Hey, guys! I am so sorry for the delay, I've just been really busy and school. I feel like every time I start a story, there is always something to keep me away from writing. But, here is the next chapter and I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for the reviews, I appreciate it very much!
Also, I will be posting a song I listened to while writing that inspired me. For all the chapters up to this one, the songs have been (in no particular order) Both of Us by B.o.B. featuring Taylor Swift, Novocain by Fall Out Boy, Safe and Sound (I feel like this one is obvious but it was perfect helping me write chapters!) by Taylor Swift, and We Are Broken by Paramore. There were a lot more, but these are the most inspiring to me.
Thank you and enjoy!
None of us wanted to be left alone during the night so we all sleep in the living room with all of our blankets and pillows. It would've been a cute family get together, but considering the circumstances, it's scary and depressing.
Aunt Johanna doesn't call again. No one calls after the announcement. We are all clinging to every moment we can with our families. Mom and Dad don't sleep; they watch Rye and me as we also lie wide awake beside each other. We can't sleep and neither can we talk. We are rendered speechless by what the future holds. Our parents will soon receive information on how and when everything is going to unfold. Then, the whole country will be informed when the Reaping and the Games will commence. We don't want it to happen. Nobody does.
In the morning, the silence is broken by the sound of the telephone ringing. I pick it up when I realize that my parents are too tired and shaken up to do anything until they need to. Rye, I think, is asleep but he could be pretending.
"Hello?" My scratchy voice answers.
"Hey, Willow," a male's voice answers. I know exactly who it is.
"Percy," I say. Percy Odair is one of my best friends. His name will be thrown into the bowl of Victor's children's names. There is a slim chance that he will not be chosen- there are very few names to be selected and his father helped out tremendously to end the games.
"I was hoping you would answer. If someone else would have answered I probably would have hung up and called again until you answered. I needed someone to talk to."
"Are you okay? How are you and your mom holding up?
"We are both okay, given everything of course, but she won't talk to me. And she also locked herself in her room. She was doing so well, too. All these years without any trouble, and the Capitol just…" He lets out a shaky sigh. He wants to stay strong.
"Percy, I'm sorry. I'll have my mom call later to speak to her. Hopefully that will calm her down."
"Thank you. How are your parents holding up?"
"They're silent so I don't know what's going on inside their heads. But Rye and I are also equally as quiet. Did Aunt Johanna call you yesterday beforehand?"
"Yes," I hold the phone closely to my hear focusing on his unsteady breath, "Willow, what are we going to do?"
I shook my head, but realized he couldn't see me, "I have no clue. We can't go to one another's districts or the Capitol. My mom said they're going to be really strict with transportation."
"I wish we can run away."
That would be the best sounding option, but 1) we couldn't leave our country helpless 2) they would be expecting us to run 3) it's not brave. If my parents can fight for freedom, so can I.
' "I wish we could, Percy."
"We need to form an alliance with as many as we can."
We both know all three of us are going to be sent into the arena. Our parents were the three main people in the limelight during the war: the three tributes that everyone knew and that helped eliminate the Hunger Games.
Would we follow in their footsteps to ensure it would definitely never happen again? Are we going to be the 'new rebels' that will overtake the Capitol once more?
I don't want to be a broken piece to purify the government system. My parents fought for Rye's and my safety. They fought for us to not become just like them. We were supposed to acquire their personalities and physical appearances, not their mental breakdowns.
"We have to have as many people with us to make sure we don't fall into the Capitol's plans and die," there is a pause, "Willow, I don't want to die."
Something bubbles inside of me, "We are not going to die. I'm hoping nobody will die, but I'm going to make sure we three don't die," my heart drops, "No, four. Oh my God, have you talked to Jason?" Jason is Johanna's son. How could I have forgotten him? How could I have forgotten one of my closest friends? What kind of friend am I?
"Not yet."
"Let's take a couple of days to collect our thoughts. You call Jason and I'll talk to Rye. Hopefully, we'll figure something out before the Reaping. If not, we have those few days to brainstorm together."
"Okay, I'll talk to you in a couple of days?" I reassure him that we will most likely speak to one another sooner than that. He agrees upon this arrangement.
I think we're done on the phone until he speaks again, "And Willow?"
"Yes, Percy?"
