No Matter How Far I Wander,Trouble Always Finds Me

I was alone, a relief after the busy District of four. I had made a stop there on my ever wandering path to stock up on supplies. I had been running low on matches, and I had needed a new tarp as the one I had finally gave way under a viscous rainstorm the other night. Now that I had what I needed I could make my way toward one of the other Districts and make my little camp near it. Perhaps I should start making maps, if I had had more patience then I probably would have already. I might start that project later, beginning at District twelve, or whatever lay beyond it. I heard that there was an ocean out that way, it would be cool to take a look sometime.

My footsteps quiet in the near silence of the forest, I masked my movements in the sounds of the birds and small animals that skittered all around me. I had gotten good at it, fitting into the way that people said Trouble always sneaks up on you. It was true, I did sneak up on people. Generally when I was this quiet it was because I was sneaking in or out of a District, or stealing. I wasn't necessarily proud of my thefts, though all were successful. I was a pickpocket at best, nowhere near a master thief, but I still wasn't sure I liked having to steal. For the most part I paid for everything, but there was the odd time when I needed something and I didn't have enough for it.

Anyway, I was on my way toward an unexplored area by one of the Districts, I wasn't sure which, and it was an exciting experience for me. It wasn't often that I went somewhere I hadn't already been. Two years as a wanderer, and a restless one at that, had given me the drive to investigate the entirety of the land surrounding Panem. I would never call any place home, especially not my old District of eight, it just wasn't in me to settle anywhere. I had seen other people who lived outside of Panem, the so called 'wanderers' had set up house in one spot and it was evident that it would take a lot to get them to move from where they were. It wasn't appealing to me, but I never bothered to tell them that, they would never understand my urge to constantly move. I was probably one of the few wanderers who actually lived up to the classification.

The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of creating maps. I wasn't sure how well I would be able to draw them, but I could always bring my rough sketches to a mapmaker and have them draw up real copies. Perhaps I could sell them, make money off of them. Or I might even be able to help people escape Panem. No, I was thinking too far too fast on this. I might sell them, but first I would get a set for my own use, and even before the I would enjoy this moment of unknown. The ground beneath my feet was a soft mixture of twigs, leaves, flower petals and dirt. It was nice to walk on and took very little effort on my part to make my steps silent.

I had been walking for another ten or so minutes, taking in the serenity of the empty forest, when I heard rustling from a spot to my front and left. Instinctively I grabbed for the knife I kept on my belt, wrapping my fingers around the hilt of the blade to be ready in case it was a wild animal. I was surprised to see what was actually behind the underbrush as a black muzzle protruded from the bush. Watching the shape curiously, my grip still tight on my weapon, I waited to see whether the horse would retreat or charge when it saw me. Instead of doing either, the horse pushed her way out of the bush and stood there for a moment, gazing at me.

She was all black except for a brilliantly white diamond shape on her forehead and not quite as white socks that rose up to both knees on the front. She had another stocking that reached her hock on one of her back legs. The fourth leg was completely black. She looked to be of a decent size, and I guessed her withers to come up to my chest. Softly I talked to her, clucking in a call to come over to me. I could see a saddle and  bridle were on her, which made me wonder why she was on her own without a rider. It was obvious she wasn't a wild pony, so she had either run away or he rider had fallen off.

Slowly, she came forward to stand in front of me, still watching me with a large brown eye. Reaching out a hand, I brushed her cheek with the tips of my fingers, waiting to see if she'd shy away before I tried to grab her. I didn't want to scare the poor thing, as it seemed that she must have been driven into flight by something. She snuffled my arm and hand, pressing her nose into my palm as she breathed in my scent. I smiled at her, and stroked the length of her face. Nickering softly, she nudged my pockets. I huffed, "Silly girl, you've got a bit in. You can't eat anything right yet." Indignant, the mare snorted at me, as though saying she knew very well she had a bit in, but that she would be able to eat anyway. I just shook my head at the goofy creature.

