Chapter Nine
At the crack of dawn, I'm up and ready to hunt. Silently, I creep to the kitchen so I can make myself a lunch for when I'm in the woods. It's Sunday. The day Katniss and I usually spend gathering as much food as we possibly can to keep our families going for the week. Sunday is hard, but having your best friend there beside you lightens the load immensely.
Katniss. Everything reminds me of her around here, and I don't want to think of her at all. Walking through town, I wish Katniss was there. Going to school, well, Katniss would be going to school also. When I go by the Everdeens' place, of course Katniss is all I can think about. Going hunting alone makes me miss her more than ever. It's not just that I have a newly discovered affection for Katniss, it's that everywhere I go, something triggers her memory.
I wriggle under the loose spot in the fence that surrounds the woods. It's only ever been charged a few times. And when it is, I'm either on the inside and decide not to go hunting. Or, I'm on the outside and I just wait calmly in the woods until I'm able to leave.
Then I wonder, Which way is the outside after all?
Inside District 12 was always the inside to me, but it really could be the outside. I'm outside of the real world, trapped here. But then maybe it's the inside after all, I'm trapped inside this cold, desperate place. My jaw clenches. Someday there won't be an inside or outside, like there will be no Capitol. Someday these damn fences will be torn down and people won't starve. There will be no Hunger Games and I will be there to make sure of that.
My footsteps get carelessly heavier as my mind steams. I'm supposed to be light footed, which I usually am. I just lost track of where I was. It's easy to do that. To lose yourself as you get caught up in rising hatred for the Capitol.
I try to shake it all off and get on task. I need to focus, more than I do in school. I check my snares, which takes about an hour. From that, I get four rabbits, a squirrel and one small turkey. Then, I try to gather berries. Strawberries have grown back, so I pick as many as I can. Time passes as I gather more berries and herbs. Sometimes I wish everybody would hunt so nobody would starve. But is there enough food for everybody in the woods? Probably not, and the Capitol would surely catch us. As cold as it sounds, I care about myself and my family more than other people, even though I wish the best for them too. Probably deep down in almost every human we are all flawed and think that way. I'm no exception.
A twig snaps and I turn around, pulling out my bow. A bear emerges from the bushes, five yards away from me. My body tenses, and I raise my bow. I've never had to take down a bear and I don't think I can. Not alone.
Though scared, my mind tries to remain logical and process what I should do. If I run, there's a chance the bear would just want berries and leave me. But if it chases after me, I will be dead for sure. If I climb a tree, the bear could follow me easily. If I shoot the bear, I probably won't kill it and it would be mad. A mad bear is not something I want to be around.
My heartbeat quickens but I remain still, calloused on the outside as I usually am. I can't die. If I die then Katniss's family would die as well as mine. There wouldn't be forgiveness for that.
Slowly, I back away, bow still drawn so I can shoot if I need to. I hope the bear gets the message that I mean no harm unless I have to.
The bear steps closer and I freeze. This is it. The moment that decides whether I live or die.
The bear turns toward a berry bush and begins to feed.
My muscles relax a bit, but I still keep watch as I head far away from this area. It's not over yet. It's not over until I'm long gone and the bear forgets about me.
I make it to the fishing lake and then I feel safer than before. Still, I don't want to let go of my bow. It's my best protection and I don't feel completely safe without it. I must exchange my bow for my fishing pole, but the bow lies beside me as I fish.
After a few hours, I've caught seven fish. They're not all big, but they'll do for a meal. Any food I can get is better than not getting food.
For the remainder of the time, I go out to gather food again. I manage to shoot a squirrel. When I pick it up, I look at its punctured side and remember how Katniss can shoot them right through the eye so she kills them quickly and doesn't damage their pelt. If only I could shoot like her.
By the time I'm read to leave, I have four rabbits, two squirrels, a small turkey, seven fish, strawberries, some other berries and fruits, and some herbs and greens.
As I go back into District 12, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be stuck in the woods permanently, isolated from the rest of the world. Oddly, that might be nice. Never having to deal with the Capitol, or school, or the mines. But then my family would starve. I could never let that happen.
I go to the Hob and make my trades, hoping I have enough food for a while. What's it like to have a surplus of food? To be able to eat more than you need and throw away the leftovers? I'll probably never know.
