This is one of my writing compositions from a few years ago, so please excuse the lack of proficiency of my writing; I'd like to think I've improved since then. This is supposed to be a sort of "missing chapter", and takes place near the beginning of chapter twenty-four. (Katniss and her remaining war companions seek refuge at Tigris' shop while coming up with a plan to kill President Snow.) This scene reflects Katniss' feelings in regards to the general situation she's in along with the foreshadowing of an important, upcoming event in the novel. Enjoy :)
Pain, anger, sadness. I feel a thousand things, yet I can't single out one emotion. A thousand images flood my mind, forcing me to relive my worst nightmares. The Capitol's hovercraft bombing the hospital in District 8. Cato being ripped to shreds by the horrible mutts. Rue being stabbed by the spear, then dying in my arms. Peeta's blood splattering the white floor as the Capitol tortures him. Gale tied to the whipping post, being whipped by the Peacekeeper. I feel the blow of the mountain explosion in District 2, the disaster that my own team arranged. I lie surrounded by a blazing fire. The smell of rotting flesh fills my nose as the air fills with the agonizing screams of the wounded and dying. Out of all those screams, one stands out the most. I try calling for my sister as the cave reverberates with her cries of pain, but no sound escapes my throat. Not able to move or speak, I'm forced to listen to Prim's tortured screams. They sound just like the jabberjays in the arena, but for some reason it seems so much more realistic this time.
Crying takes too much energy, so I wait for my imminent death. I'm forced to breathe in the thick, suffocating smoke until I can hardly breathe anymore while a dark haze fills my mind.
Suddenly, the scene shifts to an empty meadow. A flock of unseen mockingjays sing The Hanging tree endlessly. It's almost eerie, their singing, in contrast with the silence of the empty fields. Far off to my right, a lone tree stands. I approach it carefully, stepping through the course, dead grass. Once I reach the other side of the tree, I immediately wish I had stayed where I was. I watch in horror as Peeta's lifeless body, strung from his neck, hangs in the tree. I smell the sickening, pungent aroma of the roses despite there being no sign of them around. I can't bear the sight of Peeta or the smell of the roses, so I run away. Away from the person who once loved me unconditionally, but also hated me.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree…
The lyrics of The Hanging Tree resounds throughout my mind, the song playing in my head again and again. I run as far as I can, my feet scraping against the dried up grass. By the time I have to stop to catch my breath, the soles of my feet are cut up and throbbing.
It takes me a long time to notice the deafening silence. The mockingjays have stopped singing. I'm alone in this strange place, with no one to help ease my pain or comfort me.
I jolt awake soaked in sweat and am relieved to see Peeta, still shackled against the wall but safe. I turn my head to Gale who, unlike me, seems to be sleeping peacefully.
I lie back down, trying to go back to sleep and rest for the chaotic day tomorrow.