Pausing for a moment, I wondered if I should take her back to her owner. Maybe I should stay here instead to wait for them to follow her trail. It would be hard for anyone to miss the large hole she had left in the bush, but I wasn't sure if the signs of a passing horse stretched far enough back for me to be able to take her back the way she had come. So, instead, I turned to her. "Alright girl, can you take me back to your owner?" She just blinked at me in a way that either meant flat out no, or that she could but only if there was something in it for her. "Greedy thing." I muttered, pushing her head lightly with just my finger tips. She huffed at me, as though insulted. I couldn't help but grin. This was the reason why I like animals so much more than humans, they listen better and make for better conversation. People are boring.

I had gathered the reins in one hand, and was about to set off to find the mare's owner when I heard a shout, or it might have been a call. Either way, the mare's ears perked right up and she looked completely alert. I knew that that must have been the owner who had called, and so I stayed where I was, still holding the mare's reins in my hand.

The yelling grew louder, sounding more like a desperate scream than a call. The horse beside me took a sniff to smell the air and raised her head again, eager for whoever was coming. When I saw a shape in the hole the mare had made in the bush, I felt the mare relax a little. The calling stopped, but I was able to hear the name once before it did, "Daisy!" As the name reached us, I realized two things. One, the owner was female, and two, it probably looked like I was trying to steal this horse, Daisy.

Daisy let out a joyful neigh, blasting my ears with the loud sound because of the close proximity. Rubbing my momentarily deaf ears, I watched as a girl who looked near about my age, but maybe a year or two older, bolted toward us. As she got closer, I could see she was crying. Not knowing what to do, I began to move to the side so I would be out of the way. Daisy stamped a foot lightly, as if telling me that I was going nowhere. I shook my head at her. Silly horse, I thought at her, I have no place to stay here, you're back with your owner, and I need to get back to my travels.

It was too late for me to just leave though, I had been spotted by the girl. It was obvious, seeing the way her gaze had locked on me, even as she looked back and forth between Daisy and me. I couldn't tell whether she was going to accuse me of stealing the mare, or whether she would thank me for catching her. Truthfully, I knew that Daisy would have returned home eventually, as all horses do. It takes a lot for a horse to be unable to return home.

Wondering what I should do now, I once more tried to just edge away. A snort from Daisy stopped me, reprimanding me as it did so. Staying put, I turned to look at horse and owner. Just standing there, I felt like an idiot, and I knew that if I ever told anyone that a horse had forced me to stay that I would sound like one too. There was nothing for it, though, I would have to stay. Crossing my arms for the comfort, though the effect was great too, I waited until either Daisy dismissed me or I spoke to the owner. Goofball horse, what's she up to?

I could feel her eyes scanning me, and I could see her trying to decide what I was doing. When I had moved away, there was a small shift in her eyes as though she didn't want me to go. It was odd, that she had so quickly decided that she wanted me around. Perhaps she had been separated from other people for so long that she missed human interaction, but I'm just speculating. It wasn't her gaze that had made me move back toward the pair, but Daisy's insistence.

As I spoke, a smile rose onto her face. Whether she enjoyed my humor, or it was something else, I couldn't tell. I watched as she froze for a moment, as though something had stuck her thoughts. Right at that moment I heard the yell of a boy, probably about this girl's age if I could guess right. I wasn't the greatest with voices, but the way conflicting emotions flashed through the girl's eyes and the harsh flick of the tail given by Daisy were any clue, they were running from him. My thoughts were confirmed as she finally spoke to me. "Get on her! Get on now! We have to go!" She looked panicked, and made a shooing motion at me to mount up.

Swinging myself up into the saddle, I reached down a hand and gripped her arm to help her up onto Daisy's back. I heard the thud of rushed footsteps and the rustle of someone brushing past bushes. "Hyaa Daisy!" The mare leaped forward, surging into a canter at the command from the girl. I gripped the reins with one hand as I turned to look behind us, knowing what I would see but curious all the same. As I had expected, the boy had burst through the hole in the bush his blonde hair ruffled and anger glinting in his eyes. Smiling cheerfully at him, I waved and yelled, "Have fun keeping up!"

