Hiding in the Dust[open]

Charlie wasn't too shocked by Chrysanthemum's age, her size looked smaller then seventeen but her personality seemed older. Charlie slightly grinned, hearing Chrysanthemum guess her age, revealing only one of her dimples. Charlie often got that she looked younger then she actually was by her baby face. "Twelve." She told.
After running out of things to burn around her, she found a long sturdy twig to use to poke the fire. "How long have you been out here?" She kept the questions rolling, which was unusual for this kid. She always kept quiet and to herself, let alone ask someone questions.

Listening to Chrysanthemum almost made Charlie feel like she was with someone that was completely prepared. Charlie learned what she knew from force of experience, and wondered how Chrysanthemum came across her knowledge. In a way Charlie felt like Chrysanthemum might actually know more, which would make since because of the age difference, but still Charlie had a little bit of a bratty side, thinking her own knowledge is best anyways. Her thinking like that often got her into trouble, but never taught her.

"Dont ya think they'll come lookin for ya?" Charlie asked.

Though charlie had a lot more questions she could tell it was getting too late for that. And when Chrysanthemum offered the small girl a some what cozy place to sleep, under her safety, it toke her a second to process it. People weren't ever nice to her, let alone knowing how she should respond. Charlie was tired and weak, and for some reason found trust in this person.
After a minute she got up and sits next to Chrysanthemum, getting wrapped in a blanket. The fire was slowly dying out as the night got windier, and Charlie didn't even realize how cold she was until she felt the warmth of a blanket and sleeping bag.
Getting told what to do usually upset Charlie, though Chrysanthemum had a kind, nurturing way to. If it wasn't for her weak body, and heavy eyes, Charlie probably would of protested despite the kind words. Instead though Charlie curled up, making sure to leave enough room for Chrysanthemum. After all Charlie didn't take up much room.
Charlie looked up at Chrysanthemum after getting cozy. "Don't leave?" She quietly asked.

'She would take me with her' is all Charlie though about, as she buried in for bed. For once in her life she felt safe to close her eyes and fall asleep, not worried about anyone hurting her. Tonight she fell asleep rather quickly. Exhaustion or not, it always toke Charlie awhile to drift off, but tonight was different. She didn't wake up at all from a nightmare or mean cousin, and wasn't brutally woken up.

In the mourning the sun made beautiful lighting in there little burrow. A peaceful morning, with the birds chirping. Charlie stretched, being cautious of sleeping Chrysanthemum beside her. She slowly got out of bed, to not disturb the sleeping, and rubbed her eyes. Last night she didn't realize where they were, she gently opened the door to see exactly where they were. It was the most beautiful thing Charlie ever witnessed.

It was a breath-taking forest, with animals roaming and birds singing. Charlie went to the small lake, putting the door back to not wake Chrysanthemum with the sun. She washed her face, which was long over due. After a few minutes of enjoying her surroundings she went back to the burrow. The fire was out, but with Charlie's trusty lighter and plenty of wood, Chrysanthemum probably got last night, it wasn't hard to start it up again.

Charlie brought out her pocket knife and began cutting up the rabbit that was pealed the night before. When the fire was completely lit she began cooking the meat on sticks, laying the sticks on a rock so that the meat didn't touch anything when they were done. It wasn't much, but Charlie wanted to show she was worth keeping around.

They both enjoyed the food. Charlie often cooked the meat she found, but never with someone else. Chrysanthemum enjoyed her cooking though, she was so happy. Charlie was offered to drink, and she as well held the bottle above to not touch her lip, and gulped the water. After consuming a lot, after not having water for several hours, she handed it back. Charlie continued to eat.
"where are we going?" She asked, her head tilted to the side.

Charlie tried her best to understand what it was Chrysanthemum was talking about. "we're going to make a map." she figured. But what was the plan for after that. Charlie had finished eating and was once again picking at the fire with a long twig. "But what about after that?" She wondered.
Everything sounded great, for what she could understand, but was it true. "What do you mean going over the fence?" She asked, "they'll find me that way!" She ended in panic, tears almost coming to her eyes.
Charlie never wanted to go back to that place, back where she was suppose to call home. A drunken mom, and mean family members. This person was going to protect her, but for how long. After a while the Hunger Games will come, and they'll know we're missing.