Finishing up. (only 1 person please)

[kyaime]

Make me understand it
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer
Is there something more than what i've been handed?
I've been crawling in the dark looking for the answer

Kyaime jumped over the tree as he was running back home. His father close behind him. Tag. A pointless game that they play in the forest when they are done hunting. This time his mother was there too, so they wanted to have a little more fun then normal, but Kyaime tried to take a shortcut and got stuck. After getting out, he was tried, forgetting which way he came from. "Stupid...Stupid stupid. How did i forget which way?" He said to himself. He began to walk, hopeing the direction was right. His father and mother were probably already home. They weren't very far from the house, his house is near the forest anyway.

He sat down, near the trunk of a tree. The air felt good on his sweating skin. He had run half a mile, he was somewhat winded and tired. He began to relax, when he realized that he could still hunt. He looked up at the sun, which was still over head. He pulled out his bag and looked inside of it. It was almost full. Maybe one more squirrel. He made himself some traps, and set them in visible places, so no human would get caught in them. He smiled as he began to walk out of the forest, he was going into town.

As Kyaime began to walk into town, he looked around. Any familiar faces? Nope. Not one single friend that he can remember. Everyone must be home. He hadn't talked to any of his 'close' friends in awhile and was hoping that someone would come to see him soon. He didn't know if his mom and dad were already home and cooking the food, or if they sold it, but he was always told to sell the food, so thats what he is going to do.

Bump, crack.

He moved his shoulder back as he hit into someone on accident. He wasn't watching were he was going and he dropped his game bag, he bent down to pick it up and as he grabbed it, he looked up and apologized, then tried to get away, before he was talked to. He didn't want to argue with a stranger, or get into a public fight...Again. As he was going away, he began to day dream again. Hoping the person wasn't following him.

[artemisa]

Astrid Aribarri

The sun is slowly creating a rich golden color in the sky. And with it, carries a gentle breeze that calms me down after the hectic day almost aside of me. This is definitely something I am not used to at all. I really wish for everything to be like before: when my mother and father would hunt with me along my twin Maysee during noon; to have fun together out there. But after what happened lately, I doubt that will ever happen again. Why did it have to be like that? What did we do wrong to deserve what is happening to us? What did I do wrong?

Nothing, and of course I believe it, most specifically because I never saw it coming. I never had anything to do with what was going on, and am still absent on what truly happened that night in which things changed.

Now, I am compromised to help my family in the best way I can. I have to make everything seem like before for the sake of my family. But to do all this, my life has turned a 360 degree angle. I have to hunt every day by my own and sell what I kill on my own. All this is new for me and the change is too fast. It is something I cannot handle with ease, but when I think of what other families have gone through, my life story isn’t much different from theirs. And if most people can make it seem like they live normally, so can I.

Now I have to hurry up and run into the forest to do some hunting. I am not sure if I will be able to have an opportunity to hunt a lot, but I will try to. I have to; there is no option for me. If I don’t, then my family won’t have food and money.

My feet then drag me with an increasing speed along with the shortage of breath. And little by little I begin to approach the fence that leads to the forest.

Alright Astrid, you have to hunt as much as you can. Everything now depends on you. There’s no option. I think to encourage myself.

I soon stop to sit down near a bench and take my knives out to see if they are all in order and sharp enough to hunt. And as I inspect them with careful eyes, I decide that they seem in good shape. Next, I place my knives away and take my sword out to revise it. It also seems to be alright. Perfect.

My green eyes then gaze at the sky and find out that it is getting too late. I need to hurry up if I want to hunt something and sell it or at least bring it home to feed the family. Never have I had too much responsibility until now.

I then resume running and increase my speed to rival that of the sun’s. I need to get to the forest in time to hunt before the last rays of sun diminish into the darkening sky. But all my efforts and exertion are not cooperating with me. I am not a fast runner and the only thing I am managing to gain is to get tired and dizzy. If I only lived close to the forest, I think helplessly.

Run Astrid!

I am now so close to the forest that I do not notice someone running towards the opposite way of my destination. Then I clash with force into the person.

“I am so sorry,” I say apologetically in a diminutive voice that seems to resemble that of a scared child. “I’m…so sorry.”

