Hunger Games 1

Chapter 16: Eleven Points (2)
The results of the players in the [-]th district were as usual, and they came out last.Peeta scored an eight, and there must have been people watching his presentation.When my face appeared on TV, I dug my palms with my fingernails, thinking it must be the worst grade.Then eleven points appeared on the screen.

eleven points!
Effie Trinket screamed and everyone patted me on the back congratulating and cheering me on.But none of this seems real.

"Must be wrong. How...how is that possible?" I asked Haymitch.

"Maybe they like your curmudgeon," he said. "They still have to put on a show, and they need players who can excite the audience."

"Katniss, Burning Girl," Cinna said, before giving me a hug. "Oh, wait and see, you still have a nice costume for the interview."

"Are there more flames?" I asked.

"Well, a little bit." He teased me.

Peeta and I congratulated each other, and it was another extremely awkward moment.We're both doing well, but what does it mean for the other?I slipped back to my room as early as I could, with my head covered under the covers.The stress of the day, especially the crying, has exhausted me.I broke through a level and got a temporary relief. The number eleven is still flashing in front of my eyes.

In the morning, I lay in bed and watched the sun rise slowly in this beautiful morning.Today is Sunday.It's a day off at home.I wonder if Gail is in the woods by now.Usually all Sunday we have food for the week ahead.Get up early in the morning, hunt and pick wild vegetables and fruits, and then go to the market to exchange.I imagined how Gale would hunt by himself in my absence.Actually both of us can hunt alone, but it's better to do it together, especially when it comes to catching big game.But even when catching small prey, it's good to have someone to help carry those heavy things. In this way, the drudgery of finding food for the family will become a relaxed and happy thing.

The first time I met Gale was six months after I had been hunting alone in the woods, when I was having a hard time finding food.It was a cool Sunday in October, and there was a smell of rotting leaves in the air.All morning, I was busy fighting for nuts with squirrels, and in the afternoon, taking advantage of the warmth, I went down to dig "Katniss" in the shallow mud pond.The only meat I got was a squirrel that ran over my feet looking for nuts to eat.Anyway, I can't catch game, because the snow will bury other food, and the animals will always move around.I walked a little farther than usual that day, so I was in a hurry when I came home.I was lugging the sack when I saw a dead rabbit hanging by a string a foot above my head.There was another hanging about fifteen yards away.I recognized it as a trap, my dad used to use it.After the prey is caught, it is hung in the air to prevent other hungry animals from eating it.I've been trying to play with this trap all summer without success.So I couldn't help dropping the sack and thinking about the thing.My hand was just about to touch the thin line above the rabbit when someone yelled, "Danger!"

Startled, I took a few steps back when Gail came out from behind the tree.He must have been staring at me.He was only 14 years old, but at six feet tall, he looked like a grown-up to me.I've seen him in the Seam and at school.The same mine explosion that killed Dad also killed his Dad.I stood beside him when he went to receive his medal for bravery in January, another eldest son who lost his dad.I remember his two younger brothers hugging his mother, who had a big belly and was about to give birth.

"What's your name?" he said, taking the rabbit off the noose, and he had three others strapped to his waist.

"Katniss," I said, barely audibly.

"Well, Catnip, stealing is punishable by death, haven't you heard?" he said.

"Katniss," I said a little louder, "I didn't steal it, I just wanted to see your trap. The trap I set up won't catch anything."

He stared at me in disbelief, "So, where did you get your squirrel?"

"I did." I took the bow off my shoulder.I still use the small bow my father made me, but whenever I get the chance, I learn to use the big one.I figured I'd be able to shoot some bigger game in the spring.

Gale stared intently at my bow. "Can I see it?"

I handed him the bow, "Remember, stealing is punishable by death!"

That's when I first saw him smile, and he went from a sinister guy to a guy you want to befriend.It was months before I gave him the same smile.

We chatted about hunting, and I said I could get him a bow too, if he would trade it with me; not for food, but for his knowledge.I wanted to set up a trap myself, so that one day I could catch a rabbit full of belts, and he agreed.As time passed, we gradually told each other everything we knew, where to find plums, where turkeys were, and what we had in common.He taught me how to rig and fish.I told him which plants were edible, and finally gave him a bow that I valued dearly.Finally one day, it goes without saying, we became good friends.Difficulties are shared, and blessings are shared, so that the two families have food on the dinner table.

Gail gave me a sense of security that I haven't had since my father died.He keeps me company, and my long, lonely days in the woods are over.I no longer have to worry about people watching me from behind, and hunting is much easier.He is not only a hunting companion, but also my bosom friend. I will tell him what I dare not say in District [-]; he also trusts me in the same way.

I was always happy in the woods with Gale.

I call him a friend, but since last year, that word doesn't seem to be enough to describe Gale's place in my heart.There was a pang in my heart.How nice it would be for him to be with me now!
Of course, I don't want him in the arena, where he won't last a few days before dying.I just...just, miss him.I hate being alone.Does he miss me too?Definitely want to.

The number eleven under my name last night is still running in my head, and I can totally imagine what Gail would say: "Well, it must be improved." Then he smiled at me, and I didn't mind Without hesitation, he smiled happily.

I can't help but compare my genuine friendship with Gale to the fake friendliness I have with Peeta.I've never doubted Gale's motives, but I have to have my doubts about Peeta.Of course, the comparison isn't entirely fair, because Gale and I were never thrown into a situation where we had to compete with each other for survival, and Peeta and I knew each other's survival meant our own death.How can this problem be avoided?
Effie is knocking on the door, reminding me that today is another "very, very important day".There's a TV interview with us tomorrow night.I guess the whole team is going to have their hands full for us.

I got out of bed and took a quick shower, being careful when I pressed the button this time.Then walk towards the restaurant.Peeta, Effie, and Haymitch huddle together and whisper something.really weird.But hunger still got the upper hand, I ignored them and filled my plate with food.

The stew was made with chunks of tender lamb and dried prunes, served over a wild rice stew.I was halfway through eating when I suddenly realized that no one was talking.I took a swig of orange juice, wiped my mouth, and said, "So, how about it? Today you're going to train us on how to do interviews, right?"

"Yes," Haymitch said.

"I don't have to wait until I finish eating, I can listen while I eat," I said.

"Well, there's been a little bit of a change in plans regarding our current training methods," Haymitch said.

"What changed?" I asked, not knowing what our current training methods were.Being invisible to another player is the single most important strategy I remember.

Haymitch shrugged, "Peeta asked to train separately from you."

(End of this chapter)