He let Katniss take a shower first. He sat on his bed, stiff as a board. The past 24 hours he had been helpless. He had seen two different versions of Katniss. He was afraid to admit that he didn't know which one to trust. Which one to count on. He didn't know if he was fighting tomorrow, or if he was dying tomorrow.
Katniss interrupted his thoughts as she came out of the bathroom. She was wearing one of the shirts in his drawers, and boxer shorts. They were his, but they weren't his. They were given to him by the Capitol.
He didn't say anything as he went into the bathroom. He welcomed the scalding hot water, washing his stage makeup off. Washing all the products out of his hair. This was his last night, before he went into the arena. He let his mind wander to how unfair this was. Three times in the Hunger Games. Three freaken times.
He banged his hand against the wall. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to be free. But here he was, for a third time, going into the arena to fight for his life. It was unfair. That's all that kept going through his mind. He was 16 years old. He was a baker. He wasn't a killer. Who came up with this 74 years ago? Who was so evil, that they decided to starve a whole country and take their children and kill them for entertainment? Who got joy out of this? How could people enjoy watching him die in a river?
"Peeta, are you ok?" he heard Katniss asked. He looked up at the shower door. He could barely make her out through the glass. It was too foggy for either of them to see each other. It didn't bother him of course. He didn't care if she saw him naked. But he knew she cared. Which is why it surprised him that she came into the bathroom. "I heard the bang on the wall...I wanted to make sure you didn't fall or anything," Katniss said. Peeta cleared his throat.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be out in a minute," he told her. He saw her leave and he shut off the water. When he got out of the shower, he realized she placed clothes on the counter for him to wear as well. It was thoughtful of her. He got dressed and came out into the room, towel drying his hair. She was sitting on the bed against the headboard. She was sitting on top of the covers, with her legs stretched out. He saw on the nightstand that someone brought them their sleeping pills.
He threw the towel in the bathroom, not caring where it landed. He was always a clean and neat person. Even when he was here last time, he always cleaned up after himself. But he didn't care anymore. He dropped his clothes all over the bathroom floor when he got into the shower, and finally noticed that Katniss had left everything she had been wearing all over the bathroom floor as well. He smiled, and then didn't care about the mess he was leaving anymore. He walked over and sat down on the bed next to Katniss.
"I didn't want to take them yet. I'm not ready to go to sleep," Katniss said. Peeta nodded. "I owe you an apology," she suddenly said. Peeta looked over at her.
"I owe you a million different apologies for a million different things. And I hope when we get home that I can start saying how sorry I am for everything. But right now, I have to say how sorry I am for how I've been since we came back here," she said, and she looked down at her hands.
"I keep thinking this is a dream. That when I died, I came to some weird place that's keeping me here, and making me re-do all my mistakes, and live through all my pain. So, I keep trying to fall back into the darkness and ignore it." she said and gulped, trying to catch her breath.
"But it is real. I'm really here. And I'm going into the arena, and I don't think I've ever been more scared to death." she admitted and looked at him. "I've messed up so many times Peeta. The rebels, they know what I'm supposed to do, and if I don't do it right, then I'm afraid they won't save us. I refuse to let you die Peeta," Katniss gritted through her teeth, letting the tears fall. Peeta reached up and wiped her tears away. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand.
"Katniss that's not true. No one's going to let you die,"
"I just have to get through the arena. I'll get us through this damn arena, and we'll go home. I promise I'll make it all up to you Peeta," Katniss cried. Peeta leaned in and kissed her and rested his forehead against hers.
"You have nothing to make up to me. But you can do this. I have faith in you. Just have faith in yourself. And when it's all over, we'll do our interviews, and they'll send us home. They'll give us our new houses and the cameras will leave and it will just be the two of us. Just us Katniss. We can talk about everything. And I can kiss you like I've never kissed you before, and that is what I keep thinking about every second," Peeta said. Katniss laughed and looked up at him.
"I want to kiss you, so badly. With no cameras or mics on us," Peeta said. Katniss looked around suddenly. "It's ok. Haymitch said they gave us another night off. They'll turn back on around midnight. We'll be asleep by then," Peeta said. Katniss nodded. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips again.
"All I dream about is kissing you," he whispered. He kissed her cheek and leaned into her ear.
"I keep dreaming of kissing you everywhere and never stopping Katniss," he whispered huskily into her ear. He felt her shudder and she leaned into him. He probably shouldn't have started talking like this. He instantly felt himself start to get hard. But really, it was all he could think about. He couldn't wait till they got home, because he wanted to get carried away with kissing her. With letting his hand touch her whole body. He shook his head. He couldn't think like this now.
"We should get some sleep," Katniss whispered to him. He could hear her gulp. She was blushing. He nodded his head and grabbed the pills and the glass of water. They drank the pills and settled down into bed. He noticed that she held onto him very tightly. "Don't let me go Peeta," Katniss cried. He held her tightly and rubbed her back.
"I won't. Just take it one step at a time Katniss. Don't think so far ahead. Just worry about the next thing you have to do. When you're at the Cornucopia, worry about getting your stuff and getting out of there. Then once you're done, then worry about finding your tree. You'll see me walk under you that night. Then just worry about the fire. Make sure you run away to the river. You'll see me again, and then worry about the tree to hide in away from the Careers. It's easy Katniss. Just worry about your next step. You can do this. I know you can. And I'll be waiting for you by the river. Just let Rue go. She'll be ok. She'll be reunited with her mother again. I promise you," he said and kissed her forehead. She didn't say anything back. A few minutes later, they were asleep.
The morning came too quickly. Cinna and Portia came to wake them up. They slowly got out of bed and stared at each other.
"I hate to wake you. But we gotta get to the hovercrafts," Cinna said. Peeta nodded. Katniss burst into tears and hugged him fiercely.
"This isn't fair," Katniss cried. He kissed her cheek and rocked her.
"I know. But you'll see me soon. You know it will happen. Tell me you'll see me soon and mean it," he told her. He pulled her back and made her look at him. "Come on say it. Tell me, "He told her. He had done this to her the morning they were reaped. He meant it then, just like he meant it now.
"I'll see you soon," she cried. Peeta kissed her passionately. He wanted to show her through that kiss how much he loved her. He planned on telling her he loved her when they got back to District 12. He had planned this whole romantic evening for them in his head. But he wanted to tell her now. He wanted her to leave with Cinna knowing that he loved her. But he just wanted it to be special. He didn't want her to be crying out of fear when he said it. He just didn't know what to do. He pulled back and looked at her. Her whole body was shaking.
"He'll be ok Katniss," Cinna said. Katniss let the tears keep falling.
"Don't get hurt. Please Peeta stay alive. Do it exactly like last time," Katniss promised. Peeta held her face in his hands and brought their foreheads together.
"I promise Katniss. Worry about the next step. Don't worry about anything except what you have to do next. We'll be together soon I promise," he told her.
"We really need to be going," Portia said. They kissed once more, and then Cinna led Katniss out of the room. He and Portia waited a minute before they went to their own hovercraft. He was injected with his tracker. He looked down at it, then at Portia. She smiled. This little tracker was going to keep him safe. Him, Katniss, and every other tribute in the arena.
Thank goodness for Portia there, holding his hand the whole time. He didn't know if he would have made it. She reminded him to eat. Eat enough to make it through the next few days. She kept him calm. It was a short trip. Shorter than he remembered. But he was more afraid this time. They made it to his holding cell. He was going back into the arena. Portia had just helped him get dressed, when even she could tell his face turned green. She grabbed his face.
"Hey, you know you can do this. Take your own advice. Don't worry about tomorrow, just worry about your next step. Just breath my baker boy," she told him. He hugged her tightly, and the voice announced they were to enter the tube. Portia helped him in, and she smiled sadly at him. "I'll see you soon Peeta Mellark," she said, and the floor started to rise. God. Again. He was going into the arena again. How could this have happened? Why him?
He looked around. There was the Cornucopia. He searched for Katniss as the countdown started. His family was at home watching him right now. They must be scared out of their minds. Even though they know he'll come home again, this isn't easy. The same fear still remains.
"If you can hear my voice Peeta, I want you to scratch your right eyebrow," he heard a voice say. The voice was in his head. He caught Katniss' eyes. She must have just heard it to. He watched as she scratched her eyebrow, and then he did the same. The trackers are what made it possible for the rebels to talk to them, and it just sounds like a voice in their head. How on earth had Beetee come up with this?
"That's good. You can hear me. Remember, as soon as the countdowns done, turn and run. Not a second before," he heard the male voice say. He slowly nodded once. He stared at Katniss. She was shaking. He motioned his eyes in the direction of where her pack was. He willed her to remember. He gave her a smile. She can do this. He can do this. They'd get through this. The gong sounded, and she went running.
"RUN PEETA!" he heard the voice yell. He looked at Katniss running towards her pack, and then turned and took off running. Run. Run. Run. He nearly took out his eye with a low branch. He could never tell his way around the woods.
"Turn slightly to the right," the voice said. He did. The reason why he had gotten caught by the Careers last time, was because he had run in a circle and came back to the camp. He couldn't navigate his way around the woods. He guessed the Rebels were going to help him with his navigation. Except instead of helping him stay away from the Careers, they'd help him follow the same path he did last time and lead the Careers right to him. He hoped Katniss got away safely. Would they tell him if she had?
"Turn more towards the right again Peeta," he told Peeta. After what felt like hours of running, he slowed, and then came to a stop. He had been so scared last time that the Careers would find him. His suspicions were right last time. They had found him. The cannon sounded. He counted them. Twelve. Twelve just like last time. Katniss was ok. There wasn't any extra cannons. That was good.
"Take a break. The Careers are walking around looking for tributes. You turned yourself around enough that they'll find you in the same spot as last time. And Haymitch told us to tell you that she's ok," they said. He pretended to cough, but nodded his head, letting them know that he heard them. It was the creepiest thing, hearing voices in his head. Literally.
He looked around at the woods that surrounded him. He hated the outdoors. Just hated it. The woods, the jungle. He hated them. He couldn't wait till he could be done with arenas. That he could be done with nature being his battlefield. He was tired of this. And it was only day 1. A few hours later, he was instructed to sit down, out of breath. The Careers were close. He waited. And waited. And then Cato burst through the trees. Peeta jumped and stood up, holding his hands in front of him. Marvel, Glimmer and Clove were behind him, cheering.
"Please don't hurt me," Peeta begged. The three laughed at him. Cato just stared at him.