Quickly after that I begin to pick up my own weapons that fell. But they have scattered all around due to the falling impact and are now blended with the ground. Where are they? I think anxiously as I try to look for all my weapons as fast as possible with a sudden rush of adrenaline that reflects on the outside as trembling in my olive hands that desperately look for the knives that fell. And little by little I begin to find them at the same time the other person grabs what seems to be a game bag.

When it seems that I have gathered all my weapons, I begin to run while counting all my knives. And I am missing one. I then stop abruptly and turn around, running towards the other person.

“Hey!” I yell in a hostile manner. This is unlike me, but it is the only way I can feel secure enough to talk with another being that I do not know and feel strong, not afraid. It is an old habit of mine that I am trying to get myself rid of because it is not like me, but when I think about this trait, I think of the various benefits it has given me.

Shortly after yelling, I walk towards the person without noticing if it is a male or a female. But when I stop again, my eyes change from hostility to what seems like nostalgia and insecurity. I then look up to the person who is a male. What if I got him mad? I think. Then, I give my head a slight shake and walk a few careful steps forward, only to regain hostility from moments earlier infused with the insecurity now surrounding me and that the boy has probably sensed in me.

“Hey…you took my knife.” I say slightly fearfully but with much determination in my voice while pointing to the knife that he has accidently taken with him.

[kyaime]

.:Kyaime Hainero:.

There's always something different going wrong
the path I walk is in the wrong direction
theres always someone f**king hanging on
can anybody help me make things

I kept walking. Searching through my game bag as I tried to walk away from the person i hit into. I was worried i had angered them when i was yelled at. 'Did I anger them?' I asked myself, afraid of what may happen if i did and they were bigger then me. By the voice he could tell it was a girl.

I had not paid much attention to her when i accidentally hit into her. I turned to look at her as she got closer, she was a little taller then i was, and had pretty eyes. Green. My blue eyes probably looked pretty weird compared to it. Especially with my blood red hair over them. I clutched my game bag as i realized she was trying to get something from me. I needed my game. I have to sell it.

Seeing she doesn't have any game makes me feel weird, knowing how often people can hunt usually differs. Especially with so much room to hunt. There is a limited hunt, but usually everyone gets a decent amount of the game. She must be needing to go into the forest for a hunt.

After searching through my bag i found it. A different knife. Her's must have fallen in when we hit together, I pulled it out, examining it. It was a lot better crafted then mine. Except that mine always had something...extra inside of them. A dose of venom that my sister has placed on everyone of my blades, to ensure a kill. The poison isn't lethal. It slows the game down for a while, no visible effect on human beings though. Or that's all my sister has told me about the venom.

She had gotten near me, but i was still looking over her blade. It was so much different then mine. I didn't recognize it. So she must not have ever hunted around the same time as me. I always hunt near dawn, until around three. Noon is always when i go to look at my snares, which never have more then a rabbit, maybe a squirrel, if I'm lucky enough to have a squirrel fall out of a tree. My snares aren't very good.

As I turned to open my mouth to say Sorry and give her knife back to her, I fell dumbfounded. I am always too shy to talk to girls. I don't really speak as much as toss the knife in my hands up and down. Trying to come up with words to say. "Sorry for taking your knife" Just doesn't seem like enough of an apology. Especially because of the way she looked, the eagerness, or the way she wants to get away from there and hunt as soon as possible.

Take a breath, don't it sound so easy
Never had a doubt
Now I'm going crazy watching from the floor
Take a breath and let the rest come easy

"Um. Are you going hunting? If you think it's too late I'll give you some of my game. Or I will come with you...If you want." I say before I know if its the right thing to say. Trying to sound as though I'm not shy, hiding my face from her. It is always awkward to talk to someone for the first time. At least i wasn't the one to start the conversation this time, even though it was a bad way to start it.

I know my parents have their games bags full. Which makes it less of a hassle to be able to say she can take from mine. Even though it will mean less money for me and my family, my sister would just heal some people to get the extra money that i did not bring in. She has done it before, just for a different cause.

"So...do you want me to go hunting with you? If you do, my name is Kyaime, and here is your knife back." I say. Trying to smile.

[artemisa]

Astrid Aribarri

I do not move at all after saying what I needed for him to know. He then looks over his game back and searches for my knife. When he finds it, his blue eyes begin to look at it curiously. It is as if he’s trying to figure out something about me or how I hunt. And I do not like it. It is not that it will get me angry because it seems like he is invading my life, but more like a fear of him finding out something about myself and later judge me for my actions, etc.

