(Haymitch's POV)

I make my way over to Rory's bedside and sit down in the chair that's so hard it would make sleeping on a bed of nails seem like a luxury. The boy's breathing is erratic and the heart monitor is not steady as it should be, not the way you'd expect it to be. I can't believe this has happened, these things are sent to try us.

"You better listen really carefully to what I'm about to say," I hiss into his ear, "Or otherwise you'll be getting out of here only to go straight back in."

Almost as if he can here me, his heart rate spikes, the beeping noise getting louder. I look around expecting staff to come bursting in. But nobody is there.

"You better hurry up and get your own heart working again. I mean it. It would be the manly thing to do. Get yours to work and give in to the girl, if you're a real gentleman then you'll do it. I am asking you this because I have to, otherwise you'll destroy your family. I don't pretend to have spoken to you much before and I doubt I will in the future. Just do this - not for me but for your wife, your children. Don't make her make that god-awful decision." I finish and then stand up, arching my back.

I then make my way over to Katniss's bedside where her heart monitor is so quiet I can barely hear it. I don't want to cry, because if I do I will be tearing down the wall I've worked so hard to build all these years. I sniff and then start talking:

"At first I thought you couldn't win, when I saw you volunteer for your sister I knew it was because you wanted to save her, you didn't think you had a snowballs' chance in hell of winning. Then when you showed me what you could do with a knife I started to have a little faith. Then when you went into the arena I saw you were one hell of a person.

"You must see it from my point of view. Mentoring tributes for twenty three years and watching them die every single time. No matter what you do, they still die. People blame me, saying that although some were strong enough to have a chance, they didn't because I was their mentor. That's not true, they had a chance but with the other kids, the odds were stacked against them. I don't blame them either, I blame society. I buried myself in drink because when I was passed out I could forget who I was and my job until I came around.

"I know I pushed you , was tough on you and didn't seem to care but I did. You and Peeta, you're my kids, I would walk through fire for you. I know I don't show it but it's hard. When you make yourself alone for two decades then you don't know how to explain yourself. Please wake up, I can't lose you. I don't want to lose you." I am openly sobbing now, I can't control it. I manage to bring myself out of the chair and move toward the door. I look back and I swear that what was a serene and peaceful expression has now turned twisted and pained. I might fall, I leave the room.

(Prim's POV)

I keep a vigil 24/7, scared that if I turn away for more than a second they will disappear. Who should I spend more time with? Eventually I sleep on the floor between the two beds.

Mother comes into the room and stands with her back against the wall. "Hazelle's coming, I just phoned her. She's said she will respect your decision but has asked that you don't … don't decide until she gets here." I nod to show that I've understood and then stare at the blank wall. I want to go back, back when there was no pain. But you can't, you can never go back.

(Gale's POV)

Who will she choose? Is the question that is continually on the forefront of my mind. I would hate to be in her position. Who would I choose? I could never answer that, not even if my life depended on it. I would rather die. My baby brother or my best friend.

The answer should be simple, most people would parrot, my brother, but for me it's different. Rory and I were never that close but he is family. Katniss and I… where do I even describe what we had. W helped each other and we confided in each other. Or at least I thought we did.

I sit down on the chair beside her bed and yelp a little because it's so hard. I take one of her hands in mine and blow gently, trying to warm them. "You want to know how I knew you were going to live through the games?" I ask, as if I expect an answer. But there isn't one, "You never said good-bye."

It's true- she never. There were instructions on how to take care of her family but there wasn't that tiny word. That word that destroys all hope.

"Come on, you need to get better. You've survived everything that has ever been thrown at you. Don't let this sway you. Your family needs you, Michael needs you, Prim needs you," I bend down to her ear, "I need you."

Then a machine starts beeping rapidly and then becomes a continuous noise, a noise which makes medical staff burst into the room, look to see which bed it's coming from and start to work. One nurse takes me by the shoulder and leads me out of the room. I try to get one last look but the door has already closed. I didn't even get to see my brother .

