Mellark

Smoke

I'm staring out of the window, watching the birds settling down in the giant tree next to the school building and block out everything around me. Thanks to biology class, I know that they're mockingjays. Just a few minutes ago the sun was shining through the branches and leaves, which gave the District a whole new atmosphere. I glance at my drawing, compare it to the view from the window and, except for the dark clouds that are now floating into my view, it looks the same. A nice present for my mother.

Once I have stowed away the drawing pad and the pens, I lay my head on my arms and stare out of the window again. The amount of clouds has doubled in a matter of seconds, and they're pitch-black. Almost like... "Peeta, did you get any of what your classmate just presented?", Mr. Hardy asks. Being pulled out of my thoughts I answer: "Yes, no, Sir. I think there's a fire!"

At that very moment an ear-deafening, familiar alarm goes off. Almost simultaneously everyone in class presses their hands on the ears, because otherwise the noise would make you deaf for a while. Then it all happens really fast; the class forms a proper row behind the door, everyone standing next to the classmate that was assigned to them. It's Thomas for me. Thank god fires aren't a rarity in District 12, everyone knows what to do. Finally we leave the classroom and go in the direction of the playing field, because that's where we're all supposed to gather while the peacekeepers take care of the fire.

Automatically I look out for the girl from the parallel class, the girl with the two braids, the girl who once sang the Valley Song in music class, so beautifully, that even the birds outside the window fell silent. Her mother is a healer, her father a miner, and also, illegally, a hunter. I know that because my father buys his squirrels. Rumor has it that he occasionally takes her with him into the woods beyond the fence, beyond the safety of District 12. Everdeen. Katniss Everdeen.

I can't find her anywhere. As we arrive at the playing field, Mr. Hardy leaves us alone. "Which building is it this time, what do you think?", asks Thomas while he watches the dense, black smoke in the distance. "Hm, the smoke comes from the South. Maybe it's just a cottage, or a barn. It could also be a forest fire.", I tell him. "I assume it's the last one, a burning cottage wouldn't cause so much smoke.", he says. I nod. At least a forest fire would mean that there are no people in danger, which is good, because we already have enough injured and homeless people here. We can feel blessed, my father would say to cheer us up when the harvest is poor and we don't have enough wheat for the bakery. Then my mother would say that District 12 needs a winner again so that the Capitol provides us with resources.

Mr. Hardy and two other teachers, who clearly make an effort to not look too worried, come back and talk to particular students, including Thomas. When they're done, Thomas comes to me and looks at me with a look that switches from confusion to deep grief within seconds. I have never seen him like that before. Something is wrong, and I ask him what it is. "My dad, he is, he is... dead.", he tells me, shaking. I hold him, and before I can ask him any further questions, Mr. Hardy's voice drowns the sobbing from Thomas and other classmates. "All affected students, please follow me. The others: Stay in the circle of the class." As I'm about to do it, someone shouts: "What happened?", and Mr. Hardy briefly talks to the other two teachers before he says: "There was an explosion in the main coal mine. At least one thousand are dead, and another thousand heavily injured. I ask you to stay calm and stay. in. the. classes."

And before all hell breaks loose, I find her, crying, the face covered with her hands. Then I lose her in the crowd.