I breathe in his honey-scented hair, my hand slowly caressing his cheek. His chest rise and falls as sleep takes over. "Don't leave." I whisper, digging my face deeper into his short locks of golden hair. Peeta mumbles something inaudible but I don't question. I release myself from him and Peeta emits a groan. I lean over and lightly plant a kiss on his forehead, slightly ruffling his hair. "I love you, you big baby." I whisper, giggling. Getting myself out of my bed, I lumber across the hall and find myself in front of the television set. I couldn't sleep that night. Thoughts of The Games overwhelmed me and not even Peeta could chase away those nightmares. A sharp pain nudged me in the stomach and I winced. When was this baby gonna come out? Flipping through channels, static erupted from the TV and light seemed to fill every corner of the room.
The news was on and there sat a man, almost my age but older. His face was smoldered in smoke and he looked purely exhausted, bags of tiredness framing his gray eyes. He seemed familiar, so familiar it was almost eerie. The announcer spoke. "This heroic man risked his life to save a small child, whose house caught on fire near a minefield. The child got out, almost completely unharmed except for a few bruises. This was an amazing feat for someone who had not originally originated from this district. The fire happened about 3 in the morning, while everyone was asleep. What's your name young man?" I could clearly see the outlines of District 2 in the background. The other man spoke, clearing his throat. "Gale." The words erupted in my mind, stung me so hard I felt as if I couldn't breathe. Gale. "How did you notice the fire?" The Hunger Games interviews flashed through my mind. I shook my head, those were over. The real Games were yet to come. "Well I was pretty much restless; I couldn't sleep because my mind was on the past." Same here. "Anyways, I smelled smoke outside. I thought the grass might have been on fire, so I quickly went outside to see a radiant glow in the distance. As I descended towards it, smoke filled my lungs and the heat intensified immensely. The house seemed to be deserted, but that's when I heard a scream. I hurled myself into the building and ran up the stairs. The fire was spreading fast and soon I found her, her face layered in ash and tears and I swooped her up, ran outside and quickly alerted part of the district. Soon the fire was out and the little girl was reunited with her mother." Gale finished, letting out a husky cough. Pride shone in his eyes."Why Gale, what made you do such a sacrificial thing?" Gale inhaled deeply and responded. "I did it because I know it would be what a certain someone would do." The response calmed me. I was afraid for a second that Gale turned out to be some kind of delusional pedophile, but, it turns out he's still sane. "Oh, and who is that, if you don't mind me asking?" The announcer asked, eyeing him. Gale withdrew a long, exhausted breath and finally spoke up."Katniss."