Summary: We all know how the story of Mr. and Mrs. Everdeen ends, but how does in begin? "I'm anchored at last, I'm anchored in love divine"
Dark and stormy weather
It still inclines to rain
The clouds hang over center
My love's gone away on a train
-Dark and Stormy Weather, traditional Appalachian song
I nearly jumped as the bell rang that signaled the end of morning classes and the lunch break. I was so nervous about what I was about to do I had barely paid attention in class. I gathered my things and quickly followed my classmates to the lunch room, but instead of sitting at my normal table I took a deep breath and headed to the back where my brother as his friends were.
It was easy to spot him; there weren't many kids in the final year of schooling past lunch. Once you turned eighteen, it was permitted that you could leave at midday to go to work or help your family. Most of District 12 was so poor that most students did just that. Only those of us who were fortunate enough to live in town were ever able to really finish our schooling; not like any of us really needed it anyway. We all worked with our parents learning their trade, like my brother and I did in our parent's apothecary.
"Ally." My brother frowned at me as I walked over to him. "What's up?"
"Can you let mom and dad know that I'm staying late to study?" I asked quickly before I could lose my nerve. This was the very first time I had ever lied, and I had no idea if I would pull it off. I was already a pretty awkward person so I guess this didn't seem out of the ordinary for me.
"Sure." He nodded. I nodded my head once and headed back to my table. I got a few looks, but no one was up to talking today. It was just to painful, especially knowing that two in our number were missing. I looked over to the table of my classmates were the Seam kids sat, knowing they also had several empty seats.
I ate my lunch as my mind wandered to the events of the last three days. It was the 50th Reaping of the awful Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell they called it. Twice as many names were called this year, twice as many young children sent to die for the entertainment of the Capitol. One of my best friend's was chosen as one of the female tributes.
I couldn't believe it when her name was called. Maysilee Donner. I hugged her once as her name was called, then for what would probably be the last time in the Justice Building before she was taken away.
Margret, May's twin sister, had all but broken at her sister's leaving. They were true twins; always finishing each other's sentences and able to tell what the other was doing, even if they weren't in the same place. That was who my deception was for today; Margret. She had made herself so ill from grief, I feared I might lose both my best friends. My father wouldn't allow me to use any of the medicine from the shops, so I had to go collect my own herbs. My family would think I'm here studying and I'd be able to gather the ingredients I need to help my friend.
The rest of the day seemed to go in slow motion, as if it knew my plan and was making me wait. The second I heard the final bell, I nearly jumped from my seat to rush out. But then I remembered I was suppose to be staying back, so I allowed everyone to leave so the other towns kids wouldn't see me sneak out the back.
Finally, I made my way to the Seam. I've only ever come here with my parents to help the ill, but I never really took it all in before. It was so different from Town; much more wild and unkept. No one was really out, all working or getting some much needed rest, which I was thankful for. With my pale skin, blond hair, and light eyes, I really stuck out like a sore thumb.
Finally I made it to the edge by the tall, electric fence and the wooded area. Not daring to get too close to the fence, I started to search for the proper herbs I needed. I found wild sage and chives rather quickly, and I eventually saw some chamomile as well. I gathered a few more things I could use like bark, but their was one main ingredient I couldn't find; peppermint. I found some lemon mint, but peppermint was best. I got a whiff of the scent after a strong breeze and finally spotted some.
Right on the other side of the fence. My heart dropped; I had no idea how I was going to get it. I knew that some people were brave enough, and certainly more capable than I, were able to get across the fence to pick wild berries and even hunt. But this was something I had no idea how to do. I approached the fence cautiously, looking to see if there was some way to grab at the peppermint.
It seemed that if I had a branch, I might be able to sweep some through, but that was assuming I could do it with out getting shot by electricity. I decided to test the fence and threw some bark at it to see what would happen, and I was rather surprised when nothing did. So I threw a few sticks at it, and when still nothing happened I steeled myself to approaching the fence with a stick.
I slowly extended my arm, ready to drop the branch should anything happen, taking tiny steps forward until I was just about to touch it.
"Gahh!" Came a shout from right behind me. I screamed loudly, causing birds to fly in all directions from the trees and I fell to the ground. Catching my breath I looked up at the laughing boy who had scared me half to death.
"I'm sorry," he reached out his hand to me and helped me up. "I didn't mean to scare you so bad."
