Special thanks to Norbertsmom my wonderful Beta who thankfully makes my writing shine. I am glad you all enjoyed the heartfelt Everlark...but I know most of you are broken up over Gale and Delly...
April 1st
Gale walked from the meadow toward town, it was blustery outside. It was April and winter had still not let up. Its frosty evidence was everywhere he looked. It reminded Gale of that book his father had, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Everything was touched by snow. It never stopped. The trees and their branches were ladened with snow. It was always winter and Christmas was but a long forgotten dream in the district.
A fine snow blew around Gale as he moved around the high mounds of snow. Above the gray overcast skies hid the weak sun.
It felt as if the touch of the warm sun was nothing but a story told to children to inspire hope or good behavior. The crunch of the snow beneath his feet the only music that accompanied him. The wind blew, breaking the icicles that hung from the branches making them sound like crystal wind chimes.
His mother did not want him to leave the house, but what choice did he have. He needed to find food for his brothers. He was going to sign up for Tesserae once more. By reaping day he would have 42 slips. In the end, it didn't matter as long as his family was fed.
The whistle to the mines blew. It was the morning break for the miners. They got a measly five-minute break mid-morning, a twenty-minute lunch break, and only the upper managers received a ten-minute mid-afternoon break, before going home at five and having to do it all again the next day. Gale's face hardened as he was reminded of his future. When this scholastic year was over and he'd faced his final reaping, he too would have to live his life by the sound of that blasted whistle.
He shuddered, and not from the cold but from the thought of having to spend his days toiling underneath the earth with only one day to call his own. It was the life that awaited all of the Seam residents. His father had woken up every morning at 3:30 just so that he could be at work at five and worked twelve hours just so that he could feed them.
When the explosion happened his mother hadn't wept the way had. His mother woke up the morning after giving birth to Posy and told him and his brothers to go to school. He came home to find her washing the Merchants things. It was then Gale understood that life was not equal. There were people in the world that had it better than others and he was not one of them.
His mother asked him to check his father's traps. He had forgotten all about the woods and the freedom found out there, if not for his mother's sharp aptitude for survival. As a boy, Gale had gone with his dad into the woods and they had spent hours setting traps and enjoying the outdoors. He learned from his dad and he was good at it. What he wasn't good at was the actual hunting. Gale hated to admit it but Katniss was a better hunter. He had never seen anyone so quick with a bow. She was uncanny with it. Despite his natural brute strength, he didn't even know how she pulled back the string of her father's bow. He tried but could not do what she did.
Rubbing his fingers together, he slipped on the gloves Delly made for him. Gale missed Delly greatly. He could almost smell her sunshine. He tried to leave her behind but she was unforgettable.
He tried.
One of the women who he slept with in the past gave him an invitation. He felt immoral for just being in the woman's home and made up an excuse to leave. He couldn't even look at her without thinking about Delly.
Long before he met Delly he realized he was looking for something deeper. After Darius pointed it out, Gale was able to find Katniss was mildly attractive. He thought he'd found what he was looking for in Katniss since they were hunting buddies, but any time he tried to get close to her she put up a wall. He was confused, because, he loved Katniss but he wasn't sure how. They were drifting apart and he felt like he was losing his friendship with her.
If anything, things between him and Katniss were strained. The only girl that made any sense to him was Delly and she didn't want to be with him either.
She was frustrating, but he didn't mind, nor did he get upset when she did things her own way. He'd kept his promise, not interfering, but still kept a watchful eye out for her, often sending Vick and Rory to walk with her. Gale expelled a breath. Delly was constantly jabbering and humming even though she couldn't carry a tune. She was thoughtful and was always encouraging him to think of possibilities. Delly always spun things in a positive way.
Losing her mother was hard, but when he tried to make her happy, she ended up making him laugh and smile. Even after the Hob, she managed to find something positive out of that tragedy. She was sunshine and rainbows, even though she was well aware of the darker aspects of life.
