The Next Generation: Chaper Two: "An Unexpected Visit"

I set the wooden table with fresh Asters and daisys on the checkered tablecloth. Mom sets the dish of Katniss Tubers and dark gravy on the table, the steam rising and twisting like ribbons of unique beauty. "When will Father be home?" I ask, adjusting the flowers so daisys are the outside and the purple asters on the inside.

"Soon. The bakery and gallary are busy today. And you know how he gets when ge starts a new painting. But we have some news, so he promised to be home as early as possible. I nod, going back to the counter for the salt and pepper, wondering, what news they could have possibly have.

*Maybe Uncle Haymitch is going to visit for HayHay Jr.'s birthday!* I think excitidly. Uncle Haymitch and I have always gotten together quite well, and I love him. He's my favorite uncle. Well, my only uncle, if you don't count Uncle Beetee and Uncle Flavius. We don't see Beetee and Flavius very much, but when we do, it is a very odd show.

When father does arrive, the first thing he does is kiss mom and smile like he won't ever see her again. But, with their story, I don't blame him. Then he ruffles my hair and claims "I can't beleive your still here! No running to the woods, today, eh?" (It's an old joke. When I was 7, I was mad because Father didn't bring cheese buns for dinner and threanted to run away to the woods)

Then HayHay Jr. runs in, trailing his "superhero" cape tied around his shoulders and we sit down and eat. After we have been served and had our first helpings, Mom finally says, "Alright, kids, me and your father have some news."

I look up from dipping my bun in my gravy and straighten, hoping Uncle Haymitch really is coming.

Mom seems to look at father for assurance before continuing: "An old friend and his family is coming to visit. We have not seen him in 22 years, and didn't even visit his wedding. He wrote a letter last month asking to see us and we decided since school is out in two weeks...he could stay for the summer."

I feel my stomach pitting up. I think I know who she is talking about. But HayHay Jr. says it for me, "Who is it, mommy?"

She lets out a breath, and holds Fathers hand. She glances at me and says, "Your Uncle Gale, sweetie."

My heart drops. I slam my hand down hard the table and stand up, knocking my chair to the floor. "No!"

Father looks confused and looks over at Mom, saying, "What's wrong? Why is she upset?" Then something dawns on him. "You didn't..."

Mom looks even more upset. "I had to, Peeta, she was old enough."

He groans then looks back at me, glaring at the two, having a conversation that makes no sense. "Willow, you've never even met him."

Outraged, I scream, "No! Because of him, I don't have an aunt! Because of him-Mom's Sister is dead! *dead!* Murdered, father!"

Suddenly his eyes darken, shrink into his skull, and his jaw clamps shut. He grabs hold of the edges of the seat, pulling and pushing it at the same time. Tension. I've only seem him like this once before, when Mom had to bring the the family dog, Rue, to the vet to be put down because she was too old. Mom lets out a gasp, tears running down her face, she grabs a hold of Father, hugging him and whispering to him. HayHay is crying now, too.

I run out the door, running, running, until I get to the the woods. The fence has long since been removed, and wild animals always wander around. I run into the wood, hearing my words echoing and the long since joke since I was 7. I dash across the spring, the sun setting on my back and the squirlles running way, the birds squaking to each other.

I sit on the rock enclosed by the tall trees, wondering if I should go home. Nah. I should give them time to come to their senses. A rabbit wonders into the somewhat clear meadow and twitches it's nose at me, as if to say, "*Who are you? This is my home and I will use my cuteness against you! ALso I will assert my dominace!"* I laugh at the pretend conversation and the rabbit runs away before I can answer the unsaid words.

The oranges and pinks of they sky are starting to leave, and ribbons of darker blue are weaving themselves in. The wind pushes against my barefeet and I shiver. I'm only wearing a soft blue sundress and my mockingjay necklace. Gulping, I push myself off the rock and began to walk. It doesn't take me long to reach the small house and the pond. I check the snares set at the pond that always seem to be there, and find them full of fish. Good money. I reset the snare and take the fish to be skinned and cleaned. I've never much liked the job, but what else am I supposed to do? When they are cleaned, they go in the barrel with some water to keep them from drying out. After that, I check the sky. The blue has melted in, but not quite yet dark as 8:00 would be. I decide it's about 7:30, and I must've left at about 5:00. I shiver again, wondering If I could get away with sleeping here.

After about an hour of searching for katniss and other seafood/swimming lazily, I decide that it would proably be the better thing to come back home.I'm about halfway there, in the woods, when an arrow suddenly whizzes past my ear, just barely nicking me. I gasp, and look back, seeing the arrow hitting the tree to my right. I hear the familer sound of the bow being loaded and drawn and quickly look back. I immediantly scream in fear. It's a female I've never seen before, with golden hair and big brown eyes. A picture of prim flashes before my eyes. I always thought she looked more like an innocent fawn-this girl looks like that too. But dangerous, she knows things, I think. I stare at her for a momment, wondering why she has not shot the arrow yet when it is so obibusly aimed at my eye. The girl wears tights, a tan vest, and a dark green scarf. Her skin is pale, yet golden...like the crust of a bread. Odd.

Finally I say, "You know, I always thought me and my mom were the only females able to shoot around here."

This surprises her, and she gently lowers her bow, though the arrow is still drawn tight. I eye that for a second before she replies, "I'm not from around here,"

I raise an eyebrow. "That would make sense. I've never seen you before. I know everyone who lives here." I don't of course, but the girl looks my age, she would have to go to school, and I'm sure I'd have seen her around.

Her nose twitches, like the rabbit did 2 hours ago. "I come from District 2. My father sent me."

"How old are you?" I ask.

She seems taken aback, before she answers, "I'm 13....You?"

"12. I'll be thirteen in August."

She nods. "I'm Lynna.You?"

"Willow."

At that, she smiles and says, "Your not from around here, are you?"

"Why would you guess that? I live not far from here."

She smiles at me again, and says, "are you sure?" and gestures toward the broken pathway, I relize I must've made running.

Annoyed, I cock my head and say, "Why are you here?"

She Straightens. "To meet my father's old friend. Real famous. Heard of her? Katniss Everdeen, I beleive. Her daughter had...issues. So I came first. Father, mother, and my brothers are coming later."

I feel my blood run cold. Could it be? "Then why are you in the woods?"

"Sightseeing. These woods are famous too...." she cocks her head now, and stares at me, a honey smile spewing from her lips. "...Willow Primrose Mellark. Katniss's daughter. A pleasure to meet you, dahling. Lynna Marie Hawthorne at your service."