The Hunger Games

Chapter Twenty-Two

ROSE'S POV
The day was gloomy and dim, my favorite kind of weather. I moved stealthily through the underbrush like a slinking cat. Thinking of my cat back in District 12, I blink back the tears from coming. Topaz was the sweetest kitten I'd ever known, and there are a lot of people who have cats in my district. I pushed the amber colored cat from my mind. Every night he and my german shepard Indi would curl up with me on my bed. I missed the crisp, clear nights and scent of fur next to me.

I hear a squack and look up, seeing a raven sitting on a tree branch from an old, dead looking oak. It tilted its eye towards me, letting out a caw again. I reach for my bow softly, notching an arrow and pulling my arm back. I'd shot ravens before. The large black bird continued to look at me with its tilted little gaze. I noticed a chip in its beak, maybe from a fight. Either way, it would be good for food. I aimed the arrow towards the meaty bird.

It didnt move away from the danger, it sat like a statue, on its branch above in the dead tree. Its feathers ruffled in the slight wind, its hard black gaze burning into my soul. It's eyes were like Indi's.

I let the bow drop to my side, thinking, You're wasting food. But my body seemed to have a mind of its own, crouching sligtly, approaching the bird. I set my bow on the forest floor, reaching my arm up the the raven. It cawed, pointing its beak to a huge cliff, a few days lengths away, still visible from afar. It seemed to reach the clouds.

"No, I will not go to the cliff." I say calmly, feeling silly talking to this bird. It lets out a caw and stares into my eyes. They look like Indi's, leading me on, into the beyond. I roll my eyes. What could a silly raven know? I grab my bow and sling it over my shoulder with the backpack and quiver. My feet started moving away from the tree. I watched my boots pace across the dirt, avoiding logs and un/;derbrush. I wondered if I would get sponsors anytime soon. Maybe not.

I look up, hearing the wind pick up. The gray sky silloughetted the cliff. I groan as I realize I've been heading this way. The tree bow around me. I should settle here, Rest. I didnt want to be caught in the storm. I walk over to a thick bramble and scramble into the center. I hope nobody can see me, I think. At least its warm enough at night to sleep without a fire. And I have a sleeping bag.

Just as the wind blows around outside, I hear the farmiliar cawing of the raven. I groan. The little bird has been following me. I take out a few crackers and nibble on them until i'm satisfied enough. I couldn't waste food. I'd eaten twice already. Thunder rumbles, but no rain falls. It gets humid and sticky, growing warmer. A heatwave was coming, bringing scorching winds. A bramble was not the place to be, especially if a forest fire starts. I climb out, tying my jacet around my waist, rubbing my wrist. Where was my bracelet? I began to panic. That was all I had left. Besides my little bird follower.

"Go away, shoo." I shout, hearing a canon in the distance. Sweat drips down my arms, canon after canon. I count five in total. My heart beats in fear.

The raven caws again, its beak forever pointing at the cliff. What did it sense? Why would it want to save my butt, and what from? "Fine, little beast." I grumble, thinking to myself, Little beast. My only friend right now.