Chapter 11: Peeta
Once the funeral is over Peeta gets word that he needs to be back in the Capitol for a meeting of all the Victors which is being organized by President Coin. He is not sure what this is about, but he knows Snow is not dead yet and guesses it is about planning his demise. If he is being called, that means Katniss will be there, too. She has been out of the hospital a couple of days, but this will be the first time he has seen her since his visit with Haymitch.
His flashbacks are not occurring as often now since the fighting has stopped. He has spent some time back in the place where he and Katniss share memories, even if some of those memories are the stuff of nightmares. Being selected and volunteering for the Games. Fighting for their lives. Protecting each other. It is much easier here, in 12, to know what is real and what is not real. Here, there are nightmares they both share, hardships they both endured, together. A spark was lit, not just igniting a rebellion, but igniting a love that Peeta hoped would last forever. This love had survived almost every evil the Capitol had used to try and destroy it, along with the Rebellion, but now it was hanging by a thread thanks to the aftermath of his hijacking. Peeta realizes in some way he is still trying to get himself back, how will he ever be able to convince Katniss to come back to him, too.
Peeta heads to the Oval Office of Coin and sees some of the other Victors have already arrived. He takes his seat beside the one left for Katniss and waits for her arrival. Coin is there, Johanna, Annie, Enobaria and Beetee. Haymitch walks in ahead of Katniss. Once they have taken their seats Coin begins. Peeta can't believe what he is hearing. Coin wants to instigate another Hunger Games only this time with the Capitol's children!
After speaking out against it, he hears Katniss agree on the basis she is the one who gets to kills Snow. Peeta thought that had already been agreed to, but then Katniss adds "and for Prim". Now he knows what is driving her. Grief, rage, revenge. Peeta knows, instinctively, that nothing will be able to salve these wounds of the heart and soul. Neither the death of Snow, nor the death of the Capitol's children, not even her own death is going to take away her pain. Katniss is on the edge and he is very afraid she will not be able to find her way back.
The vote is carried by four after Haymitch pitches his hat in the ring with Katniss and agrees to another Games. Peeta knows there is no point in arguing and does not approach Katniss knowing that this will only anger her more. Her mind is made up. Peeta must let Katniss have this moment of catharsis for whatever that might mean for her future and for his. Right now her only way of surviving is to shut out the whole world and aim straight and true.