archery are closely related to her long relationship with Gale, so when she returns to her room, it is natural that Gale is on her mind. Katniss recalls the first time she met Gale in the woods. She had been hunting and had strayed farther than she typically did. As she stopped to inspect a snare, another voice called out to her in the woods. This was highly unusual, as hunting is illegal and very few citizens risk the activity.

Katniss jumped back as Gale appeared from his hiding spot behind a tree. She recognized him from the Seam and recalled that he had lost his father in the same mining accident that had killed her own father. Gale asked for her name and then reminded her that stealing is punishable by death; the snare she had stopped to inspect was his. He asked her where she'd gotten the squirrel in her possession, and she told him that she had killed it herself. This impressed Gale, and he smiled at her.

This proved to be the beginning of a close friendship. Bonded by their hunting skills and their need to help their families survive, the two began to share knowledge, weapons, and information about secret places with lots of game. This moment in the woods turned Katniss and Gale into a team who would divide "the work and the spoils [to make] sure that both [their] families had food."

Gale also proved to be a source of companionship, which Katniss had longed for. He grew into an ally who watched her back and became her confidante. She reflects that being out in the woods with Gale actually makes her happy.