Thank you to everyone that reviewed last chapter and added this story to their favorites/alerts. Here is another chapter for you to hopefully enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or any of its characters.

Chapter 2

The Games are over and I am faced with some good news and some bad news. The good news is that Katniss is coming home alive. The bad news is that Peeta Mellark is coming home with her. Not that I'm for anyone dying really. I just have a problem that he shares my affection for Katniss and worse, she feels something for him as well.

After watching them over the last few days of the Games, there is no doubt in my mind that she loves him. The way she kissed him and caressed his body has proved that. It's been weird seeing this side of my best friend. I never even knew she had it in her. I guess it had been lying dormant inside of her waiting for the right person to set that spark. I only wish it had been me.

Now I lie here in my bed, up later than I should be. The house is quiet apart from Rory's random bouts of talking in his sleep and Vick's light snoring. I get out of my bed and lay on the sofa, thinking about what happens next. She'll be home in a week after the interviews and special events.

Things will be different now. It will have to be now that she's a victor. I wonder if Katniss will venture outside the fence now that she has more money than she could ever spend in her lifetime. I hope she'll at least come with me to keep me company. I then wonder if I'd be able to handle myself, alone in the woods with her. The past few months have been a struggle especially during the times when we are close in proximity. With her current situation, there is no way I could do the things I long to do with her.

I think of solutions, to make life as pain free as possible. I could avoid her but I know she'd end up finding me. She knows all the places I frequent. I could find some other girl to make her jealous; wouldn't be difficult to do. Over the past few years, my popularity has great increased among the girls my age both in town and the Seam. That wouldn't be good though, because it doesn't fix my problem of wanting to be with her.

My third solution is boldest of them all. I do what I've thinking about for so long. I escape to the woods, taking my family with me. I'd finally have the freedom I've talked about for so long and I would not have to worry about my siblings' names being cast into the Reaping.

I wait until the afternoon when Rory and Vick are playing with friends and Posy is napping to talk to my mom. We sit at the table, across from each other and I struggle where to begin. I've never told about this before.

"I want to live in the woods." I say. She looks at me with surprise but luckily doesn't shoot me down.

"Just you?" she asks.

"No, all of us…the whole family." She leans back in her chair and crosses her arms, contemplating what I've just said.

"Why?" she asks.

"Because I can't stay here." I say, my brow furrowed as trace an indentation in the wood table.

"Why?" she presses.

"Gosh, Mom, you're starting to sound just like Posy." I say feeling annoyed with her questioning.

"If I'm going to drag my four children out into the wilderness, I think I have a right to know why you're so adamant about us leaving."

"There are loads of reasons." I tell her. "For one, I'm 18 and I'll be forced into the mines, just like Dad was when he was my age. I don't want to spend the rest of my life down there. There's also the Reaping. The kids are getting older. I managed to escape selection but I can't stand the thought of any of them being chosen as tribute. Plus, Dad always talked about us escaping. I think now is a good time."

"And those are all the reasons?"

"Yes." I tell her.

"All of them?" she asks giving me that look like she knows I'm hiding something. How is it that mothers know when you're lying or omitting something?

"I think the last one goes without saying."

"I'd like to hear it. Just to make sure we are on the same page."

"Mom!" I groan. She looks at me sternly and I know there is no getting away from this. "I can't be around her anymore."

"She'll need you."

"No she won't. She has him now. What could I ever be to her now?"

"Her friend."

"Maybe I don't want to be her friend." I say, running my fingers through my hair.

"I'll need to think about this. This isn't something to be taken lightly. I will let you know by tomorrow."

"Please say yes." I plead.

"I'll let you know." she says before getting up from the table.

I go to my room and start drafting a list of supplies we would need to get started living in the woods. We would need some sort of tent to live in until we reached our destination…and while I build our house. Building supplies would also be needed. I could use the surrounding trees for lumber but I would need nails, a hammer, and a saw at the very least. We would need some sort of food surplus to hold us over on the days when my snares are unsuccessful. We'd also need some sort of water purification.

Some things we already own such as extra sets of clothes and eating utensils. Still, I'd need to think of a way to transport all of this. There are only two adults and there will be times when one of us will have to carry Posy when she tires of walking. Despite all of this, I still know we could make it. It might mean a few months of struggling but in the long run, it would be worth it.

Most of this stuff will cost money, or some sort of trade. Instead of pacing around my room, waiting for my mother's answer, I decide to be productive. I head toward the fence and check my snare line. I also set up additional snares in new locations. I collect blackberries and then head to the strawberry patch, pleased to find the berries are now ripe. The mayor likes these and will give a good price. I find myself excited for the first time in a long time when I start to realize that one of my dreams might actually be able to come a reality. After a few hours, I head back to make deliveries. I drop off a bag with 3 rabbits in it to Prim. I still haven't forgotten about taking care of them. This should hold them over until Katniss returns.

I then go to the mayor's house to deliver the strawberries. His daughter, Madge, answers the door and exchanges pleasantries, asking me if I'm excited for Katniss to return. I manage a smile as I tell her yes. She gives me more than usual for the berries. Normally I'd mind, thinking of it as charity but I have supplies to purchase. My last stop is the Hob, to search for things on my list and to trade. I find someone with a good-sized tent. It's modest with a few holes that could easily be patched. I ask the man to hold it a few days, until I have enough to pay for it. I easily find a hammer and two small handsaws, which I get a good bargain on. I ask the man working if he had a large supply of nails and he told me he could wrangle some up in a few days, whatever that means. I take the remaining rabbit and the partridges I shot with my bow home for our family meal. I give my mother my game bag and head outside to the rain basin to wash up.

The next few hours are spent with the family, eating dinner and talking about our days. I don't dare ask my mother about her decision in front of the little ones. I'll inquire after they are sleeping. Those final hours pass slowly. I can barely sit still. Once Posy is tucked into bed, I walk back into the main living area and hear my mother calling me in the kitchen. My heart starts pounding as I take small steps to the kitchen. Her answer will decide my future. I don't dare say anything. Instead, I wait for her answer.

"I've thought about it and my answer is yes." she said cracking a smile as she said the last word.

"Thank you." I say with a sigh as I pull my mother closer for a hug. "Thank you so much. Everything will work out, I promise."

"I know. I trust you. You've been going into those woods long enough to know what to expect."

I take some time before turning in to tell her about the supplies I've acquired and more about my plan. When I've told her everything, I then make my way to my bed. As I lie beneath the covers, I can't help but smile. Finally, we'll be safe and free from the Capitol's reign over us. I'll never have to step into a dark mine. My little sister will never experience the panic and fear associated with Reaping days. Things are finally starting to go my way…and I like it.

Gale is planning a big escape. You will find out soon if he is successful or not!