I then look at him attentively and watch every gesture he makes as he peers at my knife. And with every passing second that he gazes its every detail, I slowly begin to tense up and take a few deep breaths. This makes me feel like I am being interrogated at the peacekeeper headquarters all over again. It is a horrible experience that makes you feel like some sort of criminal even though you haven’t done anything wrong.

My mind begins to debate whether to take another step forward and say something, or to just stay where I am and not say any word. But right now I cannot think clearly and therefore accede to not choose any sole option, but to do both instead. And as my legs stay firmly in position, my mind begins to command my mouth to speak. I want and am determined to say something to interrupt the boy from revising my knife. But as I slowly open my mouth to speak, no words come out, and I am shivering with an endless fear for the boy wielding my knife. And I won’t let that happen, I will not intimidate myself out of the thought of him standing there, in front of me.

And it makes me mad, that I can’t have courage to say something. I need for him to hand over the knife not only because I do not like it that he’s staring at it, but also because time is running out. Please give me my knife now. I think as my eyes peer at the rapidly setting sun.

He then turns around to face me directly and appears as if he wants to tell me something but is also, shy. The boy seems to look at me to say something but doesn’t find the way to say it. He must be scared of me or something of that kind.

I then drop my hostile gaze and try to show him a smile, but it is too hard to make it happen. I usually do not smile at anyone I do not know. But somehow, the smile I want to create comes out. It is not a grin, but a mediocre attempt to show him that I am not a mean person or anything of that kind even though I practically screamed at him for taking my knife.

"Um. Are you going hunting? If you think it's too late I'll give you some of my game. Or I will come with you...If you want." He says while trying to hide his face away from me.

Give me his game? Help me hunt? What? I think puzzled. I have never seen anyone who would say these words around here, especially to a stranger like me who has acted anything but nice. This is unrelenting. And all this inspires a bit of doubt in me. Do I really want for him to give me the game he just caught? Do I want for him to go and help me hunt?

No, I do not want for him to give me the game. He probably took hours to get his game, or maybe minutes. But the point is that it is his and not mine. I do not know him, and how can this act benefit him? And as for him hunting with me, I consider that an act of bravery. Never would I have said that to anyone. And if I probably say yes, I would just be taking up his time. But I do feel like I need help out there. I have no experience on hunting on my own and there is little time left before nightfall, and if we both help each other out there, maybe I will be able to hunt more that I could do by myself in the limited time that I have.

I then look at him with a bit of insecurity which somehow reflects as suspicion. My mind then tries to organize thoughts so that I can say to him what I actually mean. I do not want for misunderstandings. And when I think I’m ready to speak, I take a deep breath and am about to say something when he interrupts me.

"So...do you want me to go hunting with you? If you do, my name is Kyaime, and here is your knife back." He says while attempting a smile that turns out to be successful because I manage to recognize it.

I suppose I can hunt with him. It would not hurt at all and maybe he can teach me some hunting skills, after all, I am still new to this and the only thing I can do is fight with my sword. And sometimes I am really good at it that I beat the best swordsman around here. But of course, I am still learning, there is always room for more strategies regarding hunting and fighting.

“Sure, I’ll hunt with you.” I say with much pause and with a suspicious tone as if I do not trust him. And why would I trust someone easily, no one does. At least no one trusts that quickly around here after what all of us have gone through. “My name is Astrid Aribarri by the way.” I resume with confidence. Repeating my name has and will always inspire security in me since it reminds me of who I am. “And thank you for returning my knife back.” I say while extending my hand to accept the knife back.

“So,” I say while signaling towards the forest. “Do you want to go ahead and hunt already?”

[kyaime]

Kyaime Hainero

It's nearly overpowering
I cannot begin to describe
The hunger that I feel again
Run if you intend to survive

When Astrid said she would hunt with me, I felt a kind of jolt in my stomach. More hunting. A smile stayed on my face as I looked at her. There wasn't much i could go do at this late, my snares were already put down for the night, and i doubted that an animal was already in them. Maybe I could just help her kill a rabbit or maybe I could kill the turkey. Like i planned for.

I started fidgiting with my fingers as she thanked me and told me her name. Astrid, something easy to remember. I grabbed my beanie out of my pocket and placed it onto my head, covering my hair and my ears. Little pieces of my hair stuck out as I placed it on my head, not trying to make all my hair stuck under the beanie.

