Chapter 9 Chapter 9: Blizzard

Someone shook my shoulders, and I stood up. I had fallen asleep on the table just now, and the folds of the white tablecloth were printed on my face.The person next to him who had been whipped by Stride was suffering in agony.Gail was in a deep sleep, but his fingers were tightly intertwined with mine.I smell bread and turn my stiff neck to find Peeta looking at me sadly.I felt as if he had been watching us for a while. "Go lie down, Katniss. I'll watch over him now," Peeta said. "Peeta, what I said yesterday about getting away—" I said. "I know, don't explain," he said.

In the morning light reflected pale by the snow, I saw the bread he brought. His eye circles were dark, and I thought he might not have slept at all that night.It won't be like this anymore.I thought of how he had promised to go with me yesterday, how he had never hesitated to stand by me in Gale's calamity, how he would have given up his fortune and life and I had given him so little in return.No matter what I do, someone will be hurt. "Peeta—" "Go to sleep, okay?" he said. I went upstairs with heavy steps, covered the quilt, and immediately fell asleep.Not long after, I dreamed of Graf, the girl from District 2, chasing me like hell, pinning me to the ground, taking out a knife and cutting my face, deep and wide a mouth.Graf then began to change shape, her face stretched to the length of a pig's, black hair protruded from her skin, her long nails became sharp claws, but her eyes remained the same.She was transformed into a wild dog, a wolf-like creature created by the Capitol to terrorize us on our last night in the arena.She stretched her neck and let out a long, weird howl, which attracted the howling of wild dogs around her.Graf licked the blood from the wound on my face, and every lick was painful.I started to yell, but my neck was stuck and I couldn't yell. I woke up suddenly, my head was sweating, and I couldn't help shaking.

Cupping my swollen cheek in my hand, I remembered that it wasn't Graf's cut but Stride's.I've decided to choose Gale, choose rebellion; the future with Peeta is the Capitol's plan, not mine. The redness and swelling around the eyes subsided slightly, and the eyes could be slightly opened.I opened the curtains, and the snow outside the house became more urgent, turning into a blizzard.In this night world, apart from a vast expanse of white snow, there is the howling of the strong wind, which is very similar to the howling of wild dogs. I like this blizzard, it has a violent wind and heavy snow that dances with the wind.This snow can keep the real wolves out, and it can also block the arrival of the security police.There are still a few days to think and make plans.This blizzard is a gift from God.

But before jumping into this new life, I'm going to take the time to think about what it's really like.Less than a day ago, I was contemplating fleeing into the woods in the depths of winter with the ones I cared about, with the Capitol on the hunt.It was an adventure at best, but now, I face greater danger.Confronting the Capitol would immediately provoke a fierce counterattack, and I must be ready to be arrested at any time. At any time, like last night, there may be a knock on the door, and I will be dragged away by a team of vigilantes. I will be tortured. To be dragged to the square and shot in the head—if that punishment comes quickly enough.The Capitol has countless new ways to kill, and I think of it all, and I'm terrified; but I face it: the fact that I've been threatened from behind me, haven't I been a "tribute" to the Hunger Games?Haven't you already been threatened by the president?Haven't you already been whipped in the face?I have long been their target.

The hardest part is at the back.Family and friends will suffer the same fate as me.Prim, just thinking about Prim breaks my resolve.It is my duty to protect her.I covered my head with a blanket, but I felt the lack of oxygen and I couldn't breathe.I can't let the Capitol hurt Prim! It dawned on me that she had actually been hurt.Her father died in a dirty well, she was abandoned when she was about to starve to death, she was chosen as a "tribute", and she watched her sister fight for survival in the Hunger Games.For her, who was only twelve years old, she was hurt much more than I was.But compared to Lulu's injury, it was much less serious.

I pushed back the blanket and breathed in the cold air blowing in through the cracks in the windows. Prim... Lulu... aren't they the reason I'm fighting?Isn't it because the fate they encountered was too wrong, too unfair, and too evil that we chose to resist?Do those people have the right to treat them like this? Yes, these facts need to be kept in mind as I am about to be consumed by fear.No matter what I do, no matter how much pain they have to endure, it's all for them.It's too late for Lulu, but it's not too late for those little faces looking up at me in the square in District 11.It's not too late for Rory, Vic and Percy.For Prim, it's never too late.

Gail is right that this is an opportunity if people are brave enough.If I take action, there are many things I can do, although I don't know exactly what to do now.However, no longer running away is the first step I take to take action. I took a shower, and this morning, for the first time, I stopped making a list of supplies for the wild escape. I was wondering how the eighth district organized a riot?Many people clearly despise and rebel against the Capitol.Is there a plan?Or is it the buildup and outburst of years of hatred and resentment?What should we do in District 12?Will people from District 12 join us or will the doors be locked?The crowd dispersed so quickly yesterday after Gail was whipped.But isn't it also because we feel powerless and don't know what to do?We need someone to guide us and tell us we can do it.I don't think I can be this person, I'm just a catalyst for riots, but a leader should have firm confidence, extraordinary courage, clear thinking, excellent persuasion; and I don't have enough confidence, I am always looking for courage Teetering on the edge and not very eloquent.

