At his words I was in shock. Was there really a rebellion? I always knew there was something more than just forest beyond 12.
All the sudden things were piecing together in my mind. The capital hovercrafts headed out that way. They weren't doing land surveys, they were searching the land for any possible survivors. Any thing that showed civilization. This was what I had always wanted. To find a way to fight the capital. It was standing right there in front of me and yet I couldn't bring myself to say yes. There were still things that didn't add up. Like why they had never informed districts that there was something, anything? Why were they a secret? Why did they let the districts lose hope and give in?
He could see my brain turning and I as opened my mouth to ask these questions he stopped me with the answers.
"We can't let anyone know we exist, not yet, not until we are strong enough to hold our own once we are discovered. We are rebuilding 13 and need help. Besides hope is not all lost. Look at yourself. When I look at you I see a young girl with plenty of hatred toward the capital, for what they have really done, not just the games, but everything else. I see a fire in your eyes that no matter how dim it may go, can never be extinguished. They've done something to you, I'm not positive what, but there's something. Join us and get your revenge, don't let them control you anymore." He paused before and seeing my apparent confusion on the matter Plutarch continued," You see, there is nothing left for you in 12, you can't go back. Not without intense questioning and suspicion. Going back might as well be handing yourself over. Whatever is pulling you back you need to forget. Your family is safer with you out here. They can't even know your location without being in danger."
"I know I can't go back, especially now. But that doesn't mean I have to chose this. I could just make a living out here. Hunting, fishing, observing. They would never find me." I know i'm just stalling. I need more time to think about this. If I go there would be no turning back. I would be a rebel forever. But aren't I already?
After a minute he responds. "This is true, I can't make you. The decision had to be yours. But what is a life out here alone? You could be apart of something bigger. You could lead. You could save them from the capital." As his last words left his mouth he pointed toward the other districts, referring to them.
I guess I always knew that I would take this offer. What else could I do? Living in the woods would cause too much loneliness, it had only been a few days that I was out here and was already scared of this stranger leaving me alone again. This was what I always wanted. I just had to say goodbye. I had to accept what my life would now be. "How do I know that all of this isn't a lie?" I question him one last time before giving him my answer.
"Most people wouldn't. They would have to take the chance on a decision. But you know the truth, don't you? You know whether or not I'm lying."
Something told me wherever I was going was going to be a great fit. Answering questions with questions. Something I did my family and friends all the time. This was it. I was finally going to figure out what was happening at the capital and be apart of ending it.
With a smile, I finally pack everything I had been holding and set down into a way that wouldn't hinder my walking.
"Lead the way." At my response Plutarch smiles and accepts the invitation. We begin to walk into the forest and now there are no more questions, just silence.
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We had been walking for ages. I was careful to pay attention though. If I was to be apart of this, I wanted to know my way around the forest, outside of the districts. The forest had grown denser and then thinned out again. There was a faint smell of fresh dew on the leaves. It was growing dark. About to ask whether or not we were going to reach 13 tonight, my question is answered.
"Here we are." Plutarch is tired. He huffs and puffs as he says it, but hasn't lost his humor. He raises his arms as to show the place off.
I raise an eyebrow in his direction. "I don't appreciate these games." We are in the middle of the woods still, no buildings visible anywhere."How far are we? There is no sign of anything out here."
Smiling he says, "Looks closer." He approaches a tree at least 4 feet in diameter and points to a small crease all the way around, barely noticeable even when searching for it. He pushes hard in on it and it budges. A hatch opens revealing a door. He opens in and gestures me in. " Welcome the 13 Ms. Hawthorne, after you."
I walk past and enter the door. What lies inside amazes me and I stop dead in my tracks.
"Well you didn't expect us to be visible and above ground did you?" Plutarch seems much more relaxed as he delivers a joke that he must say to any new... well inhabitant I guess.
"Of course not."
Note: Its been awhile(I've really busy), and I'm trying to update more often. Let me know what you think of it so far! I'd love to hear what you think about it! So let me know: comments, suggestions, questions, anything! Thanks!
