Author's note: I'm kind of new at this, but I really love The Hunger Games… so I thought it'd be fun to write my take on it. Please review and tell me how I did, also on what I can improve on. Hope you enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: as much as I would love to, I DO NOT OWN THE HUNGER GAMES OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. All belongs to the skilled and talented Suzanne Collins!

-Chapter 1-

GALE HAWTHORNE'S POV

My eyes open just a crack, large enough to see the sun streaming through my window. It's another hunting day, I think to myself. A grin overcomes my face at the thought of Katniss being in the woods hunting with me. My smile disappears as quickly as it came though, when I remember what today is. Today's the day of the reaping; the day 24 tributes are drawn to be held against their will in an area designed especially for them to fight to their death. This year is my last entry at the reaping due to my age, but I will have more entries than everyone I know. I'm eighteen, which already results to 7 entries; and with extra tesserae, I have 42 slips of paper with my name written on them in that reaping ball. Forty-two chances of a guaranteed death. Joy.

I sit up and look outside. In the distance I see a hill, the one where Katniss and I will meet this morning. This thought is all it takes for me get out of bed, eager to be in the one place where my thoughts are free; and to be with the one person who has been my best friend since our fathers were blown to bits in a mine explosion. I grab my game bag and head out the door. My mother will know that I've gone hunting.

Hunting is strictly illegal in Panem. In other words, Katniss and I could be whipped on a daily basis for using weapons and bringing home fresh meat, but what keeps us going is the need to survive. The threat beyond the fence is little compared to the horrors of if our family starved... surely it'd be a slow and painful one without our help. At the age of fourteen, I had taken over the role as the family's main supporter, and hunting is our best bet for getting food.

The sun is still making its slow arc into the sky when I head over to the bakery to trade. The merchants of the village are generally generous when it comes to trades; but I'm sure it's not from pity, it's from the lure of possible meat. You also have to know all the tricks to be successful though; the baker only buys our squirrels when his wife isn't around, so the timing of the trades are important. I know I came at the right time when the baker answers the back door.

"I've got a squirrel, anything good for the reaping?" I ask.

The baker isn't a very talkative man. He accepts the squirrel and gives me a loaf of bread in return. It's not the hard, unappetizing loaves that we make at home, but real bakery bread. I look at it curiously, knowing that the baker could've have better options with other trades. I nod my thanks and head out. I'm about to leave when I hear the broad-shouldered man murmur quietly.

"Good Luck."

I crawl under the hole in the fence that is the last barrier separating the people of District Twelve from the woods. Rumour has it that the fence is electrocuted 24-hours a day. That theory is wrong. Katniss and I would occasionally find the fence charged, but definitely not for long. We'll usually wait in the forest for it to be turned off, and without fail, it always would. The fence and the warnings of threats in the woods are just another facade the Capitol pulls to keep us within their control. At this, my hands coil into fists. The Capitol and the pride they wear. The whole lot of them are despicable, as Katniss had said before.

I trot past a hollow long and retrieve my weapons; meanwhile sticking an arrow through the soft bread. Slowly I make my way up a hill, to a rock ledge that can see into the valley, but will not reveal me if I'm careful. A patch of berry bushes grow nearby, which makes gathering easier since I know there will always be some at this place. Plus, a good rule of thumb is that if there is one, there are bound to be others.

I haven't waited long before Katniss shows up. She smiles as she sees me, and I grin back easily. I don't see Katniss smile much outside of the woods. That smile is what makes me smile.

"Hey Catnip," I say.

Of course her real name is Katniss, but her voice was hushed when she'd said it... and when a lynx chased her around -which I thought was pretty amusing- , it became apparent that the nickname was perfect.

"Look what I shot." I lift the loaf of bread with an arrow through it into view.

Katniss laughs. Her laugh reminds me of when we hunt, of whenever we're together. Naturally, she is more to me than just a hunting partner. She is my best friend, and as she trusts me with all her words, I trust her with mine. The mining accident lead me into a drawn out sorrow, but after I met Katniss that day, she filled the empty spot. It was also easier to have a partner with you in the woods, knowing someone you trust has your back. We became a team, thrown together by the instinct to live.

