A/N: I'm so excited for this chapter, so I'll get to it!
Chapter 4
Knock. Knock. Knock!
"Who could that be?" I grumble, getting out of the comfortable armor that Peeta's arms have created.
I open the door to find the Peacekeepers on our doorstep. "Hello?" I ask, wondering what's wrong. I haven't been hunting in days.
"Is Peeta Mellark home?" they ask.
"Um…yes," I say, looking back to Peeta.
The Peacekeepers brush by me and take Peeta away. "What?" he worries.
I run after them, wondering where they are taking him. They drop him in the square, at a post. They tie his arms around the pole and he is dropped. Thread takes out a whip and says, "Treason against the Capitol. 70 whippings should be appropriate for a Victor."
"No!" I exclaim, but they still whip him. He screams and grits his teeth. He tries not to scream anymore, but he's clearly in pain. I am about to go forward, but the Peacekeepers hold me back, restraining me.
Peeta is in so much pain. He tries not to scream and just tries not to cry. He's looks at me and we lock eyes for a split-second before he's whipped again. I struggle against the Peacekeepers, but they hold me back with strong hands. I'm in pain just watching.
After 20 whips, Peeta passes out, his blood splattering everywhere. I am sprayed with his blood. Finally, he's had 70 whips. He's nearly dead and as soon as he's through, I run to his unconscious body. I pick him up and run to Prim's Victor Village house, where I know my mother will be.
I run through the door and yell, "Mom! Help!"
She rushes towards me. "Get him on the table! Prim, grab the morphling!" she orders. We have some morphling for Prim when she feels terrible. She's not addicted, but she has nightmares. She's 13, after all. She can't always handle it.
Peeta's on the table, given morphling, and cream for his lashes. His back is torn to shreds. Mom is so focused. Prim is by her side. Peeta is stirring.
"Peeta," I say, rushing to his side.
"Katniss? It hurts," Peeta his, tears welling up in his eyes.
"I know, I know. You'll be fine. I love you," I say.
"Kat, do have anything for the pain?" he whimpers.
"Mom, give him more!" I order my mother.
"I can't, I'm afraid he'll get hooked," Mom says.
"Give it to him! He's suffering more than you can even imagine! Give him more!" I command. Mom goes to do it. Peeta falls in and out of consciousness. Finally, I fall asleep by his side, my hand tangled in his golden hair, matted with blood and sweat.
A/N: Dun dun DUN! I tried a plot twist, but everyone saw that one coming, so that shows my stupidity. I know I'm stupid. I have no brain. Sorry, I told my friend that in science and I know she's reading this, so…. Review, follow, and favorite!