"Gale!" Katniss's arms were wrapped around my neck within a second of me entering. I pulled her close to me and stroked her back trying to give her as much comfort as possible. "You have to take care of them."

"Of course I will Katniss. You didn't even need to ask." I let go but kept her hand in mine. I tried my hardest to keep it together for her, like Madge said this would be hard enough.

"Just don't let them starve." I saw her eyes water but I knew she was holding it all in. I reached up and wiped it away.

"You can do this you know."

"What? No I can't" Katniss shook her head; she had already begun to look defeated. "There are twenty four of us Gale. Only one gets out, and it's not going to be me!"

"Who says?" I said raising my voice. "You shoot straighter than anyone I've ever seen. You have skills, you're a hunter. The others should be worried about you."

She just shook but she eventually nodded seemingly finding the courage to believe in what I said. I hoped I gave her something to hold onto, something that would help bring her home. I felt as though I never truly appreciated how much she was a part of my life. I loved her as though she were of my flesh and blood. She would forever be a part of me, no matter what happened in the games.

"Hey!" A Peace Keeper had opened the door and began to pull me out. I fought him off and got away for a quick hug before his arms yanked me into the hallway.

"Katniss remember I-"The door shut and I thought to myself I will take care of everything. I walked down the hallway the the Peace Keeper left me alone once I was out of the room. I went directly into the room Peeta had been in earlier. I had no idea what I would say to him, had no idea how to begin to explain why I didn't volunteer for him. He had to know what me volunteering would mean for not only my family but Katniss's. I would tell him everything.

I pushed open the door to find it empty.

I wasn't going to get to say good-bye or explain anything. My heart sunk into my stomach. I wanted to vomit I had to tell him I wanted to take his place. That I would have if it hadn't meant letting down my best friend. He had to know and it had to come from me.

Madge appeared beside me and put a hand on my shoulder. "They took him downstairs-"

I didn't let her finish what she was saying before I took off down the stairs. I ran right into a Peace Keeper. I apologized quickly and practically ran into the front room. He sat on a bench to the side of the door. I felt my entire body relax just being in the same place as him, everything felt like it was going to be fine as long as he was this close to me, but I knew that wasn't possible.

Most of the Peace Keepers were on the other side of the door or rushing around the house. I went over to Peeta and sat next to him.

"Hey." Was all I could think to say? It was probably the lamest thing to say. I tried to think of something inspiring but what could a baker boy do?

"Hey." He said, his eyes were red and swollen. "I guess this is good-bye."

"No it isn't." I said as I grabbed his hand in mine. "It's just till I see you later."

"I don't think yo-"

"No!" I nearly shouted. I took a deep breath remembering what Madge had told me about Katniss not deserving me like this and I realized neither did Peeta. "You'll come back to me."

I stood up shoving my hands in my pockets. I just stood in front of him and stared into those deep blue eyes that I fell in love with. I looked at the boy who forever changed me and my life.

"Okay." He said quietly barely above a whisper.

"Do whatever you have to." I said seriously. "Promise me you won't stop at anything. Be you but you need to think of a way to survive this Peeta because I can't lose you."

"I promise." He swore. He stood up slowly and the house seemed to be too quiet. I couldn't even hear the Peace Keepers running around, my world just focused in on this one boy in probably the last moment I would ever see him. "I will do whatever it takes to get back to you."

He leaned up and kissed me fiercely then shoved me away. "I won't let you down. We have to leave soon and I don't want you to give them an excuse to hurt you."

"I'm not going anywhere." I said he was stupid if he thought I was leaving him after a kiss like that.

"I can't bear to see you get hurt. I know you won't let them take me away, so leave before they do." He said sternly. "GO!"

He usually wasn't this forceful with me. I took a step back in surprise. He was right I would fight tooth and nail, but that would never help him.

I Walked by him and out the door and went home without looking back. I had to lock myself in my room to guarantee I wouldn't try anything stupid. My heart tried to tear itself out of my chest with each breath I took, forcing myself to sleep, nightmares tormented me.