Thank you to everyone that reviewed and for your patience. Here is another chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 11
We are quietly sitting beside each other at our meeting spot. This is it, the day of the Reaping. I stare out into the valley below us, my brows knitted closely together as I think about how much of failure I am. I'll admit that I tried. I went to the Hob two days ago looking for the necessary supplies. None of them were there which made sense. I inquired about the tent, nails, and other supplies after she was already in the Arena, kissing Peeta Mellark. The merchants haven't acquired them yet.
"You better eat up. We should get started soon." she says, breaking me from my thoughts. The air is tense. It always is when we are well aware that one of us could be on that train, or worse…both of us. Although those odds are highly unlikely, there is still a possibility that it could happen. I begin to wonder if history will repeat itself, the way it did last time. I don't want her going into that Arena but I really don't know what else to do except hope that something will change this time, even if it means me going in her place.
"What is it?" she asks me, again taking me away from my worries and bringing me back to the present.
"What makes you think something is wrong?" I ask, avoiding her eyes. If she knew what I knew….what I have experienced, she'd know why I can't stop worrying about her. She shifts herself so that she is kneeling in front of me, forcing my eyes to connect with hers. I can't help but think about how uncomfortable she's making me. She knows I'm not one for expressing feelings. I'm more of the strong and silent type when it comes to things like this.
"What's wrong Gale?" she murmurs with genuine concern. Her eyes search deep inside of mine looking for the answer.
"I was thinking about out there." I tell her staring off into the distance. She says nothing. I continue. "We could do it, you know. Run away and never look back."
"Live out there?" she asks as she looks off to the same section of the woods I'm watching.
"Would you go with me?" I ask. Her eyes shoot back to me with fear. She's confusing my hypothetical question as a real one.
"Gale we couldn't." she says.
"What if you knew it would keep you safe…keep Prim safe?" I ask, throwing in the person she cares the most about. She'd do anything to keep that girl safe. In my memory she's already made the largest sacrifice you can make to keep someone alive. She offered her life for Prim by volunteering in the Reaping last time.
"Why are you bringing this up now, of all days? We have to go to the Reaping in a few hours and either one of us could be on that train." she says somewhat defensively.
"You're the one telling me to save these types of thoughts for out here." I remind her. "Come on, Catnip, you know there has to be other people out there making it on their own."
"It wouldn't be easy." she said.
"I'm not saying it would." I reply. "Katniss we have our families to think about. I don't want any of them being Reaped and neither do you. This could be our way out."
"And what if I couldn't go?" she asks me with seriousness.
"What?" I ask taken off guard.
"What if my family decided they didn't want that? Would you leave me here?"
Her words take me to this same meadow, where I left her broken and fragile. I can't help but think about what became of her. She takes my silence as yes and I watch as she grabs her things and heads off into the woods. I do the same and quickly follow her. I catch up to her and find her leaning against a tree with her hands shielding her eyes. I walk around so I'm in front of her and remove her hand from her face. A few tears have managed to fall down her cheeks.
"I would never leave you." I murmur as I wipe the tears away with my thumb. "How could you ever think that?"
"You know how my mom is. I can barely convince her to get out bed for some supper. How could I convince her to come with us?"
"Maybe I could convince her. She listens to me…sometimes." I reply. I remember going over to her house during the times when Katniss had lost all hope. On occasion, I could coax her from her bed, perhaps because I reminded her of her late husband.
"Maybe." she mutters.
"Come on, let hunt." I say nudging her with my shoulder. She follows alongside me as we made a way deeper into the woods, me checking the snare line while she keeps an eye out for something to target. I hear the bow release from her quiver and don't need to look to know that she's taken down whatever she aimed at. She disappears for a few seconds and returns with her prize. We work more independently today, which seems a little odd. We usually team together out in the woods. Perhaps it has something to do with our words exchanged earlier.
When we are satisfied with our haul, we make our way back to District 12, trading at the Hob and then delivering berries to the Mayor. I've seemed to anger Katniss once again when I mutter some smart comment to Madge Undersee. I'm not sure why she cares so much. I try my best to apologize to her but she can tell I'm not really sorry about it. We part ways in the Seam, returning to our respective homes.
