Chapter 10

Even though Katniss wasn't that nice when she came to talk to me, I'm almost convinced that she isn't a mutt. She seemed upset that I said she wasn't pretty, and really, that's when she started acting rude. If she is a mutt, she's a mutt with low self esteem.

Whoever is in charge of what happens to me must think Katniss is okay. And every time I start considering Katniss as I threat, Delly comes in and takes Katniss's side. I know I can trust Delly. They're starting to trust me more, in fact, tonight, they're letting me go into the dinning hall. With guards and handcuffs. But it's an improvement.

They help me balance the tray of food on my fingertips and I look around. "You can't sit next to anyone without their permission," says one of the guards. I let out an annoyed breath and look for one of my friends. I'll have better chances getting permission from someone I know. To my disappointment, everyone I would have asked are sitting near Katniss. But there is an empty seat next to Johanna Mason, and I know she'd let me sit next to her. Katniss is across from the seat I want, but I'll still go for it.

"Peeta!" says Delly once she notices me. "It's so nice to see you out... and about."

Johanna turns her head to look at me. "What's with the fancy bracelets?" she asks.

"I'm not quite trustworthy yet," I say. "I can't even sit here without your permission." I motion toward the guards.

"Sure he can sit here. We're old friends," she says and pats the seat next to her. When the guards not I take a seat and look down at my food. "Peeta and I had adjoining cells in the Capitol. We're very familiar with each other's screams." Johanna adds. Annie suddenly covers her ears with her hands, causing Finnick to wrap his arm around her and shoot Johanna a glare. "What?" Johanna asks. "My head doctor says I'm not supposed to censor my thoughts. It's part of my therapy,"

Finnick starts to whisper things to Annie to calm her down, and everyone else pretends to eat. "Annie," says Delly. "Did you know it was Peeta who decorated your wedding cake? Back home, his family ran the bakery and he did all the icing,"

Annie looks up. "Thank you, Peeta. It was beautiful." she says.

"My pleasure, Annie." I say.

Finnick looks at Annie. "If were going to fit in that walk, we better go," Finnick says and helps Annie clean up their area. "Good seeing you Peeta." he says.

I look at him. "You be nice to her, Finnick. Or I may try and take her away from you." I say.

Finnick blinks a few times. I guess I shouldn't have said that. Everyone looks at me with shocked expressions. "Oh, Peeta," says Finnick. "Don't make me sorry I restarted your heart." Then he leads her away. I clench my fists.

"He did save your life, Peeta. More than once." says Delly.

I nod at Katniss. "For her." I say, suddenly defensive of myself. "For the rebellion. Not for me. I don't owe him anything."

Nobody speaks for a moment.

"Maybe not. But Mags is dead and you're still here. That should count for something." Katniss says, anger clear in her voice.

I grit my teeth. "Yeah, a lot of things should have count for something that don't seem to, Katniss. I've got memories I can't make sense of, and I don't think the Capitol touched them. A lot of nights on the train, for instance." I say.

I look at Gale who's next to Katniss, glaring at me. "So," I say gesturing between Katniss and Gale with my spoon. "Are you two officially a couple now, or are they still dragging out the star-crossed lovers thing?" I ask getting a little jealous for some reason.

"Still dragging," Johanna says sounding board. I started clenching and unclenching my fists.

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself." says Gale.

I look him right in the eye. "What's that?" I ask.

Gale nods at me. "You," he answers.

"You'll have to be a little more specific," I say. "What about me?"

Johanna looks at me. "That they've replaced you with the evil-mutt version of yourself," she says.

I let out a breath.

"You done?" Gale asked Katniss.

I watch her stand and don't look away until they reach the door. I have the strangest urge to hurt Gale Hawthorne. Not because he called me a mutt. Just because he walked out with Katniss.

Delly clears her throat. "Peeta Mellark!" she yells. I look at her. "How could you be so rude to Katniss, she may not have been tortured by the Capitol, but she's been through a lot, too!"

I roll my eyes. "Yeah. I know the Games, and all," I say.

Delly slams her fork down on the table. "The Capitol destroyed her district. The people of Thirteen pressured her into becoming the Mockingjay. Taking responsibility for all the deaths in this war. She was shot!" says Delly. I tilt my head. "And this whole time, she was worried about you!" Delly starts breathing hard. "Gale signed up to rescue you from the Capitol. And then you wake up and think she's a mutt! How would you feel if you were Katniss, Peeta?" Delly screams.

"She's a mutt! I love her! She tried to kill me! She saved my life! I have to kill her! I'd rather die then lose her! She's a mutt! You're the mutt!"

I notice everyone in the dinning hall watching me, I guess I said these things out loud, guards pull me back to my room, and straps me back onto the bed.

I'm the mutt, everyone thinks so. I'm the one who can't go into the dinning hall without handcuffs and two guards. I'm the Capitol's weapon against Katniss Everdeen. I'm the Tracker Jacker.