I felt the girl tense behind me, and I realized that she wasn't holding on yet. I wanted to go into a gallop, to put as much distance between us and the boy, but I couldn't if she would fall off. Grimacing to myself, I grabbed one of her hands and pulled it so her arm was now around my stomach. Switching which hand held the reins, I did the same with her other arm. Now that she was holding on, I leaned low against Daisy's neck and urged the mare into a gallop. Eagerly, as though she hadn't had a good run in a while, she lengthened her stride and changed from the three-beat canter to the extended four-beat gallop.

Racing through the forest, and leaving the tree-dodging up to Daisy, I turned my head to look at the girl behind me. Her hair, being blown around from the wind of our fast-paced escape, was wavy and slightly unkempt, and a light brown colour. Her eyes, the vibrant green of the plants that surrounded us, were open wide in what I would guess to still be panic. She was shorter than me by about a half-foot, and of a slender build. I looked forward again, unable to talk as we raced between trees.

When Daisy began to tire, I softly pulled on the reins, telling her that she could slow down. She did, falling into a lazy canter before shifting into a trot. I stroked her neck and gave her a couple pats, making a mental note to give her the apple in my pocket as a reward. Once more, I turned to gaze at the girl who clung to me, taking a deep breath to steady myself and my breathing after the effort of staying on during the long gallop. "So," I said, panting slightly, "who are you?" It seemed to be an odd time to ask, but the whole meeting with this girl had been odd.

I was breathing lighter now, and had more or less stopped panting. "And who was that guy we were running from?" I had about a dozen questions for her, but for right now I would leave it at those two. It's easier to get answers if you don't ask a million questions all at once.

It seemed that she trust me, enough to answer my questions with more information than I was expecting. What I had been ready for as her answer, it didn't come, instead I paused so evidently that Daisy nearly stopped until I urged her to continue with a small squeeze of my legs. "I am Harmony Winds," it was the simple answer I had been expecting, now she would say another name or even that she didn't know who the guy was and shoot me a question, but no of course not. That would be too simple.

"The guy we were running from is my boyfriend, Caldwell." I winced slightly, trying not to make it too obvious. I didn't want to be in the middle of a relationship dispute. "He wanted to leave Daisy, but I needed her. A long time ago he took me and her away from my brother Matthew and his family. She was the only thing I had left of him." I couldn't help but think that that didn't sound very boyfriend like, but kept silent. I was in no place to tell her how to live her life. Well, I was but that's beside the point.

I would have left it at that, actually I would have left it at less, but it was evident she was not me. "You should have ran away without me. I would have been fine, I don't know what he'll do to you now when he finds us. Why did you take me with you anyway?" This was great, just great. I had just taken off at a gallop with a girl in front of an obviously highly protective, and so called 'boyfriend' even I thought 'keeper' would have been a more accurate term from what she had said. By the time she had finished her voice had risen from barely more than a whisper to a carrying tone that would alert any person around us to our presence. Not that I thought was.

Okay, here I went. It was time to reply to her bit of shocking news. Alright, I'm being over dramatic, but c'mon it's fun. "I took you with me because I" saw panic in your eyes "thought you were in trouble," I grinned at the mention of my name, though she didn't know it and probably thought I was crazy, or even creepy, "so I wanted to help you." It's just something I do, as I always find myself in the middle of trouble, I may as well help one of the people involved. I had to admit, I have a soft spot for getaways. Successfully running from someone, and perhaps infuriating them in the process, it gave me a thrill that nothing else could. Coupled with a good gallop like we had just had, I felt great.

I looked up to gaze at what little sky I could see between the branches. The darkening blue that greeted my eyes was as good a warning as any that we would have to make camp, and soon, unless we wanted to stumble around in the forest at night. From experience I knew that was not a good idea, but that's a story for another time. I gave a small squeeze on the reins to bring Daisy to a halt. I turned to look at the girl behind me, Harmony. "We have to make camp. It's getting late and if we go too much longer we'll be wandering" oh unintentional puns, they make up my life. Perhaps I should have named myself Trouble Pun Gravamen. There's still time to do it, "in the dark. And trust me, it's best we're settled for the night."

