CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"Willow! Where have you been?" exacts my mother right as the door shuts with an unceremonious clank behind me.
"I went to Hazel's... sorry." I suddenly notice the presence of everyone inside the kitchen. "Are we going somewhere?"
My dad opens his mouth to speak, but my mother rapidly interrupts him, "We were looking for you. That's all." she replies. My dad's expression signifies that that is not the truth.
"Okay..." I agree uneasily. I immediately catch Everest's gaze searching for an answer. Unfortunately, he quickly averts his eyes to the floor, as if the wood upon it is so hastily intriguing. Whatever is up, it cannot be good.
I take a seat next to Asher at the table, and as soon as I sit down there is a knock at the door. My mother halts suddenly in the middle of her obsessive pacing. I watch intently as her face grows deathly pale. My father gently places a reassuring arm around her shoulders, and together they walk towards the source of the unexpected noise. My body is tempted to follow them, but instead I stay put fully aware that if I don't it may be slightly awkward on my part.
I squirm uncomfortably in my seat as long, agonizing minutes pass. When my parents eventually reenter the room I find that they are not alone. Trailing shortly behind them are what seems to be two peacekeepers. Just their strong aura of authority sends anxious shivers down my spine.
I examine the pair closely. Only then do I seem to take notice of their uniforms. They are definitely not the pristine new ones that President Calina Snow had assigned previously, instead they appear old and dingy as if they have been around for quite some time. Where are they from though?
My mother's expression seems painful, like the peacekeepers existence in itself triggers unpleasant memories that, over the years, had been shoved to the back of her mind.
"Good evening Mellark and Odair families." begins the woman. "We are from District thirteen. Mayor Brookes has sent us with orders to inform you about recent skirmishes and minor uprisings in select districts. He asks of you to meet him for a discussion regarding a more in depth explanation. All of the other survivors of the Rebellion are planning on being there, including previous Victors." Her words explain so much - the clothes, the unexpected visit, everything.
My mother acts surprisingly calm, like this was expected all along but that doesn't keep her from speaking her mind. She whips her head toward my father. "No Peeta! Not -"
"You have three days to decide." The male peacekeeper cuts her off, his words quite frank. Without further comment, they turn around and walk straight out the door.
My mother's serene attitude deteriorates shortly after their departing. "Not again. Peeta, don't you see? It is exactly like what I figured would happen!" My dad guides her out of the room and I mentally thank him. No use in scaring Asher anymore than he already is. As they leave I hear my mother, "I knew we should have never -" they then become out of earshot. 'Never' what? Had kids? Of course that is the first thing that pops into my brain. Curiosity courses through my veins, could she really not want us? My mother has always loved Asher and I, but could the new president's actions pollute her mindset?
"Willow, your being crazy." I whisper under my breath. Unfortunately, Asher overhears my words. I scoot over and embrace him. "It will be okay." I reassure, but he doesn't seem convinced. I glance over at Everest and Annie who are both staring out the window apathetically. I wonder what they will decide. Probably to leave, it might be easiest; but then again District 13 could bring back touching, painful memories of Finnick which I am almost positive Annie can't bare.
I sit there, trying to recall each and every word that emerged from those peacekeeper's mouths. "All the other survivors of the rebellion will be there, including previous Victors." she had said. Could this have been why my mother freaked out? Wouldn't see want to converse with her old friends? Wait, Gale – he will be present. When my parents return to the room they summon me. "Willow we need to talk to you." informs my dad. I stay stationary. There is no way I am leaving Asher alone. "Please." he adds shortly after taking attention to my lack of motion. After a few minutes of oral and physical (The Look from my mother) convincing, I rise and make my way towards their direction. As I reach them I feel a warm gentle hand on my back that guides me to the couch in the other room.
Right as I sit down the question slips out, like water bursting from a broken dam. "Are we going to thirteen?"
"That's what we need to talk to you about." My dad pauses. "Do you want to go?" Wow... I was not expecting that. Usually my parents make the decisions.
"Uh..." Suddenly a thought comes to mind. "District 13 is under ground right?"
My mother looks me over, curious as to the point I am attempting to make. "Yes, even after the rebellion they decided to below the surface."
"Well, wouldn't it be safer there?" I propose the idea deliberately. "I mean, didn't the president when you were teenagers bomb District 12?" They nod – all ears. "So if president Calina Snow decides to bomb Twelve like her grandfather, we will be under the surface...protected." They just stare at me in astonishment. Of all things, they probably weren't expecting such words to emerge from my mouth.
