I was released from the hospital four days before the Games. Now I only have a four days to retrain myself. The elevator pings signalling my arrival, and I walk through the Penthouse doors.
"You're back?" Katniss questions
"Yeah, I'm in perfect physical condition...mentally is to be determined," I reply.
"I thought you weren't going to have to considering your...situation," Katniss replies.
"No longer a situation...mishap at the hospital," I tell her.
"Mishap? The Capitol hospital rarely has mishaps," Katniss says.
"That's what happened...I mean that's what I was told," I reply.
She doesn't say anything, but she leads me into my room.
"Look what I'm about to tell you could either save you or get you killed," Katniss says.
"What is it?" I ask.
"You're going to lead a rebellion. Nothing big, but big enough to stop this from happening again,"Katniss explains.
"I can't...I won't" I tell her.
"You don't have a choice, you have to get out of that arena alive," Katniss says.
"No, I'm not doing it...get somebody else," I say.
"There is no one else, you are the only one who can do this,"Katniss says her voice slightly louder.
Her eyes shift around the room, like she's waiting for something.
"You don't have a choice!" Katniss says before leaving
"We'll see about that," I reply.
It's the darkness that reminds me. I hate small spaces, and I now sleep with my door open. With every small sound, I jolt awake. My nerves wracking at every moment. I feel like I have no control over my body. I can still feel his grabby hands over me, and it makes me sick. It gives me nightmares which leave me screaming in my wake. I can't do this, and I don't know how I'll survive.
The next morning, I'm up earlier than usual. My sense seem sharpened, and I have more energy than one should. Blaming it on my nerves, I get up to start my day. I have one of the Avoxes bring me breakfast. I head down to the training center, and I get to work. I run, climb, even jump higher than usual. Maybe I can do more than I thought I could. By the time the other tributes come down, I've finished every station there was. However I spent more time at weaponry than usual.
"When did you get back?" Diamond asks giving me hug.
"I was released yesterday. I thought I would get an early start," I reply.
She nods, and picks up a sword herself. We duel, and I knock the sword out of her hand within the first five minutes.
"That was better than when Dad trained us...but I want you to work a little more. You should last a lot longer than that especially since you won't be fighting me," I tell her. She nods, and goes into one of the private training rooms.
Zeon and I are prepped on interviews what to say and what not to say. There are going to be unavoidable questions about what happened to me, but I answer the questions as best as I can. So many time I've tried not let it get to me, but it creeps up on me.
"Are you okay...you aren't talking much," Effie says.
"I'm fine...I just need some time," I reply.
She nods, before leaving the room. Zeon creeps in behind her, and starts to close the door.
"Leave it open," I reply. I didn't get much time to think about what I was saying. It just came out harshly.
"We haven't talked much," Zeon says.
"I'm sorry," I reply.
"You don't have to be...I'm worried about you. I hear you scream at night, and it hurts that I can't do anything about. I want to give you your space until your comfortable, but I just need to know," He says.
"I'm not sure right now, Zeon. I want to be together, but know isn't the best time," I tell him.
"I understand," He leans in to kiss me, but I turn my head. His lips land on my cheek, and I feel the blush creeping up.
"See you soon," Zeon says.
With that he leaves the room, and closes the door behind him. My mind races, making it hard to concentrate.