I knew she was probably frightened, terrified even, of probably everything that had just happened. Being chased down by her boyfriend, taken away on a galloping horse by a boy she didn't know, and then being brought to the middle of nowhere and being told to camp with said stranger. I personally found it exciting, an adventure of sorts, different from the ordinary. I enjoyed different, it made everything more interesting, even if that different involved a probably murderous boy who wanted to recapture his girlfriend and most likely kill me for taking her. It didn't scare me, though, not much did. My grin molded in a deadly line as I put a hand on my knife hilt. "And don't worry about being attacked in the night, or even that so called 'boyfriend' of yours. I'm well prepared."

Perhaps it was time I thought about carrying larger weapons in my pack, if I had any room. Then again, it wasn't every day I had to run from an angry boy with poor intent, and try to protect a damsel at the same time. Hoo boy, wasn't my life exciting!

Even as I continued to grin at her, I could see annoyance bubble to her face. It amused me, to think that I could bug her as easily as I did. Her outburst, which caught me by surprise at first, amused me all the more once she had finished. "Listen here, buddy," That's not my name, but whatever, I'll run with it for the moment though, I silently mused, waiting to see what kind of big lecture I would be getting. Big lectures always started with 'listen here' or 'now see here'. "I don't know who you are, or who you think you are," ooh, that hurt, not really, "but I have lived in the very forest we sit in since I was six." And yet I probably know more territory around the entirety of Panem in two years than you have in what, thirteen? "I've known the guy we are running from since I was sixteen." I thought that after three years you would already know a person well enough to stay on their good side, but I kept quiet, waiting for her extended lecture to finish.

"And I have known how to take care of myself for some while now." See, I knew it was a big lecture. "And I don't think we should set up camp." You don't? What do you think we should be doing instead princess? I nearly chuckled as I thought it, and was contemplating letting myself do so just to see what she would say when she continued, "Caldwell will search well into the night for us, and while you have the knife, I'm the one he wants. It would be more logical to keep moving." It seemed she was more afraid for what Caldwell would do to me than what I would do to Caldwell, unsure whether to act touched or insulted I just kept listening.

"Who are you anyway? A 'night in shining armor'?" Playing along with her jab, as though seriously considering the idea, I looked down at myself, twisting to look over every inch of me. I pretended to look disappointed, and made it plain that I was kidding around with her. "I'm not wearing any armor, so I guess not." My voice and face fell as did my gaze, until it rested on the black neck of Daisy. Suddenly, as though having a brilliant idea, I brightened. "But I am riding a mighty steed." My voice was filled with so much fake enthusiasm as to be sarcastic.

Deciding that that had been enough silliness, for the moment, I began to answer her, "First of all, my name isn't 'Buddy', it's Trouble." See how she took that; for all it was the truth a lot of people didn't believe me most of the time. "I'm me, and I only think I'm me, no point trying to believe otherwise." Okay, okay, I couldn't give up teasing her, but can you blame me? You can, well I guess, but whatever it's too fun. "And congratulations on living in the same area for what, twelve years? I personally would be bored out of my mind after a few months. Good to know I'm travelling with a Wanderer who doesn't wander." I put emphasis on the irony of it, making another jab at her. It was only fair, as she had attempted to insult me, twice!

"Despite your argument, which contains little persuasion or reason aside from your fear, I still believe that we should camp. I mean look at poor Daisy." As if in agreement with me, the mare gave a hearty sigh. I ran a hand over her neck and shoulder, feeling how her veins were still standing out against her muscles from the run. "She needs to have a rest, even if you don't. Besides, I have a whole bunch of supplies with me." I gestured to the pack which I had slung in front of me as I had mounted. It hadn't exactly been comfortable to bump against it as we galloped, well actually it had felt like I was being slammed into a concrete block every time that Daisy dodged something but no matter, but I needed it so I had put up with the extra jostling.

