Chapter 5

Sorry for not posting anything in so long! The last few weeks I've been so busy. Thanks to all the people that have reviewed and subscribed to this story (: I do a happy dance every time I see a new one! This chapter is basically just filler. Sorry if people are o.o.c.

"Hello Gale." I say as calmly as possible. "Can you please take that knife away from my throat? It's sort of distracting."

"Who are you? Why do know my name? More importantly, what are you doing in the woods?" He says in a rough harsh tone.

"My name is Echo Menner. I know your name because we've gone to the same school for years, and I live in the seam. Finally, these woods don't belong to you. I can come in here if I want to. You're not the only one who hunts." I reply with a snarl.

He stands there not speaking. After a few moments he slowly lowers the knife.

"Thank you." I say.

I start to walk away. I can hear him mutter something along the lines of 'You better stay out of my way'. I tense up, but still keep walking. No point in starting a fight. The hell with him. He walks around like he owns the place and like he's the only one that's hurting over who was reaped. Then again, he's feeling the exact same way I do. There was something between him and Katniss, many people saw it but I don't think they ever did. He does now though. You never realise what you have until it's gone. I realised what I had, but it was still taken away from me. No time to wallow in self pity. I have to bring a couple rabbits to the Mellark's, and then go trade the other one at the Hob for some salt and butter. I'm running low on those. The other rabbit i'll keep for myself, it and some dandelion will make some great stew for tonight.

I walk right to the edge of the woods and crawl under the fence. I don't even understand why it's there. They say it keeps animals out but there aren't too many dangerous ones in the woods anyways. Occasionally I see wild dogs but nothing the peacekeepers couldn't handle, I doubt they would come near here anyways. Sometimes I wonder if it's there just to keep us scared of what's on the other side.

I slowly make my way to the bakery I walk up to the backdoor and knock. Mr. Mellark opens the door with a small smile, I give him the rabbits and in return he gives me a warm loaf of bread. We exchange goodbyes and then I'm off again. I walk towards the Hob and on my way there drop the bread off at my home.

At the Hob I trade the rabbit for some salt, and quickly go back home wondering what Peeta's doing right now.

Peeta's P.O.V

I can't sleep. There's too much to think about. What's the arena going to be like? Are my family mourning me? How am I going to keep Katniss alive? What about Echo? Is she okay? I hope so, she's a strong person. I think she'll be okay.

The train bring us to the games is so beautiful. It's full of luxurious things and extravagant food, but it will not change my mind about what kind of people there are in the Capitol. Giving me expensive clothes to wear and the best food in all of Panem isn't going to make me forget why I'm here. It isn't going to make me forget that I have been sentenced to death. It will not make me forget, because forgetting means losing myself and I refuse to do that. I will not change who I am.