Don't own Hunger Games.


Alto POV

"How many casualties?"

"Over a thousand as of now. More accurate reports are flowing in from the district."

"Civilians?"

"Estimated double that of rebel forces."

"Damn it. Why did this have to happen? How did this happen?"

"No idea. Civilians began attacking the Peacekeepers. The Peacekeepers retaliated by firing into the crowd, then the rebels began attacking."

"Is the attack still proceeding?"

"Yes."

"This just gets better and better." I rub my head. I was getting this info from Peeta, who's room I'm sitting in at the moment. I was out hunting when he told me to meet him here for information about district eight.

To say that it was bad was an understatement.

"Got anymore info for me Peeta?"

"Nothing at the moment. I'll have more accurate reports by the end of the day." Peeta reassures me.

"Ok. Thanks for the info." I shake my head. "Let's all hope that this doesn't turn into a second rebellion."

"You and everyone else."

"Evidently it's us and almost everyone else." I make my way to his window, climbing down the house and make my way to the Shelter. Everyone there would want to know what's going on.

What's in people's minds tells them what Katniss and I did was because we wanted to rebel against the Capitol? For Katniss and I at that moment, we couldn't think of living without the other, regardless if we felt the same for each other or not. I am grateful and very happy that she did feel the same. So that's when we took out the berries. That was our only trump card to beat the Games together. Like I said before, that didn't exactly go how we wanted it, with the Capitol wanting revenge for humiliating them, and for the districts thinking we weren't in love and did that just to show the Capitol they can't make us play by their rules. Apparently anything that we do looks like an act of rebellion to everyone else.

Effing idiots.

"Hey, Alto." I hear Katniss call through the snow.

"Katniss?"

"Wait a sec Alto." I see her after ten feet, and she quickly jogs to me. "You have a minute?"

"Of course. Here, walk with me." She picks up the pace with me. "So, what is it you need?"

"Where are you going?"

"Shelter. The guys over there need some information that Peeta gave me. But anyway, what did you need?"

"I need to tell you something about Snow and that deal he made us." She looks into the sky. "We kind of failed it."

"Wait, you mean we failed?" I give her a look. "So we failed, but you're not broken up about it. And you seemed so much more relived then you were afterwards, but we failed? Then why the hell were you so happy?"

"I already have a plan."

"And what would said plan be?"

"We run away."

I stop instantly, a few feet away from my destination, spinning so fast to face her that I nearly fall. Did I just hear her right? Did she say for us to run away?

"W-what?"

"You heard me; we run away. You, me, my family, Gale and his family, Haymitch, all of them. We could run away, in the wilderness, all of us. We wouldn't have to worry about the Capital trying to kill us anymore." She says as if it were simple knowledge.

I look at her, dumbfounded, unable to believe what she was suggesting. We would just up and leave? Just like that?

"I can't do that Katniss."

"What? Why can't you?" Katniss asks.

"Because I have a huge family." I motion to the Shelter in front of us. "I can't leave three hundred seventy four people, ages between one and fifty seven. They're my family; I can't leave them here and I can't take them with me."

"Yes you could. Some have very valuable skills that they could use to help us when we're out there."

"Where the hell are we going to go with over three hundred people in the wild Katniss? We don't have enough people with those specific skills to support all of them. If we leave, half will die by the end of winter. Half will die if we leave at any point."

"Haven't you seen what's been going on at district eight?" She says, anger starting to make its way into her voice.

"I know what's going on Katniss. I was with you when they showed the report on eight in Mayor Undersee's house. I was with you at eleven when they blew the damn stage from under our feet. I know what's going on in this country, and running won't do anything to solve it."

"We have to leave Alto. Don't you get that? The Capitol won't leave us be until they've made us suffer or kill us. They've already promised to do that; this is the only way we can protect the ones we love."

"And I have too many that I love. I've already lost a few that I've loved. Running will only make this problem more acute. Did you ever think about the repercussions this would bring about the district Katniss? I'm sorry; I may love you, but I can't go, and and you need to rethink this plan."

Katniss doesn't respond, but I can tell she's agitated. She turns on her heel and walks away from me without another glance.

"Katniss! Katniss!" I call, and I shout one more warning. "Don't go through with this Katniss! Don't go through with this!" By now, I lose her in the snow.

"Don't do it Katniss." I say to myself.

