The Next Generation: Chapter Three: ""A little early for vacation, eh?"

I gasped, and my immmidie urge was to run- run far far away from the murder's daughter. She locks her brown eyes with blue ones and says, "I know, I know, I'm a little early, aren't I? Luckily Trains move fast around here."

I gulp and say, "Have you come to kill me?"

At that she laughs, and says, "Kill you? My father may be the Head Commissner of District 2, and he may have a dark past, but me, a killer? No, Willow, I am not a killer. Neither is my father. What makes you think so?"

"I-mom said the invention that killed Aunt Prim was made by your father..."

She sighs, looks down at the ground. "Ah.That."

I don't know what to say, so I say, "I have to go home. I suppose you want me to guide you there?"

"Yes, Please."

We walk then, silent. Finally,I break the silence: "Lynna, how did you learn to shoot?"

She straightens, something I relize she does often. "My father. When I was 10, he taught me. I'm not the best, though. Better with knives."

"Were you aiming for me?"

"No. Just to get your attention. Do you know how to shoot?"

"Yes, I like to beleive I'm quite good at it. Mom is still better, though. I think she will always will."

Lynna nods. "Yes, she's quite extrodinary at archery, isn't she?"

"Yes."

"Tell me, are you still in school?"

"Yes. We have two weeks left."

"Do you think I could join? Or would it be useless?"

" I don't know...why would you want to?"

She smiles. "I love it, school. Learning, and the friends. The friends are the best part."

I think of my friends. I don't have very many. James, Lane, Mercedes, and Madge. 4 friends. I say, "School is ok. I have a few friends, but family is more important to me."

"Just like your mother."

I frown. "You don't even know her."

"Ah, but father did. Did you know they almost got together, not your mom and Peeta?"

"What?"

"Yes, Katniss and Gale were very best friends. Then of course, you know the story, Peeta happened, Father got jealus. They kissed, your mother and my father. once or twice. But, as you said, Prim happened, and your mother ran to Peeta."

I've never known this much information. What else does she know? But, Instead I ask, "Lynna, Would you like to be friends?"

She smiles again. "Yes, I would like that."

When we reach the meadow, I spot my wreath of flowers and snatch it off the forgotten rock. Someone has added more flowers to it. Daisys, Asters, and some lilies. I frown. Lynna inspects it and says, "Pretty. Have you got any roses?"

"No, only Primroses. Mom won't look at any other roses. Escapily white ones. You know, Snow."

Her face falls for a second. "Oh...I understand. They are my favorite, though."

"I'm sorry."

We reach the house, and I brace myself before I open the door.

We enter the living room where Father sits, looking worried, Mom paces, and oh-Uncle Haymitch is there too, sitting on the small sofa, looking annoyed, but looks upon my father and mother fondly. He sees me first. "Ah! Look, sweetheart, it's our little runner." He winks at me. "A little early for a vaction, eh?"

I Laugh, "Uncle Haymitch!" I run and hug him first, then Mother, and finally father.

"Where were you?!" Mother yells at me.

"The woods."

"The woods?" Father says, with a smile. "Told ya she was running away to the woods."

" This is not a joke, Peeta! And the same to you, Haymitch!"

I gulp, glancing at Lynna, who is oddly, smiling. She walks over to Mother, sticks out her hand and says, "Mrs.Mellark! What a pleasure to finally meet you! I have heard many great things, many things."

Mother looks at her like she is just seeing her. She shakes her hand and says, "And you are?" But she looks at me when she says it.

i open my mouth to explain, But lynna gets there first. "Lynna Marie Hawthorne, Miss. You called?"

"Oh-yes. A pleasure to meet you, too. Your father alright?"

"yes, Gale is fine."

Mom raises an eyebrow at her "naming" but says nothing.

Haymitch says, "I hear he's married."

"Yes. My mother, Elizabeth Johnsteen."

He smiles. "Good, Good...Katniss?"

"What?"

"I like this one- a lot of spunk, she has!" He grins and picks up his bottle, as if to toast to Lynna.

"Haymitch, are you drunk?"

"Maybe." He laughs.

Lynna waltz over to him and repeats what she says to mom. (Saying Mr.Abernathy, of course) He grins at her. "Perfect, perfect."

Mom groans, and says, "Willow, why don't you show Lynna around?"

I nod and grab Lynna's hand, pulling her to my room.