The optimism she branded rubbed off on him. Gale always left Delly's side feeling accomplished, hopeful, confident and happy. With Katniss, it was the opposite. Whenever he had a conversation with Katniss he normally ended up frustrated, feeling defeated, and with a sour disposition.
Both girls were so different, and lately, he was beginning to prefer Delly's company, even though he hadn't spoken to her in months. Just thinking about her caused him to hear the mining siren and smile. He could always work his way up to manager.
Even the electrified fence changed since the new Peacekeepers had arrived. The thought of someone like Delly or her brother getting hurt because a lynx or a hungry bear attacking them made him glad the fence was on.
Gale shook his head as his eyes beheld the electrified fence. He would have thought that they turned off the electricity as the snow was not a good conductor for electricity. The Capitol found a way around it. Part of the Peacekeepers' job to keep the fence running. There was a section that was down and they were outside removing the downed tree to repair the fence.
Gale's breath came out in white puffs as he walked by them. He could hear the static from their radios as they communicated with the others. If not for their black visor they would blend into the background.
"You there," one of the Peacekeepers called out to him.
Gale stopped moving. He watched the one that addressed him and another Peacekeeper approach.
"State the nature of your business in this sector?"
Gale stood still. He was eighteen and not considered a boy anymore. He hadn't been considered a boy since the day his father passed away. "I'm going into town to sign up for Tesserae."
"What is your name?"
"Gale Hawthorne."
"Do not move," the Peacekeeper stated.
Gale tried to desperately hide his frustration as the men held up their weapons at him. He put up his hands defensively. His heart pounded in his chest as he felt fear.
"Town command, come in." The Peacekeeper called on the radio.
"Squad five report in?" The radio went off.
"Squad five here, checking status on one Gale Hawthorne."
The radio crackled and Gale watched, afraid. He was alone and there wasn't anyone around that could attest to his innocence.
The Peacekeepers were becoming more and more like bullies on a daily basis. Gale had heard of people being whipped or hurt for no reason. It was getting progressively worse. He had even seen his neighbor's house ransacked by a squad in search for anything that wasn't Capitol approved. The situation was becoming dire in the district.
The radio went off. "Gale Hawthorne, age 18, residence: the Seam. Still within reaping candidates."
Gale saw the Peacekeeper relax.
"Okay, move it along." The Peacekeeper waived his weapon, giving Gale permission to move forward.
"Thank you, sir," Gale muttered as he passed by. He doubled his pace. As he walked away he heard one of the Peacekeepers say, "That's an 18-year-old around here?"
"No, that is a rare one from the Seam," the other Peacekeeper said. "Most of the candidates are scrawny, half-starved things."
His comment made Gale bristle with anger but he didn't say anything as he moved further away. One day they would pay for the injustices they dolled out to the residents. As he pushed forward in toward town, the snow drifts became bigger and although he was over six feet tall, he found it hard to maneuver.
When he arrived in town he was glad to see the clean paved streets but still, snow was piled up everywhere. He headed toward the Justice Building. He saw a small bundled creature slip and slide and fall before a group of Peacekeepers. Their packages fell on the ground, one brushed up against one of their legs.
The squad of Peacekeepers surrounded the person and immediately pointed their rifles. One of them roughly picked up the small bundle and ripped off their face covering and hat. Gale blinked when he saw Delly.
Her cry could be heard in the frosty air as one of them kicked her. Gale walked toward them, but a hand held him back. Gale turned to see Rye Mellark shaking his head.
"Are you drunk?" The Peacekeeper with the Roman number 2 on the side of his arm yelled at Delly.
"No, I just slipped on the ice, sir." Delly's voice shook as she slowly stood.
"Hands in the air," one of the Peacekeeper yelled at her.
Gale flinched at the venomous animosity in the man's voice. He noted the way her hands shook as she put them in the air. Her face showed the sheer terror at being surrounded by the five Peacekeepers.