"And why would we let you live Lover boy?" Clove asked, playing with her knife. Peeta didn't say anything. Last time, he thought this was it, this is how he would die. He would die the first day, and no one would remember him. But he waited for Cato.
"Because he can lead us to her," Cato said. The others stared at him.
"He's not gonna tell us where the Girl on Fire is," Glimmer said.
"Yes, I will." he blurted out like last time. They all stared at him. "I mean, I don't know where she is. But I know what to look for...how to find her. I grew up with her, so I know how to find her," Peeta said. They stared at him for a minute.
"Come on Cato. Let's kill him now," Clove said, smiling evilly at him. Cato shook his head.
"No. We'll take him with us," Cato said, his eyes never leaving Peeta's; then he looked back at the other three. "Come on. They should be done clearing out the Cornucopia. And that kid should have dug up all the land mines by now," Cato said.
They all walked back to the Cornucopia together. It only took maybe 20 minutes. He had been running for hours, but he had been so unknowledgeable about the woods, that he came right back to where he was trying to run from. It made him feel foolish. When they got back to the cornucopia, the other kid was done with digging up all the land mines. Cato started ordering them around to start piling everything up into the center. Peeta secretly placed a few food items in his jacket. He had deep pockets. It would help tide him over in a few days, when he was laying by the river, dying. He shuddered at the thought. They had gotten most of the stuff piled up when he noticed the extra sheath of arrows Haymitch was talking about. He looked over in the general area of where Katniss shot her arrows from. He had no idea where to hide these.
"WHAT THE HELL?" Clove shouted. He turned around and saw Clove run at Glimmer. "DON'T YOU TOUCH MY KNIFE!" Clove yelled and hit Glimmer.
"Grab the arrows now and run!" the voice told him. Peeta did as he was told. He picked the arrows up and went running for the tree line. "To the left!" the man said.
He turned left, and just looked around. "Under the bush. She'll hide there," the man said. Peeta jammed them under the bush and went running back over to the group. Cato and Marvel were pulling Clove and Glimmer away from each other. Cato yelled at them to stop fighting. That they had work to do. Glimmer turned and threw her arms around his neck.
"She's awful Cato," Glimmer cried. Peeta turned around and grabbed more supplies to add to the pile. Cato directed the boy to hide the land mines around the pile, and guard it, while the rest of them went out looking for other tributes to kill. The other three kept making jokes about catching the Girl on Fire. He looked down and shook his head. How can these four kids be so amused by death? So excited for it? They lived a much different life then what District 12 did. They were taken care of by the Capitol. District 12 was neglected and left to starve. They walked for a few hours. Last time, Cato had led them. He knew they were going in the right direction, because the rebels never asked him to lead, change their course.
"Look that way," Marvel said. Everyone looked to the right. The fire that the girl from District 8 started was up ahead. Katniss was around there.
"Leading us right to them. Idiots," Clove said.
"Maybe it's the Girl on Fire," Glimmer sang. Clove whipped around at her.
"The Girl on Fire isn't going to set a fire. She's smarter than that," Clove seethed.
"What's that?" Marvel asked. Everyone looked to what he was pointing at. Cato pushed him to see. It was Katniss' trap. Peeta smiled. Perfect. Katniss was doing perfect.
"It's one of her snares," Peeta said. He hadn't talked since they first caught him, and they were all stunned to hear him speak. He cleared his throat. "She knows how to make snares. She hunts a lot. That's hers," Peeta said. Cato smiled.
"Then that might be her after all," Glimmer said. Peeta followed them as the stalked towards the fire. The rounded the trees, and the girl from District 8 cried. Begging them not to kill her. He knew Katniss was close. He knew she could hear them. Cato stabbed her with the knife while the others cheered him on and laughed. They walked towards Katniss, while Glimmer stopped and imitated the poor girl they just murdered. He shuddered.
"Shouldn't we have heard the cannon by now?" Clove demanded. They stood there and fought for a moment.
"We're wasting time. I'll go and finish her off. Then let's go," Peeta said. He turned back around and walked towards the bleeding girl on the ground. Choking for breath. He bent down with his knife. He wanted to vomit. He had nightmares of killing this girl. He bent down next to her as she looked up at him.
"I'm sorry. It never should have been like this. I'm just gonna make your suffering stop," he whispered.
He closed his eyes and stabbed her through the heart. He yanked his knife out. He stood up and walked away from her. He just murdered someone. He shook his head. He didn't really murder her this time. He knew she was still alive. In a few minutes, she would be up in the hovercraft, wheeled into a secret room, and they'd repair the damage and save her life. He walked back to where they were waiting for him.
"Was she dead?" Cato asked. The cannon fired.
"No, but she is now. Ready to move on?" he asked. Cato smiled and turned. They all followed him. Peeta looked up. Katniss was right there. He couldn't see her of course; she was wrapped up in her tarp. But he knew she was there. He walked under her, and then turned again. He couldn't see her, but he knew she could see him. He smiled at her. She would be ok up there.
It had just been two days now. Two whole days? Really? He was stuck with the Careers. They were always fighting with each other. Glimmer and Clove especially. Glimmer had a crush on Cato. How she could, was beyond Peeta. Cato liked the attention, but never gave her any in return. Clove was different towards Cato. He could tell she didn't have a crush on him, like Glimmer did, but she demanded his loyalty. His respect. That if it came down to it, Cato would choose her over Glimmer. If it did come down to choosing the two, Peeta thought he would choose Clove. Not because he liked her. But because she was a fighter and would save his life. Glimmer had two left feet and was just pretty to look at.
Marvel, he could tell was jealous of Cato. He got the attention from both of the girls. Peeta watched as Marvel tried to flirt with Glimmer. Flirt! He was trying to flirt in the Hunger Games! No one in their right mind did that. But these four people honestly never had a care in the world, because they all thought they would win. After he realized Glimmer didn't give him the time of day, he started flirting with Clove. But Peeta could tell his heart wasn't in it. He didn't like Clove the way he liked Glimmer.
Peeta thought it was all petty. But didn't he do the same thing in his Games? He did kiss Katniss a lot, and even flirted with her. He shook his head. That was completely different. He wasn't ignorant to the fact that he could die. Especially when he laid in the river for a few days. But he loved Katniss since he was a child. He was willing to lay his life on the line for her. That was the difference.
Today was the day he'd see her again. He hadn't seen her in more than 48 hours, and it was torture. But as they got closer to the river, he knew they'd run into the fire, and have to escape it. He hadn't heard the little voices in his head. He missed it actually. But it must mean that everything was going to plan if he wasn't hearing them. And true to what Haymitch said, the trackers really did help him sleep. The second he laid his head down, he was fast asleep, and felt well rested when he opened his eyes again. He smelled it before he saw it. He smelled it last time to, and had tried to warn them, but they didn't listen and just kept walking until they were almost caught in it. He remained quiet this time as he listened to them bicker.
"I can shoot her with my arrows," Glimmer said.
"You don't even know how to use that thing," Clove told her. Glimmer's mouth fell open.
"I'm sure you'd shoot her just fine," Marvel said. Glimmer ignored him, and she turned to Cato.
"Well, what do you think Cato. Do you think I could shoot her?" Glimmer asked him, batting her eyes at him.
"I'll kill her in my own way," Cato said. And then the tree fell. There was fire everywhere. So, they ran. Screaming at each other, blaming the other one for walking straight into this. They dodged a few fireballs. He wondered how they all survived this last time. He hoped Katniss was alright. That she made it through. That she listened to everything the rebels told her to do. That's all he could think about. Was Katniss. As soon as they passed these trees, he would see her again. And he was rewarded greatly.
They looked across the river, to see her laying in the water. Hissing in pain. The Careers cheered, and she jumped up. They all chased after her. Find the right tree Katniss. Find the right tree. He knew she would, but doing this all over again, anything could go wrong. She could trip, and Cato could catch up to her. Then what would they do? He tripped over his footing a little and his heart sped up. He couldn't afford to be thinking like this. Just keep running. He watched as Katniss climbed the tree. He couldn't help but smile. She was ok.
"Get rid of that smile kid or the Careers will see it," the rebel said. So, the voice was back. He vanished the smile as they caught up to the tree and they all stared up at her.
"How's everything with you down there?" Katniss called down to them. The Careers were startled by that. He smiled but shook his head again.
"Well enough. And yourself?" Cato asked kindly. Almost like he and Katniss were friends. She laughed.
"It's been a bit warm for my taste. I prefer the cold to be honest with you," Katniss joked. She hadn't said all that last time. He knew the pain in her leg wasn't bad if she was joking like that. Well, he hoped it wasn't that bad. She was acting for the cameras. He knew the Capitol would love it.
"Fire's never really been my thing. You know unless it's coming from my outfit," Katniss joked. Clove huffed and rolled her eyes.
"I know what you mean. Except for the fire coming from my outfit. Not everyone has a stylist like Cinna," Cato told her. Katniss chuckled.
"No, I guess not. He is one of a kind. But you should come up here and join me. The airs much better up here. Less smokey," she told him. Cato laughed.
"Don't mind if I do," he said. Clove shoved a knife at him. "I'll do better with my sword," Cato told her.
Peeta watched as he helplessly tried to climb the tree and fell back down to the ground. He heard Katniss laugh. Glimmer shot an arrow and missed Katniss. She just laughed again. Peeta breathed a sigh of relief. She was doing ok. She was gonna get through this, he just knew it. Cato grabbed the bow and shot an arrow up, missing Katniss again. Katniss just laughed.
"Maybe you should throw the sword up here honey," Katniss joked. Honey? She called Cato honey? That just infuriated Cato, and the Careers started arguing.
"Let's just wait her out," Peeta told them. They all stared at him. "She's gotta come down at some point. It's that or starve to death. We'll just kill her then," Peeta said calmly. To calmly. He hated it. He had done such a good job last time, that Katniss believed that he was really against her. That he was really trying to kill her.
"Thanks a lot, Peeta," Katniss said. Everyone looked up at her while she glared at him. "Thanks for letting them know that that was my snare trap. You must really be making your father proud," Katniss said venomously. Holy crap!
Peeta's mouth fell open as the others just stared at him. Marvel started laughing. "Well, I guess we know she doesn't like him back," Clove joked. She and Marvel started walking away.
"Haymitch told her to say it," a voice said. Haymitch could have warned him!
"Do you see his face?" Marvel laughed.
