After Mockingjay

Chapter 11

When we get back to the Capitol, Rhyne and Blane part ways and go back to their rooms.
Gale and I head back towards the woods.
I feel reassured as we pass through the thick layer of trees and bushes within the forest.
I could almost believe that everything that has happened in the past year had been a long, ongoing nightmare.
Almost.
I felt Gale's hand grab my shoulder, as if to stop me from going ahead of him.
"Slow down, Katniss, you might fall."
I roll my eyes.
"Since when have I ever fallen while walking into the woods? And even if I did, why would it matter? I would just get back up."
Gale walked over to a clearing and sat down, leaning against a large tree trunk.
"I was just..." He exhaled, and looked down. "Trying to be... Nice, I guess."
I nodded. "I make everything awkward, don't I?"
Gale studied my face. He looked too old to be Gale.
"No, I mean, kind of, but that doesn't mean it always has to be like that."
I shook my head, my hair -no longer in its signature braid- falling in my face.
"I know. I'll try. Whatever it takes-"
I was cut off by the windy sound of a hovercraft.
Gale rushed behind a nearby bush, but I just looked up at the metal floating device.
It stayed in the same place above me for a few seconds, then a square cut into the bottom opened up, revealing a metal claw.
The same claw used in the arena to transport dead tributes to the Capitol.
The claw dropped down and rested a few feet away from me.
I looked at Gale, who shook his head.
I looked back at the claw. Whoever was in the hovercraft clearly wanted us to get in.
I cautiously approached the claw. When I was within reach, I studied it.
The last time I saw one of these, I was nearly dead.
Now I could see that it had three prongs on each side that opened, and a sturdy metal rope that held the claw.
I grabbed the cold metal rope, and placed my feet on both sides of the claw.
I motioned for Gale to come, but he didn't budge. The wind whipped my hair violently around as the claw started upward. I closed my eyes, and felt the claw jerk downward.
When I opened them, I found Gale hanging off one of the prongs.
We were halfway up when Gale started having difficulties.
His sweaty hand started to slip. I screamed his name.
He tried to get a good grip, but failed.
I felt my heart bursting. I had to get to Gale.
I carefully moved my left foot forward, then my right.
I swung my body to the left, my hands still holding on to the rope.
I was now fully on the left side of the claw. Gale was inches away, barely hanging on.
We were so close to the hovercraft, but not close enough. Gale had seconds.
I offered my hand to Gale's free hand, and he reached to grab it.
I felt his hand in mine as I pulled him up.
We were seconds from the hovercraft, and I could see hands getting ready to pull me up.
We entered the hovercraft, and the doors closed, ceasing the wind.
A young man, maybe in his 20s, greeted us.
"Hello, I'm Matthew. I have a proposal."