A/N: Thanks for all the reviews guys. You make me feel like I'm doing a good job with the story. Hopefully I keep it up. Thanks to all the readers even if you don't review, I'm still glad you're reading.

Chapter 10

Katniss' POV

I lost the baby. I lost her. I'm still in a state of shock about it. I say her because in my dream, I had a little girl. She was so pretty, so precious. Now I will never know her. It's all my fault too. I know it. Peeta knows it, even though he says otherwise. I know I was stupid to race into that burning building and try to save him, but I did think that he was in there. I couldn't just stand outside, and watch the bakery take my husband with it, both turning to ash. I don't think I could have lived in a world without Peeta Mellark. Now I know that he wasn't in there, only Teagan, and somehow I feel like even more of an idiot.

For that whole week after the incident, I didn't want to do anything. I just lay in bed, my appetite was nonexistent and my will to do anything was gone. Peeta tried to talk to me, to get through to me, but to be honest; I didn't want to try to get better. I wanted to wallow. I needed to mourn for the baby I lost. The daughter or son I could have had.

I'm in this dazed, unfeeling state until the night that man does that broadcast on TV. He is so cold, and I can feel the maliciousness radiating off of him even through the TV. I know it may sound stupid, but it's how I felt looking at him, watching those words spill from his lips. He is no better than his brother, maybe worse. As he prattles on through his speech I get more and more upset. No not upset, furious. When he mentions the fire, a deep rage and a call for revenge builds up inside of me. I actually feel hot and my fists clench in anger, my nails digging into my palms. He will pay for what he did. It's his fault I lost my baby. He started that fire. He tried to kill Peeta. I feel like I have a purpose now. I no longer feel lost.

I have to kill Phoenix Snow.

As soon as the broadcast is over Peeta snaps and the TV lies broken on the ground. I jump and scramble off the bed to help him. He is having one of his episodes and I know I need to calm him down as soon as possible, before it gets out of hand. As I hug him and whisper soothingly into his ear, I feel him relax in my arms. Seeing Peeta on the ground, looking so broken, makes me hate Phoenix Snow so much more. The words of payback I utter next, to reassure Peeta, is a promise that I intend to keep.

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"We need to get you kids somewhere safe," Haymitch says the next day. We are all sitting in the living room discussing the broadcast from last night and our next move. Gale is here too.

"Fine. But my mom and Gale's family comes wherever we go." I state as I glance at Gale. He smiles back at me. Everyone I love has to be safe.

"Sweetheart…" Haymitch starts to disagree but I stop him at once.

"That's the deal, take it or leave it. Otherwise, I stay here. Phoenix said he was coming after those I love. That includes Gale, his family, and my mom." Peeta flinches a bit when I mention Gale among those I love. It's a platonic love Peeta!

He can be so exasperating.

"Fine." Haymitch says reluctantly. I can tell he doesn't like it by the big, long drink he takes from his flask.

Peeta speaks up then. "We could go to 13. It's probably the safest place right now and our only option."

"Right you are Peety boy, which is why I already contacted them. I just need to call back to add a few people to the guest list." Haymitch gives me a nasty look, which I completely ignore.

"A hovercraft will be here early tomorrow morning. So prepare yourselves." Haymitch says authoritatively, leaving no room for discussion.

We all nod our assent. Looks like tomorrow is the big day.

"I should get going," Gale says as he stands. "It's my turn to make dinner." I get up to walk him to the door. When we reach, he turns around to face me.

"Thanks Catnip, for what you just did for me and my family."

I shake my head at him incredulously, I should be thanking him. "Gale I owe you my life, you don't need to thank me."

He takes me into his arms and hugs me for a few seconds longer than a friendly hug should last. I see Peeta looking at us out of the corner of his eye. Jealousy flashes in his baby blues. He is so silly; he has no reason to be jealous. I married you, you dork. Gale releases me and steps back.

"See ya tomorrow." He says as he leaves through the door shutting it behind him.

I turn to stare at where Peeta and Haymitch are huddled in a corner whispering about something. They think they are so clever. Oh, if they only knew.

"What are you guys talking about," I ask as I reach them.

They exchange a quick look and then Haymitch says, "Oh nothing really, just about how much we will miss 12."

Liar.

What they don't know is that when I woke up this morning I came downstairs to hear them talking. I decided to not make my presence known when I heard the name Phoenix Snow come out of Peeta's mouth. It made me suspicious. So I stayed on the staircase spying, listening, as they planned and plotted, and left me out of the loop. As usual. They have this weird notion that this protects me somehow, when I don't know much. What I did hear made me realize that I could not let their plan come to fruition. Basically, my genius husband plans to go after Phoenix, and Haymitch was actually agreeing with him. Desperate times I suppose. I will not let Peeta risk his life for me. So I came up with a plan of my own. They won't be able to stop me until it's too late. So at this point, I pretend to be naïve and accept the lie.