Eloquence, I think of eloquence, and I can't help but think of Peeta, how people believe everything he says.He can use his eloquence to convince a group of people to take action if he wants to.He could have the right word for anything, but I don't think it ever occurred to him. Downstairs, Mom and Prim tend to a frail Gale.It can be seen from his face that the effect of the medicine is weakening.I pulled myself together and prepared to argue with my mother again, but my voice was calm. "Can't you give him another shot?" "If I need to, I will. But we thought we'd better try cold compresses first," Mom said.Mom has taken the bandages off.You could almost see the heat coming from his back.She spread a clean cloth on his back and nodded to Prim.

Prim came over and kept stirring in a large bowl. It looked like snow water, but the liquid had a faint green color and a sweet, fresh smell.It's a snow pack.She carefully scooped the liquid onto his back, and I could hear the hiss of Gale's cracked skin meeting the snow-medicine mixture.He opened his eyes with a puzzled look on his face, and then he let out a long sigh of relief. "We're lucky to have snow," said Mom. I thought to myself, if I were whipped in midsummer, the weather was hot and the water in the pipes was warm, how much I would suffer. "What do you do when it's hot?" I asked.

When my mother frowned, there was a wrinkle between her brows. "Got to figure out how to keep the flies away." The thought of flies circling a wound in summer turns my appetite off.Mom soaked the handkerchief with the liquid medicine and handed it to me to apply on my face.The pain subsided immediately.The cold snow water played a role, and although the ingredients of the mother's liquid medicine were unknown, it also had an anesthetic effect. "Oh, that's great. Why didn't you put this on him yesterday?" "I need to close the wound first," she said.

