The 71st Hunger Games - A Love Story COMPLETED

Chapter 15

[edited]

I took a second to breathe in the fresh air and began to run. I had seen old maps. I knew where I was. I began to run south. District 12 was there. I could see my real home and they had a train there. I was still a good runner. With all the training, my body was more fit and trained. I was good with a gun, but I didn't have one. I had leftover crackers and a coin. 

Worthless. 

I kept running. but after all the stairs, running to the forest, I was exhausted. I sat down and took a drink from a nearby stream. It was refreshing beyond words. Where the trees got their water. And all the weeds all around, which I had to stomp over. After 20 minutes of a break, I began to speed walk. I needed to see Han. The crackers were gone soon, I was hungry again after 10 minutes.

The sun set and it began to get really dark. I kept walking. The environment changed, there were some evidences of bombs, wreckage, even a crashed plane, but mostly thick forest. 

I hiked for hours. I saw a familiar path and a stream. I didn't care if it wasn't clean. I dunked my face in and drank thirstily. I followed the path and saw the familiar town. I smiled. I was finally here. I heard the buzz of electricity. And a person.

It was the girl on TV, the lover. Rebellion leader. The war starter.

Katniss Everdeen.

"Are you Katniss?"

She spun around and nearly hit me.

She was younger than me, but not by much, she looked 18.

"Yeah, why?"

She had a bow and she was holding it very tightly.

"I'm Aven River. Tribute from the 71st Hunger Games. I'm not dead."

Her eyes flicked over me and had a sense of recognition, since everyone had to watch the Hunger Games, it was impossible to not know me or the idea of me.

"You aren't dead? How?" The bow hold loosened. 

"Magic," I answered sarcastically, "No, my arm band was taken out, and I was assumed dead. I was taken to District 13 and have been living there for four years. Do you have any food?"

"You escaped!? And here." She gave me a rabbit. I ate, starving.

She looked at me strangely.

"It tastes better if you chew it."

I nodded and slowed down slightly. 

"District 13 exists?"

"Unfortunately, the Rebellion is rising. I was training for war before I left. I'm going to Han- Johanna."

A boy came behind her and smiled at me.

"Hey Catnip, who's your friend?" Gale, the cousin.

I told the story again. He responded how Katniss did, shocked. I thought someone would have at least guessed. Well, I guess the dude in charge did a good job editing.

"You'll have to take the train. We can take you." Gale said, crush worthy smiling at me.

She carefully led me up to a tree and jumped over. I did so easier than her, war training kills.

She led me through the town. Past the Victor's village. Where I would have lived.

I saw Haymitch.

"Hey, Haymitch!" Katniss waved.

Haymitch saw me and fell over, obviously drunk. We both ran over to him.

"I thought I saw... Never mind." He started to slur his words.

"Hello, sweetheart." I said sarcastically, his eyes widened.

"Aven."

I hugged him. He hugged back, actually more falling on me.

"You smell bad."

"Thanks."

Katniss watched us.

She smiled.

"Come on, let's go to the train station."