I run dragging Peeta helplessly along behind me as Cato chases us through the forest. Peeta stumbles behind me and my heart rate picks up. Cato's getting too close to him. I thrust Peeta forward at some point we have to stop running. Cato shoves me to the ground and grabs Peeta around the neck in a choke hold.
"Let him go!" I scream regaining my feet. Cato's sword glistens in the moonlight as he touches it at the base of Peeta's throat. I grab Cato's worse by the blade ignoring the terrible pain shooting through my hand I rip it from his hands my blood turning the silver blade red. The sword flies to the side and I manage to rip Peeta from a stunned Cato's hold.
"Run Peeta!" I yell and shove him forward though he refuses to move. I look at him with pleading eyes. I turn back to Cato to see he has recovered from his surprise and has his sword back in his hand. He runs straight for Peeta. I yell pushing Peeta out of the way not caring that he falls and the sword enters the center of my stomach not seconds later.
I bolt up right in bed gasping trying to even my breathing. I glance next to me sighing with relief when I see Peeta lying next to me unharmed. My hand brushes across his forehead moving curly blonde locks off his forehead trying to calm myself down.
"No one will touch you." I whisper my voice almost completely inaudible. I slip out of the bed careful not to wake him. I slide out of the room silently and make my way to the roof. The cool air blows through my hair leaving chills on my hot neck. I wrap my arms around myself trying to clear my head as I make my way to the edge of the roof.
I sigh and lean on the edge looking down at the Capitol people celebrating in the streets. It sickened me that they celebrated an event like the Hunger Games. I stare down idly getting lost in my thoughts for longer then I must've realized. I snap out of my daze when I feel arms slide around me. I nearly yell out in surprise as they do. Peeta let's out a breathy chuckle in my ear.
"Didn't mean to scare you, I just woke up and saw you were gone. I was worried." I place my hands over his which rest over my stomach. I lean into him, my head resting against his broad shoulders.
"I had a nightmare and needed to clear my head." Peeta's arms leave my torso and grip my arms gently as he spins me to face him. He gently brushes hair out of my face tucking a strand behind my ear.
"Want to talk about it?" Images of Peeta in Cato's choke hold with the sword pressed to his throat flood through my mind causing a tear to escape my eyes. I scold myself for letting myself cry and wrap my arms around him tightly not saying a word. He doesn't hesitate before wrapping his arm around me as well. He runs his hands through my hair holding me to him tightly.
"When did I become so weak?" I whisper against his shoulder. Peeta pulls me back forcing me to look at him.
"Katniss, you're not weak you're scared. I understand that, your life is on the line and you have every right to cry. You're the bravest person I know. I'm not just saying that because I love you." He leans down pressing his lips to mine softly.
"Don't make me tell you again. I'm afraid of you dying. I'm not going to lie and say I'll embrace death with open arms, but I'd rather me die then you." Peeta's lips press to my forehead and he scoops me into his arms.
"We're going back to bed, we have our private training sessions in the morning." I nod sighing as lean into him.
"I love you, Peeta. I hope you know that." I whisper sleepily as he enters our room.
"I know, Kat. I love you too. Wake me if you have another nightmare." I bury into his chest his strong familiar arms engulfing me. With ease I drift to sleep.
Peeta and I sit with the other tributes in the waiting room. I keep a tight grip on his hand tapping my foot impatiently. I really just wanted to go into the training room and get it over with. Waiting only filled the pit of my stomach with nerves. I needed to be good enough to get a good score. Sure, I'm good with a bow and arrow but compared to these careers it may not be enough. I'll just have to take what I can get.
As the tributes file out until it's just Peeta and I we both remain silent. There wasn't much to say. I glance over at Peeta.
"Make sure you impress them." My voice takes on a light teasing tone, which isn't something either of us has heard since the train.
"Please, they won't remember any of us after you go in there." He flashes me a toothy grin which causes me to laugh. His arm snakes around me pulling me into his side.
"No, but seriously." My eyes flit up to his face and I meet blue eyes looking down at me. I almost look away shyly, but decide against it.
"I know. You shoot straight, Kat. I know what you can do. Show them that." I can't help the smile that creeps across my lips.
"And you show them how strong you are, because I know how - "
"Peeta Mellark." I sigh when I'm cut off. He leans down placing a soft kiss on my lips and walks out. I glance around the now empty room that this morning was full of twenty four people, both determined and scared people. The atmosphere was full of anticipation and nervousness, not it's just me.
