Hey Readers! I know it's been a while! But here's a new chapter! Not really my best work and the chapter doesn't have anything really exciting in it, but I tried my best to keep close to the wonderful story Suzanne Collins wrote! Once again thank you for reviewing, adding to your favorites or following the story! it's means more than you know! ENJOY! As a reviewer pointed out to me that at the time of Katniss speaking about Peeta and the whole lovers thing being an act wasn't suppose to be on camera let's all pretend that the capitol believes that Katniss is just doubtful that anyone could love her shall we? :)
A new day begins as the sun ascends into the sky, brilliant reds and beautiful oranges, illuminating the sunshine, making a beautiful sunrise. I take this as a good sign as I come back from the woods where I gathered my catches from the snares I set up last night. I hoist the sack of three squirrels and two birds on to my back and squint up at the sky as I make my way to the break in the fence. Nature always has a way of breathing life back into me.
I feel alive as I walk through the forest with the trees surrounding me and with the animals scuttling around and about. I take a few stops to collect some edible plants and pick some berries to bring home to the Everdeen's and my family. It's been a while since I've hunted, always preoccupied by my nerves and worrying about how Katniss is handling life in the arena. The games will begin soon, but even though rooting for Katniss while watching the games is important, keeping her family and mine fed is definitely better for everyone.
The sack is now bursting with food and I smile, happy with today's venture into the forest. I'm glad I have a lot to bring back; thinking about how overjoyed everyone will be by the amount of food is making me quicken my pace. I finally come to the fence and I carefully maneuver the bag through, careful to not let the flimsy fabric tear. The sack makes it through safely and I'm through it in a heartbeat and I start making my way to my house.
As I walk I look around at my surroundings and see what I always do, people looking sickly and starving. Now as I hold the bag of food, guilt washes through my body. As much as I want to help feed everyone in District twelve that's just too many mouths to feed. I can barely feed my family and I struggle with helping the Everdeen's now that Katniss and her archery skills are gone. This bag I'm holding is the first real meat I've caught in a while and I might have to go and sell some of it to buy other resources that are needed to survive.
I look away from the other houses that are crumbling from inside out and look at my house that I now see is in better shape then most. I hate that in order to survive, we all must do whatever it takes to save ourselves. Is this how society is suppose to work? I have stopped walking and I'm gazing at my house in deep thought. Is this how the world has always been? Following the orders of others because they have more power then the rest of us?
I wish that just once we could take matters into our own hands. The weight of the sack has become heavy not because of its contents, but because it's all I can to rebel against those who are keeping us starving and cold and weak in order to keep us reminded of our failures and their power. I blow out a sigh and move along into my house. I banish my earlier thoughts and try to focus on the good, which is that tonight my family, the Everdeen's and I can all silence are grumbling stomachs for at least today.
I enter my house and go into the kitchen to find my mom digging in the cabinets, probably in search of anything to make a meal out of. I move the sack from my shoulder to our little table with a thump. My mom jumps and sticks her head out of the cabinet. She looks at me then at the sack and moves silently over to it and peeks inside. As she lifts up the flap and sees the food she looks up and smiles. "Oh, Gale! This is wonderful!" I smile back and walk up to the bag, dumping its content on the table. The birds and squirrels land with a thump and the berries roll across the table.
My mom stops them from rolling, laughing as she saves one from hitting the floor. "Now, don't go wasting, Gale. We need every last bit of it." I laugh at that, having fun with my mom even joking about something so serious. My mom takes two squirrels and one bird and a handful of plants. She tells me to give the last bird and squirrel to the Everdeen's and sell the rest of the plants and berries at the hob to get some yarn that is needed and also any food that will be willingly given. I oblige to her command and go to the Everdeen's. They take the food with much gratitude and I tell them that they don't have to thank me. I leave them and make my way to the hob.
Even though the Hob is a black market, where danger lingers with every bargain and trade made, I still feel safe here because it was a place Katniss and I would travel to together. My first visit at the Hob is to Greasy Sae. She tries to bargain with me once again to buy her soup, containing wild dog, however, I steer clear of it and instead make a trade with some of the berries for paraffin. After Greasy Sae compliments Katniss on her courageous battle in the arena, I leave her stand and head to one of the markets in the Hob that is selling the yarn. After receiving the yarn, I head out with a feeling of satisfaction.
I'm walking through the town's main circle, and I come across my school friends who come over to greet me. Like always, Rowan is the first to reach me clapping me on the back with his big hand. The impact knocks me over and I pretend I'm hurt. This makes Aria and Aleta jump forward from where they were sitting and in panic voices ask me if I'm all right. I'm hunched over, but as I lift my head, a smirk is playing on my lips. They realize it was a joke and gruff in disappointment. "I thought you were actually hurt, Gale!" Aleta said crossing her arms, Aria nods her head in agreement as she puts her arm around Aleta and they return to the place they were sitting. "Yeah, buddy you got me worried there! I guess I don't know my own strength!" Rowan says as he inspects, his arm muscles.
