Chapter 3: The Long Goodbye
Sorry for the long wait. I've been sick the past two weeks. I'm still feeling under the weather today,
but God helped me press to get to the library. Enjoy and let me know what you think. Feedback is
appreciated!
As Katniss lay in her bed, she remembered saying goodbye to her mom and Prim. Prim was sobbing.
Katniss smiled at the thought of her little sister's selflessness.
"It's not your fault," Katniss had tried to assure her. "It's President Snow's and his Hunger Games."
Her mom remained silent and in the background. Katniss hugged Prim tightly. Prim told Katniss to come
back. Katniss felt bad for promising that she would. She didn't know what lay exactly around the corner.
She hugged her mom, and made her promise to look after Prim. Peeta was there too, with a look of
gratitude on his face.
"He did it for you, you know." Peeta had said.
Katnis shook her head.
"You could have done so many things that Gale would have expected you to do, but facing your election
into the Hunger Games wasn't one of them. Not only did you surprise him, you brought out a part of
himself he buried." Katniss blurted out before she could stop herself.
She drifted off on that memory. Gale was still lying awake, late into the night. He wondered if he had
made the right choice. His parents were furious. To them, everything depended on him. He didn't want
to remember the last conversation they had, but he was unsuccessful in stopping his mind from
returning there.
"What were you thinking Gale? We need you!" His mom had shrieked.
"He was going to get both of them killed. What was I supposed to do?" Gale had responded, frustrated.
"Look out for yourself and your family. Nobody else in this cursed district knows we exist." His dad had
said, shaking his head.
"Katniss does. This is partly for her."
"Look! He's in love! Hopefully she returns your affection and you two build a life together. By the time
you get back, your parents will be dead." His mom had snapped, poking him in the chest.
"Your guilt trip isn't working. I've made my choice and I'm standing by it." he had stated defiantly, which
had caused her to storm away in frustration.
"Son, you are a fool." His dad had said, coldly.
"That's an improvement," he had responded, cynically. "It's an upgrade from totally useless."
He was sleep before he could regret his choice of words.