Peeta finally looked away and helped gather some branches to burn in the fire. That was amazing! He knew that the Capitol loved it. She's probably getting some gift as we speak!
The four Careers were useless, so he had to make the fire himself. It had taken him a long-time last time because he wasn't very good. But he had more experience this time. He made himself comfortable and watched Katniss in the tree. She was sitting up there, in so much pain last time. He hoped the tracker was taking care of her pain this time. He knew it wasn't much of a pain blocker, but still. He hoped it was helping.
He stared at her until darkness fell, and he couldn't see her up there anymore. He pretended to sleep while the others stood guard. He knew he could fall asleep this time, she would be alright, but he still couldn't bring himself to do it. All he wanted to do was climb that damn tree and hug her. Kiss her. Be with her. Screw the Careers. They were a team, and he wanted them to know it. But he did what he was supposed to. He laid down there all night, watching her. Making sure she was safe from the Careers.
"Haymitch told me to tell you you're doing a great job. And so is she. She already got her medicine and a bottle of water for the extra acting job. The Capitol is just loving how you two are playing the Careers! And she's sleeping. We'll keep you awake unless you want some sleep. Scratch your eyebrow again is that's what you want," the rebel said. Peeta cleared his throat and shook his head. Pretending to try and keep himself awake.
"Alright then," the rebel said. He laid there for hours. Sleeping in the woods. He hated it. He hated that Katniss was sleeping up in a damn tree. He would make sure when they got through this damn war, that she'd never sleep in a tree again. That she'd never sleep outside again. That she would always sleep in a bed. Preferably with him in the same bed. He shook his head again. Don't start thinking like that.
Morning came quicker then he thought. He saw her move around. She was getting ready to cut the tracker jackers down. "Why don't you slowly sit up. Pretend like you're looking for a spot to relieve yourself. That will at least take you out of the line of fire," the rebel said.
That may not be such a bad idea. He quietly got up, and he could see Katniss look down at him. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. She waved her hand, signaling him to move. He did. He walked behind the bushes, and not a moment later, the nest came crashing down.
He already started running when they all started screaming. He just had to wait a moment. Just like he did last time. He waited for all the screaming to stop, and then ran back for Katniss, getting stung by a few trackerjackers in the process. He had done a little different path, and actually got stung more this time. He shook his head.
She was dazed and confused, and he yelled at her to run. He grabbed her by the hands and yanked her up. God, he wanted to kiss her.
"KATNISS RUN. GET OUT OF HERE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? RUN KATNISS RUN!" Peeta yelled. She just stared at him.
"Peeta?" she asked, touching his face. Oh God no. He couldn't just let her do this. She collapsed against him but made her stand up. He shook her roughly.
"You don't have time for this Katniss. Do you hear me? Run Katniss. RUN!" He yelled. He barely had time to push her and spin around when Cato came running at him. Fighting him. Peeta shoved him away, but Cato was too quick, and sliced his sword through his leg. He screamed in pain. He spun around and ran away.
He tried to catch his breath, grabbing onto branches and holding onto trees. He looked down at his leg. It was gushing blood, but he wasn't in as much pain as last time. He wanted to smile out of relief, but he remembered what Haymitch said. If he wasn't a good actor at being in pain, they would make sure he felt it. So, he faked it. Well, not really faked it. The pain blocker, it just took the edge off.
He walked for hours, leaving blood here and there, leaving a trail for Katniss to follow him later, and he found his spot. He camouflaged himself and waited. It would be two days that Katniss would be out cold. Then another four days after that. One of her and Rue walking around. Another of them stacking the tree branches to burn so Katniss could go and blow up the Careers stuff at the Cornucopia, then the next day Katniss would try to save Rue, and then the next day she would find him. That was four days. So really it would be another six days till he saw her again. Six days of him lying in the river, laying in his own urine, trying to stay alive. He could do that right? It would be the longest six days of his life.
Day 5
"She made it out of there just fine. Rue is taking care of her," the rebel said. He smiled.
"Katniss," he whispered before he fell asleep.
Day 6
He woke up, not realizing where he was at first. He looked around and realized he was by a river. His stomach was growling. He moaned and groaned because of the pain. It was miserable laying here.
"Haymitch asked us to keep you asleep for the most part. With the tracker inside your arm, we can control not only when you sleep and wake up, but we've played around with controlling your other functions. We've had you moving around and wincing in pain, crying, and calling for Katniss. We figured you might be hungry. We just wanted to remind you that you put some food in your jacket," the rebel said.
He was right. Peeta moved around a bit and pulled out some nuts in his jacket and ate them, hiding the wrapper away. He drank some water.
"She's still asleep. Won't wake up till tomorrow," the rebel said. He was so worried about her. All he could do was keep asking himself why he was here? Again? He tried to think of good things. When they got home, he would get to tell her he loved her. Like actually say it out loud to her. No more dancing around it. Would she say it back to him? She seemed like she had wanted to that day at her house in the Seam. But would that all really happen? Was it in his imagination? He drank some more water and fixed the mud on his face. He felt himself drifting away into dreamland.
Day 7
Her vision was blurry, and she was disoriented. Where was she? As her eyes slowly came into focus, her body saddened instantly. She was in the woods. She was still in the arena. She wasn't finished yet. Granted, two days had gone by while she slept, but still. There was still so much that she had to do. She sat up and looked around. She had leaves over her stings. Rue. She was here.
"Good morning sweetheart," she heard Haymitch's voice. She looked around. "No one knows I'm in the control room. Just put your head back down and relax," Haymitch told her. She did as she was told. She laid back down and covered her face.
She had been shocked when she got into the arena, to hear the rebels voice so clear in her head. It had helped really, reminding her what was next. She was relieved to see Peeta that first night. He had made it through the blood bath. He had done everything he was supposed to, and she was rewarded with seeing his smile. She willed herself not to cry that night. It was hard.
She was all alone for the first time in two weeks. She had been so starved for human affection for so many months at her house, even with Haymitch and Sae taking care of her. But they weren't Peeta. She had slept in his arms every night for two weeks in the Capitol, except for the one night where she held the knife to her throat, and it was devastating being by herself again. But once she had closed her eyes, it was like she had taken the sleeping pills, because she woke up instantly refreshed. Not even feeling like she was sleeping in a tree.
Last time, she barely slept a wink. But now, with the rebels protecting her, they were able to keep her asleep. She would do better that day. She focused on finding water. Once the fire came, and she was being chased by the Careers, and in the tree again, she felt that sense of security again, just knowing Peeta was there.
Again, she wanted to cry. She had missed him those few days, but she knew she couldn't do anything about it. When she saw him in the morning, she really had a chance to look at him. He was so beautiful even though he was so dirty, and she wanted to tell him that she loved him. But that was foolish. She was on a mission. She had to worry about her next task, and that was cutting down the tracker-jacker nest.
And now here she was, laying on the ground after being asleep for more than 48 hours.
"I wanted to let you know that the boy is ok. We're keeping him asleep. And he's not in too much pain. He even stocked up on some food, so he won't be too starved by the time you find him," Haymitch told her. With her hands covering her face, it was easy to hide her smile. No one could see it.
"And you're doing great. That's what I wanted you to know most importantly. Everything you've done so far is perfect. Worry about what's next. Worry about the plan to blow up all the Careers supplies...And Rue's hiding around the tree for you. I want you to remember, that even though she dies in your arms a few days from now, she isn't really dead. And she's ok with that. She's ok with being separated from her family because she knows at this time next year, she'll be with them again. So, take it one step at a time. Don't get too sentimental. Don't make it weird. She's doing great, you're doing great, and Peeta's doing great. I want you to remember what you're fighting for. All the things you're fighting for. So, wake up, and get going. I may not be able to talk to you again," Haymitch told her.
She waited for him to continue, but there was nothing. He was gone. It was just what she needed. The rest of her stay in the arena was important. She had important work to do. She slowly sat up and examined her leaves again. Rue. Rue was all she could think about.
But keep moving Katniss. She looked up and stared at her bow and arrows, amazed. She really got them. She heard a noise and jumped. She saw someone jump behind the tree. She stood up and slowly walked over to the tree.
"Rue?" she said. Rue slowly peaked her head from behind the tree. "It's ok I'm not gonna hurt you," Katniss said. Rue smiled and came out from behind the tree. Katniss looked down at her leaves.
"Did you do this for me?" she asked. Rue smiled and nodded her head.
"We all walk around with those leaves. We find random tracker jackers nests in District 11. You're lucky you knew enough to take the stingers out," Rue said. Katniss smiled. Her friend would live.
"The Careers aren't the only ones who can become allies," Katniss told her, walking over to a log to sit. Rue followed her.
"Really? You want me as an ally?" Rue asked, sitting next to her.
"Absolutely. You were smart enough to warn me about the nest, and to cut it down. You're very clever. You have burns on your hands. I have some burn ointment," Katniss said. They made small talk like this for a little bit, before Katniss hunted a little. They cooked their food up and started eating. She asked Rue how long she had been out. Katniss remembered Haymitch's words regarding this very moment. Flat out ask about Peeta. Then breathe a sigh of relief. She knew Haymitch was watching her carefully right now. She cleared her through.
"Do you know what happened to Peeta?" Katniss asked. Rue looked up. "I waved my hand at him, telling him to go before I cut the nest down. But I..." Katniss kind of trailed off.
"You what?" Rue asked. Katniss had to admit, Rue was mesmerizing. She was so calm and collected. She was taking being in the arena much better than herself. Katniss cleared her throat again.
"I know I had been stung, and I was starting to hallucinate. I saw Caesar standing there in a white suit," Katniss grumbled. Rue's eyes widened for a second, and then she chuckled.
"But Peeta came back for me. He told me to run. He was all shiny though, so it was hard to tell what was going on. But I know it was him. But then Cato came out and hit him with a sword, she stopped talking so fast, trying to catch her breath.
"He's alive,"
"Are you sure he's still alive Rue?" Katniss asked, her voice raising a bit. If there were awards for being a great actress, she would surely get one. She knew very well that Peeta was alive and well. But she wasn't supposed to know. Her acting was getting better. Haymitch would be proud.
"I'm positive. I saw him later that night by the river. He was alive. He looked kinda beat up. Tired. But he was alive. He's still alive. I haven't seen his face up in the sky," Rue told her. Katniss let her head fall back, close her eyes and let out a shaky breath. He was alive. She knew that already. But it was nice to hear.
