Chapter 1: Peeta

Peeta sits huddled in a corner as the bombs begin to go off. The flashbacks start right away as the shattering sounds and shaking of the building threaten to overwhelm him. He immediately begins to repeat the mantra that will stop him from falling back into the black hole that was his hijacking.

"My name is Peter Mellark. I come from District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen saved me".

Tigress, Cressida and Pollux look nervously over at Peeta. Since Katniss has removed his handcuffs none of them are sure what he is capable of and if he would hurt anyone else. What they do know is that Katniss is the only one who can truly convince him that he is not under threat.

Pollux moves over to Peeta and sits beside him, but not too close as Peeta might sense this as some kind of threat. He notices that Peeta has the nightlock in his hand and is rolling it between his fingers, staring hard at the deadly capsule. Pollux wants to take it away from him, but resists the urge as this will only cause Peeta to become more agitated.

Cressida also notices this and has an idea. She decides to try and bring Peeta back with the only thing that seems to work for him right now.

"You made it through the 74th and 75th Hunger Games…real or not real?"

"Real" Peeta answers.

"You were captured by the Capitol…real or not real?"

"Real", he says.

"They hijacked you and gave you false memories about Katniss Everdeen…real or not real?"

Peeta hesitates for a moment. The flashbacks confuse him and he wants to believe the memories are false, at least the ones the Capitol gave him.

It takes all of his strength to affirm what he knows in his more lucid moments to be true. "Real", Peeta says.

Cressida continues. "Katniss Everdeen saved your life in the 74th Hunger Games…real or not real"

Peeta replies. "Real".

"Do you think she would want you to end it now?" Cressida asks.

Peeta looks up at her, searching her face for the answer. Tears have begun to flow down his cheeks and he knows he does not want to end his life, even if it is just to make sure that Katniss survives the final onslaught in the Capitol.

Cressida gently takes Peeta's hand and removes the nightlock he has been furiously rolling between his fingers. She says "You won't need this now Peeta. We are going to win this war and the Capitol will never hold you prisoner again. I give you my word on that".

Peeta allows Cressida to take the nightlock and becomes more aware of his surroundings. Tigress is standing by the door wondering when they should venture out and if it will be safe. Pollux is sitting beside him, a presence which Peeta finds comforting even though Pollux cannot speak.

He begins to process what Cressida has just said to him. The Capitol is about to fall, but where is Katniss?! He remembers she left with Gale some time ago and then there was a series of loud explosions which set off his flashbacks. Oh my God, Katniss!

Peeta jumps up and Pollux stands up with him.

"I have to get to Katniss! She might be in danger!"

Cressida steps in front of him. "Peeta, there is nothing we can do right now. We have to wait until we get the all clear. Katniss would not want you to put yourself in danger again".

"But she is out there in the Capitol arena and that is what Katniss and I do…we protect each other".

Cressida replies "Peeta, Gale is with her and he is used to fighting. It is Gale's job to protect her this time and we both know he will do his job".

Peeta recalls how Gale also loves Katniss and would never let anything happen to her. That should be reassuring, but it is not . Peeta knows that Katniss will find it hard to trust him again. He finds it hard to trust himself. At the same time he does not doubt that Gale will do whatever he can to keep her safe. He just can't help feeling that it should be him.

Tigress suggests they stay close to a screen to see if there are any newscasts giving an update on the siege on the Capitol. Pollux busies himself making some tea for them all and Cressida continues trying to operate the communications device hoping to get in touch with the rebel army headquarters.

Suddenly, the Capitol music begins to play and they are all startled to see Alma Coin giving a briefing on the fighting. Glued to the screen, they hear her say that the rebels have successfully overrun the Capitol and President Snow is now in their custody. A huge sigh of relief escapes from the four of them. There is no word on the Mockingjay and Alma Coin asks people to remain indoors and stay calm while they await further news.

"I want to go out and look for Katniss" says Peeta.

"We can't go out yet, Peter" says Cressida. "It's not safe. We just need to be patient a little longer, please".

Peeta knows she is right and that if Cressida wasn't here he would head straight out that door looking for Katniss. It is too much to bear, the thought that she could be lying injured somewhere, or even dead! No, he can't afford to think like that. Katniss is the only thing keeping him alive right now, even though he knows he tried to kill her. He will never be able to forgive himself. If she is still alive, how will he ever be able to make it up to her? He owes her so much, what can he possibly do to ever make this right again?

The four of them, lost in thought, begin to drink their tea and wait for further word on the taking of the Capitol, all of them hoping for the best with regard to Katniss and Gale, while at the same time fearing the worst.