A/N: Thank you to those of you who keep reading and reviewing! So, this isn't one of my best chapters, but I hope you enjoy and review!
The next day, I'm sitting under the tree in the yard when Rue comes out, doll in hand, to sit with me. I sit her in my lap and hug her. After yesterday, I was careful talking about the baby in front of her. She looks up at me and says, "The baby won't have a Daddy, like me?" I nod, trying not to let tears flood my eyes. "Well then I'll just have to be a good sister to make up for that, " she replied, then smiled satisfied with herself. She was so strong and selfless, even at this young age. It reminds me of how I was, though she certainly doesn't have to deal with some of the issues I dealt with. I kiss the top of her head then respond, "That's my girl. What do you think the baby should be, a boy or a girl?" She looks thoughtful for a moment then responds, "A boy, so he can be a Daddy some day." I nod. I would like a boy, a little Peeta to be all mine. "Well, we can talk more later, but now, I have to get you to school!" She smiles. School is Rue's favorite place. Every day, she comes home and tells me stories about her classmates, how Marvin Cartwright ate chalk and had to leave school early, or how they learned about different types of coal or how to make a birdhouse.
We walk along the path to the town square, where the school is. I drop her off and wave goodbye as she runs inside, as I do every day. I spend the day gardening. I've found it's quite a relaxing hobby, and when I harvest the fruits and vegetables I grow, I hand them out in the town square. It feels good to help people, to give away food to the poor, although nobody is starving like when I was young. After picking what I have for the day, I head to the square, to the area where the poor work during the day, the ones who can't work and need help.
When I get there, I see there is only one person there today, a young man of about eighteen or nineteen. I go to sit on the bench next to him, and he looks up, with sad eyes that show a flicker of recognition. "Why are you not down in the mines? I ask him. He doesn't appear to have any physical issues that would keep him from being in the mines. He looks at me for a moment before he replies, "I have trouble breathing underground, especially with all the coal dust in the air." I nod, then take my basket of vegetables (today potatoes) and hand it to him. "Here. You need these more than I do." He looks at me, fighting with his pride, contemplating if he should take my charity or not. Finally his pride gives in and he takes the basket. "Thank you, " he says. "I wish there was some way I could repay you." I smile. "No thanks necessary." I get up and begin to head back to the house to have some lunch before I pick Rue up from school.
As I walk back to the school after lunch, from farther away I notice a large crowd of people in the square, which is odd. As I get closer, I see the large crowd is in front of the school, and about half of the crowd is the children, who should be inside. I look at the school, which is filled with flames and smoke, and gasp. I run the rest of the way to the crowd, frantically searching for Rue. I need to know she's okay. My job to protect her, always to protect someone. I'm looking through all of the kids and I can't find her, she's not here. I look up at the school and see a tiny, frightened face in a window on the second floor, a face I know too well. "Rue!" I scream.
A/N:So what do you think? I ended it there for a reason, which you will see next chapter. By the way, if anybody has any ideas for the story, feel free to message me! Also, spread the word about this story!