Katherine

I wait for the rabbit to stand still and then let the arrow fly.

I stand up from my crouching position and walk to where the dead animal is. I grab it by the ears, pull the arrow from its eye and place it back in my quiver. My fingers are numb because of the cold air in the woods. The trees are starting to lose their vegetation and the ground is showing signs of snow. Winter is the worst season to hunt. Most animals hide in their burrows and the ones who don't, follow you because of the footprints in the snow. I make my way back to the village.

After I left Gale alone in the clearing, Hazelle handed me two thick blankets and told me to find a comfortable place near the fireplace. I folded one and spread it by the fireplace, hoping I wouldn't freeze during the night. I lay down, placed the other blanket over me and fell asleep. This morning, I waited for someone to leave the house and then put on my cloak and headed out to the woods. I was angry with Gale and needed something to aim my anger at. Now, I think I overreacted. He was only transmiting me what people were saying about me. Still, I have this feeling they only want to use me for their own benefits.

I rub my hands, trying to get warmth into them and step into the village. The ground already has some snow, but it looks gray instead of white. The air is more clear and breathable but as I get nearer to the houses, a very thin layer of ash covers the snow and my breath comes into puffs of white air mixed with specks of smoke. I knock on the door of Gale's house, hoping someone is inside. Hazelle opens the door with Posy in her arms.

"Katniss." She smiles. "I thought you decided to leave us earlier."

"Uh... no." She steps aside and I enter the house. "I went for a walk."

The fireplace is blazing and I quickly walk closer to warm my frozen body. My hands are on fire as they take in the heat of the fire.

"How's the weather?" Hazelle tries to mak small talk.

"Winter is near."

I suddenly remember the rabbit inside my satchel. "I caught this in the woods." I hand her the dead rabbit. She is taken by surprise. "It's a small payment for sheltering me."

"It wasn't necessary." She says.

"It was the least I could do." I smile, gratefully.

"Thank you." She accepts it, placing it on top of the working table. "Do you have food for when you leave?"

"I had, but they would probably rot so I put them there." I point at the food by the window with the poppies and daisies. "You need it more than me."

"So what will you eat?"

"I'll make it work." I only have one day more here. And then it's back to wandering the wilderness. This weather won't help and food will be scarce. "I'm used to it."

"Starving?" She eyes me.

"Something like that." I'm not suppost to say anything. It is too personal. I can't tell everyone my story. No one is safe. Even the nicest people aren't trusthworthy.

"Where is Gale?" I change the subject, hoping she will forget about it.

"He left early." She walks around the cookroom, preparing something. "His shift started at six in the morning."

"Shift?"

"He works at the mines." She clarifies. "Yesterday was his day-off. You were lucky he found you."

Lucky.

Luck hasn't been my friend for a long time.

"When will he return?"

"Around seven in the afternoon."

My knowledge on mining isn't very good, but I know they dig the earth for coal and sometimes precious stones. However, these mines must be coal mines, because of the burnt smell in the air and the piles of ash on the ground. I imagine the black stains in their clothes and dust coating their skin and nails.

"Take a sit. It will take long before he comes home."

"Maybe I could help."

"Don't worry about anything. Just sit."

I pull a chair and sit in front of the fireplace. Some time later, Hazelle brings me a bowl of sweet rice. She is acting very motherly even though I'm a complete stranger. I always questioned myself what it would be like to have a mother. Coin never fulfilled that missing figure in my life. My father did his job as a father figure, but he could never do what a mother does. Some maidens taught me woman aspects and the rest I learnt myself.

The day goes by. I sit in front of the fireplace, watching the flames engolf the logs. Eventually, I doozed off.

Someone is shaking me. I'm quickly alert but it is only Hazelle. I see Posy smiling up at me, her small hands on my right leg.

"I apologise for disturbing you." She apologises.

"Oh! It's okay."

"I'm worried. Vick and Rory are late and the sun is almost setting." She says. "Would you mind go looking for them?"

"Of course not." I stand up and stretch my sore muscles.

"Here. Thank them." She says, handing me a pair of mittens.

"Thank you."

I dress my cloak and leave the house. The impact is so big, I almost lose my balance. The air is icy cold but the sun is still low in the horizon. I leave the mines area and reach the town quare. Few businesses are still open and there are few people walking outside. I should have asked Hazelle where Rory and Vick usually are. What if they are already heading home?

I feel like I searched every street and alley. The sky is already dark and the moon is slowly rising into the night. The wind whistles as it floods the smallest streets. I glance behind me, seeing if someone is following me. I'm alone in a deserted street, walking through a silent and hostile darkness.

I give up searching for the boys and decide to go back to the house. I don't recognize these streets but I try to find the square, knowing I can head from there.

Finally, I glimpse the square. However, two hands grab my arm and pull me to an alley. Before he or she can get me, I elbow the stranger with my free arm in its ribs and swing my foot, knocking the person to the ground. It screams and, alert to sudden moves, I walk slowly closer to see the face of the stranger.

"Who are you?"

I only hear its moans.

"Who are you?" I shout.

"I never knew you had such a strong elbow." The stranger chuckles.

That voice...

The stranger stands up with difficulty and then we are face to face. The blue eyes can't hide in the complete darkness.

"Peter."

"Hey."

Now we are getting to the good part of the story! I hope you are enjoying it and I hope to continue seeing your comments. Favourite, follow and review :)