I was glad that she didn't want to take my game. I was trying to be nice, but it was still good she didn't want my game and instead would be fine with my help for her hunt. Giving me the money i needed for the food i choose.

After she asked if I would like to go hunt already, i nodded. Starting as soon as possible would be best. That's when i felt the coldness in my foot, looking down, i saw blood on the ground. 'Crap, I must've cut it without knowing.'

Realizing when he got stuck in the forest was where he got cut, he sat down on the ground, getting into his game bag, he pulled out his socks and shoes, putting them on, to cover up the blood so not to get something tracking him, instead of the other way around.

I grimiced standing up, I hated shoes. Could not stand them what so ever. Especially with blood in them, the warm blood coming out. Filling my shoe, ugh. Feels nasty. It was not a bad cut, just an irritable one.

I looked at her, she was still ready to go. I put my game bag onto my back and started running in the direction of the forest. Trying to be there so i could have enough time to get her some good game.

"Sorry, for mistaking your knife for mine and your knife is actually a lot different then mine. I am surprised I took it." I say, trying to make conversation as im running towards the forest. If she did not want to talk then that would be fine, but i might as well try.

Seeing the forest lines beginning, i felt my skin begin to have goosebumps. Night hunting. I haven't done that since i was six. Seven years have passed since my sister and i had gone into the forest together. Hopefully this is as fun as it was back then.

[artemisa]

Astrid Aribarri

I am beginning to doubt that Kyaime will want to hunt right away. One reason would be that he is holding a game bag with him right now and that can be a little annoying to carry around, especially when it is full like it seems to be right now. But a quick and cautious nod from him tells me that we are now ready to enter the forest and hunt in the little time we have left today.

My legs then begin to walk away from the district and towards the fence out front. But when I lack the hearing of Kyaime’s footsteps, I stop and turn around. That is where I gaze at him and notice that he is staring at the ground beneath him with so much concentration. What could he possibly be staring at so attentively?

I then look down to see what Kyaime is staring at and see a trickle of blood flowing around him. He has probably gotten an injury, perhaps from the forest and had not noticed it, until now. But how could Kyaime not have realized that he was bleeding from his feet? And how could I have not noticed it either if we have been standing in the same spot for several minutes?

My mouth is about to open to ask if he is going to be alright. After all, I would not like for someone to get extremely hurt when accompanying me to hunt because that would just make me feel guilty. But I then notice that he quickly sits down and begins to put on his socks and shoes. And I just stay silent, slowly realizing something in astonishment.

He didn’t have shoes on? I think surprised as I see him slowly standing up with an unmistakable grimace on him. And this just brings out a puzzled look on me which then turns to a sort of curiosity because I have never seen anyone walking around the district without shoes. But that might be because I don’t hang out here much.

When Kyaime turns towards me, my face quickly changes into a serious look that says it is time to go and hunt. And he seems to agree with it because he soon grabs his game bag and runs along with me towards the forest.

"Sorry, for mistaking your knife for mine and your knife is actually a lot different then mine. I am surprised I took it." Kyaime says apologetically and is if to begin a conversation.

I have never been good at talking to others. It just seems too hard for me because I am slightly pessimistic on what others might think of me. And that would be the main reason why I will usually be quiet all the time while giving any stranger a harsh glare that naturally comes out of me. That glare I somehow wish to get rid of because it is getting me nowhere. And the only thing that has earned me so far would be a greater deal of insecurity instead of what I actually meant for it initially. It is something I do not like because I love to be around people and this habit of mine is turning out to be a barrier for talking.

I then sigh and make an effort to say something back to Kyaime. Not only because he is helping me right now to hunt when he could be at his house already, but because he seems to be a nice person. And another would be that being around someone for a long time without talking seems utterly strange.

“No, it’s ok.” I say in a comprehensive tone. And that is all I can manage to come up and say for a long while.

When we begin to see the forest lines I feel like at home. It is the only place where I can feel at peace and full of security even though that does not make me hunt better or faster as most great hunters can when they are in this environment.

My face then begins to change its complexity in contrast of moments ago in the district. And it now has become more alert and serene. My green eyes soon begin to notice every single detail out there. I feel extremely confident.

