The sky is now black and the snow is falling heavier than it's been all day. Maybe four or five inches have fallen already. As I start to walk home, I look back, watching Peeta enter the bakery. Many things could go wrong. It worries me. It's bad enough that he injured his arm by dodging his mother. This time though, Peeta could be cornered, leaving him to take the hit, and he could be harmed even worse. He could injure his other arm or trip and fall, causing him to injure his leg.
God, I can't stand it. I shake the thought away, clearing my head. I'm nearly halfway home when I stumble on my boot laces. I sigh heavily as I kneel to retie them.
Once I finish, I suddenly feel that something isn't right. I look around in front of me as I stand, the snow remaining untouched. I turn around, taking in the view of the nearby buildings. Most of the lights are off as everyone is either eating dinner or getting ready for bed. There's no one outside even though I still have a feeling that someone is close by.
I start to walk again, trying to ignore the feeling, thinking I still haven't gotten over the Games. I know I haven't gotten over the Games. A few steps later, I hear light footsteps besides my own. Stopping, I listen closely. The footsteps aren't coming closer, but moving further away. I turn around again, watching the left side carefully. I start to walk back slowly and notice a dark figure sneaking by the buildings. It's odd. I keep myself hidden as I stand by a short building, watching the figure.
The figure is tall. Maybe a little taller than Peeta. It's footsteps are big, too. I think the person might be a male. As I keep watch of him, I notice he dodges every bit of light that shines. Why would a local dodge the light?
I make my way toward the male, walking slowly and keeping my distance incase danger arises. I gain more ground on him when he turns and walks in between two buildings, still hiding from the light. If I had a weapon on me, I would follow him and question him. Nothing about this person seems right at all.
I wait a moment before I carefully cross, making myself remain unseen. It's then that I know that the person is heading toward the Mellark's bakery. Nothing about this make any sense. Everyone knows that the Mellark's bakery closes this time at night.
I see the man last-minute, sneaking passed another building again when I hear yelling. It's Peeta's mother. "Why were you trying to steal from us when you're so full of money?"
"I wasn't. Just ask —" Peeta says in defense. I break into a run to the bakery, forgetting about the man who probably just found out that I was following him. I know it was a wrong move, but Peeta needs me. Finding out more about this person is important, but it can wait as much as I don't want it to. Peeta is more important and I need to go to him.
When I open the bakery door, I witness Mrs. Mellark slap Peeta in the face. "Peeta," I cry out, causing Mrs. Mellark and Peeta to look at me.
"And you," she spits out. "What the hell are you doing back here? You're not welcome here."
"Katniss is allowed here whether you like it or not, Mother," Peeta says, freeing his wrist from his mother's hold.
"I won't allow it." Mrs. Mellark tries to grab Peeta's wrist again, but he takes a step back, standing closer to me.
Mrs. Mellark steps closer to Peeta and I, and I feel Peeta take my hand. "You need to leave," she says, her voice full of anger.
As I begin to protest, Mr. Mellark enters the front of the bakery and interrupts. "Abigail, that's enough." Mr. Mellark manages to pull his wife away from us. "I will not have you yelling at our son and Katniss any longer."
"I can't believe you," she says in disbelief.
"That's enough," he tells her before looking back at Peeta and I. "Peeta, you should go on home and take a few days off. Your brothers can help me for the rest of the week."
"Alright. Let's go, Katniss," Peeta says, grabbing my hand and leading me out the door.
When we are outside, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Peeta gives my hand a squeeze and kisses it. It makes me smile. When we pass by a few buildings, I feel like someone is watching us. The person could be anywhere. I don't hear anything unusual and everything looks the same as it's been. There aren't even footprints showing that someone's been around except our own. The snow isn't any help at all either. I realize we've stopped walking.
"Hey," Peeta says, letting go of my hand and snaking his arm around my waist. "What's wrong?"
"I . . . I don't know," I sigh. It's obviously a lie and I'm sure Peeta can tell. I know I should tell him what I saw, but the moment isn't right and the man could be listening.
"Is it my parents?"
"What? No. It's just . . . I'll tell you when we reach home, okay?" I look up into his eyes and he smiles.
"Okay," he says, kissing my temple before we start walking again.
"I'm sorry," I say after a short while.
Peeta lets out a light laugh. "Don't be. If it weren't for you showing up, that wouldn't have gone as nicely as that went."
"It isn't right. She can't do that to you."
"I know, but I can't do anything about it."
"How bad was it?"
Peeta sighs and gives my waist a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry about it." A few moments pass before he speaks again. "She caught me as I was leaving. She only slapped me twice."
"I can't stand you getting hurt," I say after a moment, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I know." He kisses the top of my head. "I'll be all right."
As we arrive at Victor's Village, I see the lights on at my house, meaning my mother and Prim are still up, likely waiting for me. I never told them when I'd be home. "Let my mother look at your arm tonight," I say, my voice almost begging.
"I'm pretty sure it's fine. If it bothers me tomorrow, I'll have her give it a look."
"Okay." We've stopped where the road divides between the three houses.
"Katniss, you should go on home tonight.
"Peeta . . ." I plead, looking into his eyes.
"I'll be okay." Peeta takes me into his arms and I wrap my own around his neck. "I just need to be alone for a while. I'll come and get you in the morning."
"All right." I know Peeta shouldn't be alone but it's what he wants. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," he repeats, voice quiet. His lips then meet mine and we are kissing slowly. When we part, we are both breathless. "I love you."
"I love you, too," I say before I kiss him again. When we part this time, I take hold of his hand and we hold on as long as we can, watching each other as we both enter our own home.