I head to the Mayor's house to sell strawberries, since he loves strawberries and always gives generous trades. I feel uncomfortable as I walk to the house and I don't know why until I've already knocked on the door.
"Hello, Gale." Madge says as she opens the door of their huge house.
I'm going to have to face Madge alone, I task I don't want to do. I've never known her until I met Katniss, and we've never had any particular fondness towards each other since then. The more I think about it, it's strange how two people can dislike each other just because of what they have and what they don't have. Because of their living conditions. Because of their differences. Is that how shallow we human beings really are? Either way, just because my life is hard, I can't help it. I can't help but feel bitter towards Madge. Even when I realize how stupid and pointless it is, I'm always going to feel that way.
"Hey, Madge." I say.
Madge glances at my strawberries.
"Are you here to make trades?" she asks.
I nod.
Madge disappears into the house, leaving the door open. I stand still on the steps up to her front door. She comes back with some bread and some money.
"Here, will this do?" she asks.
"Yes." I say, handing Madge the strawberries and taking her trade.
"Bye." I say, turning around.
"Wait!" I hear Madge say.
I stop dead in my tracks and wheel around.
"What?" I ask. Can't I just leave and go home? I didn't even feel comfortable to come in the first place.
Madge pauses a moment, looking desperate to say something.
"Good luck." she says.
I'm silent for a few seconds. Good luck for what?
"Thanks, you too." I say tentatively.
I turn around and keep walking as I hear Madge's door close.
What was that about? Good luck? What can that mean? Good luck with Katniss in the Hunger Games, or good luck with feeding seven people? Or can it be good luck for something else? Right now, any other possibilities elude me.
Once I'm finished with my trades I head home. I'm not going to tell my mother about the bear, she doesn't need another reason to worry. Not with her work and four hungry children. Knowing that I'm not completely safe isn't going to help her.
"How was the hunt, today, Gale?" my mother asks as I walk through the door.
"Good." I say. I did get a lot of food.
Rory bounds into the kitchen.
"I'll take the food to the Everdeens' house again." he offers.
I really don't want my younger brother to get stopped by a Peacekeeper, but I'm tired and most of the Peacekeepers buy our food, so I probably don't have to worry.
"Okay, but if you're not back in an hour, I'm coming after you." I say, plopping into a chair.
Rory nods and takes the food that my mother set aside. He leaves the house and a knot of worry tangles up in my stomach.
"He'll be fine." my mother tries to reassure me. "No Peacekeeper would stop and check an eleven year old boy."
It's not true. They might, but my mother is trying to comfort both of us with lies. It never really works.
"If they do, it'll probably be Darius or somebody who knows us." my mother continues.
Darius is on of the many Peacekeepers who buy from us. He's young and always likes to joke around.
Half an hour later Rory is back with some goat milk and cheese from Prim. We eat dinner and I rest until the Hunger Games will be on. It's only the tribute interviews, but tomorrow the real games begin. The sad thing is that with school and hunting, I won't be able to spend every waking moment by the television like I want to. I don't want to watch the Hunger Games, I never do, but I want to be with Katniss every minute of the way.
"Gale! The interviews are starting!" my mother calls from the living room.
I spring out of my bed and hurry out to the living room.
I watch as the tributes come onstage. There's Katniss. She's in a dress, which is strange to see because I never see Katniss in dresses except on reaping day occasionally. Her dress is extraordinary. Covered with sparkling gems, it's the color of fire. Dazzling red, yellow and orange, Katniss looks amazing. Fire must be her theme for her this year.
"Look at that dress!" my mother gasps.
I smile. I never thought I'd see Katniss all made up, dressed so fancy and on television. Of course, it would be amazing if it wasn't like this.
Katniss takes a seat in the half circle of chairs that the rest of the tributes sit in. I know she's nervous and she has every right to be. She's on television and basically the whole country is watching. This could make her gain or lose sponsors.
The man who has hosted the interview for many years, Caser Flickerman, pops up on the stage. He always looks the same except for a change of hair color each year. This year his hair is a blue color with matching makeup. He's probably been through lots of surgery, hoping to look young. Many of the Capitol people surgically alter their appearance, to them it's normal. They want to look young and skinny. Here in District 12, you pride being old. It means you've survived a lot. And being fat means you're doing well. It's strange how different two places can be when they're part of the same country. I never want to be part of anything that includes the Capitol.