Carefully, I reach out for my knife and take it out again. This will be the weapon of choice I will be using for now, unless Kyaime and I happen to be lucky enough to cross around a large animal which is highly unlikely. But if that happens, I will use my sword. And speaking of weapons, I wonder what Kyaime hunts with.

“Since we are going to hunt together, why don’t you tell me what weapons you use out here?” I say with a hint of curiosity hidden within the seriousness of my face.

And just after I ask that question, I notice something moving out in the distance that brings out a silent smile out of me. I cannot believe that we are barely coming out here and now have an opportunity to hunt right away.

[kyaime]

.:Kyaime Hainero:.
~District Nine~

I found you here, now please just stay for a while
I can move on with you around
I hand you my mortal life, but will it be forever?

Crush. Crush. shhh.

“Since we are going to hunt together, why don’t you tell me what weapons you use out here?” She asked me. I smiled. Pulling my own knife out. Flipping it in my fingers. I looked at my feet. I took a step, seeing if i was making noise. Nope. I'm good.

I then began to climb a tree, being as silent as possible. Looking down i saw a good prey. It was two rabbits, one sleeping, one eating. My eyes stayed on the one that could move, I have to hit it, if I missed i would feel so pathetic. I look for Astrid as i am close to throw my knife. The leaves around me silent as i am.

I kiss the blade of my knife and look at it, trying to make sure this is mine, and i didn't have a second knife of hers. But no, it was mine. A black hilt with a blue sapphire in the bottom hilt. Not a true sapphire, just a fake one for looks, but it is still great. The black hilt was made of leather, as was the rest of his blades.

At this time i was talking into my knife. Trying to make sure i wouldn't miss, as i do for every kill. I say a quick five word sentence, "Take your life swiftly, painlessly." That's when i hoped Astrid knew what i was doing. lining up my knife, i realized that i had to be faster, and hope she was aiming for the other rabbit, thats when i panicked. I haven't hunted with her before, I should be careful.

I pulled out a second knife, this one having a ruby in the hilt. Each one was different, to prove it was mine. I would never have two of the same thing. That is why i only have eight knives usually. To have one of each. As the smile goes from my face to show only concentration, i throw my knives, watching them fly down i see the blood escape the rabbit. The blood seeping around the blade of the knife, the other one, rolling over and getting hit in the stomach. No blood, just death. A more clean kill. Which means more blood to be cleaned out of it. At least that's how i imagined it. And that's how i hoped it would happen.

Looking again, trying to find astrid i decide to throw my knives toward the rabbits, and as i throw them i say, "The same as you."[/size]

[artemisa]

Astrid Aribarri

After my question reaches Kyaime’s ears, he smiles while taking a knife out. He then looks at the ground in which he stands and looks up again, probably to check if he is either in a bad location that will make a lot of sound during hunting. And that is good, that he is taking precautions.

My eyes soon gaze carefully at the ground. There, all I can find is the rich brown dirt that is still moist after the rains from a few weeks ago. Then, on top of that lays the once crisp but now soft and noiseless yellow leaves. And that makes the ground an ally for hunters. They give no noise at all to the animals from near and far.

When my gaze lifts up towards the general, Kyaime is already up in the trees. He seems to have his eyes fixed on something downward from where he is, probably an animal. And while his eyes remain concentrated in the same direction, he slowly takes his knife out and gives it a small kiss on the blade, maybe for good luck.

The knife has what it seems to be a blue and almost purple-like gem encrusted within the black hilt. It is a very unique knife indeed. And I do not know about other districts, but here in District Nine, every knife is different. They all have a complexion that matches the personalities of their owners. Sometimes, they also have similar yet very distinct stories with them.

Take for example all the knives I carry along with me. They are similar in shape, size, and texture as most knifes around here, but when you look at them, they are difference. The blades are impeccable and reflect everything on them. Their hilts have a brown-metallic colored finish with the unmistakable engraving of my family crest in them. The blades are so pointy and deadly. They also have a story amongst them about all the adventures I have lived through. And of course I cannot forget that these knives have been with me ever since I began hunting which somehow gives me a sense of deep security when I am up here, outside the district.

And I guess this can go out for anyone as well. I mean everyone has had their shares of hunting experiences out here and therefore can conclude that each knife, no matter how similar they appear, are different. And of course this is very known amongst the District Nine residents which is the main reason why most people will customize their prized weapons in a way that not only will make them look unique, but also be a way to express yourself.

