew you were an outdoor girl. It's going to be okay. No matter what happens back home, we still have each other. We have our siblings, too. We're going to be okay. I know we will."
I turned my body around to face him, positioning myself over his legs and wrapping my arms around him. "How is it that you always know just what to say to make me feel better?"
"Because I know you," he said, pulling my face up so I can look at him. "You've been my best friend ever since we were little kids, Rosie. I know exactly how that little mind of yours works. I know you better than anyone." I looked into his eyes and felt the sudden need to attach my lips to his. I bit my lip for a moment before mentally shaking myself.
"Best friends. Forever?" I whispered softly.
Finn smiled brightly. "Forever. No matter how much I screw up?" he asked softly. I looked at him confused for a moment before he put his finger under my chin and fused our lips together, little jolts of electricity flowing from him to me. I gasped softly pulling away abruptly.
"Finn... what?"
He sighed looking down, a disappointed look on his face. "I'm sorry... I – I don't know..." I watched him for a moment feeling more confused than ever. Finn has always been like a big brother to me... until we got ourselves into this situation. The dreams started, things began to feel different. I had told myself that it was just because we were getting closer, depending on each other now. But, was it something else?
"I'm sorry," he whispered again. I looked at him once more, before removing myself from him. He looked up at me, devastation clear in his face.
"Just... let me think. Okay?" He looked doubtful for a moment. "Hey," I said, placing my hands on either side of his face. "Best friends forever right? That's not going to change... just, let me think about this. Please?" He nodded before I turned around and walked away into the forest.