She was serious about leaving, which is a bad thing. Doesn't she see the implications with leaving? You can't support that many people in the wilderness, where some days you can't get a thing. Katniss's and Gale's family might not make it out there. And I can't leave my family here. Everyone in the Shelter, and even the other friends in the other districts I consider my family, and they wouldn't leave anyone behind; that's exactly what I'd do: never leave anyone behind. Doing so hurts so many others; the Capitol would question everyone we knew, then punish them for not knowing or just because they knew us.

I knock on the door and Fash answers it.

"I have information from Peeta. I think everyone will want to hear this."


"Over a thousand dead rebels?"

"Double that for civilian deaths?"

"Your wife-to-be wants to leave the district?"

"Why did the rebels attack?"

"Who were these rebels?"

"The hell's wrong with Katniss?"

"I've already told you all I know. The rebels attacked because peacekeepers began firing on civilians. Besides that I haven't much else; Peeta will have more for me by the end of the day."

"Why does Katniss want to leave?"

"The little deal we had with Snow. You remember that? We apparently failed, so she thought this would be another way to protect the ones she loves, but she doesn't realize that she may kill them in the process, and make everyone else's lives in the district even more miserable."

"What are you going to do?" Fash asks.

"I have to convince her that staying here is better then going out there. It's the only option we have now. She's seen the violence in the districts and it's making her nervous."

"What do you think we should do?" Nlron asks.

"We keep up what we're doing."

"And district eight?

"I've told you all I know."

"Very well." The Old Man says. "Thank you for giving us the information Alto." He claps his hands. "Let's get moving shall we? We still have a busy schedule to keep to." Everyone begins to disperse, but I walk up to ask the Old Mana question I've been meaning to ask for awhile.

"Hey, Old Man."

"Yes Alto?" He turns to me.

"I've been meaning to ask you a question; have you ever been outside of district twelve?" I ask. His facial expression doesn't change and he answers.

"Yes my boy, I have."

"Have you ever been to district six by any chance?"

He raises an eyebrow. "Yes."

"We're you there a few years ago when the district had a small rebellion?"

"I wasn't aware you knew that rebellion even happened but yes, I was there." His eyes lower a little. "I didn't participate in the fighting, but I helped a young women into the train. She was injured and dead to the world, and I tried picking up the pieces. I sent the women to the Capitol in hopes that she would recover from that ordeal. She told me she had lost her whole family within fifteen minutes of the rebellion. I can only hope she's still alive. Or sane for that matter."

"Salaya."

He looks to me, his eyes wide. "You know her name. How do you know her name?"

"She's part of my prep team." I smile. "We talked often, and she told me where she came from and how she came to be in the Capitol. I'm happy to say she's doing alright."

"Good." He gives a laugh. "Very good. When you see her again, be sure to send her my regards."

"I think'll blow her mind that you're the same man who helped her." My expression turns serious very quickly though. "Do you think it will come to war?"

"It's too soon to tell Alto. This could blow over like it did in eleven, or it could result in something much worse then war."

"Genocide." I say grimly.

"So let us hope this blows over quickly." He glances outside, catching a glimpse of a person.

"Strange, I've never seen Gale wander near the Shelter."

"He's outside?" I look out the window and catch Gale out there, a turkey in his hands, a other hand wiping his face.

"I'll see you later Old Man." I say as I run out of the building to Gale.

"Hey! Gale! Wait up!" I shout to him. To my great surprise, he slows his pace to allow me to catch up.

"Alto." He regards. It's not hostile, only neutral. That is what I could call a start; he's tolerating me here, without Katniss, so that's good.

"Hey Gale." We keep walking to wherever he's going. "Um, where are you going?"

"Cary likes turkeys. He'll pay a good price for one of these. I just so happened to find this one; it jumped over the fence."

It's silent for awhile, neither one sure what conversation to start, or even start one at all. I'm not sure if he's still sour about the whole thing with Katniss and me. So I start with one thing I've wanted to say since that fight.

"I'm, uh, sorry I broke your arm."

His head turns to me, and he give a small smirk. "A little late with an apology aren't you?" He says with some real humor.

"Better late then never I always say, but seriously, I'm sorry I did that. I'm sorry things escalated so far."

"Ah, I think I deserve that after what I did. Katniss let me have it afterwards, about everything until the Victory Tour." He rubbed his arm, the one I had broken. "She tore me another one; evidently she didn't like that."

"I could imagine." I say. "She never really liked that stuff." That's a partial lie. She does show another side that likes that kind of affection. I should know after all, when Katniss and I nearly did the deed in the cave during the Games.

"You guys enjoy it on camera. Congrats by the way." He states bluntly. "But that's because you have to, right?"