I then smile and take a quick gaze at my sword with the emeralds encrusted in them. That sword has been through so much with me that it is practically an old friend of mine. Sounds strange, that someone would have a weapon as a friend, but that seems to be the case with me. And right now I wish I could use it, but for the moment, I have to keep it sitting there until an opportunity arise in which I can use it. And now that I think of it, I haven’t used my sword in months. So I am sort of hoping that Kyaime and I can be able to go hunt big game around here even though it is unlikely.

After gazing my sword, I notice that Kyaime is conversing with his knife. I am not sure what he is saying because he is a good deal distant from the ground in which I am. And this tells me that this is dangerous because when someone is hunting with other people, they need to be able to hear everything the other says or else there is no coordination which leads to an unsuccessful hunt. That I learned the hard way a long time ago.

I then move with much stealth as close as I can get towards Kyaime. It is not a distance that one would consider ridiculous out in hunting, but it isn’t that great either. And that can be attributed to the cause that he is up in the trees, and for me to climb would not be helpful at all. This is because both of our weights in the tree can produce a debilitating noise from the very foundations of it and alert the animals nearby. Another is that if by any cause he misses, I can shoot it up close.

He then takes a second knife out, only that this time it is a knife of the same kind but with a red gem in it. And in that instant I know he is about to attack the animal that lies beneath. That alerts me into going on guard and look for a position in which I can see the animal up close, because right now I see it but cannot distinguish what it is.

My legs then look for a comfortable position to see the animal and Kyaime’s future attack. And when I find it, I notice that he is about to attack a nest of rabbits, well actually just two. One of them is sleeping and the other is plain awake but is unknown to what is going on. I am not sure as to which one Kyaime will attack, but whichever he decides to take on first, I will make sure to attack the second one so that it doesn’t escape.

I then take a deep breath and focus on the rabbits and only the rabbits. Then I see from the side Kyaime’s knife strike the one that is awake. And there is no blood coming out of it, just no movement whatsoever. This quickly awakes in a stream of alertness the other one.

I then aim at it in a millisecond and throw my knife at the same time Kyaime’s flies towards the same rabbit. This makes the animal roll over and quickly die. It is a clean kill, something I haven’t seen in a long while. This is probably because both my knife and Kyaime’s knife attacked the animal in key vital points that just paralyzed the animal to death.

I then smile at the successful kill and run towards the animals when I hear Kyaime say, "The same as you."

My legs then stop and register these words in my mind. Maybe that is why the hunt ended perfectly, because we use the same kind of weapons and possibly tactics.

I then continue on running and while I look at the rabbits I say, “Thanks for the help. Um, can you help me clean them to go ahead and place them in the bag so we can keep on hunting?”

And after that I gaze at the setting sky, remembering that at this time some of the big nocturnal animals come out.

[kyaime]

.:Kyaime Hainero:.

But I'm down to one last breath
And with it let me say Let me say
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and
I'm thinking

The rabbit's lay dead on the ground. My gaze staring at them. A smile creeping up on me. Astrid knew my plan. She has the same hunting style as me; maybe we could keep hunting together. I began to shimmy down the tree. My red hair hidden under my beanie.

My smile began to grow as I climbed down the tree. I was realizing how lucky it was for me to find someone to hunt with besides my parents. Having someone with a good stragery to hunt with me that is probably the best choice.

I become to start having my mind wander to think about a bigger kill. What game would we be able to go kill? A wolf maybe? A bear? I would love to try, but talking Astrid into it may be a problem. Especially if she needs the food for her family. Unless, she justs needs the money. In which hunting for bigger game would be more useful.

As she asked me “Thanks for the help. Um, can you help me clean them to go ahead and place them in the bag so we can keep on hunting?”
"Yea," I say, "Let's go ahead and clean them." I take my knife out of my kill. As i take the blade out, the blood stills inside of the rabbit. My knife was dyed red. The smile on my face begins to fade. All the blood, my reflection from the blood, my feelings are happy at the kill, yet my body is frozen from the image of me, in a rabbits blood.

This world is not a good world. The hunger games are not a normal or fun game. Seeing my face surrounded by blood makes me feel the shivering feeling of being in a reaping. Hearing someone elses name. The relief that floods me, but the sadness that floods the boy called, and the depression that hits his family.