They eventually speak. "I suppose you're right Willow, of course if we were deep enough." agrees my father.
My mother grants me one last curious glance be for exiting the room, leaving me puzzled. "Where's she going?" I question my equally confused dad.
"I don't know." He quickly stirs and begins to follow her. This is strangely resembling the day my parents explained the games.
I sit there, anxiously waiting as I normally do when they wander off. I attempt at imagining life in District 13 if we go. We would be underground most of the time so, no woods and no hunting (or at least not much anyways) – obviously not a place I have a desire to experience. If thirteen is anything like it was when my mother was there, then maybe I will regret my suggestions earlier.
"Peeta, we are not going to thirteen!" Their voices penetrate my thinking.
"Katniss, it's for the best. What if District 12 is bombed? Willow does have a point."
"Yes, but what if thirteen is bombed as well and we aren't deep enough? Don't you see? We would be no safer." My dad is taciturn. "I'm not going to let them brainwash me into being a part of their games once more Peeta." What does she mean? Are the Games coming back? I remind myself to remain calm, proving that nothing helpful can come out of worrying.
I voices are nonexistent now, and the intent faces of my parents stare down upon me. "What do you mean by 'games'?" I ask with a desire to disprove the side of me insisting on the Hunger Games's reappearance. My question is directed particularly towards my mother.
"You heard what we said?" she asks, cheeks turning just the lightest shade of red.
"You aren't very quiet." I probably should have refrained myself from speaking that considering the once abashed expression on my mother's face has now morphed into a scowl (an entirely expected outcome if you ask me). I wait longingly for their reply, but of course, it doesn't come. I am about to repeat my inquiry, then realize maybe they don't want to answer. This is probably the case.
"Willow you never responded to our question. Do you want to go to Thirteen?" asks my dad once more. "I guess." I reply blandly. I am suddenly rethinking what I said earlier after hearing my mother's protestation.
"Okay." He turns toward her. "Katniss, what about you?" I watch as they exchange a sort of expression argument, changing facials so quickly, it's as if they can't make up there mind as to which one to present. Eventually she gives up. "Fine. We will go." Her agreement seems forced.
"Wait," I interrupt. "What about Asher? Doesn't he get say."
My dad nods and starts for the kitchen. When he returns, Asher is by his side, gray eyes fraught with apprehension. I silently scold myself for leaving him alone.
When they reach us my mother is the one to speak. "Asher, do you want to go to District 13?" I can hear the thoughts inside her head yearning for a refusal.
"Are you going?" My brother's voice sounds feebly innocent.
"Yes, Your father, Willow and I are all going." she reassures calmly.
"Then yes."
My dad smiles. "Okay then," He turns toward my mother. "Would you like me to go contact Mayor Brookes?"
She is quick to answer, "No, I'll do it." Without further comment, she leaves the room and shortly after, Everest enters.
He takes a seat beside me. "Are you going?" I can't help but ask.
Everest looks at me puzzled. "Where?"
"To Thirteen, you and your mom?"
"Oh. I think so." He looks away his mind blatantly meandering, not at all focused on what I had said.
"What's wrong Mountain?" I ask, even though I am fairly sure I already know. "It's about Leah, isn't it?" He remains response-less, which just confirms my suspicions. To be honest, I never thought he really cared for her that much considering the way he rolled his eyes when his mother commented on their relationship the other day; but now I know, it's real. "She'll be okay." I make a promise that I am not so sure I can keep.
Everest begins to mumble doubtful words under his breath and I don't blame him – I am not very convincing.
"He said that they would send a hovercraft to the meadow tomorrow at six in the morning, no more, no less. That is also the time we need to be there." announces my mother who had apparently finished her phone call.
"Sounds good." I reply in a weak attempt to lighten the mood. Everyone still stays quiet.
My mind wanders to the topic of the Hunger Games once more – a subject that has made numerous appearances recently. I try to recall the phrase or saying always mentioned each year. It is on the tip of my tongue, something regarding odds. Oh yeah, 'may the odds be ever in your favor!'
The sentence seems almost like a cruel, malevolent joke, not at all comical – one that a murderer would say to their soon to be victim, which I suppose is sort of what happened during the games. Even through all this confusion, one thing is clear: the odds are definitely not in my family's or Everest's family's favor.