If a Tree Falls [Axel]

The forest seemed to take a deep breath as the figure made its way quietly down the pine-covered incline. Dusk got in a pouncing position, ready to strike the figure as he came by. Fear made the ardrinaline soar more as she heard each step of the man echo through the maze of trees and brush. She could even hear her own heart beat from her hollow insides. She could hear it echoing through the woods, even more turbulent than the footsteps.

Suspense caused her feet to cramp in painful bursts, she just wanted to run, but she knew she couldn't. That one force of survival and instinct held her down like a stone holds a balloon. But then she finally saw movement; the mans foot was stepping right beside her hiding place, and Dusk knew the moment he turned his head she'd be on him like a wild cat. Her knife shook in her hand, and she shuffled nervously, waiting to see the white of his eyes to show. But they never did. A startling shock shook her trembling body as she watched him keep on walking, in almost slow motion. She watched his every move closely, wondering if to attack or not. Her instinct didn't help her much, and she had to rely on reason.

As the man went down the slope, her body relaxed, but only enough to keep her body from trembling anymore. The clothing that was on his body was casual, and not that of a peacekeeper. He didn't even have one of those scary guns the peacekeepers usually had strapped around their bulky necks. Nonetheless, she still watched his back as he made his way to the middle of a nearby clearing.
I wonder what he's doing....

Curiousity spiked her being as Dusk watched he appeared to set up some food on the fresh grassy flooring. She watched him longingly.
Maybe I could go steal some food from him...[/color]
It would have been a great idea, ignoring the fact that he was probably atleast 5 years older than her, and twice as big. Dread crept into her, because she knew she would have to sit and wait for him to leave, and watch him eat his food while her stomach growled.
Ughh....[/color]
It was going to take all her strength inside for her not to just go up there and take a bite. She also noticed the amount of food he set out was enough for two.
Who else would he eat with? Was he really going to eat all of that food?

Suddenly though, a voice sliced through the air. It startled Dusk, and almost caused her to drop her knife.
"Hello friend, you have nothing to fear from me."
Dusk frowned, very confused. Did he think that she was someone else? Because she was definately not his friend. She also realized he must have seen her hiding in the bush, and let out a sigh of defeat. So much for trying to hide.
"I'm no Peacekeeper, nor am I a friend to them either, you don't have to hide."[/b]
Well that was a relief, but that didn't mean she trusted him. She decided to stay where she was, but the tingle near her waist objected greatly. Her legs were falling asleep from her akward position. Dusk wondered what to do.
Well, I mean he knows where you are. You might as well get out of your vurnerable position.[/i]
She guessed that made sense, and slowly and quietly got up. She held her knife out defensively, and kept close to trees she could jump behind if he pulled out a weapon as she neared the man. He must be a hunter of some kind, just like her, but she still didn't trust him.
"Who a-" Her voice cracked, and quickly she cleared it. "Who are you?"
She uttered it more demanding than before, and tried to sound twice her size and age so she wouldn't seem weak.[/size]

Dusk's knife was still held out before her, even as she watched the man throw his weapons out to the rocks. Her grip relaxed, but her alertness was kept up just as much, because she knew even without his weapons he could easily hold her down with his strength. She also didn't trust him for one big reason; he was a man. She didn't really trust men anymore, especially since the time when her dad left them. He had came back, but still, it wasn't the same. So Dusk really didn't trust this man before her, but was glad he wasn't drunk all the time, like her father. You couldn't be drunk if you were hunting.... Right?

"There you see I am unarmed, I have not a weapon on me. I would prefer that we both faced eachother before I reveal my name. I have a somewhat criminal record so just spouting my name off wouldn't be good. Come, you don't have to be afraid."[/b]
The man's voice was softer than she though it would be. Yes, Dusk had heard it before, but she didn't take the time to analyze it.
But why?
That was a very good point. Why was he being nice to her? Why was he trying to gain her trust? Did he feel sorry for her? If that was the case, Dusk would rather just spit on him and walk away rather than trust him with any bit of her soul. But maybe he was just trying to be nice?
Hahaha. Yeah right.
Nobody was ever nice to Dusk. Nice was foriegn, and was only gained by pity or hard work. Plus, you weren't just "nice" to a random girl wandering the forest.

Dusk thought for a second. It was a shame he wouldn't share his name, because that showed he didn't trust her either. She didn't blame him though. She certainly didn't trust him. But the reason intrested her even more. He had a criminal record?
Hey! Thats one thing we have in common.... Yesterday I stole a whole chicken from a butcher, and didn't even get chased![/color]
But her mood was too hard for her to joke about something as insane as that at the moment. She still sat, starring at him sullenly from the darkness of the shadows. She wondered what his criminal record was from. Stealing? Hunting? Bad mouthing to peacekeepers? Dusk just hoped it didn't have anything to do with hunting humans. The thought made her shiver, but her stare was just as skeptical as ever.

