"…the Capitol has surrendered and we have won!" Mother springs up with a beaming smile and I'm smiling too. However it goes away, nothing has really changed. Uncle Gale is in his coma and Dad is still captured. I suppose they'll let their prisoners go but there's no telling what they have done to our father.
"Will Dad come back?" I ask unable to stop my curiosity. Mother sighs and sits down, "I have no idea but I do know Haymitch has been working on getting him back." "Why don't we get some breakfast?" suggests Aunt Madge.
We eat not too excited anymore and I'm guessing it's because I brought up Dad. "Let's do something to day," says Mom, "to celebrate."
I automatically wonder what she has in mind. Even though I haven't been in the district for long there's not much to do. There is a restaurant or two. "Like what?" I ask. "There's a zoo," she suggests. "Yeah!" beams Gale obviously excited.
The zoo was great! There was every animal you could think of! I had never been to a zoo before because there aren't any in twelve. Gale's favorite was the lions which were very cool but I preferred the pandas.
"Thank you so much!" I exclaim. "That was so much fun!" remarked Gale. "Glad you enjoyed it," chuckled Aunt Madge at our enthusiasm.
I have no trouble falling asleep and for the first time in what seems like forever things look like they're actually getting better. I dream of the zoo and all the animals. What was a dream quickly turns into a nightmare. The animals start to attack. Everyone runs around screaming and the capitol people appear laughing hysterically at our fear.
I wake up sweating and panting uncontrollably. I must have been screaming because mother runs in alarmed. "Are you alright, are you alright?" she queries. "It was just a nightmare," I mumble. Mother sighs and sits on the end of my bed. "I still have my nightmares," she divulges.
A bad memory must be associated with them because she shakes her head and gets up to leave. "Go back to sleep," she whispers, careful not to wake up Gale. I had totally forgotten my little brother was lying next to me but he must be a heavy sleeper because I can hear him snoring lightly.
The sun comes through the window and wakes me up. I turn expecting to see Gale but the bed is empty. He must have gone down already.
I make my way downstairs and a smile flashes across my face instantly. My Uncle and Father sit on the couch.