I don't know exactly what she's talking about, but if it works, why should I doubt her?She knows what she's doing, she's my mom.I feel guilty about yesterday, and I yelled at Peeta and Haymitch when they dragged me away. "Sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you yesterday." "I've heard worse than that," she said, "and seen what happens to people when their loved ones are suffering." people they love.These words made my tongue freeze as if it had been covered with snow.Of course, I love Gail.But what kind of love was she talking about?And what do I mean when I say I love Gail myself?I have no idea.I did kiss him last night and I was emotionally charged in that moment.But I'm sure he doesn't remember.Does he remember?I hope he forgets.If he remembered, it would all be a lot more complicated, I couldn't be planning a riot and thinking about who to kiss at the same time.I shook my head secretly, denying this possibility. "Where's Peeta?" I said. "He went home when he heard you getting up. He was afraid that there would be no one to take care of the house when it snowed." Mom said. "Did he get home safely?" I asked, getting lost and engulfed in snow just a few yards from the road in a blizzard. "Why don't you call and ask?" she said. So I went into the study and called Peeta.I haven't been in this room much since President Snow came.The phone rang a few times and he came to answer it. "Hi, I wanted to see if you're home." "Katniss, I live only three houses away from yours," he said. "I know, but it's snowing so hard and there's so much going on," I said. "Ah, I'm fine, thanks for calling." Long pause, "How's Gail?" "Fine. Mommy and Prim are snowing him," I say. "Where's your face?" he asked. "Me too," I said. "Did you see Haymitch today?" "I went to see him. He was so drunk that he didn't know anything. I lit a fire for him and left some bread." He said. "I want to talk to—you two." I dare not say any more, the phone must be monitored. "It's better to wait until the weather is better," he said. "There won't be a big deal until then." "Yeah, nothing will happen." I echoed. The blizzard lasted for two days, and the snow fell above my head.It took another whole day to clear the snow from Victor Village to the square.In the past few days, I have been helping to take care of Gail, putting snow on myself, trying to recall all the details of the riots in District 8, maybe it will help us.The swelling on my face has subsided a lot, the healing wound is very itchy, and the area around the eyes is still black and blue.But at the first opportunity, I asked Peeta if he would come with me to the city. We woke Haymitch up and dragged him to come with us.He complained about us, but not as much as usual.We all know in our hearts that we need to talk about what happened a few days ago, but we can't be at home in Victor's Village, it's too dangerous.In fact, we walked a long way from Victor's Village before we started talking.For a long time I looked carefully at the ten-foot wall of snow that lined the narrow road, wondering if it might fall and smother us inside. Finally, Haymitch broke the silence. "So we're all going to run off into that treacherous wood, huh?" he asked me. "No," I said, "we're not going." "Thinking of the flaws in the plan myself, huh, dear?" he asked. "Any good ideas?" "I want to start a riot," I said. Haymitch just chuckled, and his laugh wasn't exactly contempt or mocking, but it was even more confusing, showing that he didn't even take my words seriously. "Oh, I'd like a drink. Anyway, let me know what you think," he said. "So, what are your plans?" I retorted. "My plan is to make your wedding perfect," Haymitch said. "I called them and rescheduled the wedding photos, but I didn't give too many details." "You don't have a phone at all," I said. "Effie fixed it," he said. "You know what? She asked me if I'd be the one to hand you over to the groom at the wedding, and I said the sooner the better." "Haymitch." I felt my voice imploring. "Katniss," he mimicked my voice, "that's not okay." A group of men with shovels passed by, walking towards the village of victors, and we stopped talking immediately.Maybe they can shovel down that ten-foot wall of snow.By the time these people are far enough away from us, we are already too close to the square.We walked into the square and couldn't help but stop at the same time. Nothing big happens when it snows.That's what Peeta and I thought, and we were dead wrong.Much has changed around the square.A huge flag painted with the national emblem of Panham floated high on the roof of the court building. The policemen in white uniforms patrolled the well-cleared cobblestone square. On the roof, more policemen occupied the High shot.Most frightening of all were the new additions—new flogging posts, several fences, and a gallows—that loomed large in the center of the square. "Srider is quick enough," Haymitch said. A few streets away from the square, there was a blaze of flames, and everyone needless to say that it must have been set ablaze in Hopper's black market.Immediately I thought of people living off the black market - Gracie Se, Ripper and all my friends. "Haymitch, don't you think everyone still—" I stopped. "Oh no, they are very smart. They can handle this. If it were you, you would become smarter after staying here for a long time." How much disinfectant alcohol did you get?" He was trudging towards the other side of the plaza, and I looked at Peeta and said, "Why does he drink that stuff?" Then I had my own answer, "We can't let him drink anymore, it's going to kill him, At least blind his eyes. I prepared some white wine for him at home." "I've got some, too, maybe to get him through this time until Ripper finds a way to do business," Peeta said. "I'll have to go home and see." "I've got to see Hazel." I began to worry.I thought she would come to my house as soon as the snow stopped, but I haven't seen her until now. "I'm going too, stopping by the bakery on the way home," he said. "Thank you." I was suddenly terrified of what I was about to see. There are almost no people on the street. At this time, it is not uncommon for workers to work in the mine and children to go to school.But they didn't work and they didn't go to school.I saw faces peeping at us through cracks in doors and windows. riot.I wonder.How stupid I am.District 12 had its inherent flaws, and Gale and I were blind to them.If you want to riot, you must break the existing rules and you will resist the authorities.While we or our family have been doing illegal things - poaching, trading on the black market, taunting the Capitol in the woods.But for most people in the 12th District, going to the black market to buy things is a risk, how can I expect them to hold torches and bricks to gather in the square?Just seeing me and Peeta was enough to make them pull the kids away and draw the curtains shut. We met her at Hazel's house, where she was looking after Percy, who was very ill and had measles. "I couldn't leave her alone," she said. "I knew Gail was the best doctor." "Of course," I said, "mother says he'll be back at the mines in a week or two." "Maybe the mine won't be open by then," Hazel said. "There's news that the mine will be closed for a while until a notice is posted." She said, looking nervously at the empty laundry tub. "Are you dead too?" I asked. "It's hard to say," she said, "but everyone is afraid to use me now." "Maybe it's the snow," Peeta said. "No, Rory