"We will determine that. 55 administer the breathalyzer test."
One of the Peacekeepers with the number Roman numeral 55 poked a machine in her face. Delly carefully breathed into the nozzle.
"She's clear," 55 said.
Number 2 said, "Fine, you are not drunk but if I ever catch you drunk you will be punished with the full force of the Capitol, is that understood?"
"Yes sir," Delly meekly replied.
"Let's move out." The Peacekeepers left her alone. Rye and Gale made their way to her.
"Hey, you okay?" Rye asked.
Delly's face was blotchy. She looked down, picking up her packages. She wiped her face. "I have to make deliveries."
Gale saw her wince as she reached for one of the packages. "Delly, stop."
She stopped moving and glanced at him. He could see the pain written on her face right before she tried to hide it from him. "I'm okay."
"No, you're not. Rye can you make the deliveries for her. I'll take her home." Gale picked her up.
"Gale put me down."
"You're hurt," he objected. "Rye you know the addresses better than I do."
"Sure thing," Rye said. "I'll stop by her house later on."
"My father, he needs me." Delly protested.
"I'm sure he does but, so does your brother, and you need to be seen by Mrs. Everdeen."
"Gale, I can't afford to be seen by anyone."
"Let me worry about that." He didn't want her to talk him out of taking care of her.
"NO." She stiffened in his arms.
"No?" Gale had never heard her use that tone of voice with him.
"I said no, because, you have enough to worry about without including me and my family. I am sure your poor family is hungry and now you want to help me. No Gale, I can't let you help me. It's wrong."
Gale put her down. "Delly you are worse off than me and my family."
"I'm okay I've taken out Tesserae." Delly held onto his forearms and she winced as she tried to stand straighter. "I can share with you so that way you don't have to take it."
He couldn't handle the fact that she had taken Tesserae. "You shouldn't. You'll get three extra slips in the bowl."
"Gale this isn't my first time. I know it's a few more slips in the bowl, but my family needs the funds. I sold the food and was able to pay the taxes with it. We still have some cans left. If you want, I'll share them with you."
She spoke about it as if it were nothing. His stomach fell. "How many times is your name in the bowl?"
"Come June I'll have 24."
His hands shook at the mention of how many slips she had. "You're not supposed to have that many Delly."
"Why, because I'm a Merchant?"
"Dells," Gale whispered.
"You don't get to say my name that way."
She tried to pull away. He held on to her. "You're too good for a fate like that."
Delly shook her head. "I know what I am to the Capitol, cheap entertainment. I'm from District Twelve Gale. We're the mining district and we're backwards hicks who marry into each other's families. We don't even get a chance in the Games. Alliances don't work because we've got nothing to offer. My cousin Rudy, he lived with us. My father was going to make him his apprentice so that he could take over the business. Five years ago, he was reaped, he was 12. He died in the bloodbath at the cornucopia. A career speared him in the heart because he panicked at the podium. His parents died shortly after that. It's why we got all of those extra rooms upstairs we don't use." She let go of him and began to hobble away.
Gale didn't know what to say. He picked her up again and walked toward her house. "You're going to be safe. Do you hear me?"
"Gale."
"No Delly, they're not winning. They're not winning. You are going to live a long life."
She chuckled.
"No, don't laugh, missy. You're going to be okay and we're going to be friends for a long time, and you'll be annoyed by me and I'll be irritated when you talk my head off. You'll see." He was determined for this to happen. Why he was affected by her, of all of the people in the district, he didn't know, but she was important.
"Why are you so determined to be my friend?"
Her whispered words caused him to glance down at her. "Because..." His mouth was dry. His heart pounded. "You know me. You don't want anything more from me. You make me happy just being around you. I haven't been happy in a long time, Dells."
He put on the ground. It felt good holding her again.
"No," Delly said pulling away. She held onto her side as she walked.
"I'm miserable without you."
She stopped moving.
