Here it is guys, the first chapter of the sequel to A Hunter's Tale. I hope you like it, I'm struggling to get going with this story!

A Basic disclaimer applies to this story. I can only claim credit for the characters of Rowan Everdeen and Jessica Wells, the rest of the characters and the story can be credited to Suzanne Collins and the wonderful Hunger Games universe that she created. There are also a handful of situations where dialogue is either very similar or exactly the same as in Suzanne Collins work.

Chapter 1

It's a crisp autumn day and I find myself in the meadow on the border of district 12. It's been just over three months since my victory in the Hunger Games and this place has been my refuge. I come here as an escape from the horrible memories that have haunted me since my return.

I find it peaceful. The familiar scent and sounds help me to distance myself from reality. However much my friends and family try, none of them really understand how I've changed, how scarred I have become.

It must be around mid-morning, I came out here early after not being able to sleep at all. I never get much rest before I am woken up by visions of mutts or bloody corpses. The most common nightmare I have is of Jess, her death still weighs heavily on my mind. I've spoken to her family and they assure me that they don't blame me but I still feel so much guilt.

I feel someone sit down beside me, I didn't hear them approaching. I only know one person who can tread that silently.

"Morning Rowan, ready to go hunting?" asks Katniss.

"Huh?" I mumble.

"Hunting, you said yesterday that you'd join me today" sighs Katniss.

"Oh yeah, of course, let's get going" I say.

Katniss seems surprised at my response, but pleased as well. I haven't been out hunting with Katniss as regularly since I've come back. Sometimes I have bad days where I'm sure that I wouldn't be able to handle the woods without having horrible flashbacks of the games. Today is a good day though so I decide to go with my sister.

The fence is only a short trip from the meadow, so we make it there in no time. The electricity isn't on so we scoot under straight away and start the usual trek to our hollow tree. It's still early so we should be able to get a good haul.

Katniss and I gather our bows and lose ourselves in the hunt. We built a silent language in the four years we hunted together, and I haven't lost it since the games. We move around silently, throwing rocks to release birds from their nests for the other to shoot. I notice a deer track and point it out to Katniss who nods her head at me.

Whereas Katniss's strength is her shooting, mine is my tracking ability. I'm yet to lose anything that I have picked up a trail on, and today is no exception. After 25 minutes of tracking, Katniss and I are met with the sight of a fully grown buck, grazing in a clearing.

I give Katniss a hand signal and she moves around to flank the deer. I nock my arrow and wait for her to get into position. Once she is, she gives me the signal and nocks her own arrow. After a few seconds, we both nod and release our arrows at the same time, Katniss aiming for the eye, me for the throat. Both are dead on and the buck falls instantly.

It's as if I'm taken back three months and am in the arena again. The buck is Petra and my arrow has just pierced her throat, killing her instantly. I drop my bow, crouch down on the floor and close my eyes to try and shut out the visions but all I can hear are the choking sounds that were the last noises Petra ever made.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and I freak out, getting to my feet and tackling the culprit to the floor. I have to survive! I have to win, for Zara and for Jess. I hear a familiar soft voice and my eyes snap open. I see that I am leaning over Katniss with my hands pinning her to the ground, there is so much fear in her eyes. I get off her immediately and sit down in the clearing with my head in my hands.

"Katniss. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have… it's like I was back in the arena. I'm so sorry, did I hurt you?" I ask.

"I'm fine Rowan, don't worry. I can handle myself, I'm an Everdeen remember?" she replies.

"But I could have really hurt you, if I hadn't snapped out of it" I say.

"You did though, you'd never hurt me Rowan, I know you. I thought that this might happen sooner or later. We got a pamphlet from the Capitol warning us of stuff like this." replies Katniss.

"Why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have come back out hunting with you if you'd said something. Maybe you should just stick with Gale from now on" I think aloud.

Katniss and I have been running into Gale Hawthorne more often than usual lately. We used to see him every now and then before the games but he was only ever an acquaintance to us, we kept ourselves to ourselves. He's well known among the seam as one of the best trappers around. We could make quite a trio with his snares, Katniss' shooting and my tracking. Katniss hunted with Gale while I was in the games and has been out with him on the few occasions that I haven't been up for it.

"Gale? But you're such a better hunter than he is, I prefer it with you. Gale and I could never have taken down this buck without your tracking skills" Katniss argues.

"It's too risky though, I don't want to hurt you" I reply.

"Hmph! I could take you down if I had to! It was my fault anyway, I shouldn't have touched you while you were in that state. I'll be more careful" she says.

"Okay, but make sure you knock me out at the first sign that I'm going crazy" I ask.

"Of course. Come on, let's get this buck back to the fence" suggests Katniss.

An animal this size will reach a huge price at the hob, but since the games I've been more inclined to trade with the butcher. I feel I owe a debt to Jess' family and providing them with a steady stream of meat lightens my conscience. Katniss understands this and allows it.

We stop just at the treeline with the buck and do some field preparation on it with our knives to make it easier to transport undetected. Katniss and I manage to fit half of it in our game bags relatively concealed and agree to come back for the rest of it later.

We make it to the butchers and Mr Wells' eyes light up when he sees what we've brought. We do our trading and get a fair price for the catch. I'm sure that this buck will provide the Wells family for a month or two. I hear the shop bell go off and turn around to see Hamish entering the shop, he looks so much like Jess.

"Hi Rowan, you been out hunting today?" he asks.

"Sure have buddy. Your Dad will fill you in on the catch but I have to say it's one of our best ever, right Katniss?" I say.

"Definitely, Rowan's the best tracker in the district, it had no chance. A buck, probably weighs about 140 lbs" replies Katniss. Hamish's eyes go wide and he runs to the counter to have a look.

"Wow, that's amazing. I wish I could go out into the woods" sighs Hamish. I look warily over at Hamish's father who's subtly shaking his head, but with a smile.

"Maybe when you're much older hey Hamish, your Dad needs all the help he can get around here now" I say.

Hamish's expression drops and he nods his head, I've stupidly made him think about Jess, typical. Katniss and I say our goodbyes and head back towards the fence to gather the rest of the buck. As it's getting closer to winter and is pretty cold now, it should be easy enough to preserve it. Katniss will probably want to trade some of it at the bakery tomorrow though, any excuse to see Peeta.

We walk through town back towards Victor's Village, being extra careful to give peackeepers no reason to stop us. I glance over at the Mayor's house and can see a blonde haired girl staring out at us from a window. Madge. Our eye's lock for a few seconds and she give me a smile, before shaking her head and turning away.

I spot Katniss looking at me with a sad look, I haven't seen or spoken to Madge since my return and I've almost given up hope at this stage. Katniss explained that her father had forbidden her from seeing me after I came back from the Capitol. He was worried about how rebellious I had come across as during the games and didn't want Madge involved in it. Katniss grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze, leading me towards our house.

"Don't worry Rowan, I'm going to sort this out for you" says Katniss.