A Night in The Woods

Mockingjay(s)

     I follow the soldiers through the underground dark halls of District 13. It's absolutely huge, possibly even bigger than the Capital. I find that even if this underground labyrinth is huge, the grey rocky place soon feels confining. I hope I don't have to stay here long.

To add to the 'President Snow tortured me personally' list, I was ordered to show up here in tattered grey pants and a dirty white shirt that holes in it. My bright blue hair was scrubbed so much that it was fading to my knotty black hair. I wasn't even allowed to shower for at least a week, and I can tell from the female soldier's wrinkling nose that I smell savage.

We come to a halt and the soldiers open the door. I walk in nervously, wringing my hands. I've never seen my Aunt before, and she probably doesn't even know me. When Snow told me that Alma Coin was leading thirteen, I was just in shock. How long has she been leading this District? Since the Dark Days?

All I can say is, that's impressive. To be hidden under the radar—until now, I guess. "Please, sit down and join us," Coin tells me.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," I say when I spot Katniss, Plutarch, and others in the room.

"Not at all," She says warmly. "Please, tell us about yourself."
"My name's Milady Abner. I'm seventeen years old...a-and I escaped the Capital," I choke out, fake tears forming in my eyes. Katniss looks at me with widened eyes. I know she won't trust me easily, so I blurt out, "I want to kill Snow," hoping this helps me get closer to her. I'm awarded with a smug smile. This newfound camaraderie disappears when Coin asks where I'm from, and I answer with the Capital.

"She should leave, then. We can't trust people like her." Some guy says.

"Enough, Gale. She's no different than Cressida or the others," Coin says, replying to Gale's complaint. "In fact, she might be useful for helping us overturn the Capital. So, I say she stays. Now let's get down to business. Katniss, do you have anything to tell us?"

"Milady. Do you know anything about Peeta? Do you know where he is? Did you see him at all?" Katniss asks.

"Peeta Mellark? No. I haven't seen him. I escaped maybe two weeks ago. I haven't stopped walking and running 'till I got to the gate," I say.

Katniss tries to hide her disappointment. "Oh okay. So, this is the deal. I'll be your Mockingjay."

Right. Snow explained this to me. It goes along with the pin and the fire outfits, I suppose. "But I have some conditions." Katniss smooths out the piece of gritty paper in her hand. "My family gets to keep our cat."

This alone causes a quarrel between people. I don't see the big deal. Everyone has pets in the Capital! But this...this isn't the Capital. Finally, it's worked out that Katniss and her family will be moved to the top level which has the supposedly luxury of an eight-inch window aboveground.

This makes me giggle at Katniss getting excited about a window, but I quickly cover it up with a cough. Katniss continues stating her prices for being the Mockingjay. "I want to hunt. With Gale. Out in the woods."

Well yeah, I think, where else would you hunt? In the clouds? "We won't go far. We'll use our bows. You can have the meat for the kitchen," Katniss says this in desperation. She really must want to hunt. Also, is there a shortage of meat? I almost laugh at my foolishness. I really have got to expect these things now.

When everyone gets that sorted out—everything is causing some sort or argument—Coin speaks up. "What's next?"

"Gale. I need him with me to do this. To be the Mockingjay."