His hand emits a blazing light that engulfs the wound. I shield my eyes from the intense fluorescence, only for it to dim into nothingness moments after.

"W-what?" Peeta says short of breath.

"Peeta?" I crawl towards him, my eyes struggling to adjust to the softer light. But just as they do, I can't believe them. "Oh my God," I gasp. His wound has completely sealed up. The only remnants of the gash is a pinkish scar. "How?"

"I-I don't, I don't know," his voice trembles.

That light was unearthly. The healing too quick. There's no doubt in my mind that it was the power of Lorien. Peeta did that. Is he a Garde? One of the twelve? I thought we were divided into the twelve districts. Did uncle Beau know that Peeta was one of us? Is that why he asked me not to be the one to kill him? Does Peeta even know that he's Loric? The terror in his eyes tells me that he definitely didn't know about the healing power he has. A power he just showed the Capitol and all of Panem…

I flinch at the sound of deep growls and heavy footsteps. The rapid approach of the beastly noises ignites my fight response. I have my bow and arrow poised to kill whoever or whatever is coming. Peeta, who has regained some strength, sits up slowly and pulls out the small carving knife from my belt. The light that once filtered in through the branches covering the opening of the cave now disappears as the sky is unnaturally dimmed.

"Kat-"

"Shh," I snap.

I pick up the fowl odour of rotting flesh. The savage growls get louder and louder. The footsteps get closer, but the rhythm doesn't slow. This creature is running at full speed towards the cave. I quickly glance at Peeta. Through the darkness I can still see the look of terror on his face. If he's a garde, he has to man up and defend himself right now. Or it could be the end for us and our mission.

We both brace ourselves for the impact. Peeta inhales sharply, I hold my breath. The pounding of it's feet on the riverside terrain stops suddenly. I hear it's body skid to a halt, ending with a loud thud against the outside rock wall of the cave. The beast grunts and snarls. A cloud of dust from the disturbed terrain enters the cave. I'm able to keep holding my breath, but I fear Peeta will start coughing and alert it to our presence. I grab the neck of his shirt and pull it up to cover his nose and mouth.

The heavy breaths of the beast echo throughout the cave. It has gotten too dark to see anything outside, even with my heightened sight. The sun was not replaced by the moon and stars, leaving the night pitch-black.

The beast paces back and forth around the mouth of the cave. Peeta and I stay as still as possible. I've not let go of the breath I've been holding, nor the arrow. I can hear Peeta's heart rate escalate to its limit. I wish I could assure him that no matter what enters this cave, I'll kill immediately with my venom tipped arrow. But I can't gather up enough courage to speak. And I'm not too sure about it myself.

It's footsteps begin to lead away from the cave. But the beast isn't giving up. I have hunted predators for years. I know exactly what it's about to do.

Poised on my knees, I tighten the grip on my bow, realign the arrow and resume breathing rhythmically. It charges at the cave, it's savage grunts preluding its attack. Peeta scrambles backwards against the wall. I time the release of the arrow to it's appearance at the mouth of the cave. It busts through the door of branches and I release the arrow. I hear the slight sound of it piercing flesh under a loud roar. But all in a split second, I hear Peeta scream out in agony, the tearing of flesh and the gurgled growls from the beast. Three more arrows meet my estimate of it's head and heart, but it doesn't cease its attack.

"Get off him you-" I scream before its teeth start snapping in my face. I punch it as hard as I can and it whimpers, but before I can grab Peeta, it jumps on him again and starts to drag him by his leg out of the cave. "Peeta no!" I continue to scream and lunge for any part of his body that I can grab hold of. I find his arms and try to pull him away but the beast digs its teeth further into the flesh of his leg.

I think fast and let go, allowing it to drag him from the cave. I quickly grab the bow and follow after the beast. The moon has caught up to the days cycle and I have much better vision of the scene. The hunched over and balding monster resembles a wolf with horrifying humanoid features. It's definitely a muttation. The beast continues to drag Peeta away on his back, tearing his leg to shreds.

