I run through the woods, into town, fixing my dress as I go. Its a simple blue dress. My only dress. Only one thought crosses through my brain, he raped me. I am shakinga nd tears are streaming down my face. My dress is ripped in places. I run into the emergency room pleading for help.
"Help me please" I sob. A doctor comes up to me.
"Dear, whats wrong?" She asks me in a soothing voice. She tries to hold me but I flinch back and scream. She is blonde and has light eyes.
"Help me please" I sob. Her eyes widen in realization. She tells me to follow her into a room. She tells me to take off my dress and put on a hospital gown. She leaves so I can change. I am shaking and tears are still running down my face. She knocks.
"Come in" I sob. She has gloves on as she picks up the dress and puts it in a bag. I feel so dirty, all I want to do is jump in water, but I know better. My dad had warned me, warned me about the sick people out there. He told me in case of anything, he knew my first instinct would be to jump in the lake and clean myself. He said to run staright to a hospital and they would help me. I miss him.
"I'm sorry but I have to exam you. If it makes you uncomfortable or scares you, we can put you to sleep while we do it" The doctor says. I nod. I wipe my tears as she injects me with something.
The first thing I notice when I wake up is pain. Pain in my private area. Also, I am clean. My hair is still wet. I am in a different room. This one feels more cozy. I am on a bed and there is a chair next to me. I sit up. The doctor notices I am awake and she takes the seat next to my bed.
"I am doctor Everdeen" She says. I don't say anything.
"Can we know your name dear?" She asks sweetly. I clear my throat.
"Katniss" I say. She writes down my name.
"Last name?" She asks. I shrug. I don't know. My dad never mentioned a last name. I was always Katniss. He sometimes called me Kat.
"How old are you Katniss?" she asks me.
"Twelve" I answer.
"Where do you live?"
"In the woods. By the lake."
"Who are you parents?"
"I don't know my mom. My dad said he found me drifting in the lake in a basket. He took me in. He didn't have much at all. He lived in a tent by the lake. I grew up there"
"Where is your dad?"
"He died two years ago." I say. I look down.
"You've been living by yourself for two years?" she asks. I nod.
"Can you tell me what happened?" she asks me. I nod.
"I was gathering berries, my dad had taugh me which ones were good. He came into the woods. He said he had been watching me for a while. He told me he knew I needed money. That he knew something I could do for money from him. I knew what he meant. My dad had warned me about sick people. I refused his offer. He said...it didn't matter whether or not I wanted to. He said... he was going to do it anyways, but he was offering money. I...backed away from him...I told him to go away.." The tears had started coming back "He pushed me against a tree...I tried...to fight back... he was too strong...He pushed up my dress...He started coming at me... He pulled...down my underwear...He plunged inside me...it hurt...he was ruthless...I tried fighting...screaming for someone to come...but it only made him hurt me more...He pulled out and was...groping me...I took advantage of the distance...to knee him where it counts... I ran straight here" I said and my body was overcome in sobs that shook my body.
She put an arm around me and I didn't flinch. Something about this doctor, made me feel safe. She told me that I had a rip, she stiched it back though, thats why it hurt. She said she took my dress to see if they could extract DNA of the man that raped her.
"Can I go back to the lake now?" I ask her
"I don't know if its safe for you there. Especially by yourself" she says
"I don't have anywhere else to go. I have no body" I admit. She gets a curious look on her face then tells me she will be right back. I wait fifteen minutes. She comes back in.
"I talked to some people and got some papers. If you want to, and I really suggest it, I could adopt you. I don't have a husband, but I have a daughter. I have a sister who has four kids, one of them is one year older than you. I can't let you go out by yourself." she says.
I think about it. I could have a sister. Cousins. I won't have a dad but thats okay because no one can replace my dad. I nod. I sign papers and other people sign them too.
"You are officially an Everdeen" She, Mom, says. Its weird, now I have a mom. She walks me to my new home. We stop in front of a two-story house. She opens the door and tells me to sit in the living room and wait. I sit down, I am still in my hospital gown since I have no other clothes. A boy walks in. He looks at me curiously. I scoot to the edge of the couch, wearily.