Katniss takes the loaf, and inhales the delicate scent.

"Mm, still warm," She says. "What did it cost you?"

"Just a squirrel. Think the old man was feeling sentimental this morning," I say. "Even wished me luck."

"Well, we're all a little closer today, aren't we?" Katniss says. Even though she doesn't, I can picture her rolling her eyes. "Prim left us a cheese."

My expression brightens. "Thank you, Prim. We'll have a real feast."

I dramatically fall into the Capitol accent, and say Effie Trinket's catch phrase. "I almost forgot! Happy Hunger Games!" I grab a couple blackberries from the bushes. "And may the odds-" I toss a berry in an arc to Katniss.

She catches the berries spot on and takes a bite. "-be ever in your favour!" She finishes.

We make fun of the Games every year because otherwise, we'll be scared out of our wits. Also, the Capitol accent in so ridiculous that it can make any normal sentence sound bizarre.

I pull out my knife and cut the bread into small pieces. Many people often mistake Katniss for my sister. Like me, she has straight black hair, olive skin and even our eyes have the same grey tone. Almost all the citizens in the Seam have this look to them. I spread Prim's goat cheese on the bread and gently place a basil leaf on each piece while Katniss collects more berries.

The food is amazing, probably a better breakfast then most people of District Twelve. This would've been a great day if only we weren't reminded that we have to be at the square in a few hours, at 2 o'clock sharp to witness the drawing of names. If we don't show up, the Peacekeepers would come knocking on our door, demanding our presence.

I have a sudden thought.

"We could do it, you know," I say quietly.

"What?" I hear Katniss's voice on my left.

"Leave the district. Run off. Live in the woods, we could make it," I say.

Katniss listens quietly to my absurd suggestion. I'm starting to get the feeling that she'll burst out laughing when her face lights up madly too.

She explains another option to me several times before I get it. It's actually quite brilliant... and even though I know that our families will have a hard time, Katniss and I could be there to help. In fact, they don't have to do anything they can't. My preposterous proposal seems less joke-worthy the more we talk, and we amuse ourselves for the rest of breakfast.

Even as we get up to start hunting, I can't help but run our conversation through my head blissfully with an ignorant mind in which I usually don't have the privilege to enjoy. Katniss and I can run; we're really fast too. That improves our chances of this whole thing working out. If we were to wait, and if one of our names are drawn, mine being the most likely... I'll act like I'll go along, and then make a break for it. I'm thinking the Peacekeepers will have guns, but the mess of the large crowd will be difficult for them to navigate through. District Twelve needs a rebellion anyway, it's long overdue if you ask me. The problem is, if we run off too early, they'll harm our friends, and people who we are close to, because they'll think they were involved. But if we do it in front of the whole village, they won't be blamed, because they could just say they didn't know what was going on; and there's no way to prove they did. At least that's what I would hope for.

We get a good haul today, and as we swing be the Hob, we're preparing to ask some of our customers for their opinion. I trade six fish with Greasy Sae, and while we've got her attention, I whisper to her our idea.

"Sounds interesting. I'd be up for it, but ain't sure anyone else will agree," Greasy Sae says as we thank her.

It turns out she was wrong. Many, if not all, of our traders think that this is the spark of rebellion that many of the strong minds in District Twelve have been waiting for. Also, there is little enough excitement in our dull village at any time of year, so the Peacekeepers will definitely not expect it.

The chances Katniss's or my name being pulled isn't entirely said for though, so all this is for nought anyway. Even if our names are pulled, realistically, we'll just go up the stage; it's better than risking something like this. It was fun to think about while it lasted.

We meet up in the village, and even though I had joked to my mother about what Katniss and I talked about to calm her down, I assure her one last time -and my siblings- that my name won't be pulled in the first place. I join the eighteen year olds and I spot Katniss in a clump of sixteens. We exchange a glance for luck.

As the clock strikes 2, the mayor starts reading the history of Panem. I tune it all out and hope for the best. I must have missed the reading of previous victors, because when i come back to reality, Effie Trinket is saying her line. I find Katniss again, and smile.

