The Many Realities I Have Lived In

Chapter 11: The Woods and the Hob

Sorry I haven't updated for a while. I was slightly confused on my other story so it took away a bit of time for this chapter. As well, I'd like to explain why I haven't updated for such a long time. So, my brother took the only computer we have I can write on. He went on vacation... And so that took away several days. But it's back, and now I can write! I had no idea it was going to be gone too... However, I hope you like this chapter. Here it is. Sorry for babbling too. ;) (Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games!)

Katniss woke up on an uncomfortable bed. She shifted side to side, trying to become relaxed. With no success, Katniss sat up straight. She saw only her old home in District 12. Prim was asleep with their mum, Buttercup curled up at her feet. Was she going back in time now - even more? These dreams were starting to make her mourn for the past. If only she could always live in it, the good times only though, where she was safe from the Reaping for a tiny bit? Although, she was never safe from Panem's government.

With slight force, she pushed herself into the dusty bathroom. She brushed her long, brown hair and then braided it with ease. She changed clothes, wearing her father's old jacket. As her memories told her, she always went to the forest early - to hunt with Gale. She definitely missed those times but now she was going to relive it for a few hours. Was this just going to be a few hours actually?

She walked out of the small house and into the open. District 12's coal miners were already heading to the mines. Her feet shifted every second, making her closer to the fence. Katniss could escape from the grasps of the District then and roam all she wanted. She moved along. Once she had gotten to the fence, Katniss stood there. She was frozen for a minute until she heard no buzz of electricity.

Katniss ducked under the fence and into the gap. Once she emerged, the girl on fire sprinted silently. With fast breath, she entered the woods. There was an immediate moment of relief. The Capitol wasn't keeping a close eye on her, she could do anything of the old things she used to do. No one knew her. That didn't change the fact that she had become someone new though. This was a dream and she still kept her old, as well as new, identity. As a result, each step she took there was a crackle of leafs under her feet.

Katniss found the old hollowed log. While bending over to grasp it, she did feel the familiar feel of her father's old bow. With a lift of her arm, she swung the quiver over her arm too. While walking to a good place to wait and shoot, Gale had appeared. He held two rabbits already from his snares. Katniss winced as she realized she hadn't seen him for such a long time. They both greeted each other like the old every day routine.

"You came later than usual," Gale said as he swung onto a large log that made a bridge over a stream. The girl on fire nodded as she let her head fall against a tree's trunk. "Did you just arrive?" he added with a small tint of curiosity.

"Yeah," Katniss replied. She had become in no mood for conversation. Katniss had become a bit uncomfortable with talking to the old Gale, she knew she was going to betray him in the future now. It was only an act though, to keep Peeta and her alive.

OoO

Katniss was walking with Gale back to her old home. She held a smallish duffle bag. It also held the meat they had managed to get. It wasn't the most successful day she had ever but it was alright. The rubble and coal dust under their feet sounded loudly as they came to a halt at her old house. Her eyes stared intently at it, trying to save every detail. She wanted it to be built it in her mind to last for eternity.

The small amount of time was bashed when Gale had told her goodbye, running off to his own house. Katniss muttered under her breath as she led herself inside. The wooden house around her made her want to crumble, it was more of a comforting feeling to be back. Also a disastrous feeling. With no effort she dropped the small bag on the dinner table. She usually went to the Hob to sell. However, that wasn't happening in her mourning mood.

Prim came in and looked in the bag. She glanced back up as though to say, "Where's the food? Did you go to Greasy Sae?" Katniss shook her head slightly.

"I'm going now," Katniss said, persuaded by Prim with no words. How'd she already change her mind? Prim can easily manage to get Katniss to do something for them. "You can come with me." she added as she made her way to the black bag. Prim smiled happily and agreed. Quickly, the two were off to the black market. "I didn't get any strawberries today so we can just sell the meat." Katniss added as Prim skipped along side her.

"Alright," Prim said with a big smile.

They walked into the crowded black market, people everywhere. The smell of food, and much more came upon them as they strolled to Greasy Sae's small booth. Katniss placed her bag on the table.

"What're you bringing me today?" Greasy Sae smiled down at Prim.

"Two rabbits and a squirell," Katniss stated with no other words added. Greasy Sae took over from there and Prim slowly went looking around.

OoO

Katniss had known the price by heart by now. She handed Greasy Sae the amount of coins she asked for in return. Katniss had gotten Prim back to her side with the food and left the Hob. They headed home in silence as Katniss heart sank more than ever. When she was with her sister now, there was only innocence with her. Not the girl that grew up too fast, but the girl that was still young and happy in the heart. Prim didn't know that they weren't lucky, nor did she care. She was just glad... Although she did grow up in the mind sometimes, with Reaping around every year, Victory Tours too. She still reminded her of Rue... She made a small note mentally to go see the meadow.

They arrived home within minutes. Buttercup, with routine, hissed at Katniss but quickly scrambled towards Prim. The old cat... Katniss set the table in silence, placing the food she had received just minutes ago on the dining table.

OoO

Night came by quickly. Prim sat at the fireplace with Buttercup in her arms. The night was colder than any other night Katniss could remember. Maybe it was just the dream that had more twists than she thought it would have. Her mother was in her bed, not speaking, doing nothing but staring off into space. She was weak and Katniss couldn't think to be like her ever. It tore her however too that her mother abandoned them.

As the seconds past, Katniss sat in a rocking chair. It creaked every time it moved, it wasn't at it's best for sure. She stared out into the night. There were few people passing by, no families altogether. Only lonely people, trying to find food. There was one person that stopped and looked right back at her. They had a death glare in their eyes as they must've known she wasn't hungry like they were.

The girl on fire found herself slipping into bed as the face disappeared. The thought of the expression the person wore, it made her shiver slightly. The covers wrapping around her tightly, making warmth spread through her. The mattress, it wasn't comfy, but it worked for now. She shut her eyes and pushed her wicked thoughts away. The blackness of nothing took over her and she soon fell asleep.

Thanks for reading this chapter! It's a bit short but I hope to get one up in a few days. Back to my old sort of schedule where I'm able to write whenever I can! I hope you enjoyed it.

Review! :)