"Did she tell you Gale?"

"Yeah. She told me everything; about the deal the both of you made with Snow, how you failed, and how she wants to run away. She said you'd go with."

"No, I wouldn't and I won't. She's already asked me, and I can't just leave. That won't solve the problem."

"You're right about that." He said with some eagerness. "Running won't help those rebels over in eleven and eight."

"Wait, she told you of that too?" She can't go telling everyone about this.

"Yes. We can't just leave Panem when people are fighting back. We have to help them too."

"Oh no. Listen, Gale." I put a hand on his shoulder. "You're not thinking rationally. People are upset, but causing more violence isn't going to help us here."

"How could you just leave all of this alone?" He shrugs my hand off himself.

"Gale, you're not letting me finish."

"No. You sound just like Katniss. She wants to run from all this because she sees it as the easy way out."

"Gale-"

"You can't just leave this and not help! We could change everything!"

"Gale-"

"Just because you're not man enough doesn't mean-"

"Shut up Gale! I agree with you!"

...

"W...what?" He's shocked with what I said.

"I agree with you Gale; you can't leave this alone. But I'm not sure the country is ready for another rebellion. The Capitol quelled eleven within a day and might have done the same with eight. If you want to start this you need a plan of action first." I shake my head. "Waving a gun around in the air shouting 'Down with the Capitol!' isn't going to help anyone's case."

Gale gives me a look, as if trying to read my thoughts, in which I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow, questioning what he was up to. He turns to the door of Head Peacekeeper Cray's house and gives it three solid knocks before turning to me, a small smile on his face.

"I'm starting to take a liking to you again."

"Just don't do anything stupid Gale." I rub my head, getting a headache from the short argument we just had. I look at Cray's house, but realize something.

"Hold up, Cray's not home."

"What do you mean he's not home? The lights are on."

"But he's not home. Last time I saw him he was at the Hob buying white liquor. The Old Man in the Shelter knows that; Cray passes by all the time when he goes home, and he hasn't been back." I take a quick glance through the window. I can see someone's silhouette, but he psychically doesn't match Cray.

And the unknown person was wearing a peacekeeper uniform.

"Get out of here Gale."

"But I-"

"Get out of here!" I kick him to the back of the building, causing him to stumble and drop his turkey on the ground. And that's when the door opens.

I'm meet with a face I've never seen: a mouth with hard, deep lines. Gray hair shaved almost to nonexistence, eyes so black they seem all pupils, a long, straight nose.

He immediately tackles me to the ground, catching me off guard. I'm on my stomach the next second, face to the ground, with the man's knees digging into my neck and the lowest point of my spine.

"And just what do you think you're doing with that turkey?" The man asks.

"Ah! Damn! Get off me!" I shake, but the most it does is bring more pressure into my spine and neck.

"You haven't answered my question." He points at the turkey. "What were you doing with the turkey? Regardless of answer, you'll be punished."

I can't say it's not mine; I'm the only one here with the turkey. I can't say it's Gale who killed it because I'm not that kind of person. I've already broke his arm, and considering what trouble he'd get into, he'd be wiped for poaching. I'm probably going to be wiped too, but I'd rather take the fall then let Gale take it. Regardless of how we treated the other back then, I still consider him a friend.

"I was going to sell it."

"To who?"

"You think I'm idiot enough to say who?" I give a forced laugh. "Don't try your luck fat ass."

"Oh, we've got a fighter here now don't we?"

"Your perception of the obvious is aw inspiring, smart one." I say bluntly. "I swear to god if you keep stating the obvious, I'm going to lose a few brain cells. I think I may already have; I smell iron."

The pressure in my spine and neck are lifted, but two pairs of hands grab my arms and lift me, though I'm still on my knees. I keep my head down, refusing to look at the man.

"I'm not one to be trifled with boy, people do well to stay on my good side. And unfortunately for you, you just landed on my bad side.

"Wow, already?" I smirk, finally looking at him. "That'a a new record."

"Keep talking." He laughs. "It'll just make it issuing your punishment in person all the more sweeter." The other peacekeepers start dragging me, which I have to start walking myself. From what I see, these peacekeepers aren't the ones I've seen here, so they're most likely new.

News travels fast in twelve no matter what, that and a few messengers, courtesy of the new head Peacekeeper Thread, has made sure that everyone knows what I did. Granted nobody knew it was me since they didn't even confirm who I am, and the fact that I was wearing rather old clothes I've had since before the Games, which included some faded jeans, plain black shirt, and a ripped up dark gray hoody jacket, with a piece of cloth that covered everything below my eyes during the cold session. I look like I did before the Games; just a child trying to survive. This snow's also nearing whiteout conditions; you can still see, but only about five feet now, and by the end of an hour or two, that'll change to inches.

