Survivor

This story is about Katniss reflecting about what has happened after Peeta has been rescued from the Capitol, but he is in critical condition and has not woken up yet. This takes place in District 13, in a hospital.

He was so beautiful. So amazing. And he chose me. Why, Peeta?

He stirs in his heavily drugged sleep. Will he ever wake? Will I ever see those deep, blue eyes that I yearn for?

Why didn't you find some silly, pretty girl to love, care for? No, he chose, me. Katniss. Simple, plain Katniss.

I hold your hand, in a fruitless attempt to connect with the barely lifeless form I see before me.

You shouldn't have strayed into my troubled life. I made you lose your leg and got you kidnapped. Tortured daily for secrets you didn't have. It should've been me.

But I fell in love with you. Now I realize that. And all I want is for you to be is healthy and happy. You will never be that when you are with me.

I lightly stroke your soft, blond hair and I watch as your mouth seems to curl up slightly.

I wonder what you're dreaming about. Sometimes, when I stay overnight, I hear your moans and screaming. Nightmares, I assume. What you've experienced in those terrible Capitol torture rooms must be extremely terrifying.

Before, you didn't make a sound. Now, every sound that crawls out of your mouth feels like a spear piercing my heart.

The doctors say that they can't help you; we just have to 'wait it out'. I don't care.

Every day, sit in a heap next to you, kissing your face, crying, knowing that you won't be able to return the gestures but trying anyway.

I lay my head down on your chest, sniffling, and end up falling into a deep slumber.

I awake to the rustle of a soft blanket being pulled over my shoulders and hear a deep voice grunt.

Gale. He's happy these days, deep in love with Madge. He's gotten over me, and accepts the fact that I love Peeta, although we still remain close friends. I swear, he's going to make it because Peeta Mellark is a survivor. I hear the gentle sound of a door closing and I close my eyes to be lured to sleep by the slow, even lulls of Peeta's breath as he sleeps.