The teary eyes of the family members staring up at the platform as their son takes the place. Standing there, looking at everyone. Sometimes hoping for someone to step up and take there spot. Others wanting to be in there, to keep everyone else out for another year.

That is when the breeze hit me. Bringing me back to the reality of the forest, of my kill, of astrid. I was here, not at a reaping, I don't have to see another member of my district leave yet. A grin appeared on my face as I began to clean the kill. Having the calm feeling back in me. The peace of the forest was the best feeling for me.

"So, Astrid, Do you want to keep hunting small? Or try for something more fun and worth more?" I asked. Putting my rabbit into the game bag, opening it for her rabbit too. I hoped she wanted to hunt like me.[/size]

[artemisa]

Astrid Aribarri

My eyes keep on being utterly fixed at the setting sky. And in those moments of staring, I disconnect myself from the world that is District Nine. All that is in my mind are the rich colors of the sky: the bright red, golden orange, and even light shades of pink, all of them being slowly replaced by a deep and rich violet. And all of these colors make me feel so much at ease, especially after hunting which involves a lot of pressure being place in myself.

Suddenly, I hear what it seems to be a distant call out in the distance, echoing through my conscious. And in that instant, my eyes leave the sky alone to turn back into the reality. That is when I notice that is not a distant sound, but a close one. It is a phrase being spoken right next to me. I then gaze slowly over to the origin of the sound.

"Yea, let's go ahead and clean them." Kyaime says while taking his knife out of the animal. And as he gazes the knife tinted with blood, he smiles of content. But no sooner than later, that unmistakable smile begins to fade away.

I carefully concentrate my eyes and mind into deciphering what is going on between Kyaime’s knife and the short lived smile. Could it be that he is somehow not happy about killing? I mean, I know that taking an animal’s life is nothing to be fond of. In fact, most people, including myself, do not like to take life away. And the noise that these make when they are being attacked is just shattering to the senses, that it is the reason why I like to attack vital points during hunting, so I can spare and be spared from that agonizing noise. But even so, you still feel remorse for killing, and the only one that truly benefits from a fast death, is the animal, not one. The only way to also benefit, would be years of hunting experience.

I have been out here in the forest grounds for more than seven years, hunting with my parents and sister. And during that time, I have seen so many images of creatures being deprived of their lives, that it has become something common for me to accept little by little. That is when you develop a kind of immunity against feeling during hunting. It makes you look and somehow feel on the exterior that killing is just like picking fruits from a tree, even though deep down you feel that dread, just not at the instant. The only time where that guilt comes out would be during your sleep.

My eyes soon turn from Kyaime’s reaction, towards the dead animal. And this somehow produces an uneasy and tense environment for me. I had not truly taken a chance to perceive the animal up close and with much detail.

The moments gaze at one of the rabbits lasts up until a gentle breeze shows up. That is where the dense feeling in the air somehow gets swept from the location. And I can say that I am not the only one who feels a deep relief for the welcoming breeze. Kyaime also seems to somehow be alleviated by what happened a few moments ago through an unmistakable grin.

His smile and the now nonexistent tense air also make me feel more at ease, confident, and alert as before. That is when I take a long, deep breath to not reminisce what just happened. After that, I decide to take a step forward and help clean one rabbit as Kyaime cleans the other so we can finish quickly and hunt more.

When we are both done with our kills, he opens the game bag and place his rabbit in it, and soon motions for me to do the same as well.

"So, Astrid, Do you want to keep hunting small? Or try for something more fun and worth more?" Kyaime says with a hint of hope in his voice.

I thought that he would never ask about hunting bigger game. I think as I hear his words, showing a smile at the thought of having a challenge in hunting worth a lot in terms of money and experience. And finally I will have an opportunity to use my sword after all this while.

I then take out my hidden sword out, and soon respond with an almost concealed excitement, “Sure, let’s try something more challenging this time.”

My hands then signal towards a southern direction from where we are, and I soon motion for Kyaime to follow south, where the night game are. This is for sure to be a more difficult task to accomplish since it is getting pretty dark now, and seeing will soon become a problem, especially towards the area where we are heading: a place dense with trees that do not let almost any ray of light penetrate them except during midday. But it is worth the shot and besides, this could be fun.