Primrose Mellark

Chapter Ten

   I started building Bear's cage that next day. Mom and papa came home, and thankfully, they didn't know Bear got into the house. They have a strict rule about no animals in our house except for Thrush. 

   I was nearly done when I saw papa carry some boxes inside the house. I took off my gloves and squinted at him.

   "Papa?" I called. He looked over at me. "Why are you carrying those boxes? Are we selling some of our stuff or something?" I stood up and ran over to him.

   "Actually, cupcake," he began. He set the boxes on the ground. "We're starting our packing today. It's best that we get a good head start on moving, and we also need to get our home supplies for building our next house. The wood, roof, cement, more wood. It's a lot of work, cupcake."

   "Well, where are me and Rye going to be during the building?" I asked. My hopes had dropped. We have even less time to train Bear before we have to move, and I have even less time to go apologise to Cleo before we move. Yes, she is going to move along with the town, but the problem is that I wasn't planning to, though. 

   "Haymitch is going to stay here until the house is almost done. You two will help with the paint and moving our stuff in."

   I thought to myself, I actually won't be there, papa.

   "Oh," was all I said. "Can I help you take those boxes in?"

   Papa smiled at me. "No, I'm fine. Go finish Bear's cage." I looked back at the rugged wires that was Bear's home. I looked back sheepishly at Papa.

   "You knew that's what it was for?" I asked.

   "Well, almost. I figured it was a cage, but we already have all the cages we need for our chickens and goats. So it would make sense it was Bear's." Papa winked at me and walked inside. I turned around and ran back to Bear's home.

   All I needed to do was wrap this wire around this pole.... and....

   After three more minutes, I was done. I sat back and admired my hard work. There was a little shade for Bear, but it wasn't necessarily a house. A block of wood only covered the top of four supporting poles, nailed in place. Around the cage, was an eight foot perimeter of chicken wire, secured into the ground so Bear can't escape like the last time. The wire stood at least three feet into the air, high out of his jump- I hoped.

   The word "escape" echoed in my mind. It sounded like he was in a prison or something. I hope he liked it, because I don't want to prison him for the upcoming weeks.

   With that idea in my mind, I ran over to the forest a few yards away. I reached down and ranked some ferns out of the ground. I also got a thick log that took both my arms to carry because it was too heavy. I placed the fern on top of the log and I walked over to the cage. I dropped the logs and fern onto the ground. The log rolled for a moment, then stopped. 

   I stepped over the wire and stood inside the cage. I reached over and grabbed the log in my hands, and I struggled to get it over. When I did, I dropped it onto the ground right in the middle of the cage. I placed it there, so Bear can't stand on top and jump over the fence. 

    The log was as long as maybe Bear's body, and was as thick as papa's head. It would keep Bear busy, I thought. Then I reached over and got the fern. With some difficulty, I dug it into the ground near the log so it rested crookedly against the rough wood.

   Happy, I stood up over the fence. I ran over to the door and I opened it fast. Too fast. The door, which was freshly oiled, came fast and smacked my right in the forehead. I let out a gasp of pain and I clutched my head painfully. But on the bright side, I wasn't bleeding. Although, I did feel a headache coming on.