A/N – Sorry it took so long to update. We had company over. It will probably take long again for the next chapter, too. Anyways, enjoy and review!
Chapter 4
The trees instantly cool the sun on my back. I take the path that leads along my mother's old snare route. She used to take with her old friend, Gale. He lives in District 2. She and Dad don't talk about him much. It's like it's forbidden. I would really like to know more about him. I know I'm probably not going to any hunting. I will have nowhere to take it.
Suddenly, my feet push me through the underbrush. Once the trees clear, I find myself at the old pond that my grandfather, Katniss's dad. It is full of katniss, these little plants that fill the pond. They are edible, too and Katniss's dad used to tell her that if she could find herself then she would always be able to eat. I, myself, was named for her sister who was named for the plant evening primrose. Dad planted that in front of our house. I know about all of these plants from the book that my family wrote in. It contained all of their knowledge of plants and the wilderness. My grandma wrote about all of the herbal or healing plants and my grandpa wrote about all of the edible plants in the nearby forest, Katniss added to that later after the war, but before she and Dad had kids. I studied that under the covers late at night to make sure if the Hunger Games ever started again I would at least know what to eat. I leap into the pond fully clothed. I lay on my back feeling the slight ripples of my splash move me.
After the war, the rebels elected President Paylor. He died 20 years ago. After him, President Thomas was elected to office. He was more like President Snow, who was the president during the times of the 74th and 75th Hunger Games and the war. I think he wants the Hunger Games back, but nobody knows. He remade the Capitol, because it was devastated after the war. He made the Capitol rich again, but the districts only got a little poorer. Not how they used to be. Now everyone is well fed here. I have watched the 74th and 75th Hunger Games, despite my mother's protests. They were brutal, but my favorite part of the 74th was Dad's interview. He confessed his love for Katniss in front of the entire Capitol. I would love to have someone do that for me.
The 75th, the third Quarter Quell, made the victors be reaped again. Mags, an elderly woman from 4, volunteered for Annie Cresta. She went kind of mad after she saw her district partner beheaded. Yet, Finnick Odair still loved her. He was also from 4. He is Finn's namesake. He was Annie's mentor. He didn't love any Capitol girl; he loved a poor, mad girl back home. I think that is amazing. He died, though, in the war. And then Annie gave birth to his child, a little baby girl. Her name: Nixie. She is a couple years older than me; she's beautiful with sea green eyes like Finnick. We are pretty good friends, I call her every once in a while. It's kind of a joke, because only the victors and the mayors have telephone, so there aren't many people to call. I am still on my back when I open my eyes and glance at the sun. It is way to far west. I leap up and dart through the trees, and skirt bushes. Until I reach the fence. Good to her word, Annalise is still there.
"Where have you been?" she hisses.
"Sorry, I think I feel asleep," I mutter back.
"Okay, well let's get out of here."
We rush back into town. Katniss and Dad are there.
"Where have you been?" Katniss shouts.
"Why do you care?" I holler back.
"I'm your mother, do not speak to me in that tone of voice!"
"Prim, are you finished packing?" Dad quietly asks.
"Yes," I reply. "Is Katn-I mean Mom done being the worst mother ever?" I'm really not mad at Katniss, but all of my fury towards the Capitol is making my temper even shorter.
Katniss takes a deep breath.
"The train is here. Let's go." I grab Finn's hand and hug Lise with one arm.
"Write to me, okay?" I ask.
"Okay," she replies and hugs me back. Finn and I walk to Dad and Katniss and wait for the signal to get on the train.
This is it, then, I think. We are leaving District 12.
A/N – Well, did you like it? If there is anything that you would like to see in the story, leave it in a review or PM me! Thanks!
-Runaway Baby's sister
