Everlark Fanfiction

Chapter 6

I gasp for air, since I was clutched in his arms for so long. That day we decide to go into the woods. I gather my game bag and get on my hunting clothes. I stare in the mirror, and braid my hair back into a single braid. I look just like I used to, before the games destroyed me.

It isn't Sunday so I don't have to worry about meeting Gale there. We meet out at the center of the Victor's Village. I see Peeta standing at the fountain tracing his finger in the water. He looks so innocent. I stand behind him, not wanting to disrupt him. He turns around and says, "Are you ready, Katniss?" I nod.

He is holding a straw picnic bag with a green blanket over it. I allow a small smile to cross my face. I lead him to the fence, and check if it is buzzing. Although that is useless, because ever since the Capitol was shut down, there are no longer restrictions from the Districts.

I am followed by him to the hollow tree where I have my bow. Peeta never likes it when I kill animals. It was okay in the games because we were starving, but here in the districts, it is frowned upon by him. I tell Peeta to go and find a picnic spot for us, and I will come and find him after. He frowns, but soon cooperates and finds a nice spot. I smile and then head off into the thick trees.

I pick up a small pile of leaves and crumple them only to realize that there is no wind at all today. I manage to find the rare animal, known as Groosling in the woods. I take down at least six of them. I guess I regained my hunting senses. I make a small fire, so I can skin and cook the bird. Once I am done I put the Groosling in my game bag.

I head back to the spot where Peeta and I agreed to meet, and find him in a heavy sleep. I crawl under his arm, which startles him, but he then falls back to sleep once he realizes that it is only me. I wake still caught in Peeta's arms. It is midnight and it is way to late to go back. We would never find our way in this darkness.

I can't decide whether I wan't to wake Peeta and try to navigate our way back, or just sleep through the night. I begin to become worried when I hear strange noises coming from the thicker parts of the woods. I should be used to this, I'm not sure why I'm scared, I spent a very long time in the first games alone in the woods. The first games. That's why I am terrified of this unfamiliar stage of the woods.

I hear wild dogs and I immediately remember the mutations. I start to breathe heavy as the air becomes thicker. I bury my face into Peeta's chest. As it rose and fell, a shudder crossed my body. He must very tired, because he doesn't move when I jump to the sound of twigs breaking on the ground.

The entire night I can't seem to fall asleep, the sound of nature at night is absolutely terrifying. I watch the sun rise and am relieved when it has made its final resting spot in the sky for the day. Peeta is still sleeping so I prepare breakfast for him. I watch him sleep a little while before waking him. His eyes snap open and look at me. He smiles. I return the favor.

"How long have I been asleep Katniss?" he asks.

"Well, when I got back from hunting, I came back to our spot, only to find you passed out. I climbed under your arms, and at that time the sun was just in the middle of the sky. When I woke, you were still sleeping, but it was midnight. After that, I couldn't sleep, so I watched the sun rise, and made breakfast." I explain. He looks at me, upset.

"Why couldn't you sleep?" he questions.

"It reminded me of the first games, sleeping in the woods, hearing un-human sounds, and all the time wondering if I would make it out alive. I originally wanted to make it out alive, but as I thought what it would be like having to leave without you, the thought became unbearable. I didn't know I loved you at the time. All I knew was that, I didn't want to see you go. By the second games, I knew I loved you. But when we split up at midnight, I had a feeling I may never see the same Peeta again. When I awoke last night, I heard those noises, that brought up those thoughts, that made me the lost human I am today."