A.N: There are only four more chapters left. We finished this a while ago, and we kinda rushed the ending. But for us, we tried to lead it up to Catching Fire. Review!
District 12
Chapter 10
After the hussle and bussle of the four adults finding Haymitch, us kids were instantly pushed out of the house. My mother told us to go to our house. They would come to get Peeta, Prim and I when things were cleaned up.
"To think that we jump out of a window just to save our skins," Peeta muttered, taking a seat on our new couch. "But you had to admit that was fun."
I rolled my eyes. Prim had went upstairs to do something to occupy herself. We had been in this house for less than twenty-four hours, so she was still checking things out and messing around.
"Uh huh," I replied. I already had to go through the games. No need for any more danger.
"What do you think of Haymitch and Effie?" Peeta asked, smiling a little.
I thought before I carefully answered. I had to choose my words quietly.
"Just surprising, I guess. They're so different. And after what happened at the Reaping..." I laughed at the memory, because I could, now that it was all over.
We looked into each others eyes for a few moments, as if trying to read each others thoughts.
"It's you and I," Prim interrupted, coming through the doorway.
We both stared at her, wanting to say something.
"Why are you holding a book?" I asked, OK, not what I meant to say.
Prim smiled sheepishly, then proceeded to read off of a page. "It was the old New York way...the way of people who dreaded scandal more than disease, who placed decency above courage, and who considered that nothing was more ill-bred than "scenes," except the behavior of those who gave rise to them! Edith Whartin, The Age of Innocence." She then looked up at me through her lashes, awaiting a reaction.
I gaped at my little sister for a moment, then jumped up from the couch and embraced her. prim had never read anything other than the label of a rare jar of preserves I would bring home from the Hob. After I would tell what it said.
"Prim! You learned how to read!" I said, her hair muffling my words as I stated the blindingly obvious. She giggled, all of us wore bright smiles.
"Gale helped teach me. And mother."
"That's great," I replied, thanking Gale silently. Of course he would teach her something in their time of need.
"Watch the book," Prim stated, her arm wriggled from mine. "It's over three hundred years old, and not exactly in great condition."
Our happiness was turned instantly. There was a high-pitched scream coming from Haymitch's house. It took us a few seconds to realize what it was. Oh no.
I'm amazed we heard it. The three of us were in our house, and Peeta's house was imbetween the two of them. That was more than forty feet between us. And not to mention the thick walls, rooms, and trees between those spaces.
I was out the front door before I checked if Peeta and Prim were behind me. I didn't need to though, because I could hear their footsteps fall behind me.
We arrived back at Haymitch's just as the scream stopped, we flung the door open and saw a red faced Effie. The screamer.
Then we saw Haymitch. He was propped up on the couch, deathly white and his eyes were glazed over. Out of his mouth a greenish foam came, him spitting up every few seconds absentmindedly. His chest was struggling to rise and fall with the normal rhythm, and I knew he had been poisoned. My mother was no where in sight, and Peeta's parents were huddled wide-eyed in the corner.
"I'll go..." began Prim, pointing over her shoulder.
"Go," I replied, as she dissapeared to get herbs and to find our mother. I walked to Haymitch's kitchen and Peeta walked to our inflicted mentor.
I started going through the cabinets, looking for the strongest tasting spices and other ingredients. I heard footsteps, and the door clicked shut. I could tell it wasn't Peeta or Prim.
"You."
I spun around, still holding the mixing bowl I had just found. "Yes?" I asked Peeta's mother.
"First my son, now Haymitch. When will you stop?! You should have died in the arena, for the good of everyone."
I was taken aback. "Excuse me?"
She stared at me with hate in her eyes. "Stay away from my son. Take that-what's his name?-Gale's will instead. Don't turn my son into a zombie. I know what you want to do to him You sl-"
She was cut off (thank god), by my mother bursting through the door. She looked back and forth between me an my accuser before speaking.
"We need him to regurgitate whatever he swallowed-"
I held up some old bay and lemon juice. "I know, mom."
"Out." She was in her zone then. the only person that could around her at this time was Prim.
My mom had good timing. I wanted ot leave anyway. I had to go to the woods, not stay here with Peeta and his mom in the same room. I wouldn't be able to handle it.
I ran out, slamming the door behind me. I really hope I wouldn't run into Gale.