Mockingjay's Redemption (Book Two in the Mockingjay's Daughter Series)

Chapter Five

Chapter Five:

"Please tell me you're joking."

My words are met with utter silence. I can feel the blood rushing out of my face when I realize that they're serious. 

"You want me to kill myself?" I say, incredulous. "How will this help Skylar?" 

My mother's face contorts in shock. "Ivy, no! We don't want you to commit suicide. We want you to jump off the train and run away." 

I let this information settle for a minute. "Won't I be killed from the impact?"

"No," my father says, "the train goes around a tight corner, meaning it has to slow down. When you jump, the train will be going much slower."

I know my answer before I can even fully comprehend the situation. "Okay. I'll do it." 

                                                                                       *****

My hands grip the railing so tight that they are turning white. I feel clammed and nauseous. My heart is racing in my chest. I am about to jump off a train. Strapped to my back is my bow and a backpack full of supplies. I look back at my parents. I'm not able to say goodbye to Skylar. They're afraid that if Skylar is told where I went, he will be tortured for information. This way, they will only take it out on him in the arena. That is, if my parents even let him into the arena. They're plan may even entail he doesn't make it to the Capitol like me. 

My parents are holding hands, gripping each other for support. Both are pale with worry. I'm sure I am too. 

"You can do this Ivy," My mother whispers to me. "We love you so, so much."

"Be brave, Ivy," My fathers murmurs. Then nods at me, giving the signal to jump.

I look at them one last time, then I jump. 

The ground approaches fast. My mind is blurry as I hit the forest dirt. Hard. Groaning, I see the train turn the corner then disappear. I rub my elbow and stand up. I need to get as far away from the train tracks as possible. I turn on my heel and walk into the forest. 

These woods are like the forest at home. Only the trees are slightly different. The trees outside District 12 have wide, long branches. These hardly have any branches. Just thin sticks poking out of the trunk with short needles attached. The needles cover the forest floor, making the footing soft. 

I walk until the sun goes down. With little light, I build a small fire and set up camp. I peek into the backpack and lay out my meager supplies. I have five packs of dried beef, a canister full of water, three small packets full of some-kind of powder, a sleeping bag, a compass, and a note. I read the note first. "Go north" is the only thing written. I inspect the packets by firelight. On the plastic is written Add to water to increase protein. They're water-modifying packets. Rare in District 12. 

I lay out my bow and crawl into the sleeping bag. I'll get up with the dawn and begin my trek north. I am almost asleep when a voice says, "Hello."