Part 34
Cato must have snuck up and has been waiting for his chance, and there it was. How many times is someone going to grab me from behind before I get used to it? He puts me in some kind of headlock this time and holds me there until Peeta runs through the bushes, holding a spear and his knife. "Well, look what we have here." Says Cato. This is dumb. Peeta has such an easy way to get me free, but he won't do it. He won't throw the spear at Cato. I don't understand. "Peeta, how interesting. You are in a pickle aren't you? I can kill Prim, you can kill me and you go home as victor. Or, you kill me and Prim is left to kill you. It's a lose, lose all the way around for you." This makes sense now. Peeta would never want me to kill him. His face shows defeat but he won't accept it. "Peeta help!" I call out as I feel Cato's arm tighten around my neck. I think he is going to break my neck or something, but I know he is cutting my breathing. "Peeta!" I choke out. He looks at Cato and says again, "Cato, let her go." But I know Cato won't and I know Peeta knows it too. If he really wants me to go home, I'm going to have to kill him. Peeta must feel pretty sure of himself because he throws the knife right at Cato's arm, in front of my face. His hold on me releases right away. I turn around to see him holding his arm. I kick him in the stomach to make sure he stays down long enough. Peeta comes over, and stabs Cato right through the heart with Cato's sword. He lies on the ground dying, and I have to turn away. I take a few steps away from his body until the cannon sounds and the hovercraft takes him away. Even though he hurt me, and cut me, and almost killed me, I wish he didn't have to die. I sit on the ground, waiting as Peeta walks over. I look up to see the knife in his hand, but the handle is extended toward me. "Here, kill me and prepare for the hovercraft." He says. I look at him in disbelief and say, "Peeta, you know I can't. I can't kill you after all we have been through." He shakes his head and sits down beside me. "Prim, I want you to go home. Be happy with Katniss and make her happy too. Please Prim." But I won't do it. Not now, not in a million years. We sit there for the longest time, waiting. When the silence is broken, it's by me, "Peeta, we just killed a lot of people, kept people alive, kept each other fed and well rested. You did all that for me, and now you want me to kill you? No, I won't do it. If you die, I want to die too." Again, he shakes his head. There is no way I'm letting that happen. Prim, I will tie you to that tree and kill myself, if that's easier." I can't do this. I won't let him die. If he does, I do too. "Stay here." I run back to the cornucopia and grab my bow and arrows, I spear for Peeta, and I knife for each of us. I run back, about to explain my plan, when I see them. I run to the bush where they are growing. I take one and smash it between my fingers, and I see the seeds. Nightlock.