"Is all that true?" Rue asked. Katniss looked at her. "All that stuff about him loving you?" Rue asked smiling, giggling a little. Katniss smiled at her.
"It's hard to explain with Peeta. I've known him forever. We've been in the same class since we started school when we were five. He was wrong when he said that I didn't know he existed. I always knew," she said, and then put her head down. She laughed pitifully and then picked her head back up.
"I guess maybe I should stop wondering if he's ok. Only one person can come out of here right. It's not like we can get out of here together," she said sadly. She put her head down and pretended to wipe a tear. Haymitch should be eating this up. All the Capitol should. Peeta was at the river, dying, calling for Katniss, and here she was, practically admitting that she was in love with him. The residents of the Capitol must be going crazy. Katniss cleared her throat once more and asked about the Careers. They made their plans.
Peeta woke up and felt thirsty. Very thirsty. He moaned as he gulped down water. His throat was sore. I guess the rebels couldn't cure everything. He could deal with a sore throat though. He was worse off last time.
"Good to see you finally awake boy," he heard Haymitch said. He almost choked on the water.
"She woke up and is with Rue. They're both fine, and already making plans to blow up the Careers stuff. And she's done great. Better than I could imagine. The Capitol is eating out of her hand. She added just a few one liners about you, and the Capitol is going nuts. It's not just you holding up the star-crossed lovers. It's her to. And it's perfect. She's doing awesome. And since she's with Rue now, she couldn't be happier," Haymitch told her. Peeta covered his face and smiled. She was ok. That was all he wanted.
"I know it's hard for you to just lay there. But you're doing great. I'll see you soon boy," Haymitch said. Peeta pulled out some dried fruit to settle his stomach. Not that it would help much. He drank some more water. He moved around a little, not really liking the fact that he had to urinate right on himself.
He remembered what he was thinking last time he was laying here. He prayed that Katniss would make it out of here alive. That his brothers would be kind enough to her, to let her know that everything he said was true, and he really truly did love her. He begged for death to just take him, and not make him wait any longer. But this time was different.
He was sleeping for hours and hours. He couldn't believe how fast time had went in the arena this time. He just had to wait a few more days until he saw her again. Until he could kiss her again. They could sleep in each other's arms again. He felt his eyes starting to droop again, and scooped up some more water, trying to stay hydrated.
Katniss found a tree for her and Rue to sleep in and cuddled up close together. The anthem came on, and knew it was too loud for any microphones to pick up anything she said.
"Are you ok?" Katniss whispered. Rue turned her head and nodded. "I am so sorry Rue," she whispered. But Rue just smiled.
"You're my best friend Katniss. You would have saved me so I could live. You did nothing wrong. You didn't do this. Snow did. And I'll be ok. You're saving my life now. And that's all that matters," Rue whispered. It touched Katniss to hear that she was Rue's best friend. In truth, Rue had become her best friend instantly. Had they met outside the arena; Katniss would look at her as a friend for Prim. But when you're forced with having to run for your life, friendships become stronger much quicker.
"Your family. They'll think your died again. And your poor mother," she whispered. Rue continued to smile.
"I'll see her in a year. And for the rest of our lives. We can go a year without seeing each other, because it will be worth it in the end to be together. So, it's ok Katniss. Let's just sleep tonight. We'll say goodbye tomorrow, and the next day...I'll die. But I'll be ok. So, do everything the same," Rue said. Before they could continue with their conversation, the anthem died down. Katniss wrapped her arms around Rue tighter.
"You really are my best friend Katniss," Rue whispered. The mics could hear her now, but it wasn't something bad to say. Katniss smiled.
"You're my best friend to Rue. And my sister would absolutely adore you," Katniss said sadly. But it didn't really feel sad. Her sister would meet Rue in District 13 next year. They instantly would become friends; she just knew it.
It wouldn't be something of jealousy for the other one, seeking Katniss' attention. They were both too sweet and too gentle for something like that. Prim is her little sister, and no one could come between that. And her and Rue went through the arena together. No one could come in between that. She looked forward to a year from now, the two young girls meeting. She just knew that the three of them would have a beautiful relationship. Rue wasn't just her friend. Rue was her sister and knew Prim would feel the same way.
Day 8
Katniss and Rue ate breakfast and set up all the branches and leaves to burn. Time went by too quickly. This day was going by too quickly for Katniss. She wanted more time with Rue. She asked her questions about her family. Her mother seemed like a kind woman. She could tell on the Victory Tour, as she saw Rue's mothers' tears, how devastated she was. Katniss shook her head. And that's why she never wanted children. She couldn't watch them suffer. She couldn't watch them die.
Before Katniss knew it, it was time to separate Rue smiled at her. "When are we gonna see each other again?" Rue asked her.
"You're looking a little green around the gills. Rue's supposed to be the nervous one. Set her mind at ease. Let her know you'll see her at supper," the rebel said in her ear. Katniss smiled at her.
"Don't be worried. Just stick to the plan. Once you light the third one, hide in the trees. They can't climb a tree if their lives depended on it," Katniss joked. Rue smiled. "We'll see each other for supper. They won't catch either of us. You'll already have left through the trees, and I'll be running the opposite way, they won't find us. It will work out perfect." Katniss said. Rue hugged her, and Katniss couldn't help but hug her tightly. Kissing her head.
"Much better. Just keep it up," the rebel said. She thought that Haymitch must have instructed the rebels to be nice to her. To gently help her along, and to let her know she was doing great. Almost like babysitting her.
They pulled apart and came up with the whistle. Katniss gasped as she had a flash of District 11, and the old man being shot. Katniss turned around and threw up. Rue ran over to her and rubbed her back. Oh no, nightmares couldn't start now. She was halfway through. She had made it this far.
"If you're having a nightmare or a flashback, I want you to scratch your head." the rebel said. Katniss scratched her head roughly. Messing up her braid.
"It's ok Katniss. Don't think of anything else. Just listen to the sound of my voice. You're ok. I know you're in the arena, and it must be so scary being back there. But you have done an amazing job so far Katniss Everdeen. You're doing perfect. You're holding yourself together very well, and you've come very far. It's day 8. Not too many people know that you get to leave on day 17. It's day 8 now. You've already made it 8 days. You can do 9 more days of this. You'll see Peeta in a few days, and you'll be with him. You'll win and go home to District 12 where your sister is. Prim is waiting for you. So, wipe your mouth and stand back up," the rebel said. He was right. She cleared her throat and Rue helped her up.
"I don't think I cooked the Groosling all the way. I knew it didn't taste fully cooked. I'm sorry if you feel sick to," she said. Rue just smiled.
"I'm ok," she said. Katniss nodded and hugged her tightly.
"I'll see you for supper Rue," Katniss said. Rue hugged her back, and Katniss looked down at her one more time. She wouldn't see her till tomorrow, and when she saw her, she would be dying in her arms.
"Get going Katniss," the rebel said. She nodded and smiled and turned around. She wouldn't look back. "Don't cry on us now. You've done well for 8 whole days. You can keep doing this. You remember who the enemy is," the rebel told her. Haymitch really told them exactly what to say alright.
Haymitch knew once Katniss had to say goodbye to Rue, that it would start to get harder for her. This was where Haymitch got nervous. He was worried about how she would handle Rue dying again in her arms.
But all Katniss had to do was get through today and tomorrow, and she would be with Peeta. It would give her exactly what she needed. He thanked God for the rebels being able to talk to her whenever they wanted. He could breathe a sigh of relief. Finnick patted him on the back and joined him on the couch.
"Kinda early for that don't you think?" Finnick asked.
"I've been up all night. So, it's not early. You just slept in all day," Haymitch said.
"Oh, don't worry about him. He's just jealous his tributes are already gone," Chaff laughed loudly, sitting down with his own drink. Haymitch had to hand it to Chaff. His loud drunken behavior never gave the Capitol anything to be suspicious about.
Haymitch looked at Marlah as she followed Chaff. She was only 17 years old. She was from District 11, and she had just won the Games last year. She looked like every new Victor…every new beautiful Victor. She was miserable. She was supposed to be happy to be mentoring. But she couldn't muster the happiness. She hadn't remembered yet.
"We can't all have star-crossed lovers for tributes," Johanna said grumpily. Haymitch couldn't have been prouder of Johanna. She really stepped up to the plate. Not only joining the rebellion, but getting to Katniss, and putting her in her place. The girl had a lot of fire of her own.
"Speaking of which, how is the Girl on Fire?" Finnick asked. Seeder and then Blight, from District 7 sat down on the couches with them to watch.
Haymitch looked at the Mentors who had piled around, watching Peeta and Katniss. Beetee and Roadie from 3…Justin, Axel and Vecturo from 6…Megan from 7…Cecilia from 8…Daniel and Mariah from 9…Mia and Everett from 10. They were all waiting. Waiting for it all to be over.
Haymitch looked around as Gloss and Cashmere, along with a few of other District 1 mentors, Azurea and Mint...along with the District 2 mentors, Enobaria, Brutus, Lyme, Stella, Pebbles and Fiona, standing close by. Haymitch looked over to his group of friends and smiled.
"My girl is about to blow up their damn supplies, leaving these stupid kids with nothing," Haymitch looked over at the Careers mentors. "My girl is just that smart," Haymitch said. Cashmere huffed. Johanna turned around.
"Seriously? Speak up Barbie. Did you see the way Glimmer shot that arrow and missed the Girl on Fire by a mile in that tree? That little Barbie doll was a moron. Carrying around weapons she didn't know how to use. Did you see how her face blew up?" Johanna asked as she pulled her cheeks out, making Finnick laugh.
"At least my girl lasted longer than the Cornucopia." Cashmere said. Johanna laughed and turned around again.
"You know that's not an insult to me, right? They're all better off dying right away. You don't have to go through the pain of an arena," Johanna said, sitting back. Finnick put his arm around her. They both had both of their tributes dead already.
"Our girls going to kill it. Have you seen her throw a knife?" Enobaria asked. Laughing evilly.
"Have you seen the baker boy lately? Lying dead in a river calling for the Girl on Fire," Gloss joked. The Careers laughed but stopped as Haymitch slammed his hand on the table and picked up his glass and threw it at the wall. He stood up, with Finnick and Chaff. They were ready to grab him.
"This arena isn't over. And my kids are nothing to be laughed about. You wait and see who the last two standing are. It will be them. I bet my life on it," Haymitch said.
"Come on Haymitch they're not worth it. Just sit down and watch out for them," Finnick told him. Haymitch glared at them and sat down. The Careers laughed.
