Stone Cold

Chapter 1

Whoosh
My arrow flies into a passing birds stomach. As it plummets to the ground I feel a warm hand grab my arm.
"Rhys, its early you shouldn't be out here" I say as I turn around and face my brother.
"True, but I thought I could help you get some more game before the snow starts to fall".
"Well, the more help the better I suppose" I say as I walk towards the lifeless bird and put it into my knapsack.
"Is there anything out here besides birds" Rhys says looking around with his hunting knife.
"There normally is, but winter is headed our way soon so most animals have gone into huber Nation" I say.
"Hey Rhys, look over your shoulder, there's a wolf standing right there" I say as I come up behind him and hand him my bow and arrow.
"No no no, I can't use that I'll kill something" Rhys says.
"Isn't that the point" I say as he gets into a shooting position with me helping him with his aim. " Okay, wait a second" I say as I kneel down looking at the wolf drinking from a nearby pond. "Go for his stomach, on my count". "Three...two........one..shoot" I say To Rhys as he releases the arrow from the bow.
The arrow hits the wolf straight to the heart, he falls down instantly and in a couple of seconds he's dead.
"I did it, I've never been able to aim from that far" Rhys says with a happy look on his face.
"I bet none of the other fourteen year old boys in twelve could do that, so your lucky you've got myself and mum to show you your hunting skills" I say as we start walking to the stone cold wolf.
"Okay you grab his back legs and I'll grab his front" Rhys says.
Once we are at the forests clearing Rhys asks me " when are Flynn and Annie coming to town, they were supposed to be here two days ago, I'm quite worried" Rhys says pushing his blonde locks out of his brown eyes.
"Me too, dad called them yesterday though but he didn't tell us what they said remember"i say.
Rhys looks at me with a face that tells me that he's still worried. "Come on, we should get back home it's starting to get dark" i say as we both grab the wolf and start walking back home.

"Mum, Dad we're home" i say as Rhys puts the wolf on the kitchen counter and I lock the front door.
"Mum, Dad can you hear me, I said I'm home".
"Peacekeepers travelling from the capital to each district, forcing the laws of our old ways, the hunger games".

"Rhys get over here quick" i say in a shouted whispering type voice.
"What are they watching" he says from beside me.
"Something about peacekeepers going to each district forcing people to follow the rules of the hunger games or something" I say as I lean my ear against the wooden living room door where my parents are watching tv.
All of a sudden the door swings wide open to reveal my mother who looks as if she were just crying.
"Mum we heard" Rhys says.
"Come in here quick, your father and I need to talk to the both of you.
Myself and Rye get ushered in quickly and we sit down on the couch facing our parents.
"Guys can you please tell us what's going on" I say.
"Yes we are getting to that honey" dad says trying to keep her emotions in.
"Peeta can you please tell them I feel like screaming right now like I'm sixteen again" mum says as she walks out the door.

"You both know about the hunger games and myself and your mothers involvement in it and the whole revolution and all" dad says wiggling his fingers together nervously.
"Get to the point already" I say anxiously.
"The games are coming back, there is a new president" dad says.
"What happened to the old one" Rye says.
"Died in her sleep, but me and your mother don't believe that, we believe that it has to do with our new president Armalia Sundian". "Anyways back to what I was trying to explain, your mother and I are more worried because Armalia found out that there are victor children out there and she wants them all gone, you see she won't stop at nothing to kill you,and Flynn too, and another other child of a victor who is out there" dad said and I knew at that moment that he was going to tell us even more bad news.
"She'll do anything in her power to get what she wants, you see, she used to work for snow, was his personal assistant and when he passed, it just destroyed her and she's wanting vengeance".
"Is this why Flynn and Annie couldn't come, because it's to dangerous with all the peacekeepers around" I say in an angry tone.
"Yes that's the reason" dad said.
"The reaping will most likely be tomorrow because the peacekeepers are already on the outskirts of twelve telling everyone to get out the finest clothes ready for tomorrow, just be prepared to be getting on a train to the capital tomorrow".
"Dad can't you do anything about it" Rye said.
"I can't, once your in the games then I'll be able to sort everything out" dad said.
"Are you saying me Rhys, Flynn and any other victor child out there is going into the next hunger games" I say in a daze.
"Yes, and I bet one hundred percent that the only names in the two reaping bowls will be yours, now go to bed" dad said standing up expecting us to do the same.
"Do you and mum need help with the peacekeepers" I say.
"We'll be fine, go find some nice clothes for tomorrow and get a good nights sleep" dad says as he gives us both a big hug and walks out of the living room.