Under the Willow

Chapter Two

I was running through the wilderness, hearing my name being screamed over and over again.

I could just see his grey eyes wide with terror, trying to squirm away from his kidnapper. Knowing I was somewhere looking for him.

But no matter how much I ran, no matter how much I followed his voice I could never reach him.

"RYE! RYE!" I called back jumping over logs, ducking under low branches.

At last, I heard a final scream...but it wasn't my name. It was a scream of pain.

And then...silence.

I heard a boom of a canon. Then dropped to my knees and sobbed bitterly.

I knew what that canon meant. I didn't know how, but I knew.

Rye was....

My eyes snapped open and I found myself sitting up in my bed and gasping for breath.

It was only a dream.

No, not a dream....a nightmare.

Waking from it should have brought me relief, but instead I was more worried than ever.

I curled back under the covers as my anxiety flooded over me.

"Could he really be dead?" I thought. "Or will they just torture him until....until they get whatever they want."

I rolled over trying to forget the horrible thought. But no matter how hard I tried I couldn't make myself fall back asleep.

I got up. Pulled on my boots. opened the window. And climbed down the vine, making my way to my second home.

My godfather, Haymitch lived only across from us. Ever since I was little I had this weird attachment to him. Mom says that he use to be a heavy alcoholic,but when he heard me babble "Haymitch" my very first word, he never picked up a bottle again.

He never hesitates to spoiling me and Rye. His home is huge, but since he lives alone it's empty. So, he never says no to making myself at home. In fact, I have my very own room.

Most nights I would go out the window to Haymitch's place. I did it ever since I was little. Whenever I was scared by my mothers screams, my own nightmares, or simply my imagination, I would crawl out my window and crawl into the window of my second-home-bedroom.

I didn't know how it was better, I guess it was just the atmosphere.

I made my way through the window and curled underneath the covers. Instantly my eyes started to feel heavy. but thoughts kept running through head.

I can't let them hurt him. Whoever they were.

I have to learn more about my parents, no exceptions.

I had to....I had to....I had to....

Soon I was sound asleep.