Disclaimer: I own only my own thoughts and words. Suzanne Collins owns the HG and all the characters she so wonderfully created.
Chapter 11
I'm breaking out in a sweat, walking as quickly as I can without drawing attention to myself towards the part of the fence where I usually cross into the woods. My mind is in a state of pure panic. All I want to do is get to Rory, make sure he is safe. As I approach my spot, I see him. He is huddled, knees pulled to his chest, rocking slowly back and forth with his face buried in his knees. And he is most definitely on the other side of the perimeter fence. I know without seeing his face that he's crying. This absolutely breaks my heart.
"Hey, Rory. It's okay. I'm here." I almost whisper as I crouch down in the grass on my side of the fence.
"Gale! I'm so sorry! I just needed to find you for Thom because…" He sputters out immediately upon seeing me.
"Stop, it's okay. I already know everything" I cut him off, making sure to use my most reassuring voice.
"When I couldn't find you, I came back but the fence had turned back on. I've been waiting for hours but they still haven't turned it off yet."
"Rory, the mayor is out of town. He left for the Capitol tonight. He'll be gone at least a few days and that means the fence won't be turned off anytime soon."
His face falls and his chin quivers. I know how scared he is.
"Don't worry. You can do this; you can stay safe in the woods until the fence turns off. I want you to listen to me. You will need to do exactly what I say, okay?"
He nods and wipes his eyes but doesn't say anything.
"I'm going to toss you my knife over the top of the fence. That will give you a weapon, not that I think you'll need it, but it will be good to have. Tonight, you need to climb into a tree and sleep up there as best you can. It's too dark tonight for you to make it to the cabin but at daybreak tomorrow that's where I want you to head. Just walk east until you get to the lake and you'll find an old, deserted cabin hidden amongst the edge of the woods. Probably take you about 3 hours to get there. You'll be safe there. Katniss and I go there all the time. There is a fireplace but I don't want you to use it. Warm as it is, you won't need it. I don't want you to risk burning yourself or drawing attention with smoke rising from the chimney. The water in the lake is safe to drink. There is a blackberry bush in full bloom behind the cabin and you'll find some strawberry bushes on your way to the cabin, eat as much as you can. But do not eat anything else you see- you may not know what's safe and what isn't. No matter what happens, you stay at that cabin until I come for you, do you understand?" I know I've just given him a lot of information very quickly but I have to hurry. Can't risk Peacekeepers seeing us.
"Okay. I understand. I'll wait for you at the cabin until you come." He nods, attempting to look brave but I can still see how scared the kid is.
"Rory, I promise you, I will come the second the fence turns off. I won't leave you out there. I promise."
"I know. Please tell Ma that I'm sorry I messed up."
"No worries, I'll make sure she understands. And hey Rory, if it makes you feel any better I did find Thom in time to get the job. And it pays enough to get the shoes and have a little left over." I tell him.
He smiles and then go to retrieve the small knife I've just tossed over the fence to him. I watch as he heads back to the safety of the trees and turns back to look at me. I nod towards his direction making one last effort to reassure him and then he disappears from view into the woods.
I head back to my house. He can do this. He will be okay. The cabin and lake will give him shelter and water and enough food to get by. If he walks east at sunrise he will run straight into the lake. From the lake he will be able to find the cabin. I just hate that it's too dark for him to get there tonight. But he'll be fine up in a tree. I doubt he'll sleep a wink though. That's okay, he can sleep at the cabin. He can do this. And I'll try to find out when the mayor is supposed to be back so I can get out there to him as soon as they turn the fence off.
I enter my house to find my mother and Vick at the table. I don't see Posy so they must have already put her in bed. Vick has obviously still been crying and it would appear my mother has been trying to console him.
"He's okay. He is stuck on the other side of the fence until they turn it off again. I gave him my knife and instructions on how to get to a cabin by a lake about 3 hours walk from here where I told him to wait for me to come get him. He's gonna be just fine." I tell them both, trying to show as must confidence as possible. I know I have to be brave for them right now.
Vick just nods, looking ever so slightly better, rushes to hug my waist and then heads off to bed.
"How long will he be out there Gale?" My mother asks, concern still on her face.
"Don't know. Madge Undersee told me earlier that the Mayor just left today for the Capitol so it'll be at least a few days. But he will be safe at the cabin. Katniss and I go there a lot. There will be fruit and fresh water for him. He knows how to find it, he understands my instructions." I tell her, putting my hands on her shoulders to reassure her.
"He's just so young and he's never been out there, especially alone. I just can't help but worry."
"He's older than we give him credit for. He can do this, Ma."
She takes a deep breath in and then goes to the stove to retrieve my share of dinner. A bowl of squirrel stew and a chunk of very stale bread. I learned long ago to always dip my bread into my soup before taking a bite of it.
"I'm leaving just before dawn to head over to the Undersee's house to start work on that garden tomorrow. I'll be there until long after you've all gone to bed so don't wait up. Can you take Vick into town and get him the shoes with the money I got tonight?"
"Yes. I'll take him and Posy with me on my rounds and we'll stop by the shop on our way back home. I'm not letting either of those kids out of my sight anytime soon."
I just smile and tip my bowl back to my mouth, drinking up the remaining broth. She smiles back and we both turn in for the night. As I lay down in my bed and close my eyes I silently hope that Rory is okay tonight. He just has to get to the cabin tomorrow and he'll be fine. I hope the night hours pass quickly for him.