I feel something sink its teeth into the flesh of my calf. I turn around, and see the pack of wolves that ended our first Games that fateful day. I shudder, close my eyes, and run. When I open my eyes, Katniss is lying in front of me, in a scary pool of blood. I rush to her, and try to wake her. She won't open her eyes. She's not breathing. The realization of it all hits me so hard I can't do anything but cry out in agony. Katniss Everdeen. The girl I love. Dead.

I sit straight up in bed in a cold sweat. That is, by far, the most conflicting nightmare I've had in my life. I look around, regaining consciousness. I'm in my "recovery" room in President Paylor's mansion, under close observation. I wonder if they heard my screams, or if they muted the sounds a long time ago.

I think about the dream. It's not the first I've had about Katniss' death, but this is the only one that, in the dream, I had no second thoughts about her. I loved her in this dream, like they say I used to. Maybe I still do. I can't decide, not with all these questions eating me away inside.

I've been here, "recovering" for almost three weeks now. I wonder if I'll ever get to go home. To see her again. She's the only one who can help me remember. I wonder if Dr. Aurelius knows that.

I look at the clock. There's only an hour left until I will be brought breakfast, and all my pills. My pills. There's so many of them, for so many different things. I know what they are, but I'd rather just put them in my mouth as if I don't care about my life anymore.

I should be dead anyway.

No, I can't afford to think like that. If Dr. A is going to let me go home, I have to appear normal. I want to be normal, but appearing that way is a good second.

I almost drift off back to sleep, but as soon as my eyes close, I see Katniss die by some circumstance.

I sit there in a fog until my door opens. Expecting my caretaker, Beatrice, I perk up enough to rest her mind. She's always concerned. I wonder how much she gets paid.

Instead, I see Dr. Aurelius.

"Hello, Peeta. How are you this morning?" he asks. He's obviously seen the footage from last night. Should I tell him?

"Hungry. Tired," I say vaguely.

"So I saw," he says thoughtfully. Oh no, I know this tone. He's got something to tell me. Maybe it's good this time.

I just nod. Beatrice walks in with a tray which holds my breakfast. She sets it on my little two-person table, smiles sadly, and leaves.

"What would you say to some breakfast?" Dr. A asks in a pleasant tone.

"Sure," I mumble, getting out of bed. I take a seat at the table, as does he. This breakfast consists of French toast, strawberries, and milk. Pretty typical, but always very tasty.

"So Peeta, I'm sure you know I saw what happened last night," he says after I finish off my toast. Again, I just nod. "I need you to talk about it. I noticed it was quite different than other nights." You and me both.

"ItwasaboutKatniss," I blurt out, surprised by my own words.

Dr. A doesn't seem surprised. He nods, waiting on me to elaborate.

This is my ticket home. I've been begging for a week. "Katniss died. And after two Hunger Games and being tortured into a mutt, I have never felt so much pain," I say in a strained voice. Actually, this account was true.

"Mm-hmm. No confusion or conflicts?" he asks.

"None at all," I say quickly, sincerely.

He nods again. Then smiles slightly. "Mr. Mellark?"

"Yes?"

"We've decided that we're going to keep you here for another five days to run finalizing tests, then, if you'd like, you may go home."

A/N: Hey guys! :) My first story! Sorry it's kind of short. The first chapter of many! Will be updated as often as I can handle. And yes, this has some similarity to "Grow Together" by Miss Scarlett 05. that story inspired this one. Hope you guys liked it! R&R!