Each interview only lasts three minutes. Caesar Filckerman is pretty good about making the tributes seem desirable. He lightens the mood with a lot of laughing and he always tries to get out the best in the tributes. I wonder what it's like to talk to hundreds of kids when you know that most of them are going to die. I'd be scarred for the rest of my life.
The interviews pass, starting with District 1. The girls come on first this time. The girl from District 1 is named Glimmer. District 1 always has weird names. She's in a see through golden dress that matches her flowing hair. I have to admit, I am slightly turned on. But I know that's just what she wants. She's trying to look sexy to attract sponsors. Most tributes have some sort of theme they want to portray to help them in any way possible. Some people make it work, some people don't. I try to pick out what each person is trying to do. I want to find their strengths and weaknesses, but it doesn't matter. I won't be able to relay any information to Katniss.
Interviews pass and I see possible threats. A huge boy from District 2 looks like he's been waiting for this moment for years. A girl from District 5 with a long face and red hair looks like she could be dangerous. I don't know why, but I just have a bad feeling about her.
It's the crippled boy from District 10's turn. He seems very shy and quiet. It seems wrong, but I count him out already. Without being able to walk or run properly, there's not a chance he can win. It's so unfair. Putting kids in an arena to kill each other isn't exactly fair either, but this boy is disabled. They're sending him to his sure death.
Then, right when I think I'm beginning to cool down, they send out the twelve year old girl from District 11. She flutters up to Caesar Flickerman in a dress with wings attached. She seems so small, so innocent. How could the Capitol put anyone through this? My fists are clenched and my jaw tightens. I hate this.
The little girl's name is Rue. Most people count her out, but when Caser Flickerman asks her what her greatest strength in the arena will be, she's quick to answer.
"I'm very hard to catch." she says in a quavering voice. "And if they can't catch me, they can't kill me. So don't count me out."
"I never would in a million years." Caesar Flickerman says.
Neither would I. And that's what makes me scared. I have to watch all these people that I don't want to die, and they have to die if Katniss returns. All of them. The crippled boy, the tiny girl, all of them will have to die if I want my best friend back. And I want Katniss back more than anything.
The boy from District 11 is big and burly. His name is Thresh. Even that sounds intimidating. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up in the Career pack. He scored and ten in training, the only thought that calms me is that his training score is not as high as Katniss's. But that means nothing.
They call Katniss's name and she heads up to the front of the stage. Katniss has never been great with people, so I'm anxious to see how this plays out.
Katniss shakes Caesar Flickerman's hand and the interview begins.
"So, Katniss, the Capitol must be quite a change from District Twelve. What's impressed you most since you arrived here?" Caesar asks.
There is a small pause. I don't know what I want Katniss to say. Half of me wants her to rebel against the Capitol and do something dramatic. But the other half of me wants her to play it safe, so she can come back to District 12 alive.
"The lamb stew." Katniss says.
I laugh, along with Caesar and some of the audience. I know it's true though, Katniss had probably been very well fed since she arrived in the Capitol. That seems to be the only good thing about being a tribute.
"The one with the dried plumbs?" asks Caesar. Katniss nods. "Oh, I eat it by the bucketful. It doesn't show, does it?" Caser puts his hand on his stomach and the audience tries to shout their reassurances. At least some people are having fun with this.
"Now, Katniss." Caesar says. "When you came out in the opening ceremonies, my heart actually stopped. What did you think of that costume?"
"You mean after I got over my fear of being burned alive." Katniss asks.
I laugh again, with a bigger laugh from the Capitol audience. It's so good to hear Katnis's voice again.
"Yes. Start then." Caesar says.
"I thought Cinna was brilliant and it was the most gorgeous costume I'd ever seen and I couldn't believe I was wearing it. I can't believe I'm wearing this either." Katniss says, lifting up her skirt to spread it out. "I mean, look at it!"
The audience let out gasps of joy. Her dress is magnificent.
Katniss twirls, gems dancing around her as if she was circled by flames. The audience cheers.
"Oh, do that again!" says Caesar.