"Hi" he says
"Hi" I say cautiously.
"I'm Gale" he says
"I'm Katniss" I say. He sits down in front of me.
"Who are you?" He asks me
"I was adopted. Miss Everdeen, mom I guess, adopted me" I answer
"Oh. Why are you wearing a hospital gown?" He asks me. I look down and don't answer. Miss Eve- Mom, walks in with another woman following her.
"Gale! I hope you aren't being rude!" The woman says. Gale shakes his head.
"Katniss" Mis- Mom says and motions me to go to her. I stand up and walk to her. Thats when Gale notices I am barefoot and he, thankfully, doesn't say anything.
"Katniss, this is my sister Hazelle. She is your Aunt Hazelle. This is her son Gale. He is one year older than you." Mom says. I wave hello.
"Katniss, hello. My sister explained your situation. We are happy to have you in our family" Aunt Hazelle says. I don't say anything.
"Kids come in here!" Mom calls. Two boys and two girls walk in.
"I'm Prim. I'm 8" The oldest girl says. She looks just like mom. She must be my sister.
"I'm Rory. I'm also 8" The oldest boy says.
"I'm Vick. I'm 6" The other boy says
"Me Posy. Me 3" The other girl says. I wave hello.
"Katniss, Prim is your sister. Rory, Vick and Posy are you cousins" Mom says. I nod.
"Well, we have to go, I'll see you guys tomorrow" Aunt Hazelle says. My mom nods and they leave.
"Follow me Katniss." Mom says. We walk through a door in the living room. We enter a room I know its the kitchen because my dad and I had a mini television. It was small, but it worked. We would watch house hunters together. The television broke a year before he died but I remember the shows.
"This is the Kitchen!" Prim says excitingly. Then we walk back into the living room. Mom guides me down the hall a bit and I see a glass slinding door.
"Over there is the backyard!" Prim says excitedly. We walk down the hall to another door. Mom opens the door. There is a bed against the middle of the far wall. There is a night stand next to the bed on the left side. There is a desk and chair on the right side of the bed. On the opposite wall, there is a sliding door that has a mirror. The wall opposite of the door has a window with a violet curtain hanging in front of it.
"This can be your room. Its the only room on this floor. I don't know if you feel comfortable by yourself on this floor. We can arange other things" Mom says
"No its okay. I like this room. I'm used to being alone. The fact that the front door is locked at night is plenty of comfort." I answer. Mom nods. They walk out. I sit on the bed, its soft. Mom walks back in holding a bag.
"Its a bag of clothes. Clothes I wore when I was a teenager. Its not old fashioned. I'm not old. There are jeans and blouses. You can find something for tomorrow. There is a nightgown in there too. I'll be back in ten minutes." Mom says as she hands me the bag. I nod, she walks out.
I pull a nightgown out of the bag. I change out of the hospital gown and put ths nightgown on. Its soft. I pull back the blanket and lay down. I cover myself with the blanket. Its nice to be in a house. My own room. I wish my dad was here. I miss him a lot. This place is strange. I'm not used to it. They're all so nice to me. It feels strange laying in a bed in a house full of kind strangers. Prim seems nice, I will probably have a good relationship with her. Mom has done so much for me.
This all feels so new.
Mom comes in the room. She sits on the chair by the desk.
"Hey" she says kindly.
"Hey" I say quietly.
"Today is Thursday, well more like Thursay night. I am signing you up for school tomorrow. You would starts school on Monday." Mom says.
"Okay" I answer quietly
"Have you ever been to school?"
"No. Dad did teach me to read and write. I know my numbers, but not how to do stuff with them." I say
"Okay, goodnight" mom says and gives me a kiss on the forehead.
"Goodnight." I say. She gets up and turns off the light, then she leaves the room. I slowly drift off, knowing I am safe.
The Next Morning
I wake up and see there is an alarm clock on the night stand. The numbers read, 8, 4, 7. Someone knocks on the door.
"Come in" I say. Aunt Hazelle comes in and sits on the chair.