"You know what the sad part is? Cashmere and old Ruby and Turquoise, who are too tired and are already down for their second nap…they advised Glimmer to play off of Cato. To get him to fall for her. Make him notice her. Playing the dumb blonde who has a crush on the boy. Because he'd protect her. He was fascinated with a bow and arrow, so she grabbed it. She should have grabbed the knives. So, really, it's their fault that Glimmer's dead," Johanna said, staring right at them.
"Never send a tribute into an arena without their weapon!"
Peeta felt his throat hurting again. And this time he had a headache. He needed to drink more. He needed to stay more hydrated. He drank slowly from the river.
"Katniss is almost to the Cornucopia to blow it up," the rebel updated him.
Peeta was losing his patience. How many days had he been laying here? Why was he still laying here?
"It's day 8 Peeta. You'll be out on day 17. And Katniss will find you on day 10. So just hang in there. We'll wake you in a few more hours," the rebel said. He was frustrated. But was thankful to feel himself fall asleep again.
Everything was going to according to plan again. She made it all the way to the Cornucopia without any problems. Not that she expected any. "This time when you shoot the arrow. Don't wait around to watch. Run back around. You wanna hide under these bushes again. Peeta hid the arrows under there. You be surprised when you find them," the rebel said.
She scratched her eyebrow again, letting him know she understands. She observed like last time and made a face like she was trying to figure it all out. She saw the fire, and the Careers went running. Foxfire came out and did her little hop, skips and jumps to get some food. Katniss looked around, making sure no one was there.
This time, she stepped right out. No need to waste three arrows. She lined it up, took a deep breath, and fired the arrow. She turned around, and got back to the tree line, when the bombs went off. They still sent her flying to the ground, and she didn't feel her ear bleeding. She pretended that it hurt because it was still ringing. She was still having a hard time, but it was nowhere near as bad as last time because she wasn't as close to the explosion. She crawled under the bushes and started to pass out.
"Alright then Katniss. You did great. We're gonna let you sleep it off. We'll wake you up in the morning," the rebel said. And she was asleep again.
Peeta woke up again, and it was dark. He hated this last time; he was so scared for his life. He was never a big outdoorsy person, and him lying in the river in the dark just proved that. His fear proved it. He drank water again, his head and throat not hurting so bad.
"Katniss is asleep under the bush. She blew up the Cornucopia. Everything's going to plan," he told him. Another update. Fantastic!
This was getting to be too much for him. He laid here day in and day out, with no one to talk to. Except a voice he could hear but couldn't talk back to. Couldn't ask questions to. Sometimes he hated his role in the Revolution. He hated being part of the star-crossed lovers sometimes. Not because he didn't love Katniss. But because of the demands they put on him also, and the humiliation they put him through of being the weaker of the two. He closed his eyes, waiting for them to put him to sleep.
Day 9
Katniss had woken up that morning, a little confused on where she was. She had to remind herself what she had to do. She grabbed the arrows and started walking. She felt nervous the entire time. She was walking into Rue's death. How did Haymitch expect her to do this again?
They sent along a personal message from Haymitch to her. Remember who the real enemy is. Remember what Johanna said. Remember that Rue would live a long healthy life if she did this right. Everyone was counting on her.
After a few hours, she faked shock when she saw that one of the bushes was not set on fire. She acted scared when she whistled and heard nothing in return. And she freaked out when she heard Rue screaming for her. She ran for the young girl and saw her screaming from under the net. Just keep breathing Katniss. You can do this. She won't really die. She got her out of the net and hugged her.
"I'm so sorry Rue. You're ok," Katniss said. Rue pointed to behind Katniss, and she spun around and ducked. She knew the spear hit Rue, but she sat up, sending an arrow into Marvels' heart. Oh God. She just shot an arrow through Marvel. She wanted to vomit, but just knew that she couldn't.
She was reliving two of her biggest nightmares right now. Rue dying and killing Marvel. She spun around and saw Rue take the spear out. She burst into tears. These weren't fake. There was no acting here. These were two of her biggest nightmares being lived through again. It felt as real as it did the first time.
"No Rue," Katniss cried. She examined her wound as she let out a sob. Rue had tears in her eyes as she looked up at her. "Oh God Rue I'm so sorry. But you're ok Rue. You're going to be ok." Katniss cried. Rue held her hand.
"She doesn't feel any pain Katniss. Remember that" the rebel said. That helped, but it didn't make her feel any better.
"Did you blow up the food?" Rue asked. Katniss' tears fell from her face and she nodded. "Good...you have to win," Rue whispered.
"I will Rue. I promise I'll win," Katniss cried.
"For Prim," Rue said. That was what Katniss said in her interviews. That she would win for Prim.
"For Prim...and for you," Katniss cried.
"What about Peeta?" she whispered. Katniss let out another sob.
"I'll win for Peeta to," she cried. She was disgusted by the thought that came next to her. That the Capitol must love that. Saying she'll win for the boy she loves. The Capitol must be screaming in their seats.
"Will you tell my mother that I love her. When you see her?" Rue asked. Katniss nodded. "Will you sing?" Rue asked.
"Deep in the meadow. Under the willow. A bed of grass. A soft green pillow," Katniss stopped singing. Rue was gone. She let her sobs overtake her. How could a world be so cruel as to murder this little girl?
"Come on Katniss. Go get some flowers for her. We need you to do that right now. Her heart is still beating. Put your hand there. She's just sleeping," the rebel said kindly. She touched Rue's face and smoothed her clothes out and placed her hand over her heart. Sure enough, her heart was still beating. But the cannon had already fired for both her and Marvel. She straightened Rue's clothing and stood up and grabbed flowers. She decorated Rue's body as she cried.
"You're safe now Rue. No one can hurt you anymore. You won't feel any more pain," Katniss cried. She had wanted to say that before. But couldn't bring herself to. Her heart was beating so fast. Too fast. This was too much for her.
"The Hunger Games can't hurt you anymore Rue. You're safe," Katniss cried, and kissed her forehead. She stood up and walked towards Marvel. She put her hand where the arrow was in his chest. And she felt his heart beating to.
"I'm sorry Marvel. Please forgive me," she whispered, and yanked the arrow out and threw it. She didn't want it. His blood was all over it. But his parents deserved to see him without it in his chest. She pulled his pack off of him and walked back over to Rue to look at her one last time. She took Rue's pack from her also.
"We'll see each other again," she whispered. She put three fingers to her lips he held them out. Then she walked away. She heard the hovercrafts take both Rue and Marvels' bodies. Then a parachute came, delivering bread from District 11. She stared at it a moment, pretending to realize where it came from. She looked up and smiled. Real tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath.
"My many, many thanks, to District 11. I know where this bread came from. And my heart goes out to all of you now. Especially Rue's family," Katniss cried. She sobbed in her hands. She wasn't just crying for Rue now. She was crying for Rue's family. Rue's mother. She was crying for the man who got shot on the Victory Tour. She was crying for all the pain and suffering that was and would happen to that District.
"Come on Katniss keep walking. We'll tell you where to go. Just keep walking," the rebel said. After an hour, the voice guided her to her tree for the night. She sat on the ground and sobbed. These weren't tears for the camera. Her emotions were not for the camera. They were for Rue. This was just too much for her. She couldn't do this again. Why would her father make her go through all of this again? She laid down on the ground, not in the tree and cried herself to sleep.
Peeta woke up again and just stared at the sky. It was nightfall, and he saw the anthem. He hadn't seen this in a few nights. He watched Marvel and Rue's face light up. So, they were dead. Katniss must be a mess right now. He wanted to run to her. To find her. But he had to wait here. He had to lay here. Just get through tonight and tomorrow. He drank some more water and fell back to sleep.
Day 10
Katniss barely managed to get herself up. She forced herself to do things. She had opened this wound back up. Of losing Rue. Of killing Marvel again. How did Haymitch expect her to go on? How did the rebels expect her to go on? She just laid there for a few hours. Why didn't the rebels keep her asleep? Because they want the Capitol to see her in misery that was why.
She got up and ate a little and drank a little. She napped. She was done. She wanted to lay here and die. Rue was dead and it was her fault. She should just let the Careers kill her. Forget everything. She tried to. She tried to fall into the black hole she was in when she killed herself. Maybe she should do that again. They wouldn't be able to stop her. But Caludius Templesmith's voice interrupted her dark thoughts.
There was a rule change. Two tributes could win if they were from the same District. It took her a moment to remember. This was her chance. She could see Peeta now.
"PEETA!" She yelled, and then covered her mouth. She let a sob escape her mouth. She remembered what to do now. 10 days. She had been in the arena 10 days. Only 7 more to go. She climbed up into the tree and tied herself in. She smiled, and let the camera see. She was going to find Peeta tomorrow.
Day 11
He drank his water. He may not be in pain anymore, which wasn't a good sign, and he was starting to become delusional. This was all a joke. A sick cruel joke. No one could lay here for this many days and not give up. He just wanted it to all end. He wanted to just die.
"Peeta," he heard someone call. It wasn't the rebel. "Peeta," he heard again. He opened his eyes and saw Katniss. She was here. She was really here. He waited until she got closer, and he grabbed her leg.
"You here to finish me off sweetheart?" he asked. Out of breath. Katniss gasped and kicked him accidentally. "Well don't step on me," he says.
"Peeta!" Katniss cries and leaned down, tearing at all the rocks and moss and mud he had covering him. She cried again and helped him lean up so she could hug him to her chest. He wraps his arms around her as best as he can.
"Oh God Peeta I thought I'd never see you again," she cried. He could tell she meant that. Maybe these past 11 days had gotten to her like they had gotten to him. "Oh, thank God I found you Peeta," she cried.
He just held her. He knew that was all she needed at the moment. And there wasn't much else he could do. He could barely move. His muscles were so stiff, and his leg hurt...his leg hurt? He hissed in pain and Katniss jumped back. "What hurts? Did Cato hurt you?" she asked. He nodded his head.
"My leg. He stabbed me with his sword," Peeta hissed, and then laid back down. Katniss cleared everything off him and tried to look at his leg. He started breathing heavy and could feel sweat pouring down his face. And the tracker-jacker stings. He had so many…more than last time. He had left before she dropped the nest though. How did that happen?
"You're in so much pain Peeta," she hissed venomously. She looked around a little. He was in pain. It was slowly starting to come back. The edge that they helped him with was going away.