The man suddenly inched closer to her. Dusk held her knife, ready to swing tighter and tighter as he moved closer to her.
"I suppose if you must know a name than you can call me Trench, Trench Hardeen."[/color]
Well that was a cool name. Trench. Sounded like something she'd like to go explore, because in school she remembered something like that occuring in nature, like a landform. Maybe it was a type of mountain or something.

Dusk still didn't spill her name though. Her fear was growing more and more as he took more and more footsteps closer. She wanted to run, but her feet were glued to the forest floor like sap was under her. Her curiosity grew though, instead of her fear growing, when she noticed him carrying a strip of meat.
What is he doing?[/color]
Trench came even closer, but stopped next to a log. She was really curious now, and leaned in closer to see what he would do. Fear completely overtaken as she sniffed some of the smell of meat, Dusk took a step forward.
Trench was busying himself by placing the piece of meat on a piece of cloth on the log. As he walked away, she inched closer and closer, mouth watering at the sight of the meat. Her stomach roared, ignoring the thoughts in her head saying it was a trap, that he was going to kill her.
"There, if you don't believe me face to face than we'll settle on the middle ground. I have placed that there for you to eat, we can get to know eachother a bit more from this distance. Once you feel you can trust me than perhaps you can join me for a full meal."
But the voice was far away. Like he was speaking into a tunnel, and his voice echoed off the walls. Pretty much the only thing she comprehended was "join me" and "full meal". When he was far enough away, Dusk sat down, lowering her knife, and scarfed down the strip of meat. She had no time or patience for manners, and just stuffed it all into her mouth. By the time she was done, her fingers were dirty, and thin cheeks covered in crumbs. She wiped them away, and tried to make herself look more civil.
"Thank you."[/color]
Dusk spoke simply, really thankful for the food. She hadn't ate since yesterday at dinner, and even then she had only eaten a drumstick. Her stomach grumbled, wanting more but Dusk settled it, and tried to get it to stop so she wouldn't have the urge to get any closer to Trench. But, even though Dusk didn't know it, a small form of trust had grown in her heart. More trust than she had had in anyone in years.

Dusk watched as Trench layed down, and closed his eyes. How could he just lay down? But she didn't take this question any further, knowing she would just end of confusing herself. Loudly, so he would know, Dusk let go of her knife. Hesistantly, she cleared her throat once again.
"I'm Dusk."[/color] As she spoke, she tried to sound intelegent, and prim, not like the wild little girl she was. Atleast though she was mature and stuff. She liked being treated maturely, even though she looked like a child.[/size]

Dusk eyed Trench's layed out figure cautiously. It seemed safe enough, except for the fact he still could easily just get up and attack her. She thought it through for a moment.... Yes, it was true he could easily overtake her. Just like that she could, with the snap of a bone or the holding of her neck, be killed. Have her short life flash before her eyes in the blink of an eye. But he had food. She didn't even know where her next meal was going to come from, or even more importantly, when. And here this man had food.... Enough for two in fact. But Dusk didn't want to take the risk. She didn't know how to hunt that well, but it was better than risking her own life.

Suddenly though, before she could decide if she should run away or not, Trench spoke, in a soft voice. He said it was nice to meet her. Dusk really wanted to deny that, because was it really? Was it ever nice to meet a half-starved girl in some forbiden forest? But she didn't interupt him, and listened more. He said he had more food, and he wanted her to trust him. Why exactly, she wasn't sure, until his last sentense. That sentense echoed in her mind, and she was silent.
So thats what he has wanted all along! A hunting partnership?[/i]
It sort of made sense to her now, why he was trying so hard. Trench simply wanted a partner to hunt with him, which was smart because two minds and weapons were better than one. But was a 12 year old girl the best he could find? She just shook her head for a moment. Atleast he had a good reason for being nice. Maybe she would go and eat some of his food....
Maybe I could even steal some...[/i]

Dusk's heart sank. She knew she would do it, steal from him. She even knew it from the moment this one idea popped into her head.
"Ok.... I guess I'll come sit with you."
She silently and cautiously walked over to the man, who was still lying down. Each step sent more ardrinaline and alertness through her, until she thought she was going to start shaking again.
Ugh... I really don't want to steal from him...
This thought was harshly thrust from her mind by her instinctive side. A plan started to form, and her soft side winced at it.
Ok, first I can make him trust me, maybe even hunt with him a few times, teach me some stuff. I'll make him feel sorry for me, think I'm only a small little girl. Then I'll steal all his stuff, all his food, everything, and run. Run till I'm home... Run till I can feed little Helen....

