The Everlark Family: Book 1

15 - Hunting Season

Another day had passed. Peeta had to leave early for the bakery again. I became bored once Peeta left. I sighed as I sat at the table staring blankly at my nails. I had bitten at them until there was no more to bite. I was nervous. Even though I had nine months to assure myself about the baby, I was still so unassured.  What if something happens to the baby, I would think, I should have never gotten pregnant.
"Why am I regretting everything all of the sudden?" I asked myself in a low whisper. I rolled my eyes and looked outside. It was beautiful during April weather. Right then I decided to do something that was actually productive, so I stood up and walked to my closet to get my bow and arrows. I rummaged through my messy closet and found my bow and grabbed the silver arrows. Then I got my arrow quiver and walked outside.

The weather was exceptional for hunting, and all the animals were just getting out of hibernation. I walked further into the meadow where the grass became long and easier to camouflage into. I kneeled down on one knee and held my bow out, watching for any commotion to stir up--it never did. I began to get impatient, so I picked up a rock and threw it at a nearby oak tree. That sent a few hawks flying out frantically. I aimed my bow at one hawk and traced it with my eyes. Those damn birds flew into a huge redwood. I lost track of them. "Whatever." I huffed and began to walk a little closer to a group of willow trees. 

I scanned over the place one last time--nothing except a ton of scurrying squirrels, but they weren't worth shooting. So I sat down on the grass, waiting for a stag or something bigger than a squirrel to show up. I could feel Willow kicking impatiently and it made me blench. All I could do was rub my stomach and keep an eye on my surroundings. Mockingjays fluttered around.  The breeze started to pick up and the tree branches started to move with the wind. I pulled out some grass peacefully where I sat. 
Out of nowhere, my instinct felt something lurking behind me. It made me tense. I knew that feeling. I had felt that feeling many times before in my lifetime. I knew it was something big-- breathing heavily and snarling from behind me. I snuck a quick look from the corner of my eye. Still I couldn't see a thing. I could feel the hot breath on my neck. The monstrous thing behind me started to growl deeply. But I couldn't take the suspense anymore so I very quickly turned around.

Facing me, was a full grown grizzly bear! It stood up on its forelegs. Probably about four feet taller the me when I stood up. It was about to attack me right as I snatched up my bow and arrow and drew an arrow back to my face, without any sense of where the arrow was going as I readied myself to release it. Thankfully, the bear realized I  was the threat, and not him. He fell onto all four of his legs and began to back up. All I could hear was the adrenaline pumping in my ears as the bear trotted away. "Damn you, grizzly." My voice shook.  I should probably just go home. So I did. 

Once I got home I was exhausted even though I had really done nothing. I collapsed onto the couch. Willow continued to kick spontaneously. Every time she would kick, it would just get more intense. More painful. The best thing to do was sleep, and that's exactly what I did. 
Within an hour, I groggily woken up by the sound of the front door knob turning left and right. It can't be Peeta. His shift isn't over yet.  Suddenly, the door shot open, banging up against the wall. My eyes widened in fear and I grabbed the vase sitting on the table.
"Hey, Katniss--"
I gasp, realizing it was just Peeta. "Dammit, Peeta" I said under my breath. I set the vase back on the table and sighed. "Sorry. I thought you were an intruder."
"Oh, I'm sorry for waking you." Peeta replied.

I rubbed my eyes sleepily. "Why are you here Peeta? Doesn't your shift end at 4:30?"
"Yeah, but I had a break. I figured I could make something to eat for you, or--" 
"Peeta?" I called for him faintly as jabs of pain hit my stomach. I moaned and arched my back slightly. It can't be happening already. I laid my hand on my stomach and rubbed it as an unsuccessful way to relieve the pain. The pain just got worse. 
Peeta turned to face me, "What's wrong?" He could tell I was in distress.
"I'm not feeling good. . ."
"You mean?"
I nodded, "Yeah."
Peeta froze. Then he snapped out of it. "S-should I grab the bag we packed?"
I shook my head, "Not yet. . . I think I'll be okay. Maybe it's just a false alarm."

Peeta sat on the side of the couch with me and started to stroke my hair. "I just don't want to leave you and then have you need me later when I'm at the bakery."
"I'll be fine, Peeta. You should get going to the bakery."
Peeta gave me that unsure face. "Okay, then. . . I still don't know if I should or not."
"You can, it's alright." I smiled to reassure him. 
"Okay," Peeta nodded, "bye then, honey."
"See you later."
Peeta walked to the counter to get his jacket on. I continued to get restless and uncomfortable. I let out a loud groan in pain. Then I suddenly felt something wet. I gasped out of astonishment. My water broke. "Peeta!"

Peeta turned around just before he walked out. "Yeah?"
I could tell he was startled by the fear in my voice. "M-my water broke. . ." I replied in shock.
"Really?!" His eyes were wide and full of alarm.
I nodded and gulped hard. Peeta ran for the bag we had packed just for this day. "Peeta can you get my boots!"
Without replying, Peeta sprinted for my boots and I slipped them on. I stood up in agony. The pain was unbearable.
Peeta and I left for the train station. I could barely walk. I held my stomach while Peeta held my arm.