Mess Hall

Furius followed me all the way over to the mess hall and I sat down when we got there, petting him and laughing when he licked my face. "I think he likes me."



Me and the guys went over to our food stores and unloaded what we'd caught today. I grabbed some meat and took it over to the stove. It was an old fashioned stove so I had to start a fire first. "So give me the 4-1-1," I said to Jason as I cooked and Bret got things together to make a stew.

I started telling him the details about how bad things had gotten, then I explained to him about Faye and Jasper "Hurting her pushed me over the edge, the only thing I regret is not telling Megan but it was for the best."

I shook my head. "Shit, that's ridiculous. I can't stand men that think hitting women is okay. It's good you got her out of there. And I'm sorry about Megan, it's too bad you couldn't bring her too. You did the right thing by not telling her though, she would've just been in more danger that way."

"I hope others find their way out soon...today was another reaping day if I'm not mistaken."

I shook my head, knowing from personal experience how being in the games could really fuck someone up. "Horrible stuff. I can't believe they're still doing that. Well, actually I can, it doesn't surprise me."

I shook my head and sighed, "Then they celebrate, like....its a damn joyous occasion to send out the ones you love, to slaughter one another, yeah id rather deal with the out here, than the there, ever again."

"You and me both. At least the only thing we have to worry about out here is the occasional stray animal."

"Nope, i said tapping my knife at my boot top, they worry about me." i chuckled and looked at Jason. "So, what are yall's plan, or is it more a taking it day by day deal?"

I came over, Bret's wolf still at my heels. "We've been looking for a place to settle down, anywhere that's not there. We found this place and... were kind of hoping we could stay here?"

I looked at Jack and shrugged. "I mean, hes your boy man, its whatever you say dude."

"Done, I don't mind at all. You two can have the house you were in before and we'll show you the ropes tomorrow."

"Thanks, we appreciate more than you know."


"No problem, as long as my pet there doesn't start staying with your lady more than does me." I winked.

"yeah well you spend too much time with that wold anyways, makes me wonder" i teased and ducked when he swung wide, laughing.

I laughed. "Alright, food's ready. New comers first," I said, letting Faye and Jason get plates before everyone else.

"Thanks again, Jack."

"You know it's no biggie," I said as we sat down at one of the tables. "I'm a dangerous enemy, but I'll do anything for a friend."

"That's how we have to be." I said "I don't understand it though Jack, the guys I worked with..I grew up with them. They weren't psychotic the way they are now, I don't understand it."

I shook my head. "I don't know man. Sometimes... people just change. You can't explain it. And being there... it's the way of it. Some just go along to save face, then get in the habit." I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Neither do I." I said "So you guys have just been living out here this whole time? So there is a lot wild game and such out here?"

"Yeah, there's always plenty to eat. There's game in the forest, lizards, birds, and a lake and river a couple miles from here, we usually go every couple weeks to stock up on fish. We have a garden too. Everything is practically untouched out here, not ruined by the Peacekeepers or the Capitol, so the larger game tends to head our way."

"That's great, at least I know we won't be starving out here."

"We never have. And we're good at storing too, there's a cellar underneath here. We have a lot of food stored."

"Good to hear, don't worry we'll pull our weight. I've been teaching Faye since we left Kampfer."

"I don't know a lot yet, but I can cook on a stove. Over a fire, not so much yet," I said and laughed a bit.



I chuckled. "I'm sure you do just fine. Whatever you guys can contribute is great. It'll be nice to have more people around here. And I'm glad you're doing alright Jason. I always wondered how you were getting along."