"I'm lost." He reached her, slid his hands around her shoulders.
"Gale, please."
He was desperate. He stood in front of her he tipped her head up so that he could look into her precious eyes. "I've driven everyone crazy, they all hate me. Katniss refuses to speak to me." Gale pressed his forehead against hers. "Posy said she didn't like grumpy Gale. She wanted you back because you make me happy."
Delly blinked when he took her hand and held it in his larger ones. Gale didn't want to let go.
"I'll take you any way you want me, but not apart." He glanced at her. His heart was reflected in his eyes. "Wanna be friends again...please…if not for me then for Posy."
Delly laughed a watery laugh. "I'm not going to get rid of you, am I?"
"Nope."
Delly winced. "Fine, I'll be your friend again."
He swept her up in his arms again. Elation poured through him. "Good, now as your friend I am telling you that you need to rest. I'll take a can or two and share one with Mrs. Everdeen so that she can take a look at you."
"Okay Gale," Delly sighed. "You are annoying and bossy."
He laughed. "Yeah, Katniss tells me that all of the time, and so does Rory for that matter."
"Can you put me down now?"
"Not until I get you home."
"People are staring."
"Let them stare." He grinned. She weighed less than Posy now and he was worried about her. He arrived at her backyard. He wouldn't even let her open the door.
"What's she done now?" Andy said from the table.
"She fell, and some Peacekeepers were bothering her."
"Dad's g..go...going to be mad at you."
"That's enough Andy, your sister is hurt." He glanced at her. "Come on, I've always wanted to see your room."
"Ugh, why do you have to be so weird?" Delly groaned.
He opened the door to her door and was surprised to find the nicest thing she had was the bed. The only other thing in the room was a dresser. It was missing a drawer, and it was propped up by an old box.
At least he had a desk and chair. He put her on the bed and without thought he removed her shoes.
"Gale," Delly put her hands over his when he began to undo her coat.
He glanced up and saw her face was red. Not understanding why Gale frowned.
"Gale, I can take off my coat," she squeaked.
He looked at where his hands were resting and comprehension dawned. He was being inappropriate. His hands were right over her ample bosom. He lifted his hands. "Sorry." He stood up feeling embarrassed by his actions. "I didn't mean to be so forward." His mother would have slapped him if she had found him treating a respectable girl like Delly in such a fashion. He turned around and rubbed the back of his neck.
Delly whimpered when she took off her coat. It pained him to think of her hurt. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Delly panted.
He wanted to go get Mrs. Everdeen, but he didn't want to leave her side. "Delly I'll go get some help, I promise."
Gale walked out to find Andy and Rye at the table.
"Have you finished your arithmetic?"
"Yeah. But number 5 is hard."
It was strange to find another guy in their home. "I'll have Vick stop by to help you with it."
"Thanks, Gale," Andy smiled.
"How is she?" Rye got up and stood in front of him. He looked worriedly toward Delly's room.
"What do you think? A Peacekeeper kicked her in the side, Rye," Gale was mad at himself for not intervening. "I should have done something."
"What, get yourself arrested and then what good are you for your family?" Rye's words were wise. He couldn't do anything. Not with things the way they were.
"I'm going to get Mrs. Everdeen. She'll be able to examine Delly. Can you stay here with Andy, make sure he's okay?"
"Yeah sure," Rye slipped his hands in his pocket. "How do you know Delly?"
"We're friends." Gale waited to see if Rye Mellark would say anything about it.
Rye raised an eyebrow. Gale stared back. "Go get Mrs. Everdeen, I'll wait here."
Gale hurried out and he ran as fast as he could to the Everdeen home. He knocked on the door.
Prim opened the door. Her pale blue eyes turned darker, and her lips pursed. "What do you want?"
"Primrose now is not the time for your antics."
Prim's rolled her neck. "You think I like having nightmares?"
"No, I don't think you like having nightmares."
