The True Meaning Of Family

"Hold on," snapped Alfie, "I grow tired of running. I mean, they cannot just hijack us if we go to the mansion. They need probable cause, do they not?"

"That is true," noted Seneca, "Perhaps; the President can clear some things up for us."

"Wait. They are going to great length to find out information. Who is to say that they will not attack upon sight?" Venia spurted out.

I felt so confused. Nausea, depression, and dread filled my inner thoughts. Clearly, someone has been wronged. Would the President order us captured upon arrival? Should we talk to him?

"I am starting to think that I do not want to attend Games school," I announced.

The more this treachery continued on, the more I began to see clearly. The Hunger Games, our most valued source of entertainment, resulted in death and destruction. The death of my old family, the destruction of my home.

"Come on, Effie. You know that is dangerous thinking. Especially now, when the President is hounding us for information," Alfie reasoned.

"I just…it feels so wrong. The Hunger Games were something father and I bonded over. I need to know-what caused him to change his opinion? Something that concrete could not have been changed overnight. He must have discovered something," I stammered.

"I understand," Seneca got to his feet, "We must find that essay. No doubt that it will be inside the President's mansion."

"Hold on!" shouted Venia, "Your ideas are spreading like wildfire. Paranoia has overtaken us. Can we decide on a firm course of action?"

"I vote that we infiltrate the President's mansion and steal that essay," I said.

Everyone stared at me. I would stare at me too. My words sounded ludicrous and immature. The words of someone who had both nothing and everything to lose.

"I agree," replied Seneca.

"Me too," answered Alfie.

"Are you insane?" screeched Venia, "One does not just waltz into the President's mansion to steal a confiscated essay that the President regards as treasonous."

"We will need to sneak in. Seneca has been there before, he knows the layout," I answered back.

"This plan seems dangerous. What if they capture you? You will be hijacked for sure, no questions asked," Venia reasoned.

"We will be hijacked either way!" I retorted, "I am tired of running. It is time to take action."

Venia stared at us with incredulous grief. An awkward silent followed. With every second that passed, I felt more confident in my plan. Additionally, I began to visualize stealing the essay, ordering the President to return my parents to normal, and living a simple life again. It had been so long.

"I cannot back you on this," Venia said finally, "It is not that I do not believe you. Or, that I do not want the best for you. I believe the risk is too great. I do not want to lose you."

She seemed to be speaking to all of us. I glared with anger at Venia. Then, I understood. She was not against us, she simply had moved into the maternal mode. She wanted to protect us the way no one had. I wanted to cry for the pain she was experiencing. Instead, I hugged her.

"I understand. Thank you for everything you have done. But understand this, I need to do this. I need a normal life again," I whispered.

"Effie, what are you going to do once you get the essay? Threaten the President? This plan is not safe; it is a suicide mission. Please do not go," she coaxed.

Obvious flaws could not outweigh the fuel of free life. I had made up my mind. I was going even if Venia was not. The boys looked at us with wide eyes. They knew of the schism. Our party would have to split.

"I am going with Effie," responded Seneca, "I will not let her get hurt."

"Me too," answered Alfie, "I need to do this. Venia, stay. I do not want to cause you pain."

"Alfie," she howled.

I spotted something strange. Affection, deep affection ran through the air. I stepped out of the room, embarrassed for not realizing earlier. Venia and Alfie were in love.

Seneca followed me out of the room, closing the door silently behind him. He embraced me, stroking my hair.

"I am frightened," I confessed, "What will become of us?"

"Hopefully, everything will work out. Have faith," was all he said.

Plans began to formulate in my head. We would infiltrate the mansion. Surely, President Snow had the essay in a study of some sort. We would steal it. Then, we could confront Snow about the hijacking. He would have no advantage over us with the essay in our possession. If captured, we could honestly tell them that we knew nothing. It was full of flaws, sure, but rash action has always been known to outweigh common sense.

"Do you have any ideas?" I asked Seneca.

"A few. But, we will need to scope the mansion," he admitted.

Alfie stepped out of the room, supporting Venia with one hand and holding the keys in the other. He looked disgruntled, mortified, and embarrassed. Venia was very heavily crying. She hugged both Seneca and I with verve.

"So this is it then," Alfie spoke, "I have the keys. Seneca, Effie, get in the car."

"You are welcome here anytime," sobbed Venia.

We left promptly, opting for the backseat. Through the parlor windows, I could see Venia kissing Alfie gently. I pointed this out to Seneca and he nodded.

"Time flows, life continues on. One day, we too will grow up. Affection like that, deep, honest, true, rarely consumes the young. They are chosen by destiny, intertwined by misfortune. I pray that they will reach euphoria," Seneca recited.

"That was beautiful," I looked at him.

I had not seen him this closely all day. His eyes were full of strength, passion, and fire. He sought vengeance. He looked empowered. I kissed him gently as Alfie entered the car. Alfie took little notice, trying to glimpse Venia as he pulled out of the driveway. She waved from the parlor, wishing us silent victories.

We began the long drive back to the Capitol. It was agreed that we would recuperate in Seneca's mansion. Along the way, little words were exchanged. Seneca moved his hand onto my thigh, both passing on feelings of reassurance and desire. I remained positive, thinking of every possible way to get what I wanted.

"Let's rest up and tomorrow we shall scout," suggested Seneca, opening the door to the mansion.

"Sounds fine to me," I agreed.

"Yes," responded Alfie without much passion.

He looked absolutely defeated. Miserable with something that I could not quite place. Seneca offered Alfie a cigar, pointing to the balcony. I waited in the parlor, removing my heels. Through the glass, I could see Seneca patting Alfie on the back. I pressed my ear against the glass, hoping to catch a snippet, but the glass was too thick.

They came in, Seneca instructing Alfie on directions to the guest room. Alfie thanked him generously. He slumped off in that direction, looking a little more confident than before.

"Go talk to him," Seneca nodded.

I followed silently, knocking on the guest door. Alfie opened it as if expecting me. He gestured toward the bed, and I sat down.

"So this is it," I began, "Are you scared?"

"More so then before," he replied sitting down.

"You love Venia," it was a statement, not a question.

"More so then before," he answered again.

"Should I leave?" I began to get up.

"Wait, Effie. I need to make sure we all get back. Back to Venia's. If something goes wrong, I need to have a way to save everyone. Our family depends on it," he said.

"Mother and father have already been inflicted. We can only hope for their safe return," I responded quietly.

"Not that family," Alfie responded.

"Venia and Seneca, too," I added.

Alfie just looked at me, seemingly at a loss for words.

"What?" I asked, disturbed, "What is the matter?"

He sat quietly for a moment, willing himself to speak. I grew impatient with desire. I felt that he needed to reveal something deeply profound.

"You are going to be an aunt."