Katniss twirls again, showing off her glorious dress. She looks like she's engulfed in flames. It's magnificent. Her stylist must be a real good one, well, he is compared to most of the stylists that tributes get assigned.
"Don't stop!" Caesar cheers.
"I have to, I'm dizzy!" Katniss giggles.
Giggles? I don't recall ever hearing Katniss giggle.
Caesar wraps an arm around Katniss. Suddenly, my smile fades. I don't like it when people do that.
"Don't worry, I've got you. Can't have you following in your mentor's footsteps." Caesar says.
The cameras focus on Haymitch, who waves and points them all back to Katniss.
"It's all right." Caesar says to the crowd. "She's safe with me. So, how about that training score. E-le-ven. Give us a hint what happened in there."
Talk about the trainings are restricted.
Katniss looks somewhere far off and bites her lip.
"Um… all I can say, is that I think it was a first." she says.
The cameras switch to the Gamemakers, who are laughing and nodding. What did Katniss do in there?
"You're killing us." Caesar says as if he is in some kind of anguish. "Details. Details."
"I'm not supposed to talk about it, right?" Katniss says.
"She's not!" a Gamemaker shouts.
"Thank you." Katniss says. "Sorry. My lips are sealed."
I let out a sigh mixed with relief and disappointment. I really want to know what went on in the training, but I don't want Katniss to ruin her chances in survival.
"Let's go back then, to the moment they called your sister's name in the reaping." says Caesar.
No, not that moment. I hate that moment. First came the shock and confusion. Then, the understanding that Katniss would be gone.
Caesar turns quiet. "And you volunteered. Can you tell us about her?"
Prim. What is she thinking right now? She's crying, probably. Or maybe she's done enough of that in the past week that there are no more tears to fall. Either way, I lean in to hear what Katniss has to say about Prim. Will she lie on television, because I know she loves Prim more than anything?
"Her name's Prim. She's just twelve. And I love her more than anything." Katniss says.
The Capitol is deathly quiet, as are many of the houses probably that are watching the program. How heartless can the Gamemakers be? Can something like this finally make them turn around? No, they are too cold, too evil, too indifferent. They've all become immune to death after sending child after child into the arena and watching them die. Was it hard at first to see them die? And then murder became more addicting and less painful with each kid dead?
"What did she say to you? After the reaping?" Caesar asks.
What kind of question is that? I would consider that personal, something I would want to keep only to myself, not for the whole world to see and analyze. But, this may be touching and gain Katniss sponsors. Anything to make my best friend win.
"She asked me to try really hard to win." Katniss says.
Good. If Prim told Katniss to win, she's not going to give up.
"And what did you say?" Caesar asks softly.
Katniss's voice goes low.
"I swore I would." Katniss says.
"I bet you did." Caesar says, giving Katniss a squeeze. The buzzer goes off, catching everyone off guard. "Sorry we're out of time. Best of luck, Katniss Everdeen, tribute from District Twelve."
The applause is long. I think the people of the Capitol really like Katniss. That's good because of sponsorship, but the other tributes may get jealous, and that may get ugly.
Peeta Mellark's interview seems to go smoothly, although I'm pretty caught up in thinking about Katniss. The audience laughs and shouts, but I don't care. The only interview I'm really concerned about is Katniss's. It strikes me that I have to be concerned about a lot of things. My family, school, not getting caught while hunting. My best friend being thrown into a death arena is not taking away from any stress.
I tune back into the television. Caesar is asking Peeta if he has a girlfriend. Peeta pauses and gives a shake of his head.
"Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what's her name?" Caesar asks.
Peeta sighs. "Well, there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I'm pretty sure she didn't know I was alive until the reaping."
The crowd sighs. Why are they always desperate to connect with the tributes, while they unblinkingly watch them die days later? Sometimes I wonder if the people from the Capitol are actually human, or if they've created a whole new despicable race altogether.
"She have another fellow?" Caesar asks.
"I don't know, but a lot of boys like her." says Peeta.
"So here's what you do. You win, you go home. She can't turn you down then, eh?" Caesar says receptively.
"I don't think that's going to work out. Winning…won't help in my case." Peeta replies.
"Why ever not?" Caesar asks, dumbfounded.
Peeta blushes a deep shade of red. I know where this is going. I hope with all of my might that I am wrong. But I'm not.
"Because…because…she came here with me."