Chapter 3
Leaving
Sammie's View
(A.N- I realize that in chapter 2 I said Thorn was 6. He is actually ten. Sorry for the confusion.)
Wide, eyed I stood there staring at Riley. He had to be joking! My friends and I part of the rebellion? Well, that wasn't too happy making. I mean honestly size wise; I had no chance of survival. Riley had to be more insane than Keegan and I. Let's face it; we had done some crazy stuff! Jarred drew me out of my thought. "Come on little girl. We have to go home; Briar needs us," he whispered the last part in my ear. As sad as it was he was right. Briar, our 5 year old brother, was home alone. I doubted he had even seen food since the night before. Everyone else had similar dilemmas. As we walked out the door Riley said one last thing, "Seriously kids, think it over. If you don't do this things will get worse. You're part of the plan. All will be explained." Smiles flashed over the boy's faces. "ME!! YAY THEY PICKED ME!!!" I yelled in an attempt to lighten the conversation. Riley rolled his eyes, everyone else found it funny.
We were out the door in a flash. "So what do yall think about what he said? Riley is always right! Come on lets go get 'em!" Torrence exclaimed. This was followed by cheers. Briar came running to Jarred and I as soon as we were in view of our home. He ran straight to Jarred. Before I knew it they were having a wrestling match in our pitiful excuse for a living room. While they did this I began fixing the fish my brother stole. He never would let me take the fish; he feared I would get caught. Mom and dad walked in just as I was placing dinner on the table. The sickening smell of fish clung to them. They probably had to dive in today and save a child that fell from the rafters. We ate in silence, except for Briar telling his futile stories. I couldn't even understand this one; he was rambling to fast. Jarred and I exchanged glances. This may be our last meal together. It seemed we were trying to distance ourselves, rather than leaving happy memories. "So kids what are you doing tomorrow? After all it is your day off," my mother broke in.
"I think we will just take a walk with our friends," Jarred said quietly.
"Behind blue eyes
and no one knows
what it's like to be hated
to be faded to telling only lies"
Our mother nodded and our father just gave an awkward glance. We were told to go to bed, which I couldn't have been happier about. The three of us climbed into our sleeping bags. You would have to be rich to buy 4 beds here in district 4. They want their tributes strong, so items of comfort cost more. "Jarred, I'm scared."
"Don't worry sis if peace keepers try anything, Torrence will punch them!" We both laughed at his words as our parents yelled for us to keep it down. They were having an important conversation. My brother was very temperamental. It was rare to find him in a good mood now days. The capitol and politics were hitting him hard. He couldn't wait to get out of here. I was glad to see him happy for even a few minutes. Slowly I drifted to sleep, dreading tomorrow. Tomorrow may bring forth death, something I was not looking forward to.
I awoke, scared for my life. We were to meet at the Oak Tree that morning and make plans for escape. I dressed and walked out of the house; I can't lie like Torrence if questioned for running. Jarred wasn't far behind me.
At The Oak Tree
"No, fish won't keep! We need bread!" Garrett was yelling as loud as safe. Of course, we were discussing what to take with us. Yeah, that's smart, especially since we don't even have a plan to get out of here! As if he read mind, "HEY GUYS, SHUTUP. You're arguing over what to take? We don't even know how to get out of here!" my brother practically screamed.
"Actually we do," Garrett began whispering into my ear. I'm sure countless emotions crossed my face as I listened to this insane, but clever plan. It ended with a smile; we would be getting out of here. As soon as Jarred was caught up he jumped straight into the argument over what we would be taking. I stayed quiet; survival wasn't my specialty. Without Jarred and my friends I would have died years ago. That was simply a fact.
"8:00, meet here with everything," Damien finished the argument sternly. Everyone nodded
Laney grabbed my arm. "Come on, we have to do out part!" I nodded in reply. We ran to her house first, mainly to check on Thorn. We shut the door quietly, in case he was asleep. Quickly, we realized he wasn't. "Laney! Laney!! I got you a present!" Thorn cried out. Laney smiled.
"Really Bubba? Let me see!" she grinned, ruffling his hair. I smiled at her as he ran out of the room; she simply shook her head. "Crazy, but adorable," she whispered. He dashed back in the room waving a beautiful blue water lily.
"I found it in the marsh today and I knew blue was your favorite color! Do you like it?" he shouted with a voice full of excitement. Thorn had always adored his big sister, and was thankful for everything she did for him. Although he was sometime reluctant to show it, he definitely was. "I sure do buddy!" She replied, placing it in her hair. After Laney gave him a hug, we walked around the house in search for blankets. Who new how cold it got outside of our district? I just wish we knew where we were headed. Thorn was staring at us with question in his eyes.
"Why are you taking so many blankets? Is this what you were talking about in your sleep the other night? I thought that was all a dream you were having! You're leaving aren't you!?" shock filled Thorn's voice. Crap, Laney must have been talking in her sleep. Shock crossed her face. Oh no, she did.
"THORN! You can't mention that ever. Okay bubby? I mean never. Yes we are leaving; we have to," Laney seriously stated.
"Great, I hate this place. I'll go pack," he grinned.
"No Thorn, I mean my friends and me; it's too dangerous for you. I love you bubba and I don't want you to get hurt."
I've got to move on and be who I am
I just don't belong here;
I hope you understand
We might find our place in this world someday,
But at least for now,
I gotta go my own way.
Don't wanna leave it all behind,
but I get my hopes up and watch them fall every time
another color turns to grey
and it's just too hard to watch it all slowly fade away.
I'm leaving today cause I've gotta do what's best for me,
You'll be okay..
Thorn's View
My sister was crazy; she thought that she and her friends could just leave. I nodded at my sister, making her think I would go along with this. No way would that be happening though. Besides whom did she think was going to help momma and me? Daddy did all he could, but it was never enough for all of us. Momma and daddy could provide for each other if I left though. This all went through my head as my sister dragged on about me being there for them, being the ray of hope. What was that anyway? Besides if I left maybe it would be like the Hunger Games out in the wild. I had always thought those were so cool! I mean getting to hit people without getting in trouble? Draw my name! They were really sad when someone died though. So maybe I wouldn't like them. Then again I was a big boy, and I am good at throwing knives. It all comes down to me following my sister out of here. I will follow her. They will need me. I am sure.