The rest was like a test. Some kind of test... Maybe a test of will, or trust, or even life. Even though Dusk had been brave, been risky, she still didn't know what to do. She was still just the clueless little girl on the inside, and she hated it. Hated how dumb she could be. It was like she knew nothing.... Probably mostly because she skipped school to get food a lot. To steal from innocent people.... People even similar to her, starving and always hungery. But she had to impress her dad, she had to keep her family from failing. Sometimes though, she wished her dad would stop spending all his money on whiskey, and more on coats and clothes, and food for his own children. But Dusk would never question him.... She was so scared of him.

Sighing, she shook this thought away quickly, and focused on Trench once again. It was very important, oh so important for her to stay alert, act smartly.
Think Dusk, about the future. Not the past.[/i]
Trench started to speak again. It seemed that really was the only reason he was being nice. He wanted a partnership with her. A part of her sighed, almost in defeat. She knew now the only choise she had was to let him trust her, and then turn on him. It was the only way to survive. If she got wrapped up in a friendship... Well it just wouldn't work. It would distract her, and teaming up together? Well she wouldn't trust him for the world. She didn't even trust her own father being in the same room as one of her siblings alone, especially when he was drunk, which was often. Dusk's siblings were at school though, where they should be, and safe.

Dusk did though keep the untrustfullness from her eyes. All the while her instinct was debating in her head, her softer side was actually giving in to his kindness. She could maybe, to a small extent trust Trench. But her softer side was weak, and had no say in most of her actions. She simply ignored it, but knew she would regret that later, when her softer side spoke up and told her to do right. She noticed though Trench said he had more food. Her uncertainty grew as her instincts told her to accept, but be careful. She didn't want to be careful, or betray his trust. Trust was a powerful thing. It could break someone , just like it had broken her....
"I.. I like the way you think. I think this could be a good partnership."[/b]
Dusk continued eating, and watched Trench carefully. She tried to act dignified, not sloppy like she had been eating before, but she was still shoveling the food into her mouth as fast as she could.
"When would you like to start?"[/size]

Dusk accepted the waterskin from the man with surprisingly little hesitation. She washed down the large amount of food she had eaten (well a large amount for her) and handed the water back to Trench. She felt quite content, and slightly even more trusting of the man. It was never going to become a real friendship, or atleast thats what she believed. It would just be her, and him, and then betrayal. And she might as well betray him to her advantage before he betrayed her. She knew betrayal was the only end to friendship, or trust. Just like she had betrayed her father's trust when she didn't help him get the medicine which could have very well saved her mother's life. Thats why she always listened to him, never doubting his knowledge, but sometimes disliking it. Because it was her fault. She had basically caused her own mother's death.

Dusk winced inside, and once again had to shoo the bad memories away from her thoughts. She tried to zone in again, but then started wondering why she was remembering so much. She almost never thought about the past these days, just about the task at hand. Why was that, what could possibly be so different now than when she was running from a group of angry butchers? Was it because she wasn't running? Was it because she was actually being smart for once? Suddenly though, the answer came to her mind, almost like a bomb just waiting to detinate.
Its because your feeling.[/i]

At first, Dusk was very confused by this answer, only because it came from her heart. Most things that came from her heart, like that it was wrong to steal, that punching people hurt them, that betraying people made them cry on the inside, she fluttered away, like an annoying bee. But this time, she analyzed it. Didn't she always feel? Like right now, Dusk could feel the leaves underneath her jeans, the wind blowing through her hair, and even her stomach working through the meal it just ate. But then she realized something, that all those feelings were only felt by her brain, sucked in and analyzed by her senses, but not her heart. Right now, she was feeling much more, because her heart was feeling. She felt sorry, and bad. Like a dirty, moldy rag left out to dry in the sun. Like she finally realized all the stealing and betrayals, and hurting people was bad, and she should never do it again. But Dusk's instinct took over, and made all those thoughts stop. Survival was first, then she should think if doing bad things was wrong and blah blah blah.

Her thoughts about that subject were interupted when Trench, once again started to speak. He wanted her to trust him, and decided to spill out his life story. She was honestly curious, but when he said he grew up rich she became nervous. But Dusk relaxed, but felt sorry for him, when he said they were executed for being rebels.
Wait, rebels?[/i]
For the first time in years, her heart lept up. She had always wanted a friend, especially in the time before her mother died, wanted a rebel friend she could talk to. Someone who wasn't afriad to speak their mind about the neglence that scattered most of District 12. Even maybe plan missions of some kind. This her instinct could not dismiss, and she couldn't even keep the curious grin off her face. She listened more, and something inside her came out. She actually liked this young man. But she did slightly try to hide her smile from him. Didn't want him to get the satisfaction of seeing her like him.... It could just make it harder later.

