Chapter 1: My Escape
"Just a little more Clove." I said breathlessly as I continued to run towards the edge of my district. This place is a prison, I feel like I'm suffocating in here with all the rules and regulations. King Snow promised us safety and peace all throughout Panem, but he didn't mention freedom of what we wanted to choose for ourselves. We can't even go to other districts because of the so-called golden rule: Nobody goes in. Nobody goes out. However, I never seem to imply that in my whole life.
My parents never understood or gave me the chance of what I wanted to do with my life. It was all planned out for me. My mother expects me to take her place as the head of our Junior League. It is a tradition for my family to join since my ancestors were the ones who started it way before the war began. So it is a must to participate every single event, even though it was never my desire to.
My mother always says it will bring honor to our district and family. Please, she's saying that to keep up our reputation and high class. She would force me to wear heels and dresses for casual wear, even when we are out to buy groceries. Now, I don't mind wearing heels and dresses, but only for special occasions. I once had an older sister that my mom loved more than me.
Caroline would happily be willing to be like my mom, but unfortunately at the age of twelve she was killed on impact in a car accident with our chauffeur. We were all devastated. Two weeks after the accident my mother automatically decided to teach Lady Lessons and Class 101 to her eight-year-old daughter. Sounds stupid, I know. I'm too much like my grandpa in my father's side who could care less about the lessons.
My grandpa cherished me more than my parents. He always says that I am a natural lady and that I don't need lessons to be one. But hey, one day they would probably be useful.
My mom never once asked me about what I wanted. She's too caught up with her dresses that caught stains or that her nails aren't looking perfect for our annual events. She's too selfish to even think that her only child is suffering in this miserable prison cell. My mother would be like the controlling queen from my favorite old movie, Brave. You could say I'm like Merida in a way. I crave travel and adventures in my life, but at the same time I crave for that kind of relationship between mother and daughter at the end of the story.
When I was seven I went to a field trip with my classmates one day. We had to learn the history of the United States before the war and before it was renamed as Panem. I couldn't helped but be fascinated to what it looked like before, there would be a bunch of tall buildings with lights that would look like fireflies from afar, states had unique names before they were called districts, and beautiful mountains and grassy meadows that would represent freedom in a way. From that day on, I surely knew what I wanted to do in the future.
I went home that day and told my dad what happened. I have a better relationship with my dad than I do with my mom. He loves me equally just as he did with my sister. I told him my dreams to travel and explore Panem, maybe even beyond Panem. But my father strongly said to never bring that subject again. I remember like it was yesterday because it totally crushed my soul.
"But why not?" I whined.
"Clove," my father sighed, "I'm only going to tell you once so you better listen up and take it seriously."
I nodded diligently, preparing for what he had to say.
"There once was a time, where people like us could travel all around not only in this country, but the world. They had the chance to see it all before they died. I've been told that the world that time was breathtaking."
The way he described it made me even more in awe.
"But that was before the war started." He said seriously. "It pretty much scarred this country and not much longer after that we were shut in. Nobody goes in, nobody goes out. Thus, came out this very strict rule until today. Those who breaks the law go to the Death Games." He paused and suddenly knelt in front of me, grabbing my arms tightly. "Clove, listen to me." He said seriously as he looked straight into my eyes, telling me this was not a joke. "There's nothing to see anymore. You can't just walk out of this house and explore the world like what people did before. That was a different time and things have changed. I'm sorry, but do not hold on to what you can't have Clove."
I am now seventeen, my father died three years ago. Even though he loved me, he didn't understand that I still dreamt of going out there beyond my district.
My mother is now much more controlling than ever. Everything here just pushed me to run faster to the edge. I decided to cross the fence that stands between District 2 and freedom. I have been planning this for years now and I could almost taste the sweet feeling of breaking free.
It was about three in the morning and I could see the fence clearly just about thirty feet away. Each step I took...every breath I breathed...made the feeling in my heart lighter. Just for that moment, I thought I could do the impossible. But then in that same moment, my fears of being caught came true. All of a sudden, lights, vehicles, and helicopters appear out of nowhere and I'm surrounded by dozens of Peacekeepers.
"FREEZE! Don't even think about crossing that fence! Put your hands up citizen!" One of them screamed.
It would be foolish to fight back. I had no choice but to raise my hands and surrender. The Peacekeeper cuffed my wrists and forcefully pushed me into the truck and closed the doors. I was so close! Darn it! How could they have found out? I looked out the window and saw my mother looked at me with a scowl and a glare, of course, she would rat me out. Now I have to be locked up all over again and face the worst kind of punishment of all. I'm going to the Death Games.