The Other Mockingjay

Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

I try to steady my breath as I stare at the wire fence. Even though I'm small, I can't get under the fence without the risk of being electrocuted. The sky is beginning to darken. I start to breathe heavy. I can only imagine how sick my mother must be worrying about me.

Plus with District 12 under curfew now, anyone out after dark, could be shot on spot. I know that I can't stay here much longer.

Before I realize what I'm doing, I'm halfway up a tree. I've never really been much of a climber, so it doesn't come naturally. Luckily I'm small so I don't need to worry about snapping the frail branches.

Once I'm about 20 feet in the air, I crawl out so I'm dangling past the fence. Nightfall has come, which means I'm in even more danger. I squeeze my eyes shut and press my lips together, bracing myself for the drop. I must not scream. They'll kill me if they hear me out here. After a silent count of three in my head, I let go of the branch and land on my feet at first, but then lose balance and face plant.

I examine my wounds carefully. My ankle is swollen, but I don't think it's broken. I have cuts, scratches, and bruises all over my body. I'm guessing my knee needs stitches. I slowly stand up, wincing in pain. Then I remember the danger I'm in and I begin to creep along the edges of houses.

Surprisingly, there are a lot of people standing around by the Seam. It gives me pleasure knowing that others are defying the Peacekeepers. I stay along the path of the fence once I'm near the square. Finally I reach the familiar gate of the Victor's Village. I enter through the back entrance of our house, in case the man with the whip marks is still being treated.

I peek into the kitchen and am relieved to see that he's gone home. I limp into the family room and try to stifle my pain, so I don't frighten my mother, when I bump into him.

He looks down at me with his hard face. His dark eyes pierce right through me as if he can see through my deepest darkest secrets. He must be very suspicious about my coming home late and my appearance.

"Prim," my mother says nervously. "We have a visitor."

"So I noticed," I reply cooly. I look him right in the eyes. "Hello, President Snow."