'PRIM? PRIM!" I frantically run around in the darkness, bumping into trees and cutting my leg skin on thorns. I not wearing anything and the burnt marks in my hideous body are fully exposed, leaving me to look like a capital mutt. And in this darkness, I frantically search for Prim, my baby sister. But in this darkness I see nothing except my ugly, burnt body.

And then suddenly, an excruciating pain jolts my body. I am on fire again, with the Capitol's fire mutt doing his work on me. It's silent and the pain is so unbearable that I slowly slide to the black ground and stare at nothing while the fire mutt engulfs my body. And then suddenly I hear her scream, like I did in the arena when they tortured us with jabberjays, so full of pain and fear that I am immediately up and look around. And then I see Prim, running towards me, all of her on fire, like a human torch. I run towards her but suddenly fall into darkness, whilst screaming her name.

"PRIM!" I jolt awake and slam my head on the woodboard of the bed. Peeta sleeping next to me is immediately up and as his strong hands engulf me, I sob into him.

"It's alright Katniss, it was just a dream." He cooes into my ear.

"I-I saw her. The way-y s-she lo-looked that day.. I she wanted my help and I-" at that point I couldn't continue because of my hiccups.
"I'll get you some water, Katniss." He gets up and leaves the room, slowly closing the door behind him.

I push my elbows on my knees and start to rock back and forth.

Suddenly I hear a creek outside the room. I look up and see a small outline. A smile creeps its way on my face, I don't know how.

"Willow?"

"Katniss? I thought I heard you scream."

"I just had a bad nightmare. It's okay, you can go back to bed."

"I um.. I had a bad nightmare too" She peeks through the door uncertain.

"Come here."

She slowly strides towards me, kicks off her bedroom slippers and gets in bed. I tuck her beside me and caress her hair. I remember when she was only a baby, born some hours before, when they first put her in my arms. She has my brown locks and Peeta's blue eyes.

Peeta comes in with the water and grins. "I thought I heard someone sneak up on Katniss. Not sleepy?"

He hands me the glass and I smile gratefully at him.

"I had a bad dream and I heard Katniss scream."

Peeta gets in the opposite side and looks down at her.

"You shouldn't call her Katniss. She is your mother."

"But I don't mind. Mother makes me feel old." I smile and reply.

Peeta ruffles her hair and smiles, and I notice the burnt marks on his hands.

"Is your brother asleep?"

"Yes. He woke up too but then I put him back to sleep." She says it with a hint of proudness and I know she has Peeta's gift with children.

"Katniss, when did our daughter grew so big as to take care of her brother?" He laughs and tickles her and the sound of her joyous shrieks fills my heart with love. I laugh, my nightmare temporarily forgotten.

"Katniss.."

She gets up and looks at me, her eyes hesitant.

I look at her and ask, confused "Yes?"

"I met someone today. Remember? We had a trip to District 2 today. There I met someone called Gale Hawthorne. He is an official there. We were introducing ourselves when he looked at me for some time and asked me my name. He told me he wants to meet you and Peeta."

I suddenly black out for a moment. Gale, my best friend of nine years. Gale, my family's savior. He designed the bomb that killed my sister. I was never able to forgive him for that. And now my Willow knows him. And he wanted to meet me.

"Who is he, Katniss?"

Peeta places is hands on Willow's head and smiles, "You remember I told you how Katniss was the Mockingjay? Well Gale was one of the people in her group who went on secret missions with her."

"Secret Missions?"

"Yes! Top secret missions with all the spy stuff." Peeta wiggles his fingers and bemuses Willow.

She laughs and then for a minute looks at me, her blue eyes transfixed on my brown ones.

"Is that true Katniss?"

Her voice and face suggested her amusement and curiosity but her eyes showed me that she didn't quite believe me and wanted the truth. Her deep blue eyes like two oceans transfixed on me, and for a moment I wanted to tell her everything. But then I remembered my promise to protect her and thought otherwise.

"Yes, of course. I had bows and arrows and Mockingjay wings." I laughed and kissed her forehead.

She looked at me and she smiled. But in her eyes, I knew she knew I lied and was hurt. She settles in the bed and closes her eyes and I sing her Rue's lullaby-

Deep in the meadow, under the willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes

And when you awake, the sun will rise.

She's off like lights. I hear her snoring and take in her love for a moment. But Peeta's voice brings me back and I remember what Willow just said. Gale, wanting to meet me.

"Katniss, you don't have to go."

"Yes I do."

"No you don't. He will understand."

"YES I DO!"

"SHH"

I almost wake Willow up. She uncomfortably stirs and whimpers. Peeta stares at her until she's back and then angrily stare at me.

No matter how much I love my children, they are my children and I love them. On that stance, a mother does not have an option. But I speak true when I say that Peeta loves them more than me. And the fact that I would cause any discomfort to them, even the slightest makes him angry, like now. But I think it has something to do with the fact that this talk was about Gale.

With my apology I start "I am-" But he cuts me off.

"Save it for tomorrow Katniss." He replies, turns and pulls the covers over his head.

I slowly get up, not wanting to wake either of them up, and reach the next room in darkness. I look at him, sleeping peacefully in his crib. He looks so innocent.

I remember mine and Gale's friendship.

Has it been long enough?

Should I meet him? Will I? Can I?