Taa daa! I managed to write one quickly. Oh and I like this one too! I hope you guys like it, because that's a little bit more important than my opinion. Oh well, Love you all for reading. Sorry my uploads aren't the most consistent, but at least you get a cute little surprise each time! Just a warning, this is one that is left open. Not a cliff hanger, but it will leave you thinking [hopefully]
Love you all! Don't forget to Review/Favourite/Follow!
DFTBA
~MadcapScribbler.
I wake up screaming.
"Shhh. Shh, Kat it's ok, everything's fine." Peeta instantly appears at my side, ready to hold me.
"I saw him Peeta, I saw him."
"No, you didn't see anyone"
"No, I saw him, Gale, he was there, he was…"
"You blacked out Katniss, that's all. It was just a bad dream, it's ok."
"Just a bad dream?"
"Just a bad dream." He confirms, before kissing my forehead and laying me back down to sleep. He rolls over to get off the bed but I squeeze his hand and don't let go.
"Don't go. I don't have nightmares when you're around." I watch as Peeta opens his mouth to talk but shuts it immediately.
"Ok" he nods "But only because you frown less when you're asleep"
When I wake up properly, Peeta is still lying with me.
"You're so beautiful" He whispers. "You should smile more often."
"shut up" I joke tiredly.
"Ok, you got me; you're beautiful all the time" He whispers against my lips, finishing the sentence with a kiss. I give him a sleepy smile before a thought comes into mind. I guess I must stop smiling, because Peeta catches on.
"What?"
"I… Oh… I just thought… Peeta what did you think life would be like in when you grew up. I mean when you were a kid?"
"When I was a kid?"
"Yeah."
"I don't know… I guess… Well I always thought things would get better. And liked to imagine marrying… Someone."
"And kids?"
"Surprisingly, I didn't. Not originally, anyway. But then-" he cuts himself off, looking at me with sympathetic eyes. "But then something happened and I changed my mind"
"Something?"
"Yeah…"
"What?"
"I. I'd rather not talk about it. What about you? What were your plans for the future when you were a kid?"
"I didn't have any." I say, avoiding his glare. "Not that I can remember anyway. I guess I never really wanted to get married or have kids or anything. And then I met Gale and…" I trail off.
"…and?"
"Well Gale's dreams and plans became mine. He wanted to marry me, I wanted to marry him. He told me to have an abortion, I had one. I guess he took my life away from me." I stop when I see Peeta's expression. He looks angry, like it's his fault.
"She hit me" He whispers.
"Peeta, what?" I can barely make my words audible.
"My mother, she hit me. Throughout my childhood. She hit me and kicked me and burnt me and scarred me and I did nothing to retaliate. It's what changed my mind about kids. I... I always swore I'd do a better job than she did with loving her family. She treated my dad like he was nothing, as well. That's why I hated it Katniss, I hated what he did to you and I hated that you put up with it because deep down, that was my dad and my brothers and me. You are me, when I was younger. The only difference is that you could leave him, you have left him. He wasn't bound to you with blood and flesh and DNA and me and my mother were. So I promise you, whatever happens, whatever circumstances I will make sure that you get what you want. That your dreams and plans will be yours and yours only. And I will make sure that you are never faced with anyone like that again. You're beautiful Katniss, and you should be made to feel it. So I'm telling you now, that I love you. I always have and always will and that is a promise."
"Peeta…"
"No. I. Let's not talk about it. Just know that I love you." He whispers before kissing me so passionately that I have to reach up with an extended spine just to keep the contact between our lips.
"I want you to know something too. I may not necessarily be happy. But there's no one else I'd rather be unhappy with."
The next few days tick slowly by. Peeta gets happier and I get better and eventually I finally convince him to let me go hunting, with the one condition that he has to come with me. To start with I was against the idea but eventually, I grew to like it.
The day was actually quite nice. I did some hunting while Peeta watched in silence, afraid he'd scare the animals. Then we went for a short walk before I decided to go swimming. We got to the lake; I took off my jacket and jumped in, fully clothed. The water was freezing but somewhat exciting and energizing. Peeta laughs at me, refusing to come and join me in the water; though he does roll up his trousers and dip his feet in.
"This is freezing, how can you swim in it?" He laughs.
"Well, I'm not afraid of water; unlike some people" I joke.
"I'm not afraid of water"
"Oh really?" I say, exaggerating my words. "You're not are you?"
"No" he states.
"So… you wouldn't mind if I did this?" I laugh as I splash a handful or two of water towards him.
"Oh you did not just do-"
"Shh!" I hiss, holding a finger to my lips and disregarding him with the other hand.
"What?" he whispers.
"Listen"
We both sit in silence; me too afraid to move or speak, Peeta too curious as to what is happening. Eventually when I'm sure of the sound, and its location, I slowly and carefully pull myself out of the water and start to walk. I move on my tip toes and pray to God that I don't step on anything that will snap or hurt me. I stop at a clearing, hearing the faint, but almost inaudible crunches of dry earth beneath Peeta's feet. He doesn't question me: he does nothing but place on hand on my shoulder.
When I see it I gasp sharply, and am about to scream but Peeta covers my mouth with his hand.
"Let's go" he whispers just next to my ear. He takes my hand and I have to wait a second before allowing myself to move. He tugs on my arm a little to get my attention. I turn to face him and give him a short nod before following.
I don't say anything for the entire walk back to the forest house. I don't even say anything when we're there. I sit by the fire for what seems like minutes and hours and days and weeks all at the same time. I don't remember blinking or closing my eyes but I don't see anything. I don't see anything in front of me anyway. Instead my vision is constantly looping the minor seconds of imagery that were displayed before me not moments ago. I constantly think of the delicate structure standing by the embodiment of what can only be described as pure evil and terror. The bruises that were failed to be covered on her wrists and arms. The fists that were clenched before her.
No matter how hard I try I know I won't be able to forget seeing Madge, my best friend, and Gale, my worst nightmare. The lust in her eyes was just like that of my own a few months ago. Just before the worst of times. The yearning and longing to be with him all the time no matter what he called you, told you or did to you.
The fact it was Madge made it worse. Sweet, lovely, innocent Madge. She didn't deserve it. And after it all, I know that it's my fault. Gale knows more that anyone that after Prim; Madge is the most important person in my life. That is until Peeta came around. But Peeta is hidden with me, and Prim is safe with my mother. Madge's family are much too busy to notice any one new in her life. There wouldn't notice her gone, they wouldn't notice her pain. And Madge is much too proud to tell anyone that she's suffering. Her pain will go unnoticed, like mine, but I don't know if she will have a Peeta of her own. If I could, I would save her. But by saving her, I'm risking my life, Peeta's life and endangering Prim and my mother.
In the end I'm trapped in a loop, thinking the same things which lead to the next and continue on in a circle. Why did it have to be her? Not Madge. Anyone but Madge.