Disclaimer: Again, I'm not Suzanne Collins…

NEVER SAY GOODBYE

When I finally reach the fence that surrounds District 12, after the long trek back from the lake cabin, the snow is falling in thick clumps. I pause momentarily to listen for the unnatural buzzing but as usual, there is no sound except for the distant thump of snow falling off the branch of a tree in the forest. I crawl under the fence and drag my pack behind me. Continuing on my way home, the wind pushes against me and it takes all my effort just to take one step. Once I finally make it to our cabin, I tumble inside and slam the door shut behind me, blocking out the howling wind. I take out the few plants and the pieces of wild boar meat and put them away. I then return to the hog's hide, lifting it gently out of the bag and unfolding it, laying it out on the small wooden table – where we eat and prepare our meals – to air out.

Removing my hunting jacket and hanging it on the wall to dry, I proceed to strip off my hunting boots that are also soaking wet from the snow, and place them next to the smoldering hearth to dry. I also remove my wet, wool socks and hang them above the fireplace. I then head back into the bedroom and open the small chest of drawers and remove my blue denim overalls, blackened with coal dust, and a light grey wool sweater. I slip on the sweater over my white, thick undershirt, and remove my damp pants, to replace them with my overalls. I pull on a clean, dry pair of dark grey woolen socks. They are itchy but keep my feet warm in the damp cold of the mines in winter.

I walk back into the main room of our cabin, and head to the back of the house. There is a basin we use to hold water and my mirror I use for shaving. I grab the bucket of water we keep beside the fire overnight, to stop it from freezing and pour a small amount into the basin. I pick up a bar of sweet, floral smelling soap from the side of the white, porcelain bowl. Soap is a luxury here in district 12. This bar was relatively cheap but took a lot of trading at the Hob to be able to buy it. The Hob is the black market in District 12. It is housed in an old coal warehouse that has long since been abandoned. Coal dust resides in every corner. The bar of soap is small and from daily use, has shrunk even more. It takes effort to start a lather but once I have my face covered in soap, I switch the soap for my razor and watch myself in the mirror as I cut away the soap in straight lines. The mirror shines like crystal as it does every morning. It is the only sparkling clean item in the household. My youngest daughter, Prim, cleans the mirror every night before she goes to bed. She understands how much I dislike the coal dust that settles on everything in District 12. How it penetrates our lives.

After I finish shaving my chin smooth, I rinse and drain the water from the basin. I walk back to the "kitchen" and pack a small leather sack with some pickings for a small lunch. I place it in one of the large, baggy pockets of my overalls. I sit down in a wooden chair by the door and pull on my leather work boots. The chair creaks beneath my weight as I shift forwards to lace up the front of the boots. They are soft, black leather, though they might have been another colour years ago and our now infested by coal dust. The boots hit at a third way up my calf. They are comfortable and are easy to navigate the dark mines with. I pull the laces tight and do neat double-knotted bows on each shoe. I slip on a dark grey felt hat, which is tinged with black soot. I slip on fingerless, wool gloves that used to be grey but are practically black now.

I tip toe back into the bedroom. The sky outside the window is starting to become grey. I use my hunter tread to move soundlessly towards the cot where both my daughters are swaddled in a thick blanket. Prim stirs in her sleep, her blond curls bouncing around her face. I pull the blanket up closer to her chin and kiss her on the cheek. Prim's delicate eyes flutter open.

"Daddy," she murmurs softly. "What's happening?"

"I'm only leaving for work, sweetie," I reassure her.

"I love you Daddy."

"I love you too," I reply softly. "Now go back to sleep."

She complies and pulls the blankets tighter around herself. Soon enough she's breathing heavily. Next I turn to Katniss. Her black hair is fanned out around her in loose waves, due to wearing her hair constantly in a long braid down her back. I lightly brush a stray hair out of her face. I lean in and whisper:

"Bye, sweetheart."

"Dad," she moans.

I chuckle silently. Katniss usually doesn't wake when I leave for the mines, they don't have to wake for school for almost another hour but today she half-opens her eyes and props herself up on one elbow.

"Dad… I love you!" She whispers as loud as she dares. Then she throws her arms around my neck and buries her head in my chest. I gently stroke her hair until she pulls back. Her big, grey eyes look puzzled, almost worried or concerned, though they are half closed, as she still seems to be practically asleep so I may just be imagining it.

"I love you dad."

"I love you too Katniss. Now get some more sleep."

"Alright."

With that she lies back in bed. I cross the room and lean over my beautiful wife. I run my fingers through her soft blond hair. Then lightly brush her lips with mine and lean close to her ear to whisper almost silently:
"Have a good day. Look after the kids. I love you."

When I turn back around I find Katniss is still half-awake. I go and kneel in front of her side of the bed. Her eyelids droop over her striking grey eyes. I stroke her hair back from her face.
"Katniss, everything's fine. I have food for us, we have water, wood for warmth and the coal I track in on my clothing," I whisper. "I'm only going to be gone for the day. Like I am every day. Don't get yourself so worked up. Now go back to sleep or you'll have to catch up on your rest in class!"
I shake my head when I say the last bit, and chuckle a little. Katniss simple nods her head, closes her eyes and sighs. Almost instantly she's asleep. I leave the house and carefully shut the front door behind me. Again I am attacked by the vicious wind. Without my extra layer from my hunting coat, it feels as if I am standing naked in the wind, I am so cold. I wrap my arms across my body and walk swiftly in the direction of the mines.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed and told me to continue. I'm so, so sorry for not updating sooner, life was really busy these last several months! I'll try to update as often as possible.
Everyone else, please R&R thanks!