Rue sits in the top of a willow tree, she whistles 5 high notes and the birds reply excitedly. She scales down the tree, picking more fruits as she goes. She drops a few apples and her hearts sinks with them. a Peacekeeper notices the food falling to the ground and looks up the tree trunk. Rue ducks her head behind a branch but it's too late, she's been seen. "Down here. NOW." The pece keeper bellows, his deep voice like an arrow of ice up Rues fragile spine. She climbs town and keeps her eyes steady as not to trip. The peacekeeper looks down at her and holds up a dirty, bruised apple. Rues breath gets caught in her throat and she winces as the peacekeeps tells her to turn around. She can hear him grabbing the whip from his belt but before he can strike Rue hears a deep voice, a rare seldomly heard voice speak up. "It was me." She'd know that voice anywhere. "Thresh?" she mumbles through her tears. "Rue, tell the peacekeeper what happened." Thresh says staying calm but urging her on with his eyes. The peacekeeper looks at Thresh and says "What are you talking about? She dropped perfectly good crops. I saw her do it!" Thresh says "She did it for me though. We know you guys throw out damaged goods and we figured if a few more got damaged we could have them..." His voice falters and he goes quiet. The peacekeeper, being on of the more gentle ones says, "Keep it. Never let it happen again or I will whip you BOTH." Rue sighs of relief and says in her sweet chiming voice "Thresh what is wrong with you!?!?" Thresh chuckles and says "Anything for my baby cousin. Now lets go eat. I'm starved." Rue knows that Thresh means well but sometimes she worries for him. They walk into the three bedroom house their families share and they smell groosling cooking. She looks at the table, only 5 plates instead of 6. "Mom? You missed a place." Rues mother begins to sob. Once she calms herself she says, "Rue, your father has um.. Taken a new job in the capitol. He wont be around anymore." Thresh looks up from the book he's been reading and looks at Rues mom with those fierce brown eyes. "Aunty? Can I have a word with you?" Rues mom looks startled and agrres with a simple nod. "Thresh we can't tell her! Not this close to the reaping. Just in case.." She whispers once they're outside. "I don't get what the reaping has to do with this! She's not going to be picked!" Thresh looks at his aunt and she starts crying again "Thresh I.. We're out of money and food!" Thresh comes to a realization and punches the wall so hard he's sure the house shakes. "YOU OUT HER NAME IN MORE TIMES DIDN'T YOU. YOU GOT THE TESSERAE DIDN'T YOU?" His aunt starts bawling and she nears him he backs up. "I don't know you." With hat he walks inside and hugs Rue. He hugs her so tight she gigles and tells him to lay off.