"Hello dear" she says. She gives me a smile.
"Hello" I say
"The clock reads the time. Right now it says 8:48 in the morning." she says. She explains to me how time and clocks work. Then she pulls out a pair of converse. I've seen ads for them in the newpaper. She tells me that they're for me.
She helps me pick out some light blue jeans from the bag Mom gave me last night. Then we pick out a pink blouse. I am not a huge fan of pink but its the blouse that fits me best. Aunt Hazelle leaves so I can get dressed.
When Aunt Hazelle walks back in, I am dressed and running my hands through my hair. She hands me a hair brush. I brush my hair then I braid it to the side.
Aunt Hazelle takes me to the kitchen where Posy is sitting, eating. I sit down next to Posy at the kitchen island. Aunt Hazelle hands me a plate with eggs and breakfast sausage links. Posy and I eat breakfast while Aunt Hazelle cleans. Its a Friday so Prim has school and mom has work. Posy tells me that mom and aunt Hazelle have alternating days most of the time. Sometimes its two days that they take turns. Posy says whoever doesn't have work takes care of Posy.
Aunt Hazelle takes me and Posy on a walk around town. We go to the park and I play with Posy. Aunt Hazelle takes us out for sandwiches for lunch. Afterwards we go back home and I read a book Aunt Hazelle found in the house. I like reading.
The Next Day
When I come out of my room its around 9:30am. I am wearing a peach dress. Its the only thing that fits me. I am incredibly thin and I'm not exactly tall or curved. I have good looks though. I'm comfortable with myself, but knowing that hardly any of this clothes fits me, makes it harder to be comfortable with my body as I am with my face. Thats saying something since I am not super comfortable with my face.
I walk into the kitchen where Prim, Posy, Gale, Rory, and Vick are eating breakfast. I sit down and play with my food a bit before eating it. Mom looks at me with concern but I focus on eating. The boys go and play in the backyard.
"Come play with us Katniss!" Posy says as she and Prim get up to go upstairs to play in Prim's room.
"Let me just wash my plate" I say. They nod and run upstairs.
"Whats wrong dear?" mom asks me.
"Well... I don't have a good...body" I say avoiding her eyes.
"Dear, you have a beautiful body. I know its been hard finding outfits from my old clothes, but you just need the right clothes. You are beautiful" Mom says. I smile, its nice to have a mom. I would definitely not feel comfortable talking about this to my dad. Its been hard too since I haven't had anyone to talk to in two years.
"Thanks mom" I say.
"Also, I ordered new clothes for you. They should arive later today. I ordered some school supplies too" Mom says. I thank her again, then I head up to play with Prim and Posy.
Katniss' mom point of view
Hazelle walks in. Its her lunch break. We sit down to eat lunch.
"Where are the kids?" Hazelle asks me.
"The boys are outide, the girls are upstairs." I answer
"How's Katniss?"
"She's doing okay. We talked a bit this morning. She seems kind of...hidden. She seems uncomfortable with her body. I admit she's underweight but i got bye new clothes that get here later today. Her and Prim seem like they will get along well. I feel like she needs someone her age though." I say
"What about Madge?" she suggests
"Madge Undersee? The mayor's daughter?"
"Yeah. I've seen her when I drop off the kids and she's always alone. I think people think she's stuck up since she's the mayor's daughter but I've said hi to her sometimes and she is always nice"
"huh. That would work. I'll call the mayor and tell him Katniss' situation, ask if she can meet Madge and see if she can come over tomorrow"
"That way, if they hit it off, she can have a friend for Monday."
"Perfect."
"Now I have to get back to work"
"Okay, see you later"
Katniss Point of View
After dinner
I am reading in my room when Gale walks in.
"Hello" I say.
"Can I sit on the chair?" Gale asks. I nod. I mark the page I am on and put my book aside. Gale is looking at me weird and I fold my arms to hold myself.
"Mom told me what happened to you" Gale says.
"Did she tell everyone?" I ask him
"No. Just me, mom and your mom know."