I answer with a shrug of my shoulders and I walk over to where the others are still seated. As I walk closer, I see there has been a projector TV set up and they're watching the games. I rush over and greet everyone however my attention is focused on what is playing on the screen. No one seems offended by my silence as I immerse myself in the Games. They all know the reason for why I have to focus all my attention on it.
When the camera finally gets around to showing Katniss, she is eating what looks like a bird with Rue. I feel relief as I see that Katniss is no longer stuck in a state of unconsciousness because of the venom produced by the tracker jackers. However, it also takes me aback that she is sitting next to another competitor because I never thought Katniss would want to team up with someone. Then again, Rue is not really her enemy. She is just another poor soul trying to survive what the Capitol brought upon them.
As they munch of the meat, Rue asks Katniss, " You weren't joking, about wanting me for an ally? Katniss replies with, " No, I meant it." With that they shake hands to seal the deal. They sit in silence for a while as Rue brings out some type of root to eat with their bird. As Rue hungrily finishes her share of meat, she silently eyes Katniss' piece. Katniss must feel Rue's stare because she stops mid bite and hand her piece to Rue. Immediately, Rue denies the request with a polite no, but her eyes show her true response. Katniss insists and Rue shyly takes the wing.
Katniss is showing her caring side as she carefully watches over Rue and Chats with her about the difference between District 11 and District 12 when it comes to earning food. After their meal, they ration off their food that they have left. There is enough for both of them to share equally. Also Rue tells Katniss that the glasses she has are to help her see during the night. If you put them on it's like daytime never left.
After looking over each other's offerings in supplies, the both settle into Katniss' sleeping bag. As the anthem begins to play Katniss asks how many days she's been out. Rue replies, "Two, the girl from Districts one and four are dead. There's ten people left." Katniss shakes her head in reply, but then sits up in the sleeping bag and states, "Something strange happened. At least, I think it did. It might have been the tracker jacker venom making me imagine things." Katniss looks up at the sky and continues speaking, "You know the boy from my district? Peeta? I think he saved my life. But he was with the Careers."
Katniss looks utterly confused about this whole Peeta situation. It's obvious to everyone other then to the thickheaded Katniss that Peeta indeed did save her and it was all in the name of love. At that though a shudder goes through by body and I grimace at the image of them being together. Rue smiles and replies, "He's not with them now. I've spied on their base camp by the lake. They made it back before they collapsed from the stingers. But he's not there. Maybe he did save you and had to run."
Katniss looks even more tormented at that, but quickly hides up her uncertainty and stays quiet for a while. She chimes up with, " if he did, it was all probably just part of the act. You know, to make people think he's in love with me." I heave out a sigh just as Rue answers Katniss, "Oh, I didn't think that was an act." Rue is still smiling up at Katniss and I see Katniss rebuttal. "Course it is." Katniss says defiantly. It's quite obvious she it trying to avoid the truth at all costs. "He worked it out with our mentor. "
The anthem finally ends and in hopes of changing the conversation, Katniss takes the glasses out of her bag and says, "Let's try out these glasses." As she places them on her face, immediately you see her face go from wary to amazed in seconds. Still with the glasses on Katniss contemplates out loud, "I wonder who else got a pair of these. Rue perks up and answers, "The Careers have two pairs. But they've got everything down by the lake and they're so strong." Rue seems so small at that moment. It's odd at times she seems a lot older than she really is, but at the moment she is just an eleven year old who is scared. Katniss takes off the glasses and looks at Rue reassuring her, "we're strong too, just in different ways." Rue looks doubtful as she whispers, "You are you can shoot. What can I do?" Katniss immediately replies with, "You can feed yourself can they?" Rue sighs and counterattacks with, "they don't need to. They have all those supplies."
Most people by now would have been annoyed by the frivolous comments Rue is making, but Katniss, when it comes to young children, she can keep herself patient and level head quite well. "Say they didn't. Say the supplies were gone. How long would they last" katniss challenges. She wittily adds, " I mean it's the Hunger Games right? Still rue isn't convinced as she says, "But Katniss they're not hungry." Katniss sits up even higher in the sleeping bag and shakes her head in acknowledgment to Rue's words, "No they're not. That's the problem. I think we're going to have to fix that Rue."
Rue looks up, wide-eyed at Katniss, but smiles as she agrees to help Katniss with whatever plan she'll stir up. However, just a few moments later, Rue has silently fallen asleep. Katniss cradles Rue closer for warmth and slowly she joins Rue as her breathe even out and she falls asleep.