"You both can hear me right now. It's on Haymitch's orders. He doesn't want you to have any pain blocked anymore. It's taking up too many resources. Peeta needs sleep more than a pain blocker. We're sorry," the rebel said to both of them. Katniss glared at Peeta. Peeta let out a chuckle.
"You look at me like you're mad that I'm in pain. I didn't stab myself you know," he joked. Katniss shook her head. And got busy taking her pack off and getting her supplies out.
"I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at Cato…You got hurt because you came back for me. I told you to run," Katniss said. He laughed a shaky laugh again.
"Then Cato would have killed you. He let me off easy," Peeta said. He started to shake a little. God it was awful to feel this again. Why would Haymitch want him in pain?
One look at Katniss though revealed why. It wasn't for him. He could act in pain. But he wanted to keep Katniss' head in the game. Remember what she was fighting for. She fought so hard to keep him alive last time, because of how much pain he was in. She needed something to fight for. If he just laid there pretending, it would start to show on her face. He moaned a little as he tried to move.
"And look where that got you Peeta. You've been bleeding for days," Katniss said.
"Wasn't so bad. I slept most of it...I think," he said. Katniss looked at him. She stared at him sadly. "Well, I did save your life and all back there. Getting stung by some tracker jackers to come back for you. The least you could do is give me a kiss," he said. She laughed and put her head down. Then she stared at him again.
"How about I worry about cleaning you up, cleaning your wound and getting you out of here first. You worry about the romantic moment for me to give you that kiss," Katniss said. He smiled at her.
"Don't worry, it's all I've been thinking about. We should probably wait till tonight anyways. Moonlight is always more romantic," he said. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"I want to try and get you cleaned up. The others had burns on them from the fire. Do you have any?" she asked. He nodded his head.
"I tried to run faster, but I got a little of a fire ball on my chest. And the tracker jackers got me," he whispered. She helped him roll over and into the water a little. She took his boots and socks off first this time. Cleaning them. She helped him out of his jacket and helped him out of his shirt. She had cut it last time, but he guessed she didn't want to this time. It was better, he wouldn't have to keep his jacket on all the time.
"I have some food in my pockets," he whispered. She fished them out and set them on her pack. She then cleaned the jacket and shirts off, and he could hear her sniffling. He knew why she was cleaning his things first. Because she was trying get a grip. This was too real for her. Reliving this again. He knew that she knew he would live. But last time...she didn't know.
"You must be so hungry. I have some food," Katniss said, still not turning around. He felt his stomach.
"No thanks. I'm not hungry. I haven't been hungry for days. I tried eating some dried fruit and crackers, but I ended up throwing them up," Peeta said. He actually forgot that this had happened. But he vaguely remembered waking up to his own vomiting.
She set his things aside for them to dry, and then went about washing him. She helped him drink something first, and then after a few minutes of protesting, ate some dried fruit for her. She worked on his hair first. He sat there, propped up against the rock and reveled in the feeling of her hands scratching his scalp. It was an amazing feeling. He hadn't had his hair washed since he was a very small boy. His mother taught him to take baths by himself at an extremely young age because it was inconvenient to have to bathe a child. He didn't realize he let out a sigh until she chuckled. He looked up at her.
"That feels really good," he told her. She smiled. He could tell that she was even enjoying it. He could tell what she was feeling. She had to keep touching him. To remind herself that they really were together. That he was really there.
She took her time washing all the mud out of his hair, and then worked on his face. She was delicate in her movements. It was different from the last time she washed him up. It was more about cleaning. This was more intimate. She washed carefully behind his ears. Kept running her hands through his hair. Ran her fingers over his lips. When she had gotten everything off him above the neck, she smiled at him.
"I forgot what you looked like. I can't believe I couldn't even see you if you hadn't opened your eyes," she said. He laughed.
"Death by camouflage," he joked. He cleared his throat. "I decorate the cakes at the bakery. It's fun," he told her. She smiled and nodded.
"Prim loves those cakes. She always wants me to stop at the bakery so she can peak in. I could see you through the window baking," she said sheepishly. He smiled at her, as she started working on his chest. He winced in pain. He could feel her rub against his burns and tracker-jacker stings.
"I'm sorry. I'm trying to be as careful as I can," she told him. He shook his head.
"It's impossible to be careful," he told her honestly. She had no idea where his stings were. Even if she remembered from last time, he had been away when the nest fell. The ones that got him this time were when he was running back for her. She helped him sit up as she washed his back and shoulders and his arms. "You could rub them harder you know. I've been laying there for months; my shoulders could use a serious massage," he joked. She laughed and rolled her eyes at him.
"Is this seriously all you can think about? Me rubbing your shoulders and kissing you? I'm trying to take care of you," she said to him.
"Yeah, laying there for months it's all I've thought about," he said. She stared at him for a minute, and she placed her hand to his forehead.
"You have a fever. The water and mud were keeping it down. And you weren't laying there for months. Just a week. Six nights," she told him as a matter of factly. He laid back against the rock.
"Was it really only six nights? It felt like so much longer," he told her. She stared at him for a minute.
"I have some burn ointment and some leaves that will help with your stings. But you never pulled the stingers out, so I'll have to dig them out," she told him. He nodded his head and closed his eyes.
One by one she dug the stingers out. He had been in no pain before, that he hadn't realized he had been stung. But as she dug them out, he realized he had many more then he did last time. She carefully rubbed the burn ointment on his chest. Slowly, gingerly. He watched through hooded eyes as she stared at his chest.
"That feels so good," he repeated again. She just nodded and started chewing up leaves. She put them all over his stings and he let out a shaky breath. "Oh God what is that?" he asked, like he didn't know.
"Rue found them. They draw out infection. And all that pus. God, I hate pus," she said. He opened his eyes and looked at the pus leaking down his chest, arms, and neck.
"But you have no idea how good it feels," he moaned out. It did feel good. She gave him some fever pills that he gladly accepted but knowing it wouldn't help.
"I'm gonna try and take your pants off," she told him. He nodded and tried to help her. Holding back his groan as he could feel his pants scraping along this wound. Once they were off, he moaned in relief. She washed his legs. He knew his pants kept his legs pretty clean, but still. Katniss tried cleaning it first, but then started chewing up the laves again and putting them on his leg.
"Aaahh," he moaned out loud as he felt all the pus leaving his leg. She grabbed his hand and held onto it. He opened his eyes and looked at her. She had tears in her eyes.
"Thank you for saving me Peeta," she said. She wasn't really thanking him for this time. Had they worked out some sort of plan, they could have set up a trap to kill Cato, Clove and Marvel as they ran away. But then that would have screwed up everything with Rue and Thresh, and even Foxface. She was thanking him for last time. She had never thanked him last time. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
"You're welcome," he told her. He could tell there was a moment where Katniss forgot about the cameras, but then shook her head and let go of his hand.
"You shouldn't have done it though. You should have saved yourself," she told him a matter of factly. She cleared the leaves away and put some more on his leg. Good God it hurt. After doing that another time, all the pus was gone. He really didn't want to look at his leg. He felt like he may throw up. He was thankful that Katniss was strong enough.
"Just lay here for a bit. Let your clothes dry. Then we'll find someplace to sleep," she told him.
"You shouldn't be worrying about me Katniss. I'll only hold you back and get you killed. My leg is bad. Just go Katniss," he told her. Her mouth fell open.
"No, I'm not leaving you. Were a team. Or didn't you hear?" she demanded.
"Yeah, I heard something like that last night. But still. If Cato comes, just run Katniss. Save yourself," he told her. She grabbed his arm and squeezed it tightly.
"I won't leave you here. I wouldn't do that. We're going home. Together." she told him. Then she let him go. She grabbed her jacket and covered his waist. "I'll clean your shorts for you," she told him.
"I don't care if you see me naked Katniss," he told her and smiled. She shuddered.
"I'm sure you don't care. But I care. Just shove them down a little and I'll pull them off the rest of the way for you," she told him.
At least she didn't turn her back like last time. He did as she said and raised his hips to pull his boxers down past her jacket, and she pulled his boxers down his legs. He stared at her hazily as she did it. He imagined he was in his room back in the Victor's Village, in his bed, and she was dragging his boxers down his legs. And she was naked. He felt her shake him, and his eyes came back into focus. He was sitting naked on a rock by the river. The woods surrounding him.
"Where did you just go?" she asked. She turned around and started cleaning his pants and boxer shorts. He rested his head back against the rocks. He was so tired.
"To my bedroom," he said honestly. She turned around and raised an eyebrow at him. He just smiled at her. He rested his head back and felt sleep grab at him again.
As Katniss washed his pants and boxers, she willed herself not to cry. She had found Peeta. It was day 11. She just had six more nights of this. 5 if she shot Cato sooner. She could do this. They were almost done. And she found Peeta. He was ok. He was alive, and he would stay alive. She knew she could keep him alive. She had already proven this to herself.
But he was in pain. Haymitch promised them he wouldn't hurt as bad, but they had already admitted on Haymitch's orders, that he should feel it. And she knew why. It wasn't because they were using too much resources from the tracker. It was because of her. Her acting wasn't always the greatest, and she knew that Haymitch knew, this would keep her on her toes. This would keep her together. This would make her fight. To remember why she was fighting.
She laid his clothes out to dry and just sat there, looking at the river. She reminded herself to look at the woods to look for the Careers, but knew they weren't anywhere near them. She kept her bow and arrow with her though, for effect. She closed her eyes for a moment. How was she honestly supposed to do this again? She kept asking herself this. She had so many nightmares of Peeta dying in here. How can she keep doing this? She was so tired. So exhausted. She looked over at Peeta. She smiled.
She would keep going for him. How had she never realized that she loved this boy. Not a boy anymore. The second his name was called the first time, he stopped being a boy. How had she never realized how brave he was, when he stepped forward for Haymitch to take his place in the Quarter Quell. Just so she would live. He could have let Haymitch go in, and if Katniss won, then they would be together.
But he bravely stood up to take Haymitch's place, knowing he would die, but die trying to make sure that he got her out of that arena. Sealing his own fate to death, for her life. How could she have been so cruel to him. So blind.
She scooted closer to him and brushed his beautiful blonde hair off of his face. But she didn't stop there. She kept running her hands through his hair. Over his cheek, his forehead. She didn't realize that her gentle touch would even wake him, till he opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"Now about that kiss. It's really the perfect moment don't you think?" he asked. His voice gruff. She leaned in a bit, but then pulled back. He looked rejected.