You never realize how much three little words can be significant until you hear them when you need them the most. Three little words can suddenly give you back the breath your lungs have been aching for or lift the heavy weigh on your shoulders.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Percy," I sigh, "So much." I could hear him smile as we say our good-byes.
A year ago, we realized we had feelings for each other. It was while I was visiting him and his mother, Annie, in District 4. We were both walking along the pier when he confessed his feelings towards me and I then acknowledged that the emotions were mutual. I don't think I would have ever coughed up the courage to tell him first.
While Rye and a few more select people do know, our parents still do not know. Percy and I promised one another that we would keep our relationship inclusive, and that we would inform our parents when the timing was right. Now, would probably not be the best time to inform them so it will be a little while longer until they do know. It would have to wait until after the Games.
If one of us are still alive.
Walking back into the living room, I see that Rye has truly fallen asleep now and our parents still sit on the couch together, but Dad has drifted off to slumber like Rye. Mom is still awake, most likely terrified of the nightmares to come as soon as she closes her eyes.
"Who was on the phone?" Her voice startles me. I honestly didn't expect her to speak for another day or so.
"Percy. Needed someone to talk to. His mom locked herself in her room," I reply.
"I should call her," she whispers. She might call in a couple of hours. It is still very early in the morning.
We will stay home today; No one expects us to hunt or open up the bakery. My parents don't want to see the pitying looks. Frankly, I don't care who sees me; there are people who need me to hunt, but the fact that I'm not going alone again keeps me home. My injuries sting as I think about it. My family needs me here more than the people of the district.
Lying beside Rye, I try to mimic his breathing so I can fall asleep, but my mind is running a million miles per hours. Will I die in a month? Will Rye, Jason, or Percy perish alongside me? If I make allies, will they die? Who will I watch die and who will I watch die from my own doing? Will any of us kill anyone? What will the people of Panem think when there is death? Will they accept it or be outraged? What will my mom and dad think if I do kill someone; will they understand it was for my protection? Will there be another Rebellion and will my friends and I be the leaders of, hopefully, the last Rebellion to stop this madness? Will this game start another series of games? Is this just a vicious cycle that will never stop?
I realize Rye is actually not asleep when he turns around to face me with wide eyes. "Did I wake you?" I whisper to him.
"No, I haven't been asleep. Have you?"
"Not at all," we both glance at our parents, "we have to do what we can to make sure we get out of the arena alive." If we died, our parents will be sent into madness again and maybe never return to normalcy. We will both have to survive to keep all four of us alive.
"Of course, Willow. I'm not going to quit."
"I know. Percy called," he raised his eyebrows, "We're going to try to come up with a plan to get us out."
"They're not going to let what happened in the last Quarter Quell happen again if that's what you're thinking."
The rebels intercepted the last game and rescued who they could out of the arena. Our father was not able to be rescued at the time resulting him being hijacked with tracker jacker venom to become a weapon against our mother to kill her. Thus, resulting in him having dangerous episodes which he, thankfully, rarely has anymore.
"There has to be a way," I reply, stubborn with the thought that we will escape.
We lie in silence and watch the shadows disappear as the sun whisks them away. Our hands find each other during this time; our heartbeats hammer against one another. I feel like crying, screaming out asking why this is happening. But I stay silent, keeping all of my emotions bottled in to throw in the ocean. There is never going to be a time where I can twist the cork to release it all. Is this how the nation felt every time the time for the Games approached?
Where would I be if the Games weren't announced? I would be most likely hunting my last squirrel to bring to Alex. My stomach drops as I think of her. I never went back to help skin the meat.
I untwist my hand from Rye's and unscramble myself from the mess of blankets.
I startle him and he asks, "Where are you going?"
"I forgot to help Alex yesterday with everything happening."
"But, Willow, you can't just l-"
Our father intercepts the conversation while still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, "It's okay. You both can go out and run things as usual. You don't have to stay home because we are."
"Are you sure?" Rye and I ask simultaneously.
He nods and mom murmurs an "mhm" or something along those lines. "As long as you feel safe and comfortable while you're out," Dad replies.
I look at Rye, "I'm going to the Hob for a couple of hours after I shower and change. Are you going to work in the shop?" I ask.
"If you're going out, then I am as well," he turns to our parents "Are you sure you're okay with us leaving?"
After gaining their approval once more, we make ourselves presentable, and leave after saying bye to the both of them. I make sure to give them both a soft kiss on their cheeks.
