Chapter 31

I slept too long.  It was approaching lunchtime.  I knew Katniss must be worried sick, and so I started to whistle my tune that now not only reminded me of home and my family, but it meant to us that the other was safe and well and in no need of help.  

I started to climb down the tree.  About one-third of the way, I had to stop because of the huge blisters in my hands.  I put on my socks, and even though it was much less safe down, I felt a lot better.  When I touched the ground, I took them off and stashed them in my pack.  I then had to scurry back up without them, as I heard bushes rustling.  

I didn't even look down to see who it was, I just went up, up, up.  I was afraid that it was the Careers, but once I got about eighty feet of the ground, I realized that it could have been Katniss, too.  Just in case, I stayed up in the tree, but threw down some mint leaves.  

If they do reach the ground and they spot them, it would mean nothing to anyone but Katniss, who knows we gathered them far away.  I stayed up there until the sun started to reach the mountains, then I slowly climbed down with the socks on my hands.  When I touched the ground, I knew Katniss would be beyond worried and will think I'm in trouble, so I sung the tune to the mockingjays again, and soon it was all around me, the sweet music.  A mockingjay flew past me and I laughed quietly.  What could be better than right now, birds singing to me my very own tune I had taught them!

I took a step forward, and a huge net fell on top of me.