"So, what got you into teaching?" I ask Gale. We are sitting in my dining room. It's a plain room with pale blue walls and a light grey carpet, this is where we hold all of our family discussions.
"I was looking for a job and I saw an advertisement for the school, I thought it would suit me as I grew up with lots of children around me." He replies.
"Did you know Zaccai was my son?"
"I thought about it once or twice but I was never sure," He takes his jumper off and puts it over the back of his chair.
"Why is Mr. Hawthorne here?" Says Zaccai who is walking towards the table. "I didn't mean to do it, I promise"
"What didn't you mean to do Zac?" I ask
"I didn't mean to fight with Foxx, I'm sorry"
"Zaccai. Thanks for bringing this up." Gale say, staring hard at Zaccai,
"Sit down Zaccai, I want to know what happened" Zac climbs onto a chair and tries hart to hold back his tears.
"Zaccai, would you explain to us what happened" Gale says,
"Well... Foxx was... I'm sorry"
"Zaccai, What happened?" I say to him.
"Foxx said he was stronger than me and I fight like a baby..." Zaccai starts
"So you start fighting him and now he's in hospital" Gale stares at Zaccai.
"I didn't mean it, I promise"
"Zaccai, we need to down there and see if he's Ok" I say
"No!" Zaccai shouts
"Why not?" I ask
"I'm sorry for getting into the fight and making you disappointed in me, but I'm not sorry for what I did to him. He deserved it." Zaccai gets up from the table and runs off upstairs.
"Zaccai Mellark! Get back here right now!" Shouts Gale as he get out of his seat and chases Zaccai. I get up and run after them both.
"He's locked his door." Gale tells me. "Should I break it down?"
"No, Let me talk to him" I knock on his door and talk through to him "Zac, Dad will be home soon, come and talk not and it'll be easier later."
"The window! He just opened the window!" Gale shouts. I hear a thump from outside. "I think he jumped!" Gale and I run outside to underneath Zaccai's bedroom window.
"Mum!" Zaccai calls. I run over to him. "I'm sorry"
"Are you hurt?" Gale asks him
"No, I'm Ok" Gale helps Zaccai up and we all go inside.
"Zaccai! I'm very disappointed in you" Says Peeta when he arrives home.
"Stop it! All of you! It's no big deal!" Zaccai shouts at the top of his voice.
"It is Zac, a boy is in hospital because you hurt him" Says Peeta
"That's it! How many times do I have to tell you. He deserved it!" Shouts Zaccai before running out the front door.
"Just leave him, he'll return" Gale says,
"But it's after 7 o'clock. If he's seen he'll be kept in the prison for the night and publicly flogged in the morning." Peeta says putting his boots on.
"Peeta, leave him." I say, "With the security around this place I'm almost positive he's already been found."
"We can't just leave him, Katniss he's our son."
"I'm with Katniss here" Gale says
"No one asked for your opinion Hawthorne" Peeta says
"Leave him, Peeta" I say again.
The doorbell rings and I run to see who it is. Standing there, is a peace keeper with one hand on Zaccai's shoulder.
"Is this your son?"
"Yes"
"He will be flogged in the town center at 8 tomorrow morning. You can collect him after." I stand in shock as the peace keeper drags Zaccai away. I close the door and whisper "He's already been found."