"Willow," Rye starts after we walk further away from our home, "You and Percy…"
"No one else is going to know. Our parents, everyone else who doesn't know already, and especially the Capitol are going to know. After the Games, if we all escape, sure. But they are not going to find out everything about our lives. I don't… I don't want us to be in the limelight as star-crossed lovers like Mom and Dad. They were made to act certain ways, and I want to be in the shadows as much as possible. We just need to survive, not serve for their entertainment even more than we have to."
"I agree. If I die, then I want my life to be my own, not for someone to pick apart for their own joy."
Rye and I comfortably walk in silence as we walk together to the bakery. When we finally reach his destination, he tells me to be careful and I tell him that I'll see him soon, and I set off to the Hob. Silently, I walk and put myself in danger with my thoughts. It could result in another panic attack, but it is only 10 minute walk. Hopefully, I will be okay.
Without freaking myself out that much, I finally make it to the Hob where Alex enthusiastically greets me. "Willow! It's so good to see you!" She seems nervous.
"I'm sorry I didn't help you yesterday. I got… caught up." Translation: The Capitol wants to send me into the Games with my parents and I learned about it yesterday just like you.
She smiles apologetically, "I put the meat in the freezer to save me for a while, but I'll need more. I've got a little bit to last for a month or two. I was wondering if you could get some more before…" Before I leave to face my death is how she wanted to end that sentence.
"Today?" I ask. I didn't want to hunt today.
"Whenever you can." Translation: before I leave for the Capitol to fight to the death.
If I keep up these thoughts on death, I will give myself another panic attack.
"Yeah, I'll go hunting first thing tomorrow," my mother having a level head permitting, "Do you need my help with anything today?"
She shakes her head, "No, I should be okay. Thank you, though. If I need anything, I can ask one of the other hunters when they come in later."
I am about to ask if I could have a bowl of soup before I left, but I am caught off guard with the lack of people in the building. "Alex, where is everyone?"
Alex looks perplexed as well, "I was thinking the same thing when only a couple of people showed up this morning for breakfast."
"Do you think it has to do something with the news yesterday?"
She replies with an uncertain "maybe". I then tell her I will see her tomorrow and set off to the bakery, hoping that has a little more business. I forget about the bowl of soup with my stomach now full with dread.
Something is happening, and I'm nervous to discover what it is. Does it have to do with upcoming Games? The sound of footsteps following me stops me in my tracks and I turn around to see Jack. "Bones? You're out during the day?" I try to joke, but my words don't come out the way I want.
"Hey, Diana," he attempts to joke as well but neither of us are smiling, "You might want to head back home. There's rumor of a revolt, and I don't want to see you getting hurt." A revolt? Is that where everyone is hiding?
"Thank you. Could you tell Alex as well? She's still in the Hob." He curtly nods his head and I trust he will do so. "Thank you. And you be careful as well, Bones."
"I will, Diana. Now, hurry and get your brother so you get home as soon as you can."
Without being told a third time, I turn around and race towards Rye. I don't want us in the midst of a possible violent gathering. Clambering up the stairs and into the building, I find Rye lathering icing onto a decent sized cake. The wedding cake that was never finished yesterday and that might not ever be complete with how certain events are unfolding.
"Rye, we have to go back home. Officer Jack just told me there was a possible revolt about to happen and-" the sound of something popping not too far off interrupted me.
"Get down," Rye yelled at me as he rushed towards me, yanking me down to the floor.
"What the hell was that?" I asked, my heart beating fast with adrenaline.
He waits a few seconds before responding, "I think it was gun fire." He always keeps calm is serious situations which makes me think he will survive the Games and I, ultimately, will not.
"Guns? But we're not allowed to have guns?" Panic is evident in my voice.
"Unless you're an Officer."
"Why would-"
"I don't know, Willow, but what I do know is that we have to get out of here and hurry home."
"No, we should stay. If Mom and Dad find out what's happening, they're going to come here to get us. If we're gone, they're going to think something bad happened." It might be anxiety talking about 'if' situations, but it's true. They might go berserk if they can't find us.
Rye hates it when I'm right, and it shows on his face. We should get out of here, but what if we get in the middle of the crossfire when we sneak out? What if our parents do try to find us and we are nowhere to find us? One thing they reminded us both (quite a lot) is if we got lost to stay in one place so they could reach us.
But they never informed us of what happens if we were in danger.
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