She narrowed her eyes. "I don't know how my sister can stand being around you."
"Is your mom in Primrose? I have an emergency."
Prim closed the door in his face. Gale often wondered if Katniss saw this side Primrose, the tough as nails child who had an attitude. Prim was sweet, innocent, but she was also far more jaded than Katniss. Prim understood the world in a way that not even Katniss did. Primrose Everdeen was a child who had the soul of an eighty-year-old woman living inside of her and Katniss didn't see that. From inside the house, Gale could hear Mrs. Everdeen.
"Prim, why did you leave Gale outside in the cold?"
"No reason," Prim said as her mother opened the door.
"Gale, what is wrong?"
"It's Delly Cartwright. She slipped and fell in front of some Peacekeepers. One of them kicked her while she was down. She's hurt in the side. She was hobbling and she whimpered when she took her coat off."
"I'll get my bag and coat. Primrose, I'm going into town. If your sister comes home, tell her I'm with a patient."
"Okay momma," Prim nodded.
"Well come on Gale." Mrs. Everdeen shut the door behind her and together they made the trek back into town.
When they arrived, Mr. Cartwright was home. "What has she gone and done now?"
"Nothing sir, she slipped and hurt herself," Gale said.
Rye was standing in the corner. He threw his hands up in the air. "That's what I told you."
"I am sorry, Rye. It's just your behavior the last time we spoke was questionable."
Rye flushed but said nothing.
"I fetched Mrs. Everdeen to examine Delly. This way," Gale led Katniss' mom to Delly's room.
"Delly, Mrs. Everdeen is here," Gale knocked on the door before hearing Delly's muffled okay.
Mrs. Everdeen walked in and closed the door. With nothing else to do, Gale walked back into the living room. Rye was gone. He assumed Mr. Cartwright had sent Rye home. "I'm sorry that I couldn't help her."
"There's more to the story isn't there?"
Gale nodded. "She didn't do anything, wrong, sir. It was those Peacekeepers. I wanted to interfere but Rye, he pulled me back. I regret not helping her."
"Son, you've done enough for her. I'm sure that if you would've intervened you would not be here. Delly is so accident prone. She just has a way of having things happen to her. I sometimes want to keep her safe, but she'll find a way to make a mark." Mr. Cartwright laughed. "The first time she cooked she nearly set the house on fire. She was twelve and was trying to fry an egg. She burnt it and the flame shot straight up. She was sure we would never ask her to cook again."
"She's not a bad cook."
"That's because she used us as her guinea-pigs."
Gale laughed. There was a lot of things he wanted to know about Delly. "What was she like as a child?"
"A pint-sized version of what you see today. She's stubborn, determined to do things even when hurt. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She's naïve but understands the world around her. She's the constant cheerleader for the underdog and basically, that means the world. She talks a mile a minute and when she's nervous or mad she squeaks and squeals, and, oh, never tell her a secret because she can't keep one." Her father rubbed his face.
Gale shook his head. That has been his experience with Delly. She was all of that and she was kind, sweet, and she was loyal.
"Do you know she'll be seventeen soon? Her birthday falls the day after the reaping, and she never asks for anything. Not once, in all of her years, she has never asked for anything from anyone. I've never celebrated her birthday. There wasn't any money for a cake much less a present. Delly has never complained."
Gale thought of all of the birthdays he has celebrated for his brothers and sister. The ones his mother has thrown for him. And Delly hasn't celebrated one.
"Titus," Mrs. Everdeen came out. "Delly has a bruised rib. I don't think they broke it but she needs to rest. No hard labor, no lifting anything heavy. No cooking, I mean nothing for the next few weeks. She needs to be catered to."
Mr. Cartwright nodded.
"I mean it, her ribs need to heal. Gale, you make sure she's complacent. She'll fight you like my Katniss, but she'll relent if she knows everything is taken care off."
Gale nodded and wondered how the hell he was going to get Delly to stay put.