I fire rapidly at the monster, hitting it in the head and eyes, unable to get a clear shot of its chest. It lifts its head to snarl at me, the foam dripping from its mouth is pink from Peeta's blood. I grab the last arrow from my sheathe and aim for its heart. The beast leaps over Peeta and I'm able to release the arrow before it pounces on me, knocking me to the ground. I don't know where or if hit it, but the mutt doesn't flinch. It claws at my sides as I push against its neck to keep it from biting me in the face. It snaps at the air between us, begging for a taste of my flesh.

With my free hand, I reach for my belt in search of a weapon. Peeta had taken the knife from me for defence. I've got nothing to defend myself with, until I find the broken arrow I had salvaged in case it would come in handy. My hand wraps around its base and i'm filled with confidence and rage. I yank it out of its tie and plunge it into the heart of the beast. The mutt cries out in pain and I'm sprayed with its dark blood. It's heavy body collapses on me as its life is sucked away by the venom.

"Peeta?" I call out quietly, barely able to breathe as my chest is compressed by the beast. I try and wriggle out from underneath the mass, but I'm weak from the gashes in my sides. I manage to manoeuvre myself sideways. Once the grey body stops obstructing my view, I'm stunned by what I see.

Peeta has rolled onto his stomach. With one hand reaching out towards me, his eyes plead with me. Blood bubbles and trickles from his mouth. "No! Peeta!" I scream. He coughs and chokes, adding to the pool of blood beneath him.

A canon sounds.

No. He's not dead. He's not dead. "Peeta!" There's still life in his eyes. His chin rests on the ground, his hand lifeless out in front of him. But through the darkness, I can see through those crystal clear blue eyes. I see his life hanging on. He's still here. I can save him.

I wriggle my hand out from under the beast. I reach for him, our hands a meter apart, yet I try as hard as I can to touch him. My vision starts to blacken, but I focus on him. I focus all my energy on his eyes, now so familiar to me. It's as if I've known them all my life. And suddenly realisation hits me like a brick wall. My heart sinks and I feel hot tears starting to run down my cheeks. It's as if Peeta's life flashes before my eyes.

I see him as a little boy, playing in his garden, running away from his brothers as they chase him.

I see his mother and father changing their frowns to smiles when they notice little Peeta tumbling in on their argument. They both pick him up and he squirms and giggles as they tickle him.

I see a now school aged Peeta playing in the courtyard with Delly Cartwright.

I see him following a young Gale and I through the outer fence and into the woods, getting lost and facing off with a wild dog. We find him and scare away the dog, then escort him back home.

I see a younger uncle Beau tousling Peeta's hair as he leaves the bakery with two bread rolls.

I see him volunteering and taking Gale's place on stage with me.

"I know," I cry out loud when the visions fade. "I know now!"

In the white noise, I didn't hear the hovercraft approach. I see a large metal claw wrap around Peeta and lift him up, taking him away from me. Why now? I haven't had a chance to say goodbye. They never take the body until everyone has cleared out of the area.

I watch with tear blurred vision as they take Peeta away, knowing that there's nothing I can do for him now. I've lost an ally and more importantly, a friend. I've failed him and I've failed Uncle Beau. I wasn't able to protect him, a boy so innocent and selfless that he volunteered to protect me, of all people. He gave his life so I could leave this arena. But i'm not deserving of his sacrifice. My uncle said the Loric needed me for our revival. But Peeta would have been more worthy.

At some point, I realise that my tears are being washed away by rain. The downpour moves fast down the river, cleansing the arena. The water allows me to squirm out from under the body of the beast. I don't worry that my persistent sobs can be heard by the whole arena. It doesn't bother me that I'm appearing as weak as ever. I don't even flinch at the knowledge that I'm wading through a pool of blood that's Peeta's, the beasts and my own.

The gashes in my sides send flares of pain up my spine with every motion, but I'm too struck with grief to care. As I drag my injured body back into the cave, I think to myself, now they know I'm not invincible. I'm sure it was one of their greatest fears.

Please don't kill me for this... There is a reason for everything I write in this story (after all, only one person can be victor ;) ). Please Please Please don't force me to reveal my grand plans! All will make sense in time :)

I'd love to know your theories though. And to see if the hints I have dropped have been obvious enough.