The Hanging Tree. *ON HOLD*

Chapter Nine ~ A Not-So-Friendly Chat with the President

Chapter Nine ~ A Not-So-Friendly Chat with the President

I don’t remember anything after that, nothing at all. Just the occasional blur of a face or the wavered sound of a voice, a flash of colour here and there but nothing definite.

Now I was sitting on a hard wooden bench, outside of the President’s office, freezing cold and just waiting. Thinking about it, maybe punching her wasn’t the best idea… But I was so angry, so angry at her for destroying the lives of so many families, and so many young children. I buried my face in my hands so I didn’t have to look at the Peacekeepers. I could tell, even though their faces were covered, that I was in for a whole lot of trouble. Right now I regretted my actions thoroughly, but I know that later, much, much, later, if I’m alive, I will be able to smile and realise that maybe; just maybe, I did something I should be proud of.

 ‘PRIMROSE,’ I heard a voice screaming and my head snapped up, much to fast and I whacked my head on the wall behind me.

‘Ow.’ I mumbled rubbing my head and searching the corridor for the voice. All of a sudden a wild mass of body came sprinting down the corridor. Maybe it was habitat, or just an instinct but I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily. For the first time in the 4 hours I had been here the Peacekeepers moved. I was pretty impressed that Mum had managed to get the peacekeepers, whom I had begun to assume were just statues since I hadn’t seen them move for way too long, until they grabbed each of her arms and started to drag her back down the corridor.

‘Hey! What are you doing? STOP,’ I screamed after them. I sprang up from the bench, my hand still rubbing the back of my head, and ran after them. When they heard me and saw I had left the bench they dropped Mum on the floor and started towards me. I swear Peacekeepers are the stupidest people in the whole of Panem. I dodged past them easily and went to kneel against the crumpled body of my Mother.

‘Mum. What are you doing here?’ I asked softly. She ignored my outstretched hand of help, and pushed herself upright.

‘I’m here to talk to Snow.’ She demanded, looking straight at the Peacekeepers who realised we weren’t going anywhere since there were guards by the exit. Guards Mum probably bribed to get through.

‘Mum, I’ve been waiting here for 4 hours to see Snow. If anyone gets to see her, it’s me.’ I said trying to lighten the mood. But all I received was a dirty look. Cheers Mum, nice to know you appreciate my sarcastic humour and attempt to make things better.

‘Let me in now.’ She demanded. The Peacekeepers just shook their heads. ‘If you don’t let me in now, I swear to God I will personally make sure you never have a good night’s sleep ever again. Lots of people owe me favours.’ She was now right up in their faces, sticking her finger between their eyes.  

‘Oh dear lord,’ I whispered under my breath, forgetting, momentarily, that I had just accidently killed myself, and instead became embarrassed by my dear mother. ‘Mum, just go. It is fine, I’m fine.’ I said laying my hand on Mum’s arm and trying to drag her away. But she stood still. She wouldn’t move. She just started at my hand in disgust. I don’t know what came over me; maybe it was a bit of adrenaline left from punching Snow, maybe it was the fact of how sick I was of being treated like I was unwanted, useless. But I slapped her, hard. Two people in a day, I was getting very violent. Or maybe I was preparing myself for the games without knowing. I groaned heavily as Mum stared at me in shock, and the peacekeepers didn’t do anything. I suddenly felt my anger flare and I started screaming, not words just inaudible screeches.

‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING?’ The familiar voice of Snow cut through my screams. I shut up almost immediately, almost.  She glared at me, her cold eyes piercing my soft blue ones. Well at least I got her out of her office.