"Didn't you say something about moonlight? It is more romantic. And I feel strange kissing you for the first time and your naked," she told him. He closed his eyes and smiled, letting out a soft chuckle. She brushed some hair off his forehead again.
"Let's get you dressed, and we'll find someplace to sleep," she told him. She grabbed all his clothes and brought them to him. She pushed his boxer shorts up to the jacket. "Think you can handle this part?" she asked. He nodded his head.
She turned her back as he struggled to pull his shorts up. It did unsettle her how comfortable he was with his nudity. It never bothered him. She sometimes wondered if he wanted her to see him naked. But why?
"Ok," he said. He threw the jacket aside and laid there in just boxer shorts. She scooted over to his feet and helped him with his socks. She looked up at his boxer shorts. What did he look like naked? Was he impressive, and that was why he wasn't ashamed of being naked? Would she ever see him naked? She shook her head, knocking the thoughts from her mind. What on earth was wrong with her, wondering what Peeta looked like naked while she was in the arena? Now was not the time.
She pushed up his pants, and he groaned trying to lift his hips. She did something she didn't do last time. She zipped up his zipper and buttoned his pants. He looked down at her again. Lust was in his eyes. She had to be more careful with what she was doing.
"How about I put on some more burn ointment before I put your shirt back on," she told him. He nodded his head. She was trying to prolong before making him stand up. She softly applied the ointment to his chest. She watched him the whole time. She could feel her cheeks get red. She wanted to run her hands all over his chest and kiss him. She shook her head again and packed her bag up. Then she helped him with his tank top and shirt, and then his jacket and boots. She took a deep breath. Well. This was it.
She helped him stand up, and she sat him on a rock. His face turned white. She ran her hand through his hair again as he leaned on her. "I know it hurts. But we just have to get somewhere where we can hide. Get some sleep. It won't be so bad," she said. He nodded his head, and she helped him up. She felt utterly useless.
"Just remember, the mouth of the cave is to your right. We'll let you know when you guys can sit. We'll block some of the pain so you can get him there," the rebel told them. Oh, NOW it was ok!
They looked at each other. Katniss could tell just by his eyes, that it wasn't hurting. But he hissed anyways and put his head on her shoulder. She ran her hands through his hair. And hugged him to her.
"I know it hurts Peeta. But let's just find someplace to sleep. You can do this," Katniss whispered into his ear. She wanted to kiss him desperately. How did he do this last time? Because like she said earlier. He stopped being a boy the moment his name was called at the Reaping. He was a man, and he fought through the pain like only a man could. She should have realized this all sooner, and she needed to tell him. But now wasn't the time or the place.
He nodded his head, and she helped him barely 50 yards, before she felt him shudder. The pain was back, and it was worse than ever she gathered, just by the look on his face. She helped him sit down and made him put his head between his legs and rubbed his back. He threw up what little he had in his stomach. He hadn't done that last time, but she figured that last time, the constant pain almost made it easier. The waves of pain and then nothing surely would make her sick to. She wanted to kiss him and tell him she loved him. But she couldn't. All she could do was rub his back.
She looked around and saw the mouth of the cave. Their cave. She thought she'd never see it again. She gulped. She had so many dreams of this cave. She never wanted to go back to it. But she stood up and walked over to it, pretending to examine it. She walked over and grabbed some moss and leaves and sticks. She tried to remember what Finnick and Mags had done in the Quarter Quell. When they made blankets and mats for them. She needed something to keep out intruders. But who was she kidding, no one would make it over to their cave. She knew that. But she didn't care. It would keep the sun out at least. Peeta slowly sat up and watched her. She saw him smirk a little. He was thinking of Finnick and Mags also.
"I found a cave over there. This will keep anyone from seeing us," she told him. He let out a chuckle and she looked up at him.
"It looks awful," he joked. She glared at him. "The Career from District 4 could put that to shame," he joked. Katniss glared at him again, then back down at her hands.
"Well, I've never been to District 4. So, if I ever meet up with Finnick Odair, I'll have to ask him how to make a cover better," she grouched at him. He chuckled.
"When we go on our Victory Tour when this is all over, I'll make sure to ask Finnick to give you a lesson. I know his mentor Mags is still around. I hear she's amazing with this sorta stuff." he huffed out. She smiled at him. Connecting to Victors already was probably a good thing. The Capitol will remember things like this. They'll be begging to see Finnick with them on the Victory Tour.
"Come on I'll help you down there," she said. She helped him up and he hissed in pain again. She got him to the ground and got him situated. "They won't find you down here," she told him. He huffed.
"They already found me," he said bitterly and laid his head back. Katniss went to work on covering their cave, blocking the sun out. It hurt so bad. So freaken bad. He felt her brush the hair off his forehead again.
"We'll just get you some medicine that's all," she said sweetly. But he shook his head.
"I don't get many parachutes. Haymitch hasn't sent me anything," he said bitterly. He knew why of course. Last time, he only hoped to get one out. And he told Haymitch to save their sponsors for her, to not worry about him. "He sent you that burn ointment, right?" he asked. Katniss nodded her head.
"Haymitch will send us something," she told him, but he just shook his head, and crossed his arms. He was starting to get cold.
"No, he won't," he looked around wildly "I'm going to die in this cave and there's not a damn thing he'll be able to do about it," he said. Katniss gasped.
"You won't die Peeta," she cried.
"Please just tell my family for me Katniss-" but she stopped him.
"No. I don't want to hear that. I'm not telling your family anything. You can tell them yourself when we get home. I didn't drain all that nasty pus for nothing. I forbid you to die on me," she told him firmly. She helped to try and get him comfortable and put him in her sleeping bag. He should have put another sleeping bag under the bushes with her arrows. "We'll figure something out," she told him.
"Like what?" he asked. She looked at him, trying to find an answer. "It won't be your fault if I-" he was cut off by Katniss leaning forward and crushing her lips to him. It was the first time in the games that they were kissing. This cave floor is where he had his first kiss ever with a girl. He had been in love with Katniss for so long, that he didn't care that there were cameras all around. He tangled his hand in her hair and felt her do the same. After a minute he was already breathless. His leg hurt so bad and she pulled back, looking at his leg, then back at him.
"I will figure something out Peeta. I promise," she said. She tried to get him to eat, but he kept pushing whatever she had away. Dried fruit, crackers, beef strips, fruit, Groosling, roots. Nothing was appetizing.
"Please I am so sick to my stomach Katniss. I'll throw up anything you give me. I already spit up what you gave me. I'm not hungry," he groaned. Katniss slipped him something, he wasn't sure, in his water.
"You're burning up Peeta. Please, eat something," she begged. But he couldn't. He dreaded the broth that Haymitch was about to send. Because even that made him sick to think about. This constant wave of being in pain, not being in pain. It was so unsettling to his stomach. It was much worse than last time.
"You look green Peeta. You need something to help with the nausea," she said, looking around the cave. "Anti-nausea medication Haymitch. I can get him to eat something with that you know," she yelled. He chuckled and tried to get some sleep.
He hated the rebels right now. At least last time he wasn't nauseas. He groaned loudly. He willed himself to throw up. Maybe that would make him feel better. He didn't know how long he was asleep for, but he thought he heard the most beautiful sound. It was Katniss calling his name. He felt her kiss his lips. It felt so good. He opened his eyes, and she was smiling at him.
"Look what Haymitch sent you Peeta. Chicken noodle soup," she said happily. It was just broth last time. They must be impressing Haymitch. Well, Katniss must be impressing Haymitch, that it's easy for him to get more sponsors. So, he was sick to his stomach, and Haymitch sends him chicken? He groaned and turned away.
"He also sent some anti-nausea meds. Come on just swallow this. It will make you feel better in a few minutes I promise Peeta," But he shook his head. Katniss groaned. "Peeta come on this will make you feel better I promise," she said. But Peeta didn't believe that, he suddenly turned over and started throwing up the water he drank.
"Oh Peeta," she cried out. She rubbed his back.
"Please don't make me drink that. It's pink. Like Effie's hair," he cried out. Katniss laughed.
"You know Effie is going to take offense to that. Come on please Peeta, this will make your stomach feel so much better," she said. He wasn't sick like this last time. She glared at the cameras. She hoped the rebels who messed with his body knew that this was caused by them. And she hoped that they understood that her glare was for them. She felt him wretch again and all she did was rub his back. It was getting so much worse. He held his stomach and his head in his hands.
"Does your head hurt to?" she asked. He nodded his head.
"I've had a migraine a few times. It makes me dizzy and it makes me sick. God I just want to die," he said. Why weren't they helping him with this. Surely if they can take away the pain in his leg, they can get rid of his nausea.
For an hour Katniss tried to coax him to take the pink liquid. She rubbed his body with her hands. Everywhere she could. His face, his arms, his back, chest, legs. He was burning up so badly. The fever meds weren't helping at all. Of course, he was throwing them up. She threatened him. Saying she'd leave him there. But he just chuckled at her.
They both knew it was a comical threat. It wasn't for him; it was for the audience. He just ignored her, and she didn't even like speaking the words. So, she moved on to trying to make deals with him.
"I'll be your slave for month. Cleaning your house, baking your bread for you," she joked.
"You'll burn it," he said, not moving. That was true. She tried kissing him. It was hard with him trying to bury his face in the ground. She tried to sit him up, but he wanted to lay down. He said it felt better laying. She didn't know how that was possible. But she was stronger than him right now. He tried to fight her, but she sat him up anyways. She grabbed both his cheeks in her hands.
"Peeta please. It will make you feel better," she said, and kissed him. She pulled back and he kept his lips tightly shut. She leaned in and kissed him again. "Please Peeta," she said sweetly. She kissed him again and licked his lips. He groaned.
"That's not fair Katniss," he groaned. She planted slow sweet kisses all over this face. She left his lips and kissed his cheeks. They burned her lips. But she kept kissing. His forehead. His nose. His eyes. She felt his breathing get heavy. At least she was distracting him from being nauseous. She kissed along his jaw over to his ear. She bit it lightly and he shivered. She smiled. She moved down under his ear and nipped at the skin there. He felt his arms go around her and tangle in her ear and stroke her spine.
"Katniss," he groaned out. She smiled and pulled back. His eyes popped open. "Why are you stopping?" he asked. She smiled.
"How about I continue that, after you take some medicine?" she asked. He narrowed his eyes at her. He opened his mouth and she smiled. Finally. She spooned some pink liquid into this mouth and waited for him to swallow. He choked a little, but she held his hand. "Good. That's real good Peeta," she said, and waited a moment.