(Prim's POV)

The dark is safe. In it, you are totally anonymous. I am not the person with a weight on their shoulders. In the dark I can only see the scars with my fingers. In the dark I have no name.

It's light enough to see thanks to the soft shine of the nightlight that's plugged in next to the door. I tiptoe my way over to the cabinet where the tablets and pills are kept. I press my finger against the door handle and it pops open. It's fingerprint activated and I still work here technically so it opens at my touch. I root around blindly and bring out a largish box. I close the door and roll my finger over the handle three times, it shuts with a click.

I make my way to the disabled toilet that's at the far end of the room. The door doesn't lock so medical staff can gain access but it shuts, there is a small window for the same reason at eye level. It doesn't matter though because the darkness enfolds me so nobody will see what I'm about to do.

I turn on the small lamp that's next to the toilet holder so I can see what I'm doing. I pop out several tablets and clutch them in my hand while I unscrew the cap of my bottled water. Before I can change my mind I put them into my mouth and take a big gulp of water, but I don't swallow. Swallow dammit I think but I can't.

I can hear the door opening at Peeta walks in. He sees the box of tablets on the floor next to me. "Oh god," he whispers and then turns, surprised to see I'm still alive. He puts his hands around my face and commands, "Prim. Spit them out."

I shake my head, I can't, I can't face this anymore. He shakes me gently but it gets harder and harder, "Prim, spit them out." I do as he says and then fall against his chest sobbing. He reaches up to flush the toilet and I just kneel on the floor, my head pressed against his chest and sob. Because it's easier. "I can't lose you Prim. Not you too. Not now, not ever. Never" He murmurs.

I don't how long we sit there, it could be hours or merely minutes. My eyes feel sticky and m head feels thick. I look up at Peeta and risk a question, "Who would you choose?"

He seems surprised and then answers, "I can't tell you that, it's not my place to say."

I sit up straight and his arms fall away from me, "Well don't think of it as Katniss and Rory, what if it was Me and Katniss?"

He shakes his head, "I still couldn't answer that. But I would say…. It would probably be you."

"Why?"

"Because, If you had died to save Katniss she would hate me forever. If I had chosen her over you, I don't even want to think about what she would do to me." He says sadly.

"I'm scared Peeta," I admit, "Whoever I choose, someone will be left without a child. Someone will be left without a spouse, without a sibling , without a parent. Whoever I choose I end up hurting someone."

"Prim. I can't make the decision for you, nobody can. I can't tell you who I'd choose either because I honestly don't know. You expect my answer to be Katniss but the truth is, it's not just me I have to think about." He says, his voice breaking.

"What happens if I don't choose, they can't make me?" I whisper.

"The hospital won't have permission to treat them, so they'll… you'll lose them both." He whispers, tears starting to flow like a waterfall down his cheeks.

I don't say anything. I crawl back to Peeta's arms and fall asleep. Sleep, a way to forget everything for a while. A little while.

(Effie's POV)

Look at you, all still and pale underneath that hospital sheet. You know unwashed hair is so not the fashion these days.

Oh who am I kidding? I can't bear to see you like this, I can't. I'm just going to say it out loud, I love you, like you were my own child. I love you.

You know, I never really liked the games, thought they were sick. Watching hundreds of children kill each over the years. Every time, after the reaping, I would go to my private bathroom on the train and be violently sick and cry. I became an escort at my mother's insistence. She was one too and never really liked them either but told me that being an escort was the best way to stay safe. The way to convince the higher powers that I condoned what they were doing, when it couldn't be farther away from the truth.

When I met you I knew you were strong, both of you. Especially you. I saw the way you quietly defied me, always met my eye and never once did you look like I terrified you. I admired you for that. And for the berries. I admired you for having the courage that I never did, for daring to do it. I felt hopeful for the first time, that things could change.

I'm crying now, I hope you don't mind. My voice sounds like I haven't ate or slept in three days which is the truth. I can't, knowing you're lying here vulnerable and alone while I selfishly sleep. Please hold on. Don't let go. I want you to meet my child, Michael needs you, as well as your sister. Don't make her make this decision. It will kill her.

