The Very First Hunger Games

Chapter 20

"You're lost? Well your house isn't that far from here. Come on, I'll take you back," I reassured him.

"Thank you" he whispered.

Adrian took my hand and I lead the way.

On the way to the Edenthaw residence, we passed a few huddles of people who were frantically hurrying to what looked like the same destination. Some were carrying large bags, some were carrying small, as if the people didn't know how long they would be staying there. This should have been my first clue.

Adrian raced towards his house, dragging me behind him, threw the door open with surprisingly mighty push and screamed:

"MOTHER!"

Ophelia Edenthaw sprang down the stairs upon hearing her brother's cries. She had grown at least six inches since the last time I saw her, and her hair seemed much darker – almost jet black – but she still had the same deranged look in her eye.

"ADRIAN! WHERE THE- THE ON EARTH WHERE YOU?" she shrieked, grabbed Adrian's arm and yanked him out the door.

"I was- I was just playing soldiers with Abraham and he went into his house and didn't come back out. I-I was tired ad hungry. I just wanted to go home but I didn't know the way" Adrian babbled.    

"I thought Father told you to stay away from those Everdeen children?" Ophelia chastised her brother.

"Ophelia, what is going on? Why are people fleeing the streets?" I asked.

"You better come with us. I'll explain on the way" Ophelia said, whilst maneuvering us into the crowd of frenzied travelers.

Ophelia explained that the Jabberjays, a genetically engineered bird that the Capitol created to spy on the Districts, had backfired on the Capitol. Not only did the Districts start feeding the Jabberjays lies, which made the Capitol look like fools, the Jabberjays started repeating what was said in the Capitol and reported it to the Districts. Some people believe that it was an accident; others believe that they were rebels in the Capitol who wanted the Districts to succeed. Either way, District 12 knew an attack was coming.

Rebel peacekeepers had pounded on people's doors and ordered them to get to the underground shelters. I wasn't aware there were underground shelters but apparently they've been there for many years, even before the rise of Panem.

Ophelia claimed that my family and her family are already in the underground shelter and that Ophelia stayed behind in case Adrian came back to the house, while Mrs. Edenthaw searched the streets for her son. I refrain from asking Ophelia if anyone was out looking for me. I didn't think either answer would've comforted me.   

Once our crowd arrived at the shelter, there was a collective sigh of relief from the crowd already in the shelter. Families were reunited while I searched for mine. I caught a glimpse of the satin blue ribbon that held her long chocolate locks together. Laurel.

I rushed over to see my family who were standing with the Edenthaw's. I'm surprised I didn't notice the Edenthaw clan first considering they're quite a large family, four boys: Luca, Adrian, Cadin and Orlando, and two girls: Ophelia and Lexi. Then of course there was Evie, who passed away a year before, leaving a hole that could never be replaced.

 

Lexi Edenthaw was the first to spot us. She jumped up and down enthusiastically, her dark curls bounced with her.

"You found him!" Lexi squealed. "You found Adrian...and Willow!"

"Actually, they found me" Ophelia said with a light laugh.