Sorry I haven't updated in a while! I graduated and I now work 2 jobs before college :). I will try to now update regularly, but if I forget just send me a message. Or send me a message on tumblr (arrowtothemoon). By the by, Peeta is in a mental facility, and the others will not all be child soldiers! Just to clear things up. Any other questions or comments are appreciated and wanted! Keep the words nice and constructive! I don't own Hungers Games!


Darkness swam around Peeta's head as he slowly floated back to consciousness. The room felt cool as he fluttered his eyes open against the harsh light emitted from the ceiling. The room was the same as before, except this time the window was open. As he tried to lift his arms up to rub his face, Peeta realized he couldn't move his arms. Pinned to his sides were his arms, his torso locked inside a straightjacket holding him in a permanent self-hug.

"Peeta?" Delly's voice echoed into the room as the door slowly creaked open. "I see you're up now. How are you feeling? "

It took him a few minutes before his brain caught up with his mouth, and even as he spoke the words, they were thick and fuzzy in his mouth. "Thirsty…..what did?" Before he finished his sentence the events of this morning ran through his head.

Delly didn't seem to notice as she ushered Peeta up and lead him into the hallway.

"Can you take this off?" Peeta questioned quietly as he followed her down the long corridor.

"I'm sorry Peeta, after the little stunt you pulled; you'll have to wear it until we know that you wont be harm to others or yourself."

He already knew that was coming, but it didn't make him feel any less bad. He took deep breaths as he worked up to the question he wanted to ask. "Is….is Doctor Everdeen alright?" His voice wavered even as he mumbled the words, afraid that he wouldn't like the outcome of that question.

"She's fine. A little bruised, but Mrs. Everdeen patched her up just fine. Here we are!" The door she stopped at had INFIRMARY written on it. She opened the door and shooed him inside. "Here's Mellark! I'll see you later Everdeens!"

Peeta lifted his eyes up and instantly paused. The room was pretty large, with the same sterile feel to it as every other room in this building. Sitting lazily in a plastic rubber chair sat Katniss, Doctor Everdeen, and next to her was a petit blonde chatting animatedly and making Katniss laugh as if she hadn't just been strangled.

"Mr. Mellark, have a seat right up here. I'll just be a second, Katniss you scoot out of here now. I need to get his checkup done in time for lunch."

She looked up and her smile slipped off her face as if she had put grease on her face. "Glad to see your back Peeta."

"Doctor Everdeen, I'm sorry I don't know what happened but I really don't mean you harm."

"I know don't worry we will discuss it tomorrow." With that the door clicked shut and she was gone, her footsteps fading down the hall.

"Alright Peeta please sit while I get your jacket undone." The little blonde gave him a warm smile and deftly undid the tight contraption binding him. She laid it down next to him on the cold table and handed him a paper-thin gown. "Change into this please."

Doctor Everdeen, and as Peeta learned, Nurse Prim, checked everything from his ears to his eyes, heartbeat, reflexes, and whatever in between they felt needed to be noted in his file. By the time he changed back into his assigned white shirt and pants, he'd had gotten 3 shots and 1 vial of blood taken. Prim lifted up the jacket with a weary smile, her eyes swimming with pity and understanding.

"It will only be for a little while. Katniss is trying to get them to ease up on you, but they are being sticklers about it."

Shock etched deep lines on Peeta's face. She was trying to help him, even after he tried to strangle her. She barely showed him any emotion or feeling, yet she was fighting for him. His brow furrowed and he sat staring dumbly at his hands.

The knock on the door pulled Peeta out from his thoughts and three sets of eyes looked up as Delly entered the room.

"Lunch Mr. Mellark! We will swing by the medication area to get your pills before we go."

He nodded towards the two Everdeens and followed Delly out into the hall. It would only be a short time before he was able to ask Doctor Everdeen all his questions, but the clocks seemed to tick by at a snail's pace to him.