It take a few minutes to make it to the square due to the snow, but when we're there, I'm thrown down, painfully falling on my knees. The square's already full of people, anticipating what would happen next, and most had dread on there features. They didn't want to watch, but couldn't help but watch.

"You mind hurrying this up big guy?" I call. "I have to go back out and kill a deer for a friend of mine."

The immediate response was a punch to the face, and I grunt as my head recoils from the hit. When I gather my senses again, I glance at the peacekeeper who hit me.

"Nice arm you've got there, if you consider punching like a little girl a nice arm." I receive another punch.

"You've no brain in that head do you kid?" The Thread asks.

"I'm obviously smarter then you and your idiot peacekeepers." Another punch is administered.

Thread walks outward, closer to the outside of the circle of people before shouting in a booming voice. "It is by decision of the Head Peacekeeper and his board that this young man is guilty for poaching animals. As everyone knows, poaching on Capitol land is against the law. As accordance to Capitol law the punishment is a lashing; as many as the Head Peacekeeper deems necessary." He motions to the two peacekeepers who roughly lift me and drag me to the posts, tying knots and binding my wrists before they grab my jacket and tear both it and my shirt off my body.

"Hey!" I shout. "That was my favorite jacket damn it! Come on man! You couldn't have just taken it off before hand or-"

Crack!

That's number one.

My body immediately reacts to the pain by tightening all of my muscles, with me yelling at the unexpected hit. My body doesn't have time to recover when the second crack rings through the air; the only thing I'm able to stop it the yell and turn it into a loud groan.

Crack! Number three.

Crack! Number four.

Crack! Number five.

By ten my back's on fire, and I can feel a wet, slick, sticky warmness running down and I'm already aware that it's blood. My body's screaming at me for the pain and also for putting it in that pain if that's possible. The only way for it to cope is to shake violently, which does nothing but bring more pain to me. As for me, I'm surprised it hurts so badly. I could match this with my injuries after the Nazos attacked me in the Games, and that's saying a lot.

I look up as number eleven marks my back and I catch a glimpse of Peeta, who's face is donned with horror and anger. He takes a step forward, but I shake my head violently when number twelve lands, dissuading him from intervening.

'You're not going to go through this too Peeta.' I think, and I mouth the word. "No."

He looks at me with bewilderment, but does as I say, and steps back into the crowd. It's all I can do to stand as this man keeps throwing the whip down, and I can feel my legs starting to grow weaker.

Number fifteen.

...

Number twenty.

...

Number twenty five.

...

Number thirty.

By now I'm almost dying. Hell, I'm still awake, though all I want to do is drop. Granted I have, but these bonds at my wrists are keeping me up even when my legs have given out. I'm sure I've lost more then a pint of blood, and I know most aren't enjoying the show here; I keep hearing gasps with every lash, and they've grown in number and more alarmed. My guess is because of the way my back looks. I can't feel anything on my back until the whip reminds me that the wounds are still there, waiting for those moments to make sure I felt all of it. None of the other peacekeepers seemed bothered by the sight, and we knew some peacekeepers, so the only thing I could think of was that they replaced some of the ones we knew.

Number thirty five.

I'm starting to lose the energy to even care anymore.

Number thirty seven.

Why does unconsciousness not come? I'm barely hanging on here.

Number forty.

God, he's going to kill me if this keeps up!

"No!"

Crack!

I hear the whip crack, but don't feel the pain that should come after. Somehow, I have the energy to turn my head, just enough to catch a glimpse of the person who took the hit for me.

'Katniss!?' She's on her knees. One hand cups her face while the other keeps her from tipping over.

My energy returns to me for a moment, rage fueling me.

"Bastard!" I shout, now on my feet and trying to turn. "You're suppose to hit me! Not her damn it!"

"Stop it! You'll kill him!" She shrieks, despite the hit she took.

"Hold it!" A voice barks. Haymitch appears seemingly out of nowhere. He roughly pulls Katniss to her feet, then takes a quick glance at me.

"Oh, excellent." His hand locks under her chin, lifting it. "She's got a photo shoot next week modeling wedding dresses. What am I supposed to tell her stylist?" He looks like he's about to say more, but the Head peacekeeper doesn't give him a chance. He doesn't seem to care that he hit Katniss.

