Haymitch promises to walk me home. I'd rather be alone right now, but I know it wouldn't be safe or smart to go by myself. There's silence as we walk. I wish I could stop at the memorial and talk to Prim, but my priority is clear: Peeta.

When we get home, Haymitch makes me wait outside while he makes sure it's safe. I stand shivering with cold and fear. Only five minutes later, he comes back out, ordering me inside. He's pale and I'm afraid he's going to have another heart attack.

"Is he okay? Are you okay?" I ask, taking my coat off and dropping it on the ground.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," he tries to regain his composure, get some colour back into his face. He refrains from answering my first question as he directs me upstairs to my room.

"What about Peeta?" I ask again. Haymitch makes me sit down on the bed.

"Don't you dare leave this room." He warns, pointing a finger at me.

"But what about –" I'm cut short by the door slamming shut. I'm not sure whether to cry or fume. So, I wrap my arms protectively around my stomach and try not to think about anything.

About half an hour later, someone knocks softly on the door of the bedroom. I run to open it, hoping it's Peeta. It isn't. My mother wraps me into a hug, her arms shaking but trying to be strong.

"Why don't you come downstairs with me?" She says in lieu of a greeting.

"Peeta…" I start. My mother shushes me, taking my hand.

"Don't worry about it for now. Just come have some lunch downstairs." She says. We go to the kitchen where someone has already laid out salad and chicken. Like any mother would, she serves me as much as can fit on the plate. "Here you go," I accept the plate and sit down.

"Thanks," I say, even though I'd rather be doing anything than eating. I give up on asking about Peeta. Apparently I won't be getting any answers anytime soon.

"How was your appointment?" She asks, taking a seat across from me.

"It was good until Peeta left." I say thinly. My mother makes some sort of noise of accordance. "Where is he?" I plead. "Is he okay?" I feel the inevitable tears of frustration come to my eyes.

"Katniss…" she sighs quietly. "I wish I could tell you, but I can't. Haymitch called and told me to distract you. Told me to keep you busy." She sounds truthful and apologetic. I search her eyes and decide she's telling the truth. She really doesn't know where he is or what's going on.

I suffer through the meal, forcing food down my throat. She suggests going to the living-room so she can teach me how to knit. She says that as a mother, it's a very viable skill. Even though I don't want to learn how to knit, I go anyway. I figure that it'll take my mind off Peeta.

Before I can even learn how to start, the door bursts open and in comes Erin. I stand to give her a hug. Her cheeks are rosy red, her dark hair spotted with melting snow.

"Katniss, hi," she says, hugging me tightly. Letting go, she turns to my mother. "I have a message for you." She says. My mother glances at me. "Just you."

"Grabbing a pair of boots, my mother follows Erin out to the porch to talk. Why is no one telling me anything? It seems I'm destined to be kept in the dark about this. They come back inside, my mother grabbing her coat, Erin taking hers off.

"Katniss," my mother says. "Erin is going to stay here for a bit. I'll be back soon." She informs me. I don't bother asking where she's going. It's a waste of breath. The door shuts softly behind her.

"So, what do you want to do?" Erin asks. Even I can hear the fear in her voice. She's trying to be happy, patient, relaxed. She can't do it. Whatever is going on or whatever she's seen has taken away her innocence. At least for now.

"I just want to sleep." I say wearily, heading back to the living-room couch. Erin comes with me, not objecting this idea. She sits on the couch, letting me lay my head in her lap. I curl into a ball, closing my eyes. I feel Erin undo my braid and start playing with my hair. I remember when Peeta used to do this to me.

I remember that last day of training before the Quarter Quell when he tied knots in it. I remember saying we could let it last forever. It instantly relaxes me to think of and to feel Erin's fingers brushing through my hair. I fall asleep pretty quickly.

XX

I'm gently shaken awake. I open my eyes and sit up to find the living-room full of people. Everyone is here. My mother has returned, Winnow, Hazelle, Gale, Thom, and Gale's brother, Rory. Haymitch is sitting in Peeta's armchair.

"How do you feel?" He asks me, leaning forward in the chair.

"Fine," I reply. "How long was I asleep?" The window shows everything a little darker outside. Long shadows are cast in the snow by the setting sun.

"It's almost 6:30." Haymitch tells me. "Winnow made dinner for you when you're hungry." I look around at everyone. They all give me a sympathetic look. Most of them look worried or scared.

"What's going on?" I ask. The real question I have is: what happened to my husband? But I doubt anyone would pay attention to me if I asked that.

"Everyone was here having a quick dinner. Gale and Erin have agreed to stay here overnight. I'll be just up the street with Rory, Hazelle, and Winnow. Thom's next door with your mother. If you need anyone, I'll be awake all night. Okay? I think that's Gale's plan as well." Haymitch looks at Gale who nods.

"Anything you need, just come talk to me. Okay, Catnip?" He says. He's leaning against the wall, still wearing his coat and hat.

"Winnow and Hazelle are going to stay with you until Erin and Gale get back. They'll make sure you eat." Haymitch finishes. All of this explanation confuses me.

Why do I need to have guards? Or is it Peeta that needs everyone around him? Where is he and what's happened to him?

"She's confused. She doesn't know what's going on." I hear Winnow tell Haymitch softly. She puts a hand on his shoulder as he sighs.

"Here's the thing," he says slowly, pausing and looking around. It's like he's waiting for someone else to say it for him. No one moves. "We're going back out for a couple more hours. But when the sun sets, there's not much else we can do. Gale and I are staying awake just in case something happens in the night. We're all here."

"Going back out?" I ask for clarification. Haymitch sighs loudly, but finally says one last thing.

"Peeta's missing."

A/N I know it's short! But I liked that ending. The next one should be up within the week! Review please!