Here's the next chapter! Enjoy! I do not own Catching Fire, any direct quotes will be in italics.


Ch. 53

Portia and Cinna come to get us early in the morning. I say goodbye to Katniss with a simple kiss and a "See you soon." The next time I'll see her will be in the arena, I don't know if there will be time for kisses in there. This one very well could be our last.

Portia wraps her arm around me as we walk to get on the hovercraft. I see small trails of tears across her face, and I will myself not to do the same. "I promised myself I wouldn't. You know, you've always been so strong and here I am crying because I'm going to miss you." She says as she wipes away a tear with her hand.

"No Portia, crying is good, sometimes." I say and grab her into a hug before I grab onto the ladder hanging from the hovercraft and become frozen in place.

"At least we have this little time together." She says in between a sob.

"Of course." I grab onto one of the rungs, the last time I was frozen like this was when I was being taken from the last arena. I barely remember it, I just know I was in pain and I couldn't do anything to stop it. Once inside the hovercraft a lady injects a tracker into my arm. I always wondered if they even ever took the first one out, but from the looks of it they did.

"You should probably eat. We were told there wouldn't be much time for that in the launch room." Portia's eyes are almost dry and she holds a plate of many foods. "Of course you won't take that much time to get ready, so… But I'd still eat now." I begin to take bites of the food she put in front of me, but all of the bites are small and for once the food from the Capitol does not taste good.

"How did you get home last night?" I ask Portia as the windows on the hovercraft close, we are close. I am surprisingly calm for what is to come.

"It was hectic." She pauses looking at me, her eyes seem to be studying my every feature, "That wasn't true, was it? I mean you would have told me, right?" Her words sound almost hurt as she says them. I had even fooled Portia.

"No, it wasn't. Only to get the Capitol People worked up." I pause just like her, except I look elsewhere; maybe I would have looked out the window if it were still open. I feel the hovercraft begin to lower. "I wish it were true." I whisper and it's barely audible, but I know she hears it. Her face contorts for just a second and then it goes back to normal. Maybe she wished it were true as well.

We walk to my launch room silently our footsteps echo between us and the Peacekeepers guiding us there. I recognize what this is; the calm before the storm. I always felt this way whenever I knew my mom would get mad at me or when I knew I would have horrible nightmares. I was just calm, and it's weird because I know within a matter of minutes my life will be threatened, Katniss's life will be threatened. This very well could be the last day I live.

I take a shower and I enjoy it. Soaking in the warm water and let it warm my body. I enjoy the last shower I'll ever have because what else could I do? For a second I take a moment and reflect on this past year. My life has changed dramatically, heck I've changed dramatically. I could say that I hate it, that I still wish I were just Peeta Mellark, baker's son. But for a second I actually think about it. I actually try to think of why in the world I would ever want that because I don't, not at all. I wouldn't give up going into the Games for the world.

Katniss actually noticed me. She fell in love with me, no matter how much she denies it I know she does. Sure I don't like that I had nightmares every night for a long time and that I had fallen apart from my family and that I was held responsible for the death of a girl I didn't know because I picked some berries. I didn't like any of that and more, but still I would not like to be stuck in the bakery.

I had encouraged people to fight. I had encouraged people to stand up to this horrible system. Maybe I won't be here to see it go through, but I know in my heart of hearts these horrible games will be ended. I know in my heart of hearts that Snow will be defeated. I know in my heart of hearts that Katniss will have a good life.

Fine, maybe I would give up having to die in these wretched Games, but everything before it, not a chance I would take that back. I had grown, I had fallen in love again and again, I had felt loss and sorrow, I had been angry and mad, I had experienced life. It's not the ideal life, but I can call it mine. I can take pride in it. That takes something.

After my shower Portia helps me put my clothes on, a blue jump suit that fits tight to my body. A thick belt goes over that and then a pair of nylon shoes. "It's water proof. I'd expect somewhere wet." Says Portia as she zips it up. Once she's done we hear the voice over the speaker telling us to prepare ourselves. She gives us five minutes.

Portia grabs something out of her pocket, "Your district token. It's beautiful." She drops the gold locket in my hand. I put it around my neck and hide it beneath my suit. I grab Portia into a tight hug, wondering why I have to let go.

"Portia thank you, for everything. You've been a great friend." I whisper into her ear as she clings tightly to me. We let go once the voice comes over again. Only a minute left.

"Peeta, no matter what happens know that I'll miss you." I step into the tube, having to let go of her hand. "Know that I will never forget you." The tube begins to close over me, "Know that I'll take care of Katniss for you with Cinna." And then the tube is closed up all together and I'm rising. I take one last look at her, before I look up to where I am going.

The first thing I think when I lock into place: I cannot swim.


I hope you liked it! Sorry I didn't post yesterday! Don't forget to REVIEW on the way out! Thanks! ~boywithbreadlover