The days leading up to the Reaping Day seem to fly by, as if time couldn't wait to see my brother and I leave for the Capitol with our parents. I can see the worry and apprehension worsen in not only my family's eyes, but in the people's that we come across more often. Bones and Alex are the more noticeable for me as I see them mostly every day, but we don't speak upon the inevitable; I appreciate them immensely as our conversation are directed more towards distracting my thoughts away from the arena and towards the present. I think they're afraid of making me feel worse, so they do everything they can to ease my anxiety.
It does take almost a week for me to forage enough courage to go hunting. Knowing that I have only a week and a couple of days before being sent to the Capitol and that I will need to practicing my aiming helps me drag my feet towards the gate of the Hunting Grounds. I have a limited amount of times that I will see this place, so I relish every moment that I can.
"Hey, Diana," Bones greets me, his injury looking much better than it has been. "All alone today?"
"Morning, Bones," I reply, readjusting my game bag on my shoulder so the sheath is more comfortable on my back. "Yeah, my mother decided to skip hunting for the day." The nightmares had been too intense last night, causing her to be unable to leave the bed. Hunting would have made it worse. "How's your head?"
"Much better, thanks. Say, bring me back a couple of rabbits, and I'll trade you for something that I found the other day that you might like. Don't worry about not being able to find me, I'll be in the Hob helping my sister with some heavy lifting."
"I hope she's doing well? I'm sure she's very excited," I say, dread making my heart a bit heavier even though I keep my expression excited for him. His sister is expecting her first child, and I can't help but wonder if the fight to discontinue to games once more is unsuccessful, will her baby be put in the Hunger Games when they are old enough? If I survive, will I be their mentor or will my parents? If Rye survives, will he? Morbid thoughts are on a constant stream as the days pass and the arena becomes more and more tangible. I can almost smell what the Capitol is cooking up to screw us all over while we have to try and survive.
"She is," he nods with a bright smile, "two rabbits, yeah?"
"Yes, I'll bring back a couple of rabbits regardless of what the trade is, Bones. Whatever you need," I promise, meaning every word. I would do anything for my closest friends, and a couple of rabbits is nothing.
This time alone in the woods, I manage to not fall or harm myself, and I return with much more than I did the previous time. With a few more rabbits than I anticipated, a couple of squirrels for Alex's famous squirrel soup, and questionable snakes (alive in a separate bag) to help with anti-venom are what I bring from the Hunting Grounds, pride almost overtakes the fear of the games but not quite. I can't wait to mention it all to my mother; hopefully it will improve her mood. Especially the part of me not injuring myself by tripping. Which is definitely not what I need a week before The Hunger Games, breaking a bone or getting stitches. It is enough that I almost needed stitches when I hurt my shoulder last time.
After dropping off some of the meat to the butcher and the snakes to Oliver who collects venomous snakes to help create anti-venom for the hospital down the road from him, I finally find my way to the Hob where I, as expected, see Bones setting down a heavy box. Even though I know he is most likely exhausted from already having to work his graveyard shift, he still manages to gather enough energy to assist around in the Hob, which is admirable. Hopefully he's able to get some sleep and doesn't burn himself out, knowing that he has to return to work later on in the night.
"Caught you the couple of rabbits that I promised," I remark, laying down the bag of rabbits and squirrels on one of the tables nearby.
Turning around to face me, Bones gives me a pleasant smile, "And I," he says while digging in his pocket, obviously bringing something out of it with his fist clenched to keep it safe, "promised a trade."
I look at his hand questionably, wondering what in the world he could be hiding. What could be small enough to be concealed not only in his pocket but hand as well and also be worth two rabbits? It is a complete mystery to me.
"For you to wear in a week," he says opening his hand, revealing a golden hair tie that is adorned with a bronze flame with red and orange undertones. The back of it is flat while the front of it has been given dimension, giving the flame life, "in your hair or wrist, wherever is most comfortable. But, I would wear it so everyone can see." His eyes drift to my very loose braid and come back up almost immediately.
"I can't take this," I whisper, hesitantly holding the accessory in the palm of my hand. "This is a lot more than two squirrels."
"You must," he replies, voice almost urgent, and I can't figure out why he's so persistent in me taking the item, "think of it like the gift your mother was given in her first games. A totem of sorts." He's speaking about the Mockingjay pin that my mom has kept safe in her essentially empty jewelry box. The pin that caused so much trouble years ago, and now I have been given something so simple but so similar, but will it provoke the same response as the pin?
There is a piece of me that hopes it does.
Sorry this chapter is so short this week. I've been working on future chapters especially the Reaping Day one (which is next), but I promise I'll be back with a much better and longer chapter! I just had to fill in the hole a bit so it didn't feel awkward. Thank you for being patient.