Chapter 2
I spend the next few days with my brothers and sister. Rory skips school and I take him into the woods to hunt with me. There is something familiar about his technique, and he successfully shoots two squirrels by a clean shot through the eye. I'm able to shoot three squirrels and a rabbit and then we gather some berries from the bushes near the stream. It's nice to spend time with my family again, to provide for them even though they are well off now that the Capitol has been over thrown.
I have about a week left until I must return to District 2. It's hard to stay away from the upscale side of town, like it's hard not to scratch an itch. I've seen Delly and Peeta roaming the streets, but I never stop to say hello. After a restless night, I decide to go for a walk one early morning. It's peaceful to watch the Seam in the wee hours of the morning, before the workers begin emerging from their houses to head to the factory. Greasy Sae is one of them, although I'm sure she is not headed to the factory. She carries a large bag made of sack cloth, and her granddaughter runs along behind her. She spots me and says hello. We converse for a few minutes. I ask her where she is headed. She snorts loudly. "I'm sure you know where I'm headed. It's the first stop you should have made the moment you stepped off that train." She shoots a glare in my direction and then turns and continues on her way. I stand there, stunned. Her words hit me like a wall. They echo in my head. Of course that's where she's headed. I look after her, her little granddaughter dancing behind her. And some impulse makes me follow her. All the way through the Seam. Through the town square. Into the Victor's Village. The one place I promised myself I would not visit on this short trip to District 12.
Greasy Sae pulls out a key and unlocks the door. Primrose bushes are planted around the entire perimeter of the house. The sweet smell of their flowers stings my nose. Prim. Suddenly, I see her again. That accusing on her face. Her grey eyes wouldn't meet mine. The regret I held was overpowering. "You didn't come to see me in the hospital."She said quietly. It was not a question, but I couldn't manage to come up with an adequate excuse, so I said nothing. "Was it your bomb?" Out loud, the words sting even more. "I don't know."I replied. "Neither does Beetee. Does it matter? You'll always be thinking about it."And then silence. Nothing. Which stings even worse. Suddenly it is hard to keep my composure, as the memory fades. I'm standing again behind Greasy Sae, who's opening the door. My hands are shaking as I step into the dark house.
Orange and red coals flicker in the fire place. They cast a eerie glow throughout the dreary living room. Greasy Sae heads to the kitchen. I close the door behind me, and keep a hold of the door knob, just in case. I should have never come. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust, but I can hear the quiet sobs. They grow louder as Greasy Sae begins banging around in the kitchen.
Finally, I see her. She's curled up in a ball on the couch farthest away. Her arms are wrapped around her head. Her eyes shut tightly, tears streamed down her cheeks. I don't know how long I've been standing there, but it feels like a while. The smell of Greasy Sae's broth engulfs the room. Slowly, I let go of my hard grip on the door knob, I'm sure she's still asleep.
Quietly, I make my way across the room as if I was stalking a wild animal. I sit down carefully beside her. Her sobbing grows heavier. Seeing her in such pain makes me brave. I stretch my hand out and lightly stroke her back. The feeling of her tangled hair beneath my hand shoots a tingling sensation up my arm. I shiver. Katniss. I can hardly believe how much I have missed her. I sit near her, stroking her gently as she endures what ever nightmarish thoughts invade her. There's also an occasional moan. This time around it's a shriek. Her hands claw into her skull, ripping out handfuls of hair. She begins violently rocking back and forth and suddenly, her eyelids fly open.