"Katniss Everdeen." I take in a sharp breath and stand up. Now was the only time to show them what I'm capable of, to earn myself some sponsors. Now's the time to wow them.
I walk into the training room and glance at the gamemakers who appear to be drunk and bored irritably. How am I suppose to earn Peeta and I sponsors if they don't pay attention. I glance around me then back at them.
"Katniss Everdeen. District Twelve." My voice rings through out the room filling it into a complete silence as they turn the attention towards me. I nod satisfied I now had their attention and saunter over to the silver bow and arrows. I grin as my fingers wrap around the bow. How familiar it felt. I close my eyes and imagine I'm in the woods at District Twelve with Peeta at my side, the targets are just another squirrel and the heart of the dummy is an eye.
I open my eyes and grab a silver arrow walking towards the shooting range. Quickly and with ease I slide the arrow into place and pull back the string. I grit my teeth as I realize the strings are much tighter then I'm use too. I try to convince myself it doesn't matter, but as the arrow goes flying and misses the target I feel a weight press on my shoulders. The head gamemaker chuckles and they all go back to eating and drinking.
With determination snatch another arrow from the rack and shoot, this time hitting the dummy in the heart. Another grin creeps onto my lips. The kind of grin I wear when I hit an animal in the eye perfectly at home. I spin to find that the gamemakers had payed no attention to me what so ever. Anger flares up in me. They could send me into these games, with the person I love but they don't even have the decency to pay attention.
Without thinking I grab another arrow and aim it at the roast pigs mouth, where and apple sits. Without hesitation I let the arrow fly and watch the gamemakers cry out and turn to me in shock. I give them a deadly stare before giving a bow.
"Thank you for your consideration." I slam the bow back onto the rack and run out of the training center.
I storm back into the District Twelve apartment, pushing past Peeta, Effie, and Haymitch marching straight to my room. I slam the door behind me and dive into my bed. What have I done? I think to myself. I just sealed my death, and once they know how much I love Peeta they'll be sure he dies to. I bury my face in the pillow mad at the gamemakers, mad at myself, mad at Peeta for volunteering, mad at Effie for choosing Prim, mad at the Capitol for creating the games in the first place.
I feel the bed shift and instantly feel Peeta's hand rubbing calming circles on my back. I just want to be alone, and be mad at everything and everyone. I let out a sigh into the pillow.
"What happened?" I don't lift my head or even acknowledge that I had heard him. "Katniss, don't pretend you can't hear me." I give a sigh of frustration as he says this. Why does he see through me so easily? I give one more sigh this time in defeat and push myself up. I avoid looking at him and decide to look down awkwardly.
"I shot an arrow at the gamemakers." Before he can say anything I stand up walking out of the room.
"Katniss, you what?" Peeta grabs my wrist at the doorway and forces me to look at him.
"I'm not repeating myself, you heard me the first time." It comes out snappier then intended and I can tell by the hurt in his eyes that he masks so well with his expression.
"Are you trying to throw your life away with both hands?" He comes across just as snappy and I'm taken back.
"If that means I get to save you then yes, but they weren't paying attention to me so I shot an arrow at their stupid pig." I pull my arm away from him and turn to see Haymitch and Effie watching with disapproving faces.
"Katniss..." Haymitch starts, but I hold a hand up cutting him off.
"Save it." Effie turns to me.
"Manners." I give her a sharp glare that gets her to shut up.
"You're lucky what goes on in private training can't be told. But, I'm sure you can bet that your life will be hell in the arena." I nod and purse my lips. I expected that much.
"Would they put that on Peeta too..." I trail off waiting for an answer.
"No, because it's not him they're mad at. I mean maybe after they find out how in love with lover boy here, you are." I bite my lip and look down. I was afraid of that.
"Peeta, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to - "
"Kat, it's fine. I'm not really too concerned about myself anyways unless we can get out alive together." I open my mouth to object but his lips meet mine stopping me.
"You two make me want to drink." Haymitch and Effie both walk away from us and I can't help but laugh against Peeta's lips.
"I doubt we're the only thing that makes him want to drink." Peeta chuckles and looks down at me with those striking blue eyes that never fail to take the breath out of me. "Look, I'm sorry about getting mad at you. I was just mad at everyone. Mainly myself, but you for volunteering and being here with me." The corners of his lips turn up just slightly.
"I did what I had to do. Now let's go see our scores."