I simply stared at him. I sort of recognized him, but I didn't know his name, only that his last name was Everdeen. I only knew that he was in my brother's year, he brought wild herbs to my father occasionally, and half the girls in school had a crush on him because of his singing voice.
"You're the apothecary's daughter, right?" He asked. "Sorry I don't think I ever got your name. I'm Jackson." He held his hand out to me and I looked up at him. He was taller than me which was surprising; I was considered pretty tall for a girl and I usually towered over boys.
"Allison." I said simply, finally shaking his hand.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" He asked. "Not a lot of town kids come up to the Seam, let alone the far corner of the fence."
"I was looking for some herbs." I said, not wanted to reveal too much.
"Ahh, that explains why you were testing the fence." He said. "What are you after?"
This boy was far too conversational.
"Peppermint." I said, and for some reason he laughed. I was starting to get annoyed.
"Not one of many words, are you? There's some peppermint over there." He nodded, and I was a little surprised he could recognize the plant. "The fence isn't on, you would hear the buzzing. I'll show you the hole and you can grab some."
"What?" I shook my head and took a step back. "I rather not go past the fence."
"Ahh, a full sentence." He grinned at me. "If you don't want to then I can grab them real fast if you like?"
"Sure." I said, still apprehensive. He laughed again, and quickly went through the fence in a hidden hole, picked some peppermint, and held it out through the fencing.
"Go on, take it." He shook it as I approached slowly.
"Thank you." I said softly as I took it. He nodded and began to leave but I mad a split second decision. "Wait!"
"Yes?" He turned around and raised an eyebrow at me.
"I'd really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone I was out here." I said quickly. "I'd owe you one."
"No problem." He winked at me, then headed into the woods. I had a bad feeling about the entire thing but quickly turned to head back to town.
"How was studying?" My mom asked as I walked into the front door.
"Yes!" I said quickly with a smile. "I mean, it went well. I think I'm ready for the quiz that's coming up."
"That's good." She smiled, getting back to the medicine she was working on. I quickly headed to my room and made a tea and paste out of my ingredients, finishing my homework as it set. The sun was starting to set, but I knew I had to try and convince my mom to let me visit Maggy.
"Mom?" I asked, my stuff hidden in my bag. "Maggy missed school today, you know she's sick, and I thought I'd stop by to let her know about the quiz. I've just thought of that."
"Sure, just be back before your father is." She said, waving me off. He and my brother did house calls in the evenings but we're always back by super. I only had about 10 minutes, so I raced out the door to the next block where she lived.
"Ah, Ally." Mrs. Donner smiled sadly when she opened the door. "Come in, Maggy is in her room."
"Thank you." I said quietly. I couldn't imagine what se must be feeling like with her daughter being a tribute. I rushed to Maggy's room and saw she was simply lying on her bed staring at nothing.
"Maggy?" I entered the room. "It's Allison."
"Ally?" She asked. I normally hated being called Ally, but I wasn't going to argue it now. She sat up as I rushed over to her and held her tight as fresh sobs came from both of us.
"She's gone." Maggy sobbed. "May is gone."
"She might survive." I said, though I didn't believe my own words. "She's tough."
"There are twice as many victors!" She sobbed. "Her odds are even less than they would have been any other year."
"There isn't anything we can do now." I said sadly. "But you are going to waste away. I made you some tea and some healing paste. Drink the tea for your stomach and have some of the paste to help you sleep."
"Ally, I-" she started, but I cut her off.
"I'm not loosing both of you." I said sternly. She looked at me for a moment before hanging her head.
"You're right." She said, taking the thermos.
"I always am." I me at it as a joke but I was too sad to deliver it right. "I have to be back for dinner, but please take the paste tonight."
"I will." She nodded, sipping her tea. "Thanks."
"Always." I hugged her tightly before rushing home.
I got in just as Dad and Sam were walking up the lane. I helped mom set the table as they came in.
"Why were you out so late?" My dad asked sternly.
"I was letting Maggy know about the quiz coming up." I averted my eyes.
"Yes, Sam did mention you staying after school to study." He nodded and I nearly sighed from relief. Dinner went by in silence and I helped my mom prepare a few more things before going to bed.
The last thought to cross my mind was how much I dreaded the next week of the Hunger Games coverage.
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A/N: I'll be starting off each chapter with a traditional Appalachian song thats fits the chapter.
The title of the story, Anchored in Love, is also a traditional song:
I'm feeling so happy, I'm anchored at last
I'm anchored in love divine