Broken Arrow {Peeta Love Story}

Chapter One - The Unfortunate Odds

I closed my eyes, thinking of my fathers words

Listen carefully, hear the leaves rustle and the wind blowing. Block out all those noises and concentrate. Listen for hoofs stomping on the ground, or the merry chirp of a bird. Focus on that sound, bringing your bow and arrow up. Breath slowly, pulling the arrow back in the direction of the sound. Now Breathe carefully. Concentrate and focus. Now release the arrow...

I opened my eyes to hear the sound of the arrow break through the wind and puncture the heart of a deer. I smiled, content with my kill, before walking towards the deer. 

Well done Ruby. You've done well...

I imagined my fathers exact words whenever I shot my 'prey'. I grabbed the deer's front and back legs, swinging it upon my shoulders and carefully making my way through the woods. 

The woods were so lush and serene, with the trees daring to reach the clouds, logs and leaves covering the earth and dew complimenting each feature. Moss surrounded the woods, camouflaging the insects and reptiles wandering and hiding from predators. 

"Great. I've got to carry this beast all the way to District 12." I groaned while dragging my feet across the ground. I learned my lesson on watching where I place my feet, thinking of my previous incident of letting my mind wander aimlessly and tripping over log, leaving myself stuck and breathless under a giant stag. Thankfully my father was there, laughing at me while I mumbled incoherent words.

I could feel the blood of the deer trickle down my neck, smearing my loose light brown plait and staining my shirt and trousers. I rolled my eyes "Great I'm not going to hear the end of this. Mother's going to freak"

After trekking a few metres south, I reached the meadow and saw the high electrified fence, enclosing District 12. I placed my bow and arrow in a hollow trunk and breathed a sigh of relief, knowing it was only a few metres away before I could drop the heavy weight from my shoulders. I stopped to catch my breath, not daring to sit down or lean against a tree.

I looked both ways and up, searching for any signs of officials before making a quick run for the fence. I threw the deer to ground once I reached the small hole in the fence, before I heard a noise. It was the whirring of an official hovership. I raced to slide through the hole, feeling a sharp stab on my stomach but not letting the pain bother me.

"Come on come on" I chanted as I slid over the rocky ground and through the small hole. The hovership started to get closer, with the wind whipping my hair across my face. I started to panic, not knowing what to do if I got caught. As soon as my body was through,  I grabbed the deers legs, dragging it with the leftover strength I had through the hole and hurriedly carrying it towards my house, which was less than three metres from the holey fence.

The hover ship's nose came in sight, making me jump onto the porch and rush into my house. Immediately the door closed and my breath quickened waiting in anticipation for the hover ship to pass. I squeezed my eyes shut as the whirring came just above me, clenching my fist and biting the insides of my cheek. Breathing a sigh of relief as the hover ship moved away, I placed my hands on both sides of my face to try and stop the room from spinning.

I stood up and made my way towards the deer, but not before I tripped and hit my head on the wooden floor. My vision was beginning to blur as I saw my mother and Jason come rushing towards me.

"Ruby! stay awake!"

"Are you OK?"

"We need to go to the Everdeen residence now!"

"Ruby!"

"Ru-"

My eyelids were getting heavier and black spots clouded my vision. Soon the voices became distorted and my whole body burned, making me shout and scream in pain until sleep enveloped me into a deep and comfortable sleep.