"She interrupted the punishment of a confessed criminal."

"I don't care if she blew up the blasted Justice Building! Look at her cheek! Think that will be camera ready in a week?" Haymitch snarls. His mouth opens again, but once again, Thread interrupts him.

"That's not my problem."

"No? Well, it's about to be, my friend. The first call I make when I get home is to the Capitol. Find out who authorized you to mess up my victor's pretty little face and whip the other!" Shouts Haymitch.

"He was poaching. What business is it of hers, anyway? And what's this nonsense about me and the other victor?" Says Thread.

"The young man you have whipped is Alto Hayes, her fiancé and the second Victor of the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games." I hear the Old Man's voice. He takes a step to Katniss and takes her arm to steady her. "I will warn you; if you wish to continue with the punishment, you must expect to get through me." He says in a stern voice.

"And me." Peeta takes a step forward.

"Don't count me out." Gale takes Katniss's other side.

"Or me." Fash steps forward, a group of six behind her.

"And let's not forget this stubborn bastard here." Nlron joins in with seven others.

No one responds, Thread weighing his options, though I do see a hint of doubt and possibly a little...fear now that he realizes who he whipped. He glances back at his group of peacekeepers; you can tell by their expressions that they're not enjoying the small band of 'rebels' in the way, and they look weary of trying to give them the same punishment and, just like the head peacekeeper, they seem a little fearful.

"Very well. Get your fiancé out of here girl." He says a little too fast, his nerves getting the better of him as he and his small band of peacekeepers walk off in a hurry.

"Alto." Katniss turns, her hands fumbling at the knots binding my wrists. Someone passes forward a knife and the Old Man cuts the ropes. I collapse to the ground, but Peeta and Gale are there to catch me.

"Thanks guys." I moan, but I have the energy to give a small smile.

"Better get him to your mother." Says Haymitch.

"I agree." The Old Man turns to one of the girls. "Go back to the Shelter and bring our healer. It never hurts to have two." She nods before bolting into the storm.

There's no stretcher, but the old woman at the clothing stall sells us the board that serves as her countertop.

"Just don't tell where you got it." She says, packing up the rest of her goods quickly.

When they place me face down on the board, Peeta, Fash, Nlron, the Old Man, and a few others lift me and begin the trek to Katniss's house while Gale helps Katniss. She has a hand full of snow on her swollen eye.

By the time we reach the house, the only thing guiding us is the light from the open door. Katniss's mom's already at the door, waiting for us with the Shelter's healer standing next to her. They lift me through the door ever so slowly as to not agitate me or the forty lashes on my back.

"New Head." Haymitch says, and she gives him a curt nod.

The long kitchen table has been cleared, a sterile white cloth spread across it, and they hoist me onto it. Katniss's mother pours water from a kettle into a basin while ordering Prim to pull a series of her remedies from the medicine cabinet. Dried herbs and tinctures and store-bought bottles. I watch her hands, the long, tapered fingers crumbling this, adding drops of that, into the basin. Soaking a cloth in the hot liquid, she gives Prim instructions to prepare a second brew. The Shelter healer stands by, ready to take the second cloth when it's ready.

"Did it cut your eye?" Katniss's mother asks her daughter.

"No, it's just swelled shut."

"Get more snow on it." The Shelter healer instructs.

"Can you save him?" She ask her mother. She says nothing as she and the Shelter healer wrings out the cloth and hold it in the air to cool some.

"Please Katniss." I say weakly. "I've survived the Games. A whipping isn't going to do me in that easily."

"Don't worry." Says Haymitch. "Used to be a lot of whipping before Cray. She's the one we took them too."

"Oh, I remember my first whipping." The Old Man gives a pained look. "Not a very good experience."

"I can imagine." Gale rolls his eyes.

Ever so gently, both Katniss's mother and the Shelter healer begin to clean the mutilated flesh on my back. The pain's not as bad as the actual whipping, but it's up there. I have to grit my teeth to keep from yelling or making a noise. Her mother doesn't acknowledge anyone. She's gone into that special zone Katniss has told me about that includes only herself, the patient, and the Shelter healer, with Prim coming in occasionally.

It takes a long time to clean the wounds even with two healers as they arrange what shredded skin that can be saved, applying a salve and a light bandage. I give some sharp intakes of breath, but they're able to apply the layers. They decide on an herbal concoction that I can take by mouth.

"That won't be enough." Katniss says.

Everyone stares at Katniss. "That won't be enough, I know how it feels. That will barely knock out a headache."

