Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.
No matter how many years passed since the war had ended, Madge was still nervous to enter the woods. Even with Gale holding her hand promising her that there weren't any peacekeepers that would arrest them, she was hesitant.
"The woods just aren't my thing," she said quietly. "They scare me."
"Well you want dinner, don't you?" Gale rolled his eyes. "Come on. You've got to go in the woods if you're married to me." She groaned and took a few steps, clinging to his arm the entire time.
She had to admit, the woods were nice. The rustle of the leaves through the tops of the trees whenever the wind blew, the occasional sight of a rabbit hopping by. It was kind of serene. Back when she was the mayor's daughter she never did risky things like going in the woods. Then again, it wasn't illegal anymore.
Gale told her to be quiet and stand behind a tree, he had a perfect view of a deer drinking from the nearby stream. Being the obedient wife she was, she scurried quietly out of his way and backwards so she wouldn't scare the deer. Her view, however, was perfect. She had a clear sight of her husband, of the deer, of everything.
Gale pulled the bowstring back and released it, the sound hushed and quiet as it zoomed through the air. The arrow sped through the forest and lodged itself in the deer, the latter collapsing instantly. Gale lumbered across the stream and collected his prize as Madge stood shell-shocked, starting at the scene in front of her.
"Got it," Gale called to her as he returned.
"You killed it."
"That's what you do when you go hunting," he told her.
"It's dead." Blood leaked from the wound and the animal was unresponsive. "Oh my God."
"Madge," Gale tried to suppress his smile but all the color had drained from her face and it looked hilarious. "I've been doing this for years…"
"I was starting to like the woods!" she shouts, jabbing her finger at his chest. "And then you… you… oh my God! You do that on a daily basis?"
"I do it so we can eat," he reminds her gently.
"I think I'm going to be a vegetarian," she says quietly, causing Gale to snicker. He leans down and presses his forehead against hers. "That was tragic."
"Okay, if I promise not to hunt when you're with me, will you come in the woods more often?"
Madge thought for a moment, sliding her head from side to side. "Maybe."
"Also will you promise to not be a vegetarian?" Her eyes darted to the dead carcass that was in a heap behind him. Gale tilted her chin up to him and pouted. "I'll never take you hunting again."
He leaned down and kissed her quickly as she uttered the word, "Deal."