Chapter 4
The girls shivered up against my arms. It was freezing tonight and since I had been in such a hurry to get out of that house I had forgotten blankets.
"Mom, where are we going?" Riley asked. I looked down at my girls.
"To see an old friend." I told her. I sighed. I had no idea where Gale was. The only thing I knew was that he was in the forest. This was stupid. There was no way that I would be able to find him in this time of the day. I was risking the lives of my girls out here. We needed to find a place to stay for the night. I knew I wasn't going back to Peeta. As much as I loved Peeta, he cheated on me but to think of it. I cheated on him with Gale. I was just as responsible for this but Peeta didn't know I cheated on him. I felt guilty, if I hadn't found out about Peeta and Madge then everything would be normal but I wouldn't know that Peeta had been lying to me all these years. I would be in the dark for the rest of my life. I would probably still be messing around with Gale behind Peeta's back and Madge would keep trying to steal Riley. I looked up at the dark sky. There was barley any clouds; you could see the staries perfectly.
"Mommy, I'm cold." Prim shivered. I looked down at Prim. She was hugging her herself trying to stay warm. I nodded to myself; I needed to get them somewhere warm.
"Come here." I told her. I scooped her up into my arms. "Riley." I called holding out my hand for her. Moments later her soft little hands connected with mine. I walked to the nearest tree and started climbing. Riley stayed on the ground waiting for me quietly. When I got to a branch I sat Prim on it. "Stay here, be careful." I cooed as I jumped down from the tree. I picked up Riley into my arms and carried her up the tree.
"Mom you're really good at that." Prim complemented.
"Thank you" I replied smiling.
"Where did you learn to climb like that?" Riley asked. I froze. The one thing I kept from my girls was the hunger games. I never wanted them to find out about that. The never had to know or worry about the games because they've been done since Snow was killed by me.
"Umm, my dad taught me." I lied. They both smiled.
"Can you teach us?" Prim asked. I was shocked that they actually bought my lie but they were 6 and 7. They thought I told them everything.
"Yah, I can teach you." I told them. They both smiled. "But I'm afraid that it's bed time girls." I added. Their smiles disappeared quickly and I laughed.
"Mom! I 'm not tired." Prim complained.
"I don't care, it's late." I barked as the girls sighed and laid back against the tree. I kissed their forehead and laid back on the other side of the tree. I sighed not knowing what to do. Maybe Gale wasn't in the woods after all. I closed my eyes then. I would find out in the morning I told myself.
*Line break*
My eyes flew open. What the heck? I thought. What woke me up? I looked around me just to stop on a flickering light in the distance. I jumped down from the tree leaving the girls alone. They would be ok I told myself as I walked in the direction of the light. The light got closer and closer. It was almost like it was coming towards me. I froze in my footsteps as I heard one voice.
"Madge! It that you!" Peeta yelled. I quickly jumped behind a tree just as Peeta came out through the bushes. He looked around quickly. He looked panicked. What was he doing here I thought. Suddenly, madge stepped out into the open.
"Peeta I can't find them anywhere." She cried. Peeta pulled her into his arms just as he had done with me every time I was upset. It stung inside me. I had left his less than 2 hours ago and he already has a girl. Madge's words caught me then. I can't find them anywhere she had said. They were looking for my girls! I thought furiously.
"They wouldn't be on the ground. Try the trees." Peeta told Madge. She nodded and they ran off in the direction of my girls. I was screaming inside. They could not take my girls away. They choose me. I turned and sprinted back towards our tree. I quickly climbed it just to see an empty tree. They weren't here. They were gone. Taken.