went out this morning door-to-door and was dead, really," she said. Rory put his arms around Hazel and said, "We'll be fine." I took a handful of money out of my pocket and put it on the table. "I'll ask mother to get some medicine for Posy." After we got out of Hazel's, I said to Peeta, "You go back, I want to go to the black market." "I'll go with you," he said. "No, I've caused you enough trouble," I told him. "If I don't hang out with you in Hopper... I'll be fine?" He smiled at me and took my hand.Together we walked through the streets of the Seam and ended up at Hope Market, where the fire was burning and the authorities didn't even send the vigilante because they knew very well that no one would come to put out the fire. The heat from the fire melted the surrounding snow, and the black water flowed even under my feet. "It's all soot, from the past," I said.Floating soot dust is everywhere, filling every crevice, from floor to floor.It's amazing that there hasn't been a fire here before. "I want to go and see how Gracie Se is doing." "Don't go today, I don't think we may be able to help them if we go to them today." He said. We went back to the plaza and I bought some bread at Papa Peeta's bakery and they talked about the weather for a while.No one mentioned the ugly instruments of torture that were so close to the door.Before leaving the square, I noticed that there was not a single familiar face among the vigilantes there. Day by day, the situation is getting worse.The mine has been closed for weeks, and by now half the population of District 12 is starving.The number of children signing up for food stamps has skyrocketed, but they too often don't get their grain.There was a food shortage in the twelfth arrondissement, and even people who went to the shops with money often returned empty-handed.After the mine started to work again, workers' wages were reduced, working hours were extended, and workers were sent to work in dangerous mines.The long-awaited gifts for the gift bag festival are all moldy or mouse-bitten food.People often violate the criminal law and are dragged to the square and flogged, but these so-called illegal acts have long been ignored by people, forgetting that they are illegal. Gail went home and we didn't talk about the rebellion anymore, but the miners were suffering untold misery, innocent people were flogged in the square, people were starving, and I think what he saw could only make things worse. Strengthen his determination to resist.Rory has registered for food stamps, and Gail doesn't even want to mention it, but food is often not available, and food prices are also soaring. Food stamps alone are not enough. The only happy thing is that I persuaded Hazel to hire Hazel as his housekeeper. Not only can Hazel earn money, but Hazel's life has also improved greatly.Whenever I entered Haymitch's room and saw that the room was tidy, smelled fresh, and there were hot meals on the stove, it was a strange feeling.But Haymitch didn't seem to pay attention to all this, he was struggling with another matter.Peeta and I rationed him the stockpile, but even so it was almost gone; and the last time I saw Ripper, she was handcuffed. Walking on the street, I feel like a pariah abandoned by society. Everyone avoids me in public, but people at home come and go frequently, and sick or injured people are constantly sent home. Mom has long since stopped billing for her treatments.The medicines in reserve were quickly used up, and in the end, the only thing my mother could do was to apply snow compresses to the patients. Going into the woods, of course, is forbidden.Absolutely forbidden.no doubt.Even Gail didn't dare to act rashly.But one morning, I went into the woods.Not because the house was full of the sick or dying, or because I didn't want to see a mangled back, or a sallow child, or people suffering; but because my wedding dress arrived one evening, and inside There was a note written by Effie, which said that the dress had been personally seen and confirmed by President Snow. wedding.Would he really ask every detail himself?What is he racking his brains for?Is it for the Capitol?He promised us a wedding, and the wedding is about to take place, after which he's going to kill us?So as to serve as an example to other districts?I don't know.I can't figure out why this is.I tossed and turned in bed until I couldn't take it anymore.I had to get out, if only for a few hours. I rummaged through the closet until I found a winter coat by Cinna, which was for the Victory Tour entertainment.Waterproof boots, a well-wrapped snow suit from head to toe, insulating gloves.While I prefer my usual hunting clothes, this high-tech outfit might be more suitable for today's treks in the woods.I tiptoed downstairs, packed my hunting bag with food, and slipped out.I walked through the back streets, around the alleys, and came to the gap in the fence, which was the closest to Luba's butcher's shop.The miners have to pass here when they go to work, so there are scattered footprints on the snow here.The area near the mine will not attract the attention of the Vigilante.The security system here has already been upgraded, and Stride didn't pay much attention to the isolation net in this area. Maybe he thought that the severe cold and wild animals would make people afraid to cross the isolation net.Even so, when I climbed out of the gap, I tried to leave no trace until the thick woods covered my tracks. When I got the bow and arrow and trekked deep into the woods against the falling snow, it was almost dawn.I made up my mind that I must walk to the lake, and I couldn't explain why.Maybe say goodbye to this place, to Papa, to the good times we had together; because I know I may never come back, and maybe it's the only way I can breathe.As long as I can see this place again, I don't really care if they catch me. It took twice as long to get there.The clothes Cinna designed were very cold. When I walked in, my body was already soaked in sweat, but my face was numb from the cold.The winter sun on the snow blurred my vision, and I was so tired and disappointed that I didn't notice the changes around me—the smoke from the chimney, the new footprints on the ground, the burnt pine needles. smell.I was only a few yards away from the concrete house and stopped suddenly, not because of the smoke or the smell of footprints or burning pine needles, but because I clearly heard the click of a bullet being loaded behind me. Relying on my sixth sense, I instinctively turned around quickly and drew the bow full, knowing that the current situation was not good for me.I saw a pointed-jawed woman in a white uniform standing behind me, her light brown eyes exactly where I aimed my bow and arrow.The moment her gun slipped from her hand to the ground, she was reaching out her other gloved hand to hand me something. "No!" she shouted. I was at a loss for a moment, unable to react in time to everything that happened in front of me.Maybe they got orders to take me back alive and torture me until I charged everyone I knew with something they didn't know.Well, good luck.I pondered.The arrow was on the string, and the moment I was about to shoot the arrow, I saw what she was holding in her hand.It was a small white bagel, more like a biscuit, already moist around the edges and darker than elsewhere.But there is a pattern clearly printed in the middle of the biscuit. It's the bird on the brooch I'm wearing - the mockingjay.