Chapter 11
The sky was a dark gray, threatening to downpour at any moment. An axe blade split the log in two with sending the wood falling with a clank on top of the pile that had already accumulated. A new log took its place and again, the axe blade hit its mark and spilt the wood down the center. Over and over again, this same pattern was repeated. As log after log was split, Peeta's mind began to wander.
The day of the first reaping: "And the boy from District 12….Peeta Mellark," he hears in Effie's voice.
*CRACK* goes the wood.
On the beach with Katniss during the Quarter Quell: "No one really needs me." "I do, I need you." She says before she leans in to kiss him.
*CRACK*
To Haymitch on the train trying to save Katniss during the Quarter Quell: "Remember our deal!"
*CRACK*
Katniss tending to him and his fever in the cave.
*CRACK*
Waking up and finding Katniss passed out in a pool of her own blood because she risked her life to get medicine to save him from the blood poisoning that was slowly working its way through his body.
*CRACK*
The smile on Katniss' face when he handed her the pearl from the oyster in the arena. "Here, for you." "Thank you!"
*CRACK*
Feeling her tremble as she held him after Finnick saved his life after being electrocuted by the force field of the arena.: "Peeta!" he could hear her scream. "You were dead! Your heart stopped!" "It seems to be working now. It's alright, Katniss."
*CRACK*
The first day of school and seeing Katniss for the first time with her hair in two braids and the red plaid dress and knowing then that he loved her.
*CRACK*
Being beaten and tortured after being captured by the Capitol.
*CRACK* *CRACK*
Feeling his hands close around Katniss' throat.
*CRACK*
Feeling the war within him between the love and hate he felt for Katniss after being hijacked. The confusion was driving him mad.
*CRACK*
Tossing the burnt bread to Katniss on that rainy day so long ago.
*CRACK*
Watching tribute after tribute die in manners so vicious that they replay in his nightmares over and over.
*CRACK*
The sessions with Dr. Aurelius and countless injections he endured to reverse the hijacking.
*CRACK*
Holding Katniss night after night on the train, running his hand through her hair, kissing her soft lips.
"Peeta, stay with me?" "Always."
*CRACK* *CRACK* *CRACK* *CRACK* *CRACK*
Peeta began savagely hacking away at the log that stood before him, a primordial scream emitted from his throat. Pieces of wood flew every which way as the axe blow made contact again, and again, and again as the rain now poured down on him.
"DAMN YOU, SNOW!" He screamed to the sky. "DAMN YOU TO HELL!"
Peeta flung the axe as hard as he could into the trees that lined the back of his yard. He fell to his knees and began to weep. The brown mud mixed with the dark gray ash began to splatter up from the ground and make a polka dotted pattern on his pants. Water now dripped from his soaked hair onto his face combining with the free flowing tears. Peeta laid down in the mud as the weeping was replaced with sobs. A few minutes pass before Peeta brings himself to get off of the ground. He looks around and sees no one. He realizes that he is as alone as he feels.