Madge bolts upright from her bed in the middle of the night. Something is wrong, she can feel it. The hairs on her body raise in the warm summer night air. The air is quiet, still, dark, stifling. Quiet, too quiet. Where are the sounds of marching peacekeepers, patrolling at night to enforce the curfew? She runs from her room, yelling for her father.
"Father? We have to go!" She's been expecting something like this for months. The news reports she has been collecting have revealed worsening riots throughout the districts. But she wonders about the catalyst for an attack on District 12. Katniss and Peeta couldn't have won a second time, so why attack their home district?
She lightly slaps her face, she has to maintain focus. "Dad!" she yells, more loudly. Her father stumbles out of his bedroom, and his eyes widen in recognition of the situation.
"Madge, you have to grab your things and run! If you can make it to the meadow, you can outlast the attack."
"But...you and mother!"
"Madge, dear...We can't get your mother out in time, and I'm not leaving her. But you still have hope."
She looks into her father's eyes. Neither of them has discussed this possible scenario but both have been planning for months. Her father discovered Madge's pristine white bag, filled with necessities, last week. Madge noticed extra doses of morphling with her mother's medications. Neither of them has discussed this scenario but both knew it was coming. Their eyes meet in silent understanding. They both have prepared for this outcome as well. Madge hugs her father tightly, runs to place a quick kiss on her mother's forehead, and turns away with tears in her eyes.
As she runs outside, she looks back at her house one last time. "I love you," she whispers. "I will never forget you."