"Yea, I will miss it too," I say sadly.

They suspect nothing.

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I wake up before the crack of dawn. It is still dark outside and Peeta's bandaged hand is draped across my waist. I gently pry it up and place it on the bed softly. He moans but he doesn't wake. I sigh in relief and make my way out of bed. I start to get ready. I dress quickly, throwing things into a bag. Things I think that I may need or that might come in handy. I head downstairs to the kitchen and pack some food as well. When that's done I get my hunting gear and make sure I have my bow and lots of arrows. I leave a note on the counter for Peeta, not saying much.

I have decided to go off on my own. I figured that everyone would be safer without me around. With me close to them, they become a target too, and I can't have that. I have already lost so many people; I don't think I could bear to lose anyone else. Especially with what happened recently with the baby. This is the best thing for everyone. The safest. I take a deep breath. Now comes the hardest part. I begin to shake thinking about it, my heart clenches and my stomach feels awful. As I make my way upstairs, back to our bedroom, tears stream down my cheeks.

It's time to say goodbye to Peeta.

I walk into our room and take in a shuddering breath. As I reach the bed I admire his appearance. He is so handsome. He looks so adorable sleeping peacefully with his hair falling onto his forehead. I just want to brush it away. I know I can't because he might wake. It's too risky, so I don't. It makes my heart ache that I can't touch him. I love you so much Peeta Mellark. I wipe the tears from my cheeks and I take in all of his features, storing them in my memory banks. I need to do this quick and fast. I can't hesitate too long or I risk him waking up. Oh what the hell I can risk a little kiss. So I bend and place a tender kiss on his forehead.

"Goodbye Peeta, my love, my boy with the bread." I make a small sniffle. "I hope I see you again someday," I whisper. With that I am out the door and gone, never looking back, because if I do, I know that I will immediately go back to him, back to the comfort of his arms. I can't afford to do that, I can't be weak. This is for the best.

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I walk for what seems like hours. No, I'm really limping. This stupid boot is hindering my progress. It also makes my stride louder. Geez, I almost sound like Peeta stomping though the woods. Oh God I miss him. Tears stream down my cheeks and I furiously wipe them away. I need to be strong. This is the only way. I am making the right decision. I keep telling myself this as I limp on. Eventually I'm so exhausted from walking and crying that I stop and lean against a tree, putting my head back against the bark. My leg is hurting something fierce. I take in deep breaths, letting the smell and calm of the woods wash over me. I let my mind drift to Peeta as I close my eyes. He is going to go crazy when he realizes what I did. I hope he understands. My plan is to go to 11 and maybe hide out there, or close to it. I can't go to 13 and I can't stay in 12.

Leaves crackle off to my right and I raise my bow, arrow loaded, aimed at the noise. This seems familiar. My heart rate immediately goes through the roof. Nothing happens for a few seconds until a bullet pings off the tree and I duck, immediately taking off in a run soon after. It's an awkward run but I push it, adrenaline surging through my veins. Bullets hit the trees as I do so. I make a quick glance back and I see that three men are chasing me. I don't think that I can out run them. Maybe if I didn't have this stupid boot. I swivel my body and fire one arrow. One man falls, the arrow lodging in his chest. One down two to go. I'm weaving and running as fast as my legs can carry me as bullets wiz past around me. My leg is screaming at me to stop. I ignore it and I turn again, and fire. The arrow makes a whooshing sound as it flies through the air. Two down.

Suddenly in front of me, about ten men appear out of nowhere. All are armed with guns aimed right at me. I skid to a stop, but I still raise my bow, already loaded with an arrow and ready to be released.

"Give it up girlie. You're surrounded," a man with a huge scar running from his cheek to his neck says. He chuckles crazily and his face breaks out into a huge smile. He shouldn't smile. He has an ugly smile.

I decide to aim my bow at him, since he spoke and he appears to be the leader. I'm breathing heavily and sweat is pouring down my face and into my eyes. I don't bother to wipe it; I just blink my eyes rapidly, when my vision gets obscured. I hold my gaze and my aim.

"Don't be stupid," he says, his eyes narrowing when I don't lower my weapon. The smile is gone, but he now wears a smirk instead.

I realize they have me. If I don't surrender, I'm dead anyway. I could kill maybe one or two before I am shot to death. I lower my bow dejectedly and they immediately swarm around me. My legs are kicked out from under me and my arms are tied around my back. Scarface pushes my face into the dirt.

"Lookie what we caught boys! The girl on fire!" They all laugh and some come forward and start to kick me. Mostly in my ribs but I catch some boots in my face. I cry out in pain. I am helpless; I can't even shield some of the blows because my arms are tied behind my back. The pain is intense and agonizing and my vision fades in and out. The last thing I see is a boot before it connects with my face. Then…darkness.