7. Healer.
Before I even reach her front door, I'm calling out to Mrs. Everdeen. The door flies open.
"Madge, dear," her voice full of concern, "What's wrong?"
"Gale was caught hunting. New Peacekeeper. He was being whipped."
"Slow down, Madge." her voice is soothing.
I take a deep breath. "They're bringing him here."
She calmly guides me inside and asks me to clear everything off the kitchen table. While I start removing things off the table, Mrs. Everdeen disappears down a hallway.
When the table is clear, she returns with a white tablecloth, an armful of medicinal herbs and vials.
"You said he was being whipped?"
I nod "His back is all raw and bloody and ripped and..." tears again stain my cheeks.
"Shh," she sooths "Here, spread this cloth over the table."
As I do so, I hear the front door open.
"Mum!" Katniss' voice calls out, and Mrs. Everdeen disappears again.
They bring an unconscious Gale into the kitchen and lay him face down on the table. Though unconscious, his face is contorted in pain.
The men that carried Gale in leave, followed by Katniss. But Primrose quickly takes her place. Both Prim and Mrs. Everdeen fuss around Gale, deciding where to start.
I hear the front door again, within seconds Gale's mother is next to him.
"My poor boy, my darling boy..."
Mrs. Everdeen looks at me, and I know what she wants me to do.
"Hazelle. Come with me to the lounge room. He's in good hands, I promise."
We both sit on the lounge, sharing a worried silence, listening to Gale's groans of pain.
Prim appears at the door.
"Madge, do you still stock vials of morphling for your mother?" I nod. "Can you spare some?" I nod again and stand, already knowing what she's going to ask.
"I'll be back in a few minutes." I look at Hazelle. "Will you be okay by yourself?"
"I'll stay with her." interjects Prim. "Mum just about has his back sorted. He's just in pain."
"Be swift, dear." whispers Hazelle.
And again I am running through the streets of District 12.