Simply Everlark (After Mockingjay)

Chapter 2

I let out a sigh in relief knowing that the startling stranger in the woods is a familiar face. But, I am partially annoyed because of the intruder sneaking up on me in my at peace stage.

Not forgetting that the intruder is Gale, someone who I haven't come to trust yet.

Gale came back to district twelve about a month ago. He had shown up at my door step and I went mad. He had left me when I was at my worst because of his bomb design that killed my sister and so many other young children with a future. I was so furious that I had grabbed a lamp out of self defense and smashed the glass sculpture on his skull. There were only minor scratches but I silently wished that damage would have been more severe. After all, he didn't even say good-bye before taking himself to district two, leaving his mess behind.

It took a while to not go completely insane when Gale's presence was around. In the beginning I just wanted to scream and cry for leaving me with all of this trouble he had caused. It took me a while to finally let him in by having a real conversation that consisted of how his life was and why he left. I zoned out for most of his talking though because I was trying to figure things out on whether to allow Gale another chance at a friendship.

I thought about when we were younger. How Gale and I would go hunting in the woods in order for survival and some how make it enjoyable. We would spend so much time together that people started referring to us as brother and sister. We do have the same features which could have someone believe that we could be related. Our skin mimics olive and we both have the chestnut hair flailing on the tops of our heads. But I think what people really notices was the gray color in our eyes. Mine were more vibrant though as Gale's represented his overall look; the steam boy with the sad gray eyes.

We became closer over the next few weeks. Once a week, we would go hunting in our normal spots, fishing out our use of weaponry in the mossy log and stay in the woods for hours at a time. But as we were hunting I could feel something unsettling about Gale, a feeling that I think will stay with me for a long while.

I turn around and look back at a grinning man. His teeth are shining, an unusual trade to have Gale showing as he usually smiles very little. My conclusion is that he has gained a little satisfaction for spooking me the way he did.

I think back to the question. If I allow Gale to carry the game that I shot and killed, it would portray me as a weak person. The last thing I want to be considered is weak, so I decline his offer.

"I'm fine, Gale." I reply blankly while fiddling with the sack and swinging it around so it painfully lays on my back.

He rolls his eyes before walking over to me with a hunched back. His steps are heavy which can only mean he is annoyed. Gale's steps in the woods are exceptionally quiet, a skill he had developed through the many years we had been hunting together. He finally makes his way to me while stubbornly shifting the pack off of my back, attempting to slide it off.

"I said I'm fine!" I snap, backing away from the hands that leave burning prints on my skin and shifting the pack so it is in a more comfortable position.

He looks shocked at my outbreak, backing away slowly with his eyes wide in fear. "I'm sorry." he speaks after a moment of silence.

"I told you I could carry it and you didn't listen. I'm not as weak as you think I am, Gale." I loudly speak. My legs start to move and I send him a glare before passing. Heavy steps guide me further away from Gale still standing still in the middle of the meadow, running a hand through his hair.

As distance grows, I almost feel bad for him. My response may have been a little harsh, but at the moment it was all that I could say. I can still feel his hand marks lingering on my skin and his underestimation of what I can really do. Its a simple game bag holding the animal that I had killed. I want the pride carrying it back in my arms, all the way back to Greasy Sae.

I get to the fence separating the district and the woods rather quickly from my determination. The wired contraption is no longer being fueled by electricity sense the power from the capitol is now shut down, not controlling the districts. The grass reaches about midway, so I push away the thick vines and duck down, slithering through the fence opening. My eyes scan the field before me and I quickly follow the path of dead grass and plants matted down from the countless amount of times Gale and I had walked the same way all of these years.

The trail ends as I approach the Village. I fix the game bag on my back that is probably bruised from the extra weight placed on it. I wince in pain placing the bag down and carefully caressing the spot where the rope had shifted numerous times in between my neck and shoulder. I decide to go on dragging the bag with the rope gripped into my hand, avoiding any further injuries. The style is surprisingly easier as my back hunches over and I drag the weighed down dead corpse, finally making it to the redesigned Hob.

The Hob was the first place that had gotten rebuilt. It was the main attraction of district twelve other than the mines which are now out of use. Everyone who is in the district makes a living by selling their goods at the trading post which holds the basic supplies of survival. I try to help Greasy Sae as much as I can in the hob by trading the game I collect and running the food shop when ever she is unavailable. Its a nice experience interacting with the new faces of the district, getting to know the new generation starting a life here. It helps me forget the past and see the hope for the future.

After receiving an appreciative smile from Greasy Sae for the game I had gathered, I decide to head back to the Victors Village. The sun had dipped down below the horizon and darkness swarms the area. I follow back the dim lights lined across the street until the few houses behind a closed gate start to appear. With my unsteady fingers, I unlatch the hook holding the cold metal in place and step inside.

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion to the sight I see before me. Haymitch is sitting on the steps of his house talking on the phone to someone. I examine the situation secretly, not making sudden movements to attract the attention of Haymitch in a deep conversation. After awhile, he nods his head and exchanges good-byes with the mystery person on the other line, removing the phone from his ear. While he stares at his feet, I decide to make a break for it, sprinting full on to my house directly next to his. Bad idea.

"Sweetheart," he smirks standing up from his spot on the stairs, griping onto the railing as he trips on his own feet going down, "thought you could get away from me?"

I stop running and turn around slowly to reveal Haymitch walking towards me, clearly something on his mind as the expression on his face altering.

"I need to talk to you." he clarifies my statement now a mere foot away from me.

"Okay." I remark more confused than ever, unknowing what Haymitch will spill.

"That was Peeta on the phone." stating in all seriousness, "He's coming back tomorrow."