My dandelion-Everlark fanfiction

Chapter 30

"That's the last of it", Peeta says and throws the last painting from his wall into the cardboard box. It's the last box we need to carry and it's not even full. The whole morning we have been carrying his things into my- our house.

I take a look at the empty house. His grey walls look so pale without his paintings hanging on there, but they too have left their mark on this house, just like Peeta has. There is a tiny hole in the wall from every nail that has been holding each painting in place. And Peeta has added some decorations onto the walls. Some barely visible grey swirls, made with a light hand and a gentle touch.

He makes one more round in the empty hose, checking he's left nothing behind. After he found nothing we close the door and carry the last box inside our home.

"It's almost three o'clock and we have only eaten breakfast... I can bake something quick if you'd like? And maybe then prepare a bigger meal for dinner?" Peeta asks as we make it to the kitchen.

"Yeah I could go hunting, see if something's moving in this cold weather." It has been a really cold week. Colder than the weather usually is in November. But I have seen worse. "I could use some fresh air", I answer and zip up my jacket.

"Are you sure it's not too cold to go there?" he asks and I give him a delighted smile and take a step towards him.

"Hey, I have done this for years. I'll be just fine." I give him a peck on the lips and go to get my quiver that I then throw over my shoulder. I'll see you soon, okay?" I walk to the door, twist a scarf around my neck and grab my bow from the corner of the room. Peeta follows me to the door, leaning in the wall next to it.

"Yeah, I'll see you soon", he answers as I'm halfway through the door frame. I give him a smile and jog out of the Victors' village, into the forest.

My breath is steamy on every breath, as the air is so cold. There is a good few centimetres of snow on the ground, even in the forest. I can tell it's going to be a longish winter. Every now and then I feel a few snowflakes fly on my cheeks or hands, melting into water. It might start snowing harder later today. I need to get something to eat before that happens.

I get to a path crossing and see rabbit footsteps on the ground. No one can go anywhere in this weather without leaving a track behind. Including me. The steps lead to the left crossing, and I know the rabbit might not be there, but I decide to follow it's path anyways. It's not like I have anything to lose.

I have been going for a while and decide to give up on the rabbit. A few moment later I notice it's beginning to snow harder. I spot one lonely turkey wandering around. I shoot it and collect it from the rocky ground. I have to watch my steps as the surface has many holes between the rocks that it would be deadly for anyone's ankles. I try to look for another bird to hunt, but before I manage to even think about which way to go, I hear footsteps behind me.

I load my bow and turn around faster than light. "Woow. You don't want to shoot me, Catnip", Gale says holding his hands up, a rabbit in the other hand. Without blinking, I slowly and quietly lower my bow. "Still hunting, huh?" Gale asks.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him, ignoring his question. He surely can see that yes, I still hunt here.

"Mum, Posy and the boys needed some help with moving back here. Besides I wanted to see you", he says. Even though he has a hint of carefulness in his voice, sounds a bit more official than what our conversation used to be like, I still can't believe he just talks to me like that, calls me Catnip like nothing has happened.

"I have nothing to say to you", I spit out.

"Catnip-"

"Don't. call me that." He looks hurt, but nods understandingly. He steps closer and the snow blows more every minute. I tighten the scarf around my neck. As he steps closer, I take a step backwards. He stops and opens his mouth to say something, but then doesn't and only breathes out.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry", he whispers after a painful silence. I don't nod, I don't say anything, I just stare at him. "Katniss, I-"

"Was it yours?" I ask him. I may not want to know the answer and maybe it doesn't change anything, but I still need to know. He frowns his eye brows and I breath out blinking the tears away. "The bomb? Was it yours?" His jaw tightens and he looks down.

"Probably", he says so quietly I can just hear him. I nod and swallow down my anger and disgust. He sees this and clearly hurries to explain himself before my anger explodes. "But Katniss I wanted you to-" He begins and again takes a step towards me. I take a step backwards, but my left foot falls between the rocks and I lose my balance. There is an audible snap and and a chocking pain runs through my leg.

I fall on my butt, hurting my tailbone on the rocks as well. I let out a cry of pain and cover my face with my hands. I don't cry, the pain is too strong to do so, but it forces a few tears of pain out of my eyes. The pain makes my vision blurry for a second and I realize I need to focus on my breathing.

"Katniss! Are you okay?" Gale asks alarmed. He sets his hand on my shoulder, but I slap it away.

"Don't. touch me." My voice is harsh and cold. I bend down to take my leg out of the hole and stand up. I try to step on my foot, but I almost pass out from the pain. Gale catches me, but as soon as I regain my balance, I shove him away and try to limp forward on my own. I cringe every time I lean on my leg even a bit. I end up hopping with my right leg, supporting myself with every tree I can reach.

Suddenly the snowing gets dramatically heavier and I can barely see in front of me anymore.

"You're getting nowhere with that, just let me help you", Gale who has been following me, says.

"I don't need your help", I spit back at him.

"Yes you do, unless you want to die out of frostbite here with your broken leg", he says.

"I can manage just fine", I say but with that he swoops me up and carries me. I scream at him to let me go, but he doesn't. "Put me down!" I shout several times, but he acts like he doesn't hear me.

"Let me go!" "Don't touch me!" I am yelling when we come to the gate of the Victors' village. "Put me down!" I shout. I can hear someone running towards us, but I can't see him.

"Hey, you heard her! Put her down!" Peeta yells at Gale. Gale stops walking and his whole body tenses. I can just see his jaw tightening and then he places me on the snowy ground. Almost instantly I feel Peeta's arms wrap around me as he kneels down to my level and I press my teary head against his chest. His arms close me in a warm embrace and I let out one lonely sob.

Peeta helps me up, but can instantly see that I'm hurt, so he wraps his arm around my waist and  holds me steadily up. Gale's eyes look hurt as he watches us. "What happened?" Peeta asks, not pointing the question directly to either of us.

"She twisted her ankle and then this snow storm started and she would not have made it out if I hadn't carried her, so..." Gale says.

"Thank you", Peeta says and nods toward Gale, who just shrugs.

"I see you have moved back here too", Gale says.

"He has lived here for over nine months", I blurt out. Gale nods with gritted teeth, turns around and mutters good night as he walks away.

"We should get you inside", Peeta says and carries me home.