"Ladies first!" She walks over to the big glass ball, and I just have time to wish Katniss luck in my head.

It's a great thing I'm calm at the moment, because Effie crosses back to the podium, and reads the name on the paper in a loud, echoing voice.

Primrose Everdeen is the new girl tribute.

Primrose?! Didn't she only have 1 entry? If anything I had expected Katniss's name to be pulled. I see Katniss and there is a ghost of a gasp on her face. She seems stunned and at a loss for words. Then, her eyes widen and her look tells me that she remembers our ridiculous plan. She turns to me with a pleading look. Katniss loves Prim enough to do anything for her, so it doesn't surprise me that she'd be willing to start a possible rebellion for her sister. My eyes tells her my thoughts, go along with it for a while to not cause suspicion. We'll figure this out.

Katniss nods, I know that she's not taking any chances in case it doesn't work out. I see Prim walking along and as soon as Katniss follows my gaze she instantly reacts.

"Prim!"

Prim is still walking in small robotic steps.

"Prim!" Katniss shouts with creeping desperation.

With one sweep of her arm, Prim is brushed behind her. "I volunteer!" She gasps. "I volunteer as tribute!"

I turn away from the stage for a moment, thinking. I then look to my family and Katniss's also. My mom looks grim, but she understands me best when I need her to. She quietly heads away from the square with my siblings and Katniss's family. With the commotion, no one notices. I see her heading in a slightly slanted direction towards our house, and emerge with what looks like sleeping bags and a small bag of supplies before joining the others. I wish she had just run straight towards the fence instead.

"Let go!"

I turn around again and see Prim clinging onto Katniss. I walk up to Prim and pull her off.

"Up you go, Catnip," I say, and I look her straight in the eye. Katniss runs a lot faster than Prim. I hope I'm doing the right thing.

She doesn't nod but I know we're on the same page.

I carry Prim away, the crowd doesn't notice, they are pre-occupied with what's happening on the stage. Once we're out of view, I let go of Prim and we run towards to hole in the fence.

"What's going on? I want to stay with Katniss. Will Katniss be okay?" Prim asks me. She's only followed me so far because she trusts me. The last thing I need is for her to run back.

"Yeah, she'll be fine," I say indifferently. But, will she? I shake my head to get the thought out of my head.

"No worries, I'm going back to the reaping in a moment."

Once Prim is safely with our family's, I talk real fast.

"I'm going back to check on Katniss, Once you see us coming, head into the woods. Run. They can't pursue us as fast, because they'll be stuck with the crowd… do you understand?" I look at each of my family members, even little Posy. They don't question me.

"Be careful, Gale." Hazelle reminds me.

"I will."

Katniss is standing at the stage when I see her. She sees me too, because she gives a slight, unnoticeable nod. I look around for a safe way to start a commotion of sorts. Katniss sees me and searches too. As if on cue, Haymitch falls of the stage, drunk. Perfect! I couldn't have asked for a better distraction. With all the cameras and attention on him, Katniss's escape is even easier. Right then, Katniss slips off the stage and falls into a full sprint. Unfortunately, the Peacekeepers notice almost at once, but with everyone flooded into their path, they are not as graceful as Katniss. She reaches me now, and we sprint, full out towards the fence, not looking back.

It's mayhem back there. The Peacekeepers are blocked by all 8 thousand people, the entire population of District Twelve. But they are not idle. They bring out guns and are shooting at random. My lip curls up in disgust. Killing innocent people. That almost sends me running back, but I know I won't be able to do much, and once they realize we're gone, they'll stop. I motion for our families to run as they come into view. Then I help Katniss through the hole and climb in myself.

We're still running as we reach our weapons; I take one last look at District Twelve and see fire arising. I hope desperately that most of the people are safe. And even if they're not, one day -if Katniss and I are still alive- we will come back for them. Because I already know... in hopes that it still exists... District Thirteen is where we're heading.

I grit my teeth, but as I see Katniss beside me, I smile.

I grab her hand, and look forwards.

"Let's go."

Please R&R! and even if what you want to say is offensive, I'll take it! :)