Chapter 1

Tobias grabs my wrist tightly enough to hurt me; I'll have a bruise there tomorrow.

"Go! Run!" he shouts and I race to keep up with his fast pace

After we found out about Edith, my great Grandma, Tobias said we had to run. We came through the fence in an Amity truck and when it stopped near the compound we ran before anyone could recognise us and take us home. Well, as close to home as I can get nowadays anyway.

Now he's telling me to run. A few miles in we stopped jogging and strolled along, thinking about what we'd find when we got to somewhere. "Maybe a hidden faction?" I suggested "Or maybe no factions at all" Tobias joked and I laughed because the prospect seemed so alien it was almost too preposterous to consider. Then we heard the noise, the sound of someone laughing and then a voice that sounded like a girl's saying "Gale! Shut up, you're scaring away the game!".

That's when Tobias told me to run and that's what I'm doing now, running for my life. I keep running and running until I hear the same girl's voice shout "Stop!" Her companion Gale joins the fray, calling "Stop and we won't shoot!" The deep voice indicates Gale is male. I feel the impact of the wound I got to my shoulder and when the sensation when Tobias threw the knife at my ear and I wince. I know I should stop but I've lost Tobias in the confusion. I call out and turn around frantically, terrified despite my Dauntless training designed to ready me; to make me brave.

An arrow soars past my head and sticks in the tree behind me. Tobias is instantly at my side, a sixth sense for mutual protection, wrapping his arms protectively around my waist.

"Don't shoot!" he calls and a girl and a boy, who must be Gale, emerge from the bushes. "God Katniss, you nearly killed her" Gale says with a slightly shocked expression. "Good" she - Katniss - says bitterly "They could be from the capitol".

Tobias and I stare, open mouthed and puzzled at Gale and Katniss, "No" Tobias says confused, "We're from Dauntless". Gale and Katniss look equally confused. "What?" Katniss asks, "D-Dauntless" I reply.

"Don't scare her Katniss, she only about Prim's age" Gale says, prising the bow and quiver of arrows from her hand. "Shut up Gale, don't talk about Prim" Katniss says, digging an elbow into his side. "She was only 12 so I'll thank you to be quiet".

I am furious; I can feel Tobias silently laughing at me by my side and feel myself flush. "I'm 16" I say indignantly. Tobias cracks up and I flash him a scowl. "You are never my age!" Katniss exclaims in what appears to be genuine shock, I raise my eyebrows, nod and scowl at her.

"How old are you?" Gale asks Tobias. "18" he answers, "Just a year younger than me". "Gale!" Katniss snaps with frustration, "What are you doing? They're probably from the Capitol!"

"I told you, we're from Dauntless. There, now I've told you twice" Tobias sighs. "We're lost" I say "Where are we?" They look at us incredulous; like we just asked the stupidest question ever.

"You're in District 12's woods and you're on illegal ground" says Gale. I freeze and the breath catches in my throat. "Are you going to arrest us? Report us?" I ask, then an even worse thought comes to mind "Kill us?!" I ask desperately. Gale and Katniss exchange a look and double up, laughing hard.

"No!" Katniss splutters. "It's your fault Tris thought that!" Tobias says, frowning. "Yeah, you're carrying those!" I say defensively, pointing at the weapons lying amongst the scattering leaves. "We're hunters Tris and - "Gale says breaking off, he doesn't know Tobias's name.

"It's Tobias and this" he confirms, gesturing to me, "Is Tris".

"Fine, you seem harmless" Katniss sighs and I see Tobias narrow his eyes as the "Harmless" comment registers. "Let's just bring them back to 12" she says. Gale nods and they lead the way, not bothering to look back and clearly expecting us to follow blindly, we do.

They seem nice though Katniss appears to have a quick temper but then we don't have much choice. In silent agreement Tobias and I fall into step, fingers twined together, making me braver. Dauntless.