My family is just about ready when I enter and I quickly wash up, and dress myself. My mother insists I brush my hair, knowing how important it is to look presentable today. It's sick really, dressing up in our best clothes for something so morbid. Gotta look good for the cameras in case we're selected. Posy takes my hand as we walk towards the square and clings to my leg once we reach the check in stations. It's time for us to part ways. I cringe when I think about even at her young age, she know something isn't right. I bend on my knees and she wraps her arms tightly around me as I tell her that I'll see her in a little bit. My mother picks her up and carries her to where those too young or too old for the Reaping spectate.
I become unnerved by the scene around me, a few hundred teens herded together, sorted by age and gender. My eyes scan the crowd searching for a glimpse of Katniss. I finally see her and she looks different then when I last saw her. Her hair is braided and she looks all grown up in the pale blue dress she wears. Her eyes catch mine and she gives a soft smile. My heart skips a beat. She mouths the words "You ok?" and I nod even though it far from the truth. My heart pounds faster and worry begins as I think about what happened before. In my head, I repeat the words 'anyone but her' hoping someone will hear my silent plea.
I block out the beginning of the ceremony. It's always the same anyway. I'm not brought back to the present until I see Effie Trinket walk towards the Reaping bowl. This is it. I hold my breath.
"Primrose Everdeen." she calls. My body goes numb. It's happening again. I know what follows. I hear Katniss' cries as she make her way to the center aisle, shouting out that she volunteers for her sister. I wouldn't expect anything less. Then it's Prim's turn to start shouting as she holds onto her sister. I make my way to the center and manage to release Prim from Katniss. I put on the bravest face I can, hoping to provide some sort of strength for her. Peacekeepers escort me to the crowd to deliver Prim to her mother before returning me to my rightful place. There is still a male tribute to select. I have a feeling I know who will be selected. It isn't long before Effie is announcing Peeta Mellark's name. I catch something I didn't the first time. There's a look of embarrassment on Katniss' face and I'm starting to wonder if there is reason behind it. He makes his way to the stage, presents himself and shakes hands with Katniss. The Anthem plays and they are taken inside the Justice Building.
I quickly find the Everdeens and help them towards the building. I wait with them until she is ready for them and am then left alone. I think of something to say to her, something that will keep her going in the Arena. I need for her to come back to me. Her family exits the room, weeping heavily and then I know it's my turn. I quietly make my way inside and close the door. She's sitting with a heavy look on her face. When she sees me, she springs up and runs in my direction. I throw my arms around her, bringing her body close to mine.
"I'm ok." she tells me. She's lying. No one would be ok after what just happened. I talk quickly, tell her about the bow, telling her she could win this. I pull away from her to register her reaction. My speech did nothing to erase the worry from her face.
"Don't leave without me." she pleads.
"Never." I respond pulling her closer once again.
"Gale if I don't make it…"
"You will!" I interject. She lets out a sigh and continues.
"If I don't make it, promise me you'll take Prim with you."
"Katniss, you're coming back and we'll all go together." I whisper. I then make a rather brash decision. I want to tell her I love her…that I'm in love with her. I need her to know this time, before she's thrown into the Arena with Peeta Mellark. "Catnip, there's something you need to know." I say, my voice quivering as I look deep into her eyes.
"What?" she asks lowly.
"I…I…" Before I can finish, the doors to the hallway swing open. The Peacekeepers are here. I can't say it with them here. They rip me away from her and drag me toward the door. "I'll see you when you get back!" I shout before the door slams shut. They don't stop there. The Peacekeepers don't release me until we are outside the building, throwing me down to the ground. I rest for a minute, catching my breath before I start for home. There will be no celebrating tonight. The girl I love is slipping further away from me and then is nothing I can do to help her. All I can do is waiting, hoping she'll return in one piece.
Katniss is going into the Arena again. Do you think things will turn out differently this time? Let me know in the reviews ;)