"We'll combine it with sleep syrup, Katniss, and he'll manage it. The herbs are more for the inflammation-" Her mother begins calmly.

"Just give him the medicine!" Katniss scream at her. "Give it to him! Who are you to decide how much pain he can stand?!"

I jump slightly at her yelling, which does nothing to help me. The movement causes fresh blood to seep through my bandages and an agonizeding sound is released from my mouth.

"Katniss..." I say with a strained tone, trying to calm her while I myself try to control my body from moving anymore.

"Take her out." Says her mother. Gale and Haymitch literally carry her from the room while she shouts obscenities at her. When we can't hear Katniss, she and the Shelter healer continue their work. They have to redress my wounds and give me the herbal concoction, but there was a little protest about that too. The Shelter healer said that the herbs might not be enough to numb the pain, but Katniss's mother wouldn't budge on the subject, so the Shelter healer left her be. After they were done with me, Katniss's mother goes to check on Katniss while the Shelter healer helps Prim clean the room.

"You still up Alto?" Nlron shakes a hand in front of my face.

"Of course I am you idiot. Sleeping syrup doesn't get to me like it use to. Remember when Katniss gave it to me? I woke up a few hours later."

"Don't remind me." Fash says.

"How are you holding up?" The Shelter healer asks.

"Not so good right now. My back's killing me, literally."

"I told that women you needed something stronger." He says with some annoyance.

"I hope I pass out before long. That's one way I can deal with this pain."

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Everyone turns to the door, dread in their minds, but determination on their faces. I can't think of anyone else at that door except peacekeepers, ready to barge through that door to take either me, Katniss, Haymitch, or all of us.

"They're not taking you Alto." The Old Man stands next to me.

Katniss, her mother, Haymitch, and Gale, make their way down the stairs and Katniss's mother answers the door. When she opens it, there's not a squad of Peacekeepers but a single, snow-caked figure; Madge. She holds out a small, damp cardboard box to Katniss's mother.

"Use these for Alto." She says. Katniss's mother takes off the lid of the box, but from my vantage point, I can't see what it is. "They're my mother's. She said I could take them. Use them, please."

"Maybe you should stay here Madge." Peeta says as he glances outside, now unable to see within inches in front of him. "The storm's hit full force and we don't need you getting lost in it."

"No, I have to go back." She bows slightly. "But thanks." She quickly takes Kaniss's hand and gives words of encouragement I can't hear before she walks off into the snow.

"I'm going to walk her home." Peeta says as he grabs his jacket. "Hope you feel better Alto."

"Be careful." I say with some effort before he leaves.

Katniss and the healer were right, the sleeping syrup wasn't enough. Not by a long shot. I'm gritting my teeth and my body's already lost a pint or two in sweat. Her mother fills a syringe with clear liquid from a vial and injects it into my arm.

Almost immediately, the pain dies away entirely, and I release a content sigh.

"Oh god, that's so damn good." I whisper.

"What is that stuff?" Asks Fash.

"It's from the Capitol. It's called morphling." The Old Man answers.

I don't remember anything else because I fall into a blissful sleep soon after.

Well, for starters, the Capitol isn't going to like what was pulled here. The new head peacekeeper might take some flak for beating me, but they won't do anything too drastic. They might beef up somethings around twelve; the fence might be guarded from now on, and many friends might be harassed because they stuck their neck out for me...

That's why I can't leave my family.

They intervened when they thought it was enough, even when I told them not to. They were willing to be whipped themselves, possibly killed, to protect me.

But now, after what happened, Katniss has more of a reason to leave now after she saw what I went through.

I'm not sure how long I'm out; I'm in strange cycles. I'll wake for a moment, though it feels like I'm between sleep and consciousness, then sleep again. I see Prim handing the Old Man some stew and bread, I see a few friends leave to return to the Shelter, wishing me a quick recovery, I see Peeta return.

I'm not sure what time it is when I actually wake for a short time, but I know who's words I wake to.

"I'm so sorry." I hear Katniss whisper. She leans forward and plants a kiss on my lips. She's holding my hand.

My eyelashes flutter and I look at her. "There's nothing to be sorry about."

"Yes there is."

"No, there isn't." I have enough energy to bring her hand to my lips and give them a gentle kiss before asking the question.

"I thought you'd be gone by now."

She shakes her head, bringing it against mine. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay right here and cause all kinds of trouble."

I manage to smile and say one sentence before the drugs pull me back under.

"That's the Katniss I know."