"Okay"
"I just wanted to say, I think your a strong girl. I'm sorry that had to happen to you. I won't let anyone touch you, I promise. Your family now. We stick up for each other." Gale says. I feel a sense of comfort.
"Thank you" I say.
"No problem." Gale says. I unfold my arms. Gale is my cousin. He wants to protect me. Mom walks in and sits on the bed next to me.
"Your stuff came!" Mom says. She opens a box that jeans, jean shorts, blouses, a couple dresses, two pairs of shoes, a bag that hangs off my shoulder, notebooks, and other school supplies.
"This is a lot" I say
"Don't even think about that. I want to buy you this!" mom says. I hug my mom and say thanks.
We put the clothes inside my closet and Gale helps me pack my school bag and tells me about the teachers. He also shows me some of the stuff I haven't learned that people my age have.
The Next Day
I am sitting on my bed, going through some of Gale's old school books that he gave me. I start tomorrow. Even though the school year ends in a month, I want to be caught up. Mom walks in and smiles at me, seeing that I'm trying to be caught up.
"Hey Katniss" Mom says
"Hi mom." I say
"A girl is coming over in an hour. Her name is Madge. She's in 6th grade too." Mom says.
"Okay" I answer with a smile. When mom walks out my face falls. A girl my age? I've never had a friend except for Gale but he is my cousin. What if I am terrible at making friends? I scowl a lot. I put a happy face for mom and Prim. I don't want them to think i'm ungrateful, I'm not. I just am that way. I'm stubborn, and I scowl a lot. My dad used to say its my signature look. The thought makes me smile.
One Hour Later
Someone knocks on my door.
"Come in" I say, putting my workbook away. A blonde girl walks in.
"Hi" she says. She closes the door and stands at the doorway
"You can sit down" I say patting my bed. She sits down next to me. I flinch slightly when she sits next to me. She notices.
"Sorry did I hurt you?" She says worriedly.
"No...sorry I flinch anytime someone outside my family gets close or touches me...I've been through...stuff" I say.
"Oh. I know what happened to you. That doesn't change the way I looks at you." she says. She seems nice.
"Let my start by saying, I've never made a friend. You know my life story now, but you don't know me. I'm stubborn and I scowl a lot. I'm not a great communicator." I say
"I'm shy. I'm not a great communicator." Madge says.
"Looks like we havs something in common. Maybe we will be good friends"
"Yeah" Madge agrees. Madge helps me catch up on the stuff I don't know. She's very smart.
When she tells me she has to leave I walk her to the front door.
"I'll see you tomorrow" Madge says
"Okay" I say. I close the door and turn to see mom looking at me.
"Did you guys hit it off?" mom asks.
"what do you mean?" I ask her
"Are you guys friends?" Mom asks
"Yeah. She's nice.Thanks for introducing us." I say.
"Anything for my daughters" mom says. I go back to my room and Prim is waiting on my bed for me.
"What are you wearing to school tomorrow?!" she asks excitedly.
"I haven't decided yet" I answer
"Okay, let me help! Whats your favorite color?"
"Green. Dark, forest green" I answer. She goes through my closet before picking out a forest green blouse.
"Okay, now shorts because its hot weather" Prim says.
According to Prim, I should wear light jean shorts. We choose white jean shorts. My hair will be in a braid. Prim says she has something for me and she leaves.
I think of a song my dad showed me. I hum the song while I put away the clothes we decided that I wasn't going to wear tomorrow.
"Whats thar song?" Prim asks me.
"A song my dad showed me. I was humming a part of it." I answer
"Can you sing what you were humming?" Prim asks me. I nod.
Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one cam hurt you now
Come morning light
You and i'll be
Safe and Sound
"Wow, you sing pretty" Prim says in awe.
"Thanks. My dad would sing that to me when I got bad dreams" I say.
"I have something for you to wear tomorrow." Prim says. She hold out a gold pin. "Its a mockingjay"
"Thanks Prim" I say as she hands the pin to me. I place it on my desk.
I'm nervous for school tomorrow.
Hey guys. This is a new story that just came to mind. I know its madge that gives her the pin but i decided to go with prim. let me know what you guys think so far!!