I turned to look at her, feeling my stubbornness flare. I was sure she would be able to see the signs of it; people have said that it's easy to tell when I wanted to get something to go my way by the glint in my eyes and the set of my jaw. Even if I had to push her off of this horse, we would rest. I wouldn't go as far as to tie her up, for all I had the rope for it, it would seem pointless considering what we were running from. "Now, you need to dismount first before I do, unless you want to get kicked in the head." My voice was as much a warning as a request, and I thought I might actually have to knock her off of Daisy to get her down.

It seemed I had successfully annoyed her, as I saw the flash of anger in her eyes before she attempted to act as though she didn't care and rolled her eyes. Trying to steal my thing. She had looked at Daisy as the mare sighed, and a look of concern washed over her face for a moment. At that point, I thought I might've gotten through to her. She watched me, gaging to see if I was telling the truth. At my last sentence, she smiled. It wasn't an appeasing smile, or a kind smile, it was as sure as hell a devious one.

Knowing this, I sat there unamused as she tried to provoke me. It almost worked too, "I don't think you could get me off this horse if you tried." I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. She continued, "I'm glad you know who you are, that's important. And I have been around here, all over this area in fact, but Caldwell knows it better than even I do. He'll also know how to find us, we've had to track Daisy down before."

Hadn't she heard anything I had just said? I already told her I could deal with that Caldwell fellow. I had taken some training in a Career gym during a short stay in District two, and more when I visited One and Four. I could handle a few different weapons, not least of them the knife I kept on me at all times. I had killed wild dogs when a few had tried to attack me, and chased off one of the mountain lions that liked to hang around District twelve. I should have no trouble with this problem of a boyfriend. Trouble, I showed up everywhere.

I gave her a smile, as mischievous as her own, as I said, with as much false patience as I could muster, "Both fortunately and unfortunately for you, you're wrong." I hated to do it, but she had forced me to. I lifted both hands from Daisy and put them on the small of her back, giving one big push to send her tumbling to the ground. Daisy snorted, objecting to the rough treatment of her owner. I stroked the mare's neck, speaking to her, "Well, if she had just dismounted like a good girl then I wouldn't have had to do it." I turned to grin down at her, putting my new height advantage to use. "That," I said, gleefully devious, "was the unfortunate part of your mistake. As for the fortunate part," I paused to add false drama to my statement, "I am perfectly capable of handling that Caldwell fellow, whether or not he finds us. After tonight we can head away from here and closer toward the Capitol, if it makes you feel any better. Perhaps I can even sneak you into a new District."

I grinned down at her, slinging my pack over my shoulders before swinging down off of Daisy. Thankfully, I had spent enough time in District ten to pick up on the skills of horseback riding. It helped that I also seemed to have a bit of a knack with animals. Perhaps they sensed my honest personality. What? I'm not all that honest? Well, maybe not to people, but that's beside the point. Right now I was standing on the ground, looking at the girl at my feet with a raised eyebrow. I flashed one last grin at her before clicking to Daisy. "C'mon girl, let's go find a place to set up camp." I began to walk away, and soon heard Daisy's hoof eats following me. There was a soft nicker from the mare, my guess was it was her attempt to get Harmony to come along, but she kept following me. Grinning just for the show of it, I turned to look over my shoulder. "You coming, Harmony?"

As I had asked the question, she had been looking at me. Now she dramatically blew her hair out of her face, whether to seem as though she was contemplating my asking, or as if a silent ask to have help getting up. Either way, she got up, massaging her backside as though it was sore from her fall. I have to admit, the thud that she had made when she hit the ground had surprised me, it wasn't as she was all that big but it had been a large thud.

Limping to Daisy and me, whether because she was actually hurt, or because she was teasing me, I couldn't tell, she rolled her eyes. She straightened slightly, and began to move faster, indicating that it had been a ruse. As she drew up beside us, she asked, "So.. Mr. Tough, woodsy type where do you think we should camp?" She snickered, and I only had a moment's warning before her elbow was in my gut. In an attempt to amuse her, I bent over and grunted as though it hurt.

