The Return of the Hunger Games [FALLEN ASHES] Book II

(27)

   I stand where Haymitch last stood and just stare out at the frozen lake infront of me. The forest behind me isn't quite the same as before the explosion, but it's not completely gone either. I watch my breath as I exhale out of my mouth, and as the snow begins to come down. My long sleeved shirt, jacket, heated pants, hat and scarf do me no good. I'm freezing my ass off. I think back to the letter that Haymitch wrote me, the one that still lies in my top drawer. It's been laying there for a good 9 months now, and I'm pretty sure it's going to stay there for a long while more. Once Kal left, things weren't the same. I became less interested in everything. At the interviews the day he left, I had to hide the pain and anxiety and tell them how he has a family situation that might take a while to fix or get over.  The crowd was very understanding, so was Pluto. But things took a very heavy turn when Pluto noticed my ring, and the crowd squealed with excitement. I explained how nothing was official yet, but to not loss hope.

   The ones who weren't so convinced were my parents. They don't understand the real reason why he would just go like that, leaving me alone to suffer with his departure. I've asked Mr. Lock not to bring him up, but sometimes he has too. I've spent intimate and deep moments with Kal, too many to just halt and erase, so Mr. Lock tells me. I went to go see Rayla with Johanna last week. It was such a relief to be with my best friend and talk to her face to face and listen to what she has to say and her listen to what I have to say. Her and this George guy are becoming pretty serious. They've officially become boyfriend and girlfriend and until the war is over, they'll be able to walk around and be together. I so happy she finally found someone she loves that loves her back. My heart jumps with joy onky at the bright smile shd gets talking about him. Then there's her look when I explained everything with Kal. She wasn't very happy at how he left either. But showing her the ring made up for it, I guess. I wanted to answer all her questions. Like

   "When will you guys get married!?"

   "How much do you think he spent?"

  "Am I going to be the maid of honor!?"

My only response is, "If we all survive this long hard battle." Because it's true. There's no point to getting my hopes up and begin to plan everything out when I dont know why he really left, how long he's going to be gone, and if he'll even survive the missions.

   Leaving Rayla was difficult, but I know I'll be back sooner than what anybidy reallg anticipates.  My parent's aren't too happy about the ring though, just because at the fact that they know him and Manara are hiding something major. They've attempted to get the answer from her but she denies any accusation being thrown at her. I don't want anything to do with her for now. Once I have to associate with her for battle, then I'll have no choice. But I don't think I'll really be able to forgive her for taking Kal. It's too much too soon.

    Familiar footsteps creep up behind me, but I just stand there, continuing to stare out onto the Lake.

    "Ready to go?" He asks, holding out my Bow and Arrow.

   I turn to him and take it from his hands. "Yes."

   We head out into the forest and at first, we have no luck with the Deers, so we start off small. With the Rabbits. I get 5, all of them shot in the eyes like my mother taught me. Slowly, we begin to get closer hits to the deer, and in no time I hit one right on the heart. We walk towards it and just look at eachother.

    "Now what?" I ask, a bag with the rabbits slung over my shoulder.

   "Well how the hell am I suppose to know? I never expected us to actually kill one." He laughs.

   I smile. "Well you're the man so pick it up." I say.

  He gives me a baffled look. "Excuse me!? I'm not that strong!"