10. 9. 8. 7. 6.
Times almost up. I make my decision at the last second. The gong sounds and everyone runs.
Let the games begin.
I run straight for the bow and arrow praying Peeta runs to the woods instead of trying to get to me. I would have to find him after I got my weapon. My fingers wrap around the cold medal of the Capitol designed bow at the same time I yank the sheath of arrows onto my back. I've managed to get my stuff and dash away just as the other reach the cornucopia.
I almost make it into the concealment of the trees when a knife whizzes past my head leaving a straight cut on my cheek. I don't stop to look behind me to see who had thrown it. I had a pretty good idea who. Just as the second knife comes I dive behind a tree the knife just barley missing me. I can't help the slight cocky grin that appears on my face. I slide away from the tree and make my way through the forest trying to be careful, and go unnoticed.
While I walk I let my eyes scan the area for Peeta. After an hour I feel my stomach twist in a knot as there's still no sign of Peeta. I instantly start panicking as the worst scenarios run through my mind. What if he got caught in the blood bath? What if someone caught up to him? What if? What if? What is? I take a deep breath trying to relax myself. He could've just gotten lost.
Boom.
The sound of the canyon causes me to jump. The eerie silence instantly filled with the sound of canyon after canyon booming. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Half already dead. I squeeze my eyes shut pressing the heels of my hands to my face, gripping my hair with my fingers. I try to push the nagging thought out of me head, the thoughts telling me Peeta's dead. He's dead because I didn't listen to Haymitch.
I lean against a tree letting my hands fall at my sides. What on earth was I suppose to do now? The arena is huge. I need to find Peeta, and water. Those are my priorities. Food wouldn't be a problem now that I have a bow and arrow. I could hunt along the way. I find myself wondering aimlessly all day with no sign of Peeta or water. I glance down at the rabbit tied to my belt loop carelessly. At least I had luck finding food.
As the sun sets I decide to take to a tree. There wasn't much I could do at night anyways. Especially with the trees blocking the moon light. I tug off my belt, tying it tightly around my legs to secure myself in the tree. I lean my head back resting it on the rough bark of the tree trunk. My mind drifts to the thought of Peeta 'causing my heart to ache. I should've listened to Haymitch. Mentally I curse myself. Those negative thoughts running courses through my mind once again.
If Peeta's dead then it's pointless to even try to get out of here. I sigh feeling torn as Prim bubbles up in my mind. I'd become my mother is Peeta was dead. I know I would and I refuse to become here. I will never be like that. I can't sit around being an empty shell. Not eating, not speaking, not functioning. I press my hands to my face urging the thoughts out of my mind. I'm not going to be my mother, Peeta's not dead, and we're getting out of this arena together. Period.
Though I've told myself repeatedly that Peeta is fine when the anthem starts playing I feel my stomach twist in uncomfortable ways. Face start flashing in the sky, then disappearing forever. Two more faces. All of District 8 is alive. The boy from District 9, and the girl from District 10 both dead. I feel my heart flutter as a smile of relief crosses my face. Peeta is alive. He's okay. I keep myself from jumping out of the tree to search for him and close my eyes. I will find him tomorrow.
Snap.
My eyes snap open, my head spinning in the direction of the noise. I press my back tightly against the trunk of the tree, holding my breathe. Don't move. My eyes stay trained in the direction of the noise.
Snap.
It surely wasn't Peeta. Peeta may have been a clumsy, loud walker when we first met but after years of hunting with me he learned to walk silently. Though, I couldn't diminish the hope that bubbled inside of my chest that it was Peeta.
"Where do you think she went?" The voice belongs to a male. He sounded displeased.
"I don't know. She moves too quickly. I know I cut her cheek." My hand flies to my cheek which is now covered in dry blood from the cut.
"She beat me in training. Out shone me at the parade. She will die." My stomach once again twists into a knot. I can see the short blonde hair of the boy from District One. He's mad because I got a higher score than him? I roll my eyes having to hold back a scuff. My eyes move to my bow and arrow strapped next to me. I could easily take out at least one of them, but I'm not so sure I could take all of them.
"Think she's with lover boy?" The blonde girl speaks up coming into view now as well. Peeta.
"Probably. I bet it's all just an act to get sponsors." Anger flares up in me at the fact they would think I could ever use Peeta in a way like that.
"Who cares if it's an act or not? They're obviously going to be allies making them ten time more dangerous. We need to find them." The District one male tribute speaks now. He seems to be the only one with some sense. His logic not egotistical.
"Let's keep going," the blonde boy speaks waving them forward. They quickly disappear into the trees. I let out my breath panic setting in on my shoulders. The careers after Peeta and I. I need to find Peeta, and need to find him quickly. From the sounds of it Peeta is in good condition. I struggle with the belt around my legs with shaky hands. The cold air nips at my skin raising goosebumps as it's icy fingers run along my arm. My belt falls crashing to the ground with a soft thud.
"Shit," I mutter under my breath. Moment's later a loud high pitched shriek pierces the still night air almost immediately followed by a cannon. My eyes grow wide as I stare in the direction the careers went. How easily that could be. Don't be afraid. I demand of myself and I scramble out of the tree going the opposite direction the careers went. Peeta, and water. That was my mission. Might as well add avoid careers to that list.
I know I probably should get sleep, but something told me that wasn't going to happen. Not until I found Peeta. I already felt a pang in my stomach. A pang of wanting him with me, to make sure the careers can't hurt him. I close my eyes and imagine sitting at home watching Prim here, in the arena instead of me and suddenly I'm filled with bravery. Better me than Prim. With determination I walk through the woods determined to find Peeta.
After a few hours I find myself growing extremely tired. I collapse at the base of the tree, my tongue dry already. I draw my knees into myself. Haymitch could easily send me water. Unless we didn't have sponsors, in which case I'm screwed. The sun starts creeping into the sky slowly lighting up the area around me. My head snaps to the right as I hear a rustling in the bushes.
I quickly get to my feet pulling an arrow out of the quiver and sliding it into place in the bow. I back up so my back is mostly against a tree. I didn't need someone sneaking up on me. Within seconds Peeta is running towards me, sweat covering his forehead.
"Katniss, run!" He grabs my wrist pulling me after him. I have just enough time to see what he's running from. A pack of clearly hungry wild Capitol made mutts.