THE JOURNEY

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. However, the story idea is mine. I am writing this story for fun and hopefully people will like it. I really wish I owned the Hunger Games though…especially Katniss and Peeta .

Author's Note: Hey all! I wanted to post this on Tuesday, but we haven't had any internet access. . I had a couple people angry with me because I haven't been posting on a schedule. I just write when I have time and when I think a chapter is good enough to publish. I don't like to publish a chapter if it is not up to my standards. I don't just want to publish something just to publish. I want it to be good. I am nearing the end of the road trip, not the end of the story, and I want to make it good. Katniss and Peeta still have some adventures to go through and I want it to be like I mapped it out. I hope you all will bear with me. Like I said, it sucks to have internet. I am already halfway done with the next chapter also so I will try to post soon. Without further ado, Chapter 29…Enjoy!

Chapter 29 – Peeta's POV

Colorado is going to be very interesting. We all pile in the car to head there. The air is thick with anticipation. The car ride seems short, when in actuality it takes a long time to get there. We are going to be staying in tents at the Thunder Ridge Campground in Colorado Springs. Katniss and I are going to stay in our own tent this time. Finnick and Annie bought a tent as well. Johanna opted to sleep in the van. I feel bad about that. Katniss and Annie have already decided that they will be going on an all-girl hike today in order to make Johanna feel like part of the group again.

We arrive at the campground and set up camp. It doesn't take very long. Finnick and I set up the tents and then Katniss, Johanna and Annie used them to change into appropriate hiking clothes. Katniss took my breath away when she stepped out of our tent. She was wearing tight dark blue jeans, black boots, and a long sleeved green thermal t-shirt. She looked incredible. She walked over to me and whispered in my ear.

"Tonight, just you and me, Mellark?" She whispers. I grin at her and nod before kissing her cheek gently.

"Just us. Be safe." I tell her seriously. She rolls her eyes at me before walking off with Johanna and Annie for their hike. I am not worried about Katniss taking care of herself. If there was ever a girl born for the woods it was her. She was a natural at it. I laughed at Johanna and Annie as they trailed after her not dressed quite right for hiking. Johanna is wearing sneakers and Annie is wearing flip flops. I laugh heartily after the girls are far enough away. Finnick looks at me with an amused expression on his face.

"Just what is so funny?"

I shrug. "Your girlfriend left for a hike in sandals."

Finnick shrugs. "What's wrong with that?"

I shake my head. "Finn, please tell me you brought hiking boots."

Finnick shakes his head. "I don't own hiking boots, but I have some running shoes."

I shake my head and chuckle. "Of course you do, Finn."

Two hours later, Finn and I are getting a little worried about the girls. I know I shouldn't worry. They never told us how long they would be gone, but I didn't think they would get far with Annie in flip flops.

"We should go and look for them don't you think?" I ask Finn. He nods and goes into his tent to change into different shoes. He emerges wearing hiking boots and I manage a smile. He looks at me and grins.

"Who goes on a camping trip without hiking boots?" He pretends to be shocked.

"Your girlfriend." I say.

Finn and I start walking in the direction the girls went in. I sling by backpack over my shoulder. I packed water, food, a first aid kit, and a warm blanket.

"Annie has hiking boots, but she didn't want to wear them." He says in defense of his girlfriend.

"Does she really have hiking boots?" I ask him.

He looks frustrated. "How the bloody hell should I know? I don't know, all right?"

I decide to drop it. Finn is worried and so am I. The sun starts to go down and we still haven't seen the girls.

"How long has it been?" Finn asks and I check my watch.

"They have been gone for four hours. We are two hours from the campsite now."

Suddenly, we hear crying. Finn takes off ahead of me and I run after him.

"ANNIE!" He screams as we run."

"Finn, help!" She calls back. I hear Johanna yell as well, but I don't hear Katniss.

We break through the brush and I see Johanna and Annie sitting on the ground. Annie is grabbing her ankle.

Finn is immediately by her side. "What happened?" He questions instantly.

I look around for Katniss, but she is nowhere to be seen. Knowing Katniss, she is getting water or something, but still…something feels…off to me. Annie's cheeks are stained with tears. "I twisted my ankle on some rocks. Jo stayed with me while Katniss went back to get you guys for help."

My blood cools in my veins. "Katniss isn't with you guys at all?"

Johanna looks at me in fear. "She went back to get you guys hours ago. You haven't seen her?"

I shake my head no, unable to speak.

Now Finn looks at me in fear. "Where is she?"

I don't answer him. I turn and head in a new direction in the fading light. I just know that I have to find her.

"Peeta!" He calls after me.

I turn around for an instant. "I will find Katniss and we will see you back at camp. When you get back to camp, call for help."

Johanna nods and I race off again. I don't know where I am going, but if Katniss was headed back towards camp she must have gone a different way. I take the first path I see and run along for a while before I slow and walk. I can't afford to miss her in the growing darkness.

My throat is parched, but I don't dare drink until I find water. What if Katniss needs it? After another hour, it is mostly dark and fear is choking me. Tears blur my vision, but I keep walking. I will find her. I will.

"Peeta." I hear Katniss's voice whisper.

I look around, but can't see her.

"Up here." She whispers.

I look up and see her in a tree. "What are you doing up there?" I whisper since she was whispering. She points down. I turn my head and nestled on the ground two trees away is a giant black bear sleeping under a tree.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am working on the next one as soon as this one is submitted. Thank you to all of you who read and review. You are amazing! Please review! Much love…Bookworm722