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

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

When I wake up, the first thing I notice is the light streaming in from the windows. I'm laying on a bed with a pair of arms wrapped around me. I look up into my mother's sleeping face. She looks younger when she sleeps, her worries melting away with each slow, deep breath. I unravel myself and walk out to the living room. I find my father asleep on the ground, his arm thrown over his face. 

I hear footsteps and turn around. Caleb walks to me and I hug him. Tears threaten to spill over. My brother....gone. On the brink of war... It all seems so unreal. But it is. 

"Ivy, you're awake," my father says, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Surpise flickers across his face when he sees me in Caleb's arms. I quickly step away from Caleb and towards my father. He reaches for my face and smooths my hair.

"Are you all right? You almost hit the floor before Caleb caught you."

"I'm fine," I say. "Well, not fine, but you get what I mean."

"I know, sweetheart. It's all going to be okay. I promise, Ivy. We're going to get your brother back."

Mother's voice says, "We're leaving after breakfast. Pack up. We're going to get Skylar back."

                                                                             *     *     *

"Thank you so much for taking care of me, Annie," I say giving her a hug goodbye. Tears clog my throat. I've always sucked at goodbyes, but that's not the reason for the tears. Caleb is not here to say goodbye and it breaks my heart. 

"Good luck, honey," Annie says. "You'll need it."

She hugs my parents as well and we being to hike away. We've reached the edge of the woods when I hear someone calling my name.

"Ivy! Ivy!" Caleb is running towards me, backpack and knife strapped to his back. What is he doing? 

"I'm coming with you, Ivy. I can't let you go through this alone. You need me... and I need you, too."

I stare at him for a second then I smile up at him. "Then let's get going."

We hike through the woods for what seems like hours. The sun is hot on my back and my throat aches with the need for water. We ran out a while ago and have been looking for a running water source. No luck with that yet.

Caleb has been quiet. I don't think he's said ten words since we left. I feel bad for him feeling obligated to come. I've voiced that several times, but he covers my mouth with his hand. I think about spitting on him the next time he does it. I'm going bored out of my mind. We're making our way slowing towards the Capital. Mother says that the trip will take anywhere from seven to ten days. I hope it will take less than that, because I may lose my mind. I keep imagining all of the horrific things the Capitol is doing to my younger brother and my mind can't handle it.          

When the sun finally begins to set, we set up camp. Mother and Father brought sleeping bags for four people. I curl up and fall asleep with the day's final sunbeams splashing across my face. 

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