Chapter 14: Prim's tenth birthday.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games or any of the characters.
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-Happy birthday Prim!
-Good morning, Katniss. – Prim replies in a sad tone.
-Hey, why are you so sad? – I ask worried. – It's your birthday; I thought you would be happier.
-I'm happy, but I'm worried too.
-Why are you worried? – asks Katniss, but we both know what she will say.
-I'm about 2 years to get to the reaping. If I get reaped, I'll die in the Hunger Games. – She says in a melodramatic tone.
-Prim, you have two years left and today is your birthday, so please smile and celebrate your day. In the evening you'll have a present. – I say in my most happy tone. – And if you get reaped, I'll volunteer for you.
-I don't want any of you to volunteer; I don't care if that means no presents. – She replies in a horrified tone.
-Don't worry, we will go to the woods and return by eight o'clock. – Katniss says softly.
We walk to the Meadow and we enter the woods. Gale is already setting the snares.
-Hey girls. How are you? – He asks distracted.
-All right, except for Prim's emotional breakdown. – I say pretty bored.
-Emotional breakdown? Why? –He asks worried.
-Because she's nearer to the reaping. – Katniss answers bored too. We care about Prim and we try to do anything to protect her but we can't do anything about the reaping. – We have to buy her a present.
I hear some noises in the other side of the stream, I turn my head and I see a young, beautiful deer. I don't stop to warn the others; I take and arrow and I shoot. The deer tries to escape, then it falls and we walk to it. The deer has an arrow in the neck, one in the eye and another one in the chest. We have shot at the same time.
Gale puts the deer in the game bag and he checks the snares while Katniss and I recollect some vegetables and we found some wild turkeys and rabbits. Its midday and we have already finished our hunting. We have to go to the Hob and sell part of our game.
We go to the Hob, as fast as we can. When we enter to the Hob, everyone stares at us and tries to take part of the deer. Greasy Sae appears and sends us with Rooba, the butcher. We arrive and show the deer to her. Rooba gives us a lot of money and some steaks. Even dividing the money in two, none of us has ever had so much money.
-We should buy something for Prim. – Gale says. – It's her birthday and we have enough money.
-What do you want to give her, Carolyne? – asks Katniss in an excited tone.
-I'm not sure. Maybe we can buy fabric for a new dress, or a hair brush. – I say unsure.
-I think she would like to have a new dress. – Gale says.
-Okay. Let's go to the Square. – Katniss replies.
We go to the Square and we go directly to the clothes store. Katniss is watching a blue silk fabric, while Gale is watching the colorful ribbons. I'm seeing the already-made clothes, when something catches my attention. In the other side of the Square is an old man with four or five goats, there is one that is in a cart, the goat seems to be sick or injured.
-Katniss, do you think that Prim would like to have a goat? - I ask.
-Maybe. Why? - She answers distracted.
-Because in the other side of the Square is an old man who has some goats. One is injured; maybe that has a lower price. – I reply.
-We could go and take a look. If the animal is curable, we can ask the price. – Gale says watching carefully the goats.
We walk to the other side of the Square and stop to watch the goats. The one that is in the cart has an injury in the leg, maybe it was bitten by a wild dog or something. The goat seems to be curable, so Katniss asks:
-How much is that goat?
-Why? Do you want it? – Responds the old man in a harsh tone.
-No. She just wants to bother you all day long. I say sarcastically. The butcher, Rooba, appears and the old man says:
-I'm very sorry, but I already have a deal with the butcher.
-Then, I don't want it. It is already bespoken. – Katniss says a little disappointed.
-Don't worry kid. This bug must be rotten to the bones. I won't get any meat out of it. You can buy it, if you are such a fool. - Rooba says in a hard tone, but she winks at us. Then Katniss says:
-I want it. How much does it cost?
-I'll give it to you in 25 dollars. – The man replies.
-Okay. – I say, while Gale gives the money to the man, and Gale and I take the goat. Then a great idea comes to my mind:
-Why if we buy a pink ribbon for the goat?
-Pink? I'll prefer blue.
-Of course, you prefer blue, Gale.
-I think we should buy it pink. – Katniss says and she runs towards the store. She buys the ribbon and puts it to the goat. We walk home and knock on the door, Prim opens and says:
-Why did you take so long? You said that you will be here by eight. Do you know what time is it?
-Of course, I know what time is it. – I say playfully. – It's nine o'clock.
-What have you been doing the last hour? – She asks angrily.
-We were buying your birthday present. – Katniss answers happily.
-I have told you that I didn't want any present. – She replies still angry.
-But I didn't listen to you. – I say still playfully. – I'm sure you are going to love it.
-But first you'll have to fix its leg. – Gale says. He walks in the house and shows the goat. Mom and Prim see the injured leg of the animal and start giving it medicine and other stuff, Gale returns to his house, Katniss takes a bath and I prepare dinner. By the time I have finished dinner, Mom and Prim have already finished with the goat and we all sit at the table to eat my improvised dinner:
-So do you like your present? – I ask.
-Yes, of course. – She answers.
-Do you love it? – Katniss asks.
-Yes, of course.
-I knew you will. – I say happily, while my mom says:
-Sorry, girls, but it's time to sleep.
-Can I sleep with the goat? – Prim asks.
-Yes, but first give it a name. – Says Katniss
-I'll call her Lady. – Prim says softly.
I give her a blanket and she sits by the fire with Lady besides her. Before I walk to my bed the goat licks Prim in the face, like if it was a goodnight kiss.
Hope you like it. Please read and review!
Taylor.