Peeta shooed me off to go into the woods to shoot, and clear my mind. But mostly to get some Squirrels so he can "perfect" our family meal. I use all of my senses, and I start to feel the rhythm of the woods. I detect a bird, goose maybe, in a bush to my right. I pull back my arrow, and just as I am about to fire a voice startles me. "Hey, Katnip."
I missed.
I haven't been called that in years...I haven't seen him in years.
My hands are shaking. I want to turn around. I want to face him, but it still hurts. I finally turn around, and there he is. Gale. He looks terrible. There are bags under his eyes that show that he hasn't slept in days. His clothes are rugged and dirty. His hair is a mess and his face is solemn. I want to run to him.I want to hold him, and squeeze him and never let him go. But then I remember. I push the thought of him away. I must have hurt him when I told him to leave, the look of pain that is on his face is so overwhelming that I have to turn away from him. "Katniss I-"
"No." The words come out firm and hard. He flinches.
"Please. Listen. I had no control over those bombs. I tried to argue with Coin, but she just dismissed me. That's when I ran. I ran to come find you, but it was to late. There was an explosion, and that's when I knew."
My back is still facing him. I put my hand to my temple, and start to rub it. I try to say something but the words don't come out, so I nod my head. I turn back around, and I see there are tears in his eyes. He tries to start again, but I hold up my finger. I don't want to hear anymore.
"I'm sorry." He says. "I regret it everyday, and I want you to understand."
I just stare, and he stares back. "Can you say something?"
"I-" I stutter. I have to say something. Talk. Breathe, and talk. "Gale... W-where did you go?
"District Two." He says.
"Oh."
"I've missed you Katniss. I really have." He says, while reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a picture of me, Prim, and my mom.
"Where did you get that?" I ask.
"What, this?" He says. "I grabbed it when the first bombs came to here. I went to your house to save anything that could be and I found it. I meant to give it to you but it got lost. A few days ago I was going through some old stuff and I found it I had been thinking about coming down here before this. Many times I thought, but I never had the courage to face you. But when I found this I knew it was a sign." A small smile slips from my lips.
"Theres that smile." He says. Then he takes my hand. A warm flow flows through me. Now that he is here it feels like I'm whole again. It feels like a missing piece of a puzzle has been placed back into its spot. I am truly happy. I then remember Peeta, and back away. "What?" He asks.
"I'm with Peeta now." I say.
"Oh. I'm sorry Katniss. I didn't mea-"
"It's okay." I say. Awkward.
He smiles again."Kids?"
"Two. Dallas, and Ruth. One six, and the other twelve. "
" Its been so long....How's Peeta?"
"Good." I say.
"Can I see them?" He asks, although he already knows the answer.
"I guess, I don't think would mind. " I say, but I already know that he will. He won't be too happy either. "But first can you help me get some game. It's been hard to get some lately."
He laughs out loud, and says "Me? The Great Katniss Everdeen needs MY help?"
"Yes." I say smiling.
We spent an hour of hunting. We catch three squirrels, two rabbits, and four birds. That's the best hunt yet. "Peeta is going to be surprised when he sees all of this!" I say. And of him too. I think.
As we are heading down to the Victors Village, we pass by a few skulls, and bones. Gale suddenly stops when he steps on one. I can see his eyes are starting to water. He holds his hands to his eyes, and rubs them.
"I tried. I really did." He says. I sigh.
"You done all you could do. And that was enough."
"But was it? People lost their lives that day, and-" he says.
"Gale, listen to me. You did what you had to do to survive. The people followed you because they needed to do what they needed to do to survive. They saw hope in you. Some didn't, and that's not your fault. You may have saved some, but that's what counts. Some is better than none, right?" I say.
That surprise visit from Gale was exciting wasn't it?!?! Well I hope you like it, and I will update soon!! Please vote, and Comment!!!!!
-Kaya!
