I just scarred his daughter for life.

A young girl has just witnessed the kind of trauma that will haunt her.

That should be my biggest concern, but it isn't. All I can think about is myself and the consequences that could arise from it. There is no reality where I can imagine that Marigold does not mention this to her mother down the road. It might not be today. It might not be tomorrow. However, the time will come.

How will I respond to explain my actions? How will Finnick? How will we get out of this mess without destroying our marriages in the process?

There are too many scenarios running through my head. Panic is setting in. I can feel it in my chest. So, instead, I decide to physically run. I put on my clothes and head out the door. Finnick must have left because his car is gone. I wonder what he is telling Marigold? Oh gosh...the scenarios. I cannot give in to them. "Run" I tell myself. Just keep running.

I sprint to the edge of the woods. Maybe in there I will find solace. It is still the only place I can completely be myself and not dwell on the horrors of my erratic life.

Just as I am about to dive under the fence to enter, I see a man approaching the fence from the woods with looks like a dead animal over his shoulder. The closer he gets it becomes unmistakeable who it is. Tall, brooding and drenching in masculinity...Gale.

Fuck.

"What brings you here, Katniss?" Gale asked flatly.

"The woods are my favorite place. You know that more than anyone." I respond.

Silence sits in the air for a moment.

All I hear is the wind and the mockingjays humming their tunes from a nearby tree. Such beautiful sounds. The memories of the times when ventured into the woods come flooding back. The place where our friendship blossomed alongside the flowers. Where swims in the lake and climbing trees and roasting rabbits filled our days. Things made sense then. Innocence we did not have, but peace of mind we did.

The history between us has long since been destroyed and hollow. When my sister died in the war indirectly at the hands of his bombs, our relationship went with her. Shortly after the world reached a state of normalcy, Gale and my mom started a romance. It was unexplainable and disgusting, but they bonded in their grief or whatever. Since then, I cut off contact. There was no other alternative that I could stomach. I refuse to see my mother and therefore Gale, so this little chance encounter has made the day even worse.

"Your mom really wants to see you. There is something she wants to share with you." Gale says.

"Oh shut up, this is the last thing on earth I need to be hearing about right now!" I yell back.

Even though Gale can tell how uncomfortable I am, he proceeds to keep talking as if he has word vomit.

"You are going to have a sister, Katniss."

I don't respond. I have no expression on my face so he says it again.

I think it is finally happening. I am on the verge of a psychosis. A full blown panic attack. My knees are trembling and the world is spinning into shades of gray. My heart feels as if it's going to explode any second. Not since Primrose's name was called at the Reaping have I felt such absolute loss of control. The kind of feeling that I would not wish on my worst enemy. My eyes are becoming blurry. Am I having a nightmare? At the moment I cannot tell what is real and what is not real. I need Peeta. I need the love of my life with me right now to hold me. The last thing I hear before I hit the ground and pass out is the sounds of the mockingjays. Still...so beautiful.

Chatter. Machine clicks. The smell of chemicals. I open my eyes and find myself in a hospital bed. A nurse is tending to the patient beside me who appears to be in a coma.

I clear my throat and this gets the nurses' attention.

"Oh, you're up!" he exclaims.

After he tends to my immediate questions, the doctor come in to give me the rundown. Apparently, I am perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with me. Which is hilarious because I feel horrible. If only they knew what was going on they would take pity on me and shoot me up with some morphling to ease my sorrows.

The doctor rambles on about me needing to take care of my mental health and blah blah blah. I only tune in again when she mentions how Gale acted quickly to bring me to the hospital.

"Is he here?" I ask.

"That gentleman left, but your husband is here." The doctor replies. "Would you like to see him at this time?

I need to see Peeta eventually. And if I have another panic attack at least I am in a place where something can be done about it.

Peeta comes in with a very serious look on his face. The boyish smile and loving demeanor has vanished. What does he know...what has he heard? I brace myself.

"Hi." I say.

He does not respond. He sits down on the chair bedside the bed.

The minutes past and I am too scared to say anything more.

"Hello." he replies in formal tone.

This is it. I take a deep breath.

"When the hospital called, I was just getting home. I was going to make us a home cooked meal and snickerdoodles. They told me how Gale brought you in. I was frantic and went upstairs to bring you extra clothes in case you needed any at the hospital. I did not want you to be cold and frightened. When I walked into our room, I was speechless. It was like a war zone. Our wedding picture was broken, the sheets were a mess and there was male underwear in the corner that was not mine."

Peeta starts to choke up.

"I do not want to know any of the details or the excuses. My heart cannot handle it. The hell you are going through is nothing to what I am experiencing. So, just put me out of my misery and tell me...are you in love with him? Are you in love with Gale?"