But, as he coutinued her heart skipped a beat when he said she wouldn't let her become one too. She would have even said, "Why not?" whiningly, but then that would be weird. Like they were already friends or something. But they were far from it. Dusk thought for a moment, about all she had to intake.
Maybe I should tell him about myself too?[/i]
She probably would have, not considering it was painful enough getting the privledge to think about it, to have it lodged in her brain like a tumor. But an idea sparked, and changed her mind. That idea, was lying.
"Well... I guess since you told me your past, I could tell you mine. I was born to a man and a woman, they took care of me, and still are. I am the eldest of 5 siblings. My father works at the mines, but recently got an injury so he's been out of work and we've been scrapping by, but it'll get better soon, since tomorrow hes going back."[/b]
Yeah, if his injury is classified as an addiction. An addiction to achohol.[/i]
But just for a second, Dusk wanted to believe her life was better, that her siblings weren't waiting at home, watching the door to the room her father was locked inside of to make sure it wouldn't open. To believe for a split second they were broke, and this hunting mission was dependent on their next meal, to if they would survive or not. To believe for a secound her mother wasn't dead.
"My mother just needed extra meat for our meal tonight, so she sent me."[/b]
Lying seemed so simple to her now, after all these years, that she didn't even hesitate, and made it up as she went along. When Dusk was finished, she just starred at Trench as he messed around with his bow.[/size]

---

Word Count:941
Mood:Uncertain
Outfit: Here
Comments: This is kind of just a new thing I'm trying. I saw someone else do it, and changed it up a little. This is the first post I've put this kind of thing in, so ya... By the way the Mood is the mood of Dusk, and I was just kinda bored so I put it XD

Dusk watched, noticed Trench didn't drink anything as he took the waterskin back. Maybe he wasn't thirsty... Or maybe he wanted to drink something different. Like liquor. But that was an awfully harsh acusation to put on someone out of the blue, someone she barely knew. Maybe he didnt drink. But most men, especially men his age she knew, drank. She knew the smell of liquor, knew it well and knew when obe had bee drinking, but wasnt close enough to snell Trench's breath, and didnt want to be either. She couldbt even smell a thing as he started to reply, but soon it wasnt his breath she was focused on.

Dusk soghed as he spoke. She should have known better to lie. But it was just too painful, just too real. And she didnt want to show weakness. But as he kept talking, as he kept explaining with his very mature voice, something deep inside her broke. Like the distant sound of the breaking of a twig as it is crushed echoed through her head as the shield finally broke. Her fantasy of her mother still being alive, and her father not constantly being drunk was wiped away to pure truth. It was like she had seen the sun for the first time, and it was burning her eyes. She quickly realized what it was. It was her, her real self, the one that had been hiding in a shell all these years. The scared, pitiful little girl that had watched helplessly as her mother died. The one who would have never stole, or hurt anybody. Someone who had a heart. And as her shell broke, so did she.

"I... Im sorry for lying to you, ok?!"[/b]
A warm, soft tear rolled down her face. She knew more would fall, but this one was most important, because it was the first one she had shed since her mother died. The first pure emotion she had felt.
"You're right. I did lie. Thats all I have been doing since my mother died, because thats te only choice I've had. I've had to steal for food because my father spends all his money on liquor, and none for my siblings! I have to get him food too, and lock him in his room when Im gone so he wont hurt any of my brothers or sisters! And thats why Im out here, so maybe I dont have to stand stealing anymore! And the reason I cant even think of taking the chance to trust you is because your just the same as all men, just drunkards that wander the streets lookig or a pretty wife, and I have too much to risk trusting you! I have atleast 6 mouths to feed at home, so If you killed me right now you'd be killing 6! And thats what Im afriad of.... Not surviving."[/b]
Dusk talks more softly near the end, and parts of her voice can still be heard echoing through the almost astonished forest. Everything was quiet, except for a soft sniffle from Dusk. She wiped her nose, not caring how weak and stupid she looked, go ahead. Make him think he can murder me, he can murder 6, let him have that guilt for the rest of his life.
"Thats why I have to act older. Because I have to act as responsibly as an older person. And the only reason I like rebels is because they atleast are brave enough to face the cowards pushing us around."[/b]
A mix of a stifled laugh and sigh erupted from Dusk's lips as she finishes. So many emotions are rushig through her that she can barely stand it after so much time of just feeling numb. She almost shaking as she looks back to analyze Trench's reaction, and she hopes that in the next few seconds an arroe wont be lodged into her breast.[/size]