The Future Mockingjay🕊️

Chapter Twenty

▫️Willow ▫️

I woke up to the anthem, cold. I scramble to the front of our cave, and look up just in time to see the seal of the Capitol disappear. I held my breath and watched the sky for the 8 dead tributes. The others join me, and the sky shows the girl tribute from District 3, both tributes from District 5, both tributes from District 6, the boy tribute from District 8, the girl from 9 and the boy from 11.

Dylan Odair had survived.

Just as I prepare to sleep in the sleeping bag, I hear a rustle of a bush. And a grunt. Not animal, but human. I grab my bow, lift it and almost let it go but I stopped short at the sight of him. Dylan Odair. He had a huge cut on his forehead, still bleeding, and little cuts on his legs. He raises his hands in surrender, perfectly arched eyebrows lifted high. It was impossible to not notice his bright sea-green and golden hair. I let my weapon drop from my hands.

"Dylan Odair." I say in greeting. His face registers a faint sign of recognition.

"Wait...are you Willow Mellark?" He asks uncertaintly.

"Yes." I admit, nodding my head. "Allies?" I can feel the others watching me, particularly Mark.

"Yeah, sure." He replies. "It sure is cold here."

"Well, we have our cave. Come on in." I reply, steering him into the cave. The others surround me and we march into the cave. The Capitol surely have cameras tracking me down, and I'm probably being featured.

"Wow...you sure have a nice and cozy cave here" He remarks, grinning. I notice his smile for the first time. Bright. Cheerful.

"Well...yeah. You're wounds should be treated. Thank goodness we have snow." I scoop up some snow while instructing Dylan to lie down.

"Okay, Dr.Willow. What's next?" He mocks, laughing. I can't resist a laugh. Even Mark smiles a little. But still cautious about Dylan.

"Stay still, don't move. I'm going to plop some snow onto your forehead." I command. He stays still, and I drop the snow on the wound. He let's out a relieved sigh as the cold, refreshing effect of snow kicks in.

"What have you got there in your pack?" Mark asks, eyeing it suspiciously.

I finish my job, and pick up his pack, checking its contents. A trident, more crackers, a full bottle of water, a handful of nuts and leaves. I recognize the leaves. Its the one my mom always chew on. I hold it up.

"Where did you get these? Around here?" I ask, an eyebrow raised in question.

"Yeah...your mother likes them. I know." He smiles a little, arranges his arms as a pillow for his head, and doze off.

"No one disturb him" I say, looking pointedly at Mark. He shrugs his shoulders. "I'm going to set up some snares for the night" I say as the thought occurred to me.

"I'm coming. You're not going alone." He says as I start to object. He gets up and follows me to the entrance.