Daisy interrupted before I could retaliate, whinnying and stamping a foot. Looking over to her, I saw that she was a little way away and standing in a decently sized clearing that was obviously solid. "Looks like Daisy has already picked a spot!" It seemed she had. From where I was bent over, I looked up at Harmony. She returned my gaze, a smile creeping across her face. After a moment, I couldn't hold it in and I began to laugh; so did she. When the overload of mirth had subsided, and I could move again, I went over to where Daisy was.

Harmony joined me, and flopped down by Daisy, resting against the horse's leg. I knew that Daisy wouldn't move unless she was spooked, so Harmony should be alright there. Then again, that was the kind of thinking that got people killed in District ten. Someone my friend knew had died from being kicked by a horse he had thought would never cause a problem. Recklessness, it was as dangerous as it was fun, but it was all about risk versus reward. Was it all worth it? Oh look now, I'm having an inward discussion of something unrelated to teasing someone. I should stop before I get too serious. That wouldn't be fun.

Looking at me, Harmony says, "Okay, mister woodsy, make us a fire would you?"Daisy, the turn-coat, nickered as though she was laughing at me. I raised my eyebrows, her demand ruffling my feathers a bit. Pushing the feeling away, I grinned at her, all goofy like. "What, no snap of the fingers?" For all I tried to be lighthearted and joking, a slight edge creeps into my voice, making it sharp. "Well, sir, yes, sir. Right on it, mam." I gave a mock salute, the edge still in my voice and a jagged flick accenting the end of my movement. Turning, I walked away to look for some larger sticks, and maybe something more fresh for dinner than the canned food and jerky strips that I had in my pack.

I came across plenty of tinder, and even a thick branch that had broken off of a nearby tree. It took some effort to break it, but I managed. Carrying back the armful of wood, I set about placing the kindling, some paper that I had grabbed and handfuls of dried pine needles, before drawing out a book of matches from my backpack. Striking one, I light it and drop it in the pile of kindling. Before it can burn out, I lean down beside where the paper smoked and gently blew on the newly forming flame. After a moment, the tiny spark caught on the kindling. I had to jump back as the flame flared up for a moment, nearly catching me in it's burst.

Going over to the pile of wood I had made, I picked up a couple of the thinner twigs and began to break them into pieces that were about a foot long. Then I started to create a small tipi like structure, or attempted to. I had to be careful not to burn myself as I tried to place the thin sticks. When those caught, I took more and placed them until I only had thicker sticks. I was silent the entire time, waiting for Harmony to speak. I had made the fire as she had ordered, and now I had to set up the tent. Going over to my pack, I unstrapped my sleeping bag and the tent that I had attached to the outside. I carried them over to a bit behind the fire before placing them down.

Moving the sleeping bag out of the way, I set up the tent. Now that that was up, I ducked inside and unrolled my sleeping bag, laying it out on the floor of the tent. Peeking out, and attempting to see the sky, I tried to gauge whether or not I would need to set up the tarp. If we could avoid having to use it, then we could pack up camp quicker. Oh who was I kidding, tree-princess Harmony wouldn't help me set up or tear down camp. I was on my own for both. Perhaps I just wouldn't let her use my sleeping bag, as I had been thinking about doing.

I turned to look at her, now that I was done and I felt the silence had stretched long enough. "Do you have a sleeping bag? Or will you have to sleep on the ground?" In a meager attempt at regaining the humor I had just had, I said, "I will not have any leaves or pine needles in my tent. It gets too uncomfortable when they get into my sleeping bag." I didn't mention that it was especially irritating considering I generally slept in just my boxers, though sometimes I do keep a shirt on as well. I guess tonight I would have to sleep in my clothes, though I didn't overly enjoy it, it was better than being half-naked in front of a girl I didn't particularly know well. A girl I was going to share a tent with.