Can you feel my hand in yours? Can you feel my tears on your face? Please wake up, get your own heart working again. Please, please…

(Prim's POV)

I sit in the chair next to Katniss's bed, rocking Serena. I've just fed her and now I want her to sleep. I am muttering soothing words in the hope that it will calm her when a weak voice interrupts me:

"Prim, is that you?" comes a weak voice from my sister's body. I jump slightly and then look down with such joy.

"Katniss!" I exclaim, "You're awake!"

"Not for long, I want to tell you something very important and you have to promise to listen to me." I nod, "Save Rory."

"What? Why?" I say, tears wetting my eyes.

"You need him, You don't need me." She whispers, her voice getting faint. She is unconscious again in a matter of seconds. I gently put Serena into the Moses basket at my feet and fling myself across her waist.

"I do need you," I sob, "I do… need…you." But there is no answer, even though I am getting her all wet. Then Serena starts to cry at my feet. I bend down to pick her up and rock her gently in my arms. I then start to sing, perhaps the only song I will ever be good at. A song my sister has only ever sung once.

Deep in the Valley,

Where nobody goes,

There is a river where,

Fresh water flows.

Deep in the Valley,

Where nobody dares,

There is a mermaid,

Who's washing her hair.

Deep in the Valley,

Where I sit and dream

I am smiling because

You're here with me.

Deep in the Valley,

Is where all comes true,

Because this is the place,

Where I love you.

Deep in the Valley,

Is where hope breaks through,

Please hold on and never let go

'cause I can't lose you too.

Serena has stopped crying and has fallen asleep. Her eyelids flutter and her cheeks are flushed. She looks peaceful. Serena, peace. I gently place her back into the basket and sing the song all over again except this time I cry.

(Peeta's POV)

I can't lose you, not now, not ever, never. You know you're sister tried to commit suicide last night because she couldn't face making the decision. Don't put her in this position. You have survived starvation, two Hunger Games, a rebellion. Don't let something simple like this deter you. You can do this, you can survive.

I need you, I won't lie. I need you more than I've ever needed anyone. Michael won't settle at night without you hugging and singing to him. He won't settle and neither can I. I can't sleep without you, I can't eat watching you waste away in front of me. Please wake up, oh god please wake up.

Don't leave me know, you promised you'd stay with me forever when we got married. This isn't long enough for me, it never will be.

(Katniss's mother's POV)

Don't leave me, I can't lose you. Those words might mean something except I lost you long ago, when your father died and I left. I won't ask you to get well again for me, that's asking too much, but do it for Prim, Peeta, Michael. Do it for everyone who cares about you.

I look into your eyes and see the scared little girl whose mother wasn't there when she needed her. You had to grow up too fast and there's nobody to blame but me. You've had a lot of visitors lately, they have probably been asking you the same thing, But please wake up. I'm begging you baby. Wake up, let me prove to you that I can be a good mother. Please?"

(Prim's POV)

Who should I choose? I need to choose to day otherwise they both die.

Despite what Katniss says, I'm not just going to pick Rory but I'm not just going to pick her either. I gently prise open one of Katniss's eyes and see nothing but dull grey. I recognise the vacant, dull look, it means the patient is gone.

For the first time I recognise how similar hey both look and how similar Peeta and I look. I think it's quite funny in a roundabout way. I want to curse myself for missing out on all the chances of hugs and kisses, spending time with each other, instead of stupidly assuming I'd have a million more. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

The doctor steps into the room and I know what she's going to ask. I see Peeta, Hazelle, mother, Gale, Haymitch and Effie, whose weeping inconsolably. I will hurt someone, more than one person.

I take one last look at the two people I care about most in the whole world. I look the doctor straight in the eye and tell her my decision. A choice to live or die with. I know it will damn me to hell and back, but I know it's the right one.

I hope you guys like that Chapter and please review! A big thanks to my friend Emma L who has just had her birthday so a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY for you. Also a big thanks to my friend, Wish2remain-nameless , please check out her amazing story ! P.S. I made up the valley song by myself and i've not copied anyone