Life After Mockingjay

Chapter Twenty Three; Crashing Down Part I

I wipe the dust off of my bow and hunting boots and slip them on. I check Willow, who is napping soundly, and I go into Peeta and I's bedroom.

"I'm going hunting, Peeta." I whisper over to him. He looks up from his sketch pad and gives me a smile.

"What made you want to go hunting again?" He asks. "You haven't been out in ages."

"I just haven't done it in a while. I thought maybe I should get back into it."

Peeta gives me a nod. "Have fun. Catch us some good dinner," he jokes.

"Bye." I whisper as I kiss him lightly. I walk out the door and take in the cool, crisp air. I hadn't been hunting in what feels like forever.

I've been so preoccupied with parenting Willow and being with Peeta, that I haven't gotten a chance to go hunting again.

I walk through the meadow and under the fence that still stands, even though the electricity has been shut down. The hole that I used to crawl under is still there.

I trudge through the woods and listen as the leaves crunch from underneath me. It is such a satisfying sound. It reminds me of my father, and the days we spent hunting in the fall.

I walk through what feels like the whole forest. I go back to the places that once were my life. The places that were so important to me. I go to the old stump that I had hid my bow and arrows in. There is still a perfect arrow inside. I can't help but chuckle. I go to the small lake, where my father taught me how to swim. I go to where I met Bonnie and Twill, and can't help but wonder what happened to them. I'm sure they died on their way to 13. Either that, or they were found and made avoxes.

So many memories swarm around my brain; good and bad.

There is one place in particular that I can't help but go to. I go to Gale and I's old meeting place.

It is there, that a doe catches my eye. Though Peeta and I won't eat the whole thing, I can give it to greasy Sae or anyone that is in need.

I pull back my arrow and take a deep breath, ready to shoot. I am then interrupted by a sickeningly familiar voice.

"What are you going to do with that when you catch it?" The man yells.

The doe runs, and I turn around slowly, to see Gale standing in front of me.

"Gale." I whisper. Memories after memories come flooding through my head. The words 'damn you Gale,' almost form on my lips, but i stop myself. The last time I saw him was four years ago, when I found out that the bombs that killed my sister were district 13's. "What are you doing here?"

"I was transferred back to 12." He starts. "I've been here for a few months. I've been hunting out here ever since."

"You never thought to come say hello?" I whisper, not knowing if I am angry, hurt, or both.

"I didn't know you still lived here." Gale insists. "Even if I did, I wouldn't have contacted you. I didn't know if you'd ever want to see me again. Besides, I know you. If you don't reach out to someone, you don't want to see them."

I don't say anything. I pick up my bow and arrows and begin to walk away.

"Katniss, wait." Gale says as he grabs my arm. "Can we please talk?"

I don't know how I feel about anything. Anger is building up inside of me, but I want to talk to him.

"Fine." I sigh as I throw my things down and sit on a small bench made of tree stumps and wood.