Never Feel a Thing (A Hunger Games Fanfic)

Fishing and Other Hazards

Author's note:  I do not own the Hunger Games.  All rights go to their respective owners.

Our little journey to find a new place to set up camp was filled with an awkward silence not even the bonds of friendship could break.  We had just seen a girl our age torn to shreds by what can only be described as a living, breathing werewolf.  Somehow, talking seemed superfluous and dangerous.  And to be quite honest, not one of us seemed to have anything to say.  Really, where do you go from there?

As we roughed it through the jungle foliage on the edge of the beach, where it was for the most part, the least thick, we chanced upon a cave that looked unnaturally like a skull with what looked like a fire burning inside it.  Either the careers, in a bout of perhaps fatal arrogance, had lit a fire to stay warm during the night, or a stupid tribute had done it, in which case if the werewolf didn't get them, the careers probably would.

Whatever the case, it was of no concern to us.  We wisely avoided it, but took note of it in our minds should the knowledge of the cave ever come in handy later on in the games.  We walked for what seemed like an hour, (who could tell on an island like this?) every shadow dancing around us as the sea breeze came in from the shoreline, twisting and shimmering the thick brush.  I could see the miserable looks of exhaustion on Jack and Maybel's faces, and in truth, I can't imagine mine could have been much different, but we had to find a place that was safe before we could rest.  Well, safe enough given the circumstances...

Maybel, who was on point, gave a slight laugh of delight when we came upon another clearing much like the one we had before, only this one lacked a stream, tall trees, and brushed up against the beach, just a mere meter above it on the rocky bluffs that separated sand from shrub.  The dense bushes on the edge of the bluffs would provide us with natural camoflage against any wandering threats.  Jack quickly fell down on the dirt with a smile on his face and passed out.  Maybel and I looked at each other tiredly.  Neither of us was in any shape to keep watch, and by the looks of it, Jack wasn't either.  I shrugged and collapsed on the stable earth with my back on the grass and my eyes to the sky.  Maybel did the same and landed just to my right.

I admired the night sky quietly.  If the beast found us, or the careers did, at least I would die well rested and among friends, under the beautiful night sky.  And I was secure in the knowledge that it was unlikely that we would run into the beast again any time soon.  It was likely halfway to the other side of the island by now, hunting.  The first howl, it came at twilight, and we never actually saw it until night had decended upon the island, which lead me to believe the creature was nocturnal.  Afterall, we couldn't have the werebeast wondering around killing every tribute, now could we?  They needed to give us the opportunity to kill each other as well, and there would be plenty of that come daylight.

If daylight ever came.

As I lay there thougtfully, Maybel curled up next to me.  I was too tired to object, and even if I hadn't been, I'm not sure I even would have.

"So, what's your life back in District 4 like?"  She asked almost out of the blue ocean I could hear not to far to my right.  It dawned upon me that we really hardly knew each other.  And this was liable to be one of the rare occasions I could get Maybel to come out of her hard shell.

"It's awful.  But I don't go hungrey and don't sleep on the streets anymore, so I guess it's better than most."

I recalled painfully that I had not gotten the chance to sleep in my bed that last night in District 4 before I was reaped.  I had instead been treated to the most stylish corner of the filthy gutter I had woke up in that morning what seemed like a lifetime ago.  So much had happened since then.