"Here take some more," she said. He made the worst face. Not again. "I'm sorry Peeta, but one spoonful won't do it. Just take some more for me," Katniss begged.
"And you'll keep kissing my neck?" he asked. She laughed and rolled her eyes. She smiled at him.
"Yes, I will. After you're feeling better of course. So, take some more Peeta," she said. She couldn't believe they were acting like this. But she finally realized why. She was getting a second chance to make things better. She spilled the pink liquid as this realization dawned on her. She was doing this, because these moments are how Panem got to know her. These moments will stick with them. She needed to do better, she needed to do this right. So, flirting annoyingly with Peeta, she needed to do it. This was her second chance. She felt Peeta hold her hands and wipe a tear from her face.
"Are you ok? What happened? What's the matter Katniss?" Peeta frantically asked her. Searching her face. She had just realized something. He didn't know what, but it was almost like something clicked with her. Another tear escaped her.
"I..." she trailed off. He saw her tongue move. He knew what she was going to say, so he crushed his lips to hers again. He pulled back.
"I know you don't want me to die ok. I'll take the medicine and eat the soup ok. I'll be ok," he told her, and rested is forehead against hers. He was dying to know what just happened. No pun intended of course. But Katniss came to some revelation. She nodded her head and cleared her throat. She cleaned up the pink liquid that spilled on him. Then she got some more and spooned it into his mouth. It tasted like chalk. But he drank it. And another spoonful. After a few minutes, it did start to settle his stomach. She smiled at him as she wiped her tears.
"I told you ya know," Katniss grumbled. His stomach was feeling so much better, and he sighed in relief. "Take some more pills," she said. He did as he was told. She started opening the bowl of chicken soup. He went to grab the spoon, but she pulled it away.
"I can feed you," she said quietly. She eyed him oddly. Last time she had said that he fed her once. Why didn't she say that this time? He let her feed him, and he understood why. The day he threw her the bread, it was their story. The Capitol didn't have to know everything about them. This was her way of keeping that part of their lives sacred. Keeping it for themselves.
"Thank you," he said and smiled. He nodded at her, and then she smiled.
"You're welcome. I just wish Haymitch would send something for your leg," she said, spooning more into his mouth. "Chicken noodle soup really helps you know. My mom's made it a few times in the winter. It helps with colds and the flu," she told him. He nodded and kept eating. He finished half the bowl.
"That's good enough for now. You'll start feeling better," she told him. She felt his head. "You're just so hot," she said worriedly. He smiled.
"Thank you," he said. She rolled her eyes and swatted his chest, but he caught her hand. "Now how about we go back to you kissing my neck?" he asked huskily. She just stared at him. But he yawned then, and Katniss' eyes softened. She smiled sympathetically at him.
"Why don't you lay down and try to get some sleep," she told him. She arranged him in the sleeping bag and went to move back and he grabbed her hand.
"Stay with me," he told her. She smiled and kissed him sweetly on the lips.
"I won't go far. I just need to fill up the canteens. And I need to do a little hunting, so we have some food for tomorrow. I'll cook it outside before it gets dark. You should get some sleep Peeta," she said and kissed his forehead. She found some more Groosling and cooked it quickly. That should be good for tomorrow's breakfast. She filled the water canteens up and went back to Peeta. He didn't fall asleep though. He waited for her. He was fighting sleep.
"Stay with me?" he asked her again. She let out a sigh and got into the sleeping bag with him, laying her head on his chest. She wanted to say always, but that was for them. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head and fell asleep.
She didn't have a restful night's sleep though. Peeta moaned in his sleep from pain. She knew he was getting sick again and forced the pink liquid down his throat to settle his stomach. She didn't want him to throw up what little food he had in his stomach. And while the temperature dropped, Peeta became hotter. The sleeping bag was unbearable. She would leave his side to soak some bandages to try and cool him down. She remembered that last time, nothing seemed to work. She wasn't just gonna sleep and let him suffer.
Every time she left, even just for a minute he would know and call out to her in his sleep. He never woke up fully, but he talked like he was. Even when she sat up, unless she was touching him, he would call out for her. Once the sky started turning rosy, she knew he was completely asleep. She went out and hunted some more. She found berries and mashed them up for him. She collected some more water. It was still cold from the night. When she came back in, Peeta was just waking up, and was startled.
"Katniss where are you?" he called looking around.
"Peeta calm down I'm right here," she said, sitting with him. He grabbed onto her and buried his face in her neck. "Shhh it's ok I'm right here. I was just hunting re-" she stopped. She wanted to say remember? But that wasn't good.
"I'm ok," she told him. Running her hands through his hair and down his back. He pulled away.
"I thought Cato and Clove attacked you. They like to hunt at night," he said. She nodded her head.
"They weren't here. I didn't go out till the sun came up. And have you looked at yourself? How can you be worried about me?" she asked playfully. She grabbed some cold water and gave him some more fever pills.
"This is an improvement. No mud, clean clothes, and you," he said kindly. She looked up and smiled at him and touched his cheek. He brought her palm to his lips and kissed them. She kissed his cheek.
"No more kisses for you. Eat something. You'll feel better," she said. His eyes widened and he shook his head. She knew why. His stomach. She gave him some more nausea meds and waited a few minutes before feeding him the mashed-up berries.
"Who all is left?" he asked. She fed him another spoonful.
"Us and District 2. Foxface and Thresh," she said. Peeta stared at her. "What?"
"Foxface? Who is Foxface?" he asked. Katniss blushed. It was awful to keep calling her that right?
"The girl from District 5," she said sheepishly.
"You don't know her name? So, you nicknamed her Foxface? You never learned her name?" Peeta asked. Katniss looked at him. Last time he didn't know her name either, but this time around, he must have. He glared at her. She should know this by now. She shook her head. He didn't learn it this time around. He learned it on the Victory Tour. As we spoke for their fallen tributes. She shivered.
"It's Marissa," he laughed. Katniss rolled her eyes.
"Alright so I don't know all their names. It makes it easier," she said grumpily. Peeta brushed some hair out of her face.
"You're really tired Katniss. Why don't you sleep. I'll keep watch. I'll wake you if I hear or see anything," Peeta said. Katniss went to protest, but he shook his head. "You can't stay awake all day Katniss. You need some sleep. There's food and water here. I'm not going anywhere. Please just get some sleep," he said. She put her head down.
"Only for a few hours. And make sure you drink those," she said, pointing to the water and then settled down on the ground next to Peeta. He brushed the hair away from her face, and then brushed his hand through her hair, the best he could through her braid, like she had done to him yesterday. "Your right. This does feel good," she said.
"I'll be here when you wake up Katniss," he said, and she was instantly asleep. When she did wake up, she could tell it was afternoon again. She rolled her eyes and stretched out, looking at him. He was in the same position, and she picked up the water, shaking her head, and looking at him.
"I told you to drink these. And I told you to wake me up. It has to be late afternoon by now," she complained at him.
"Wake you up for what? Nothing's going on around here. And I like watching you sleep. You don't scowl so much," she glared at him, and he laughed.
"You know that jokes not funny," she said and grabbed her things. "I'm gonna go out and make you something to eat. So, you better shove that medicine down your throat because you're eating whatever I make you when I get back," she grouched out and left.
She knew she could make him some soup again. So, she pretended like she was thinking and found all her ingredients. When she came back, he smiled at her. She knew he felt miserable, but he was still happy to see her. He had pulled his pants off and she looked at his leg. He had blood poisoning. She knew that already. But to look at it. She closed her eyes and sat down.
"Haymitch will send us medicine. You just have to outlast the others. I'll hunt the other four down myself if I have to. You're not allowed to die," she told him. He nodded his head. "Do you need anything?" she asked. He smiled at her.
"Tell me a story. A happy one. One of the happiest days you can remember," he asked. She smiled at him. She retold the fake story about how her and Gale got Prim's goat. He liked that story and listened to every detail. They argued about how Lady was a goldmine and that she paid for herself ten times over. And Peeta said he would pay her back also.
"Ten times over. No, a thousand times over. For all the trouble I caused you," he said. She eyed his leg and she smiled sadly.
"You haven't caused me any trouble," she told him sincerely. She laughed and looked down. "I'm most certain that it's the other way around though," she said. Before he could reply, they were caught off by Claudius Templesmith's voice, inviting them to the inventible feast. They looked at each other, and Katniss is staring at his leg. He shakes his head. He knows that the audience will love this, and they both know it is the only way. It doesn't make it any less easy.
"You're not going," he told her. She shook her head.
"Of course, I'm going. We all need something desperately? We need your medicine. We need it so you'll live,"
"I won't let you risk your life for me,"
"So, you want me to sit here and watch you die? I won't do that. If you die, I'll be all alone. You are not leaving me alone Peeta!" Katniss cried, wiping tears before they fell.
"Then I'll follow you. I'll crawl out, drag myself if I have to. I know I won't make it back to the Cornucopia, but I'll scream your name the whole time. Cato and Clove are sure to hear me and they'll find me and kill me this time. If you leave Katniss, I'm coming with you. You're not going by yourself," Peeta said. Katniss shook her head sadly.
"You'll die Peeta. I can't let you die. I refuse to leave this arena if you're dead," she cried out.
"I'll stay alive Katniss," he promised her, grabbing hold of her hands. She snatched them away.
"Then you do everything I say. You eat and drink everything I give you. You wake me up when I tell you. And you put your damn pants back on because I can't stare at your leg anymore. You have blood poisoning," Katniss cried out, letting a sob escape her lips. He nodded his head.
"I'll eat the food you're making. I'm sure it will be delicious," he said enthusiastically. She sniffed and got up. He pulled his pants back on. Truth be told, the red line did scare him as he traced it.
"Don't worry. You're going to be just fine. We're controlling your heart remember. Just relax," the rebel told him. He nodded his head and pulled his pants all the way up. Katniss came in, with a clean face. She must have washed her face in the river. He ate the soup enthusiastically and drank all his water and took his fever pills. He smiled at her.
"Now how about we continue with you kissing my neck?" he asked. Wiggling his eyebrows. She let out a deep breath. She was exhausted. She was scared. He picked up her hand and held them between his own.
"I want to go home," she said. She was speaking the truth. It was only day 12. They still had work to do, but Katniss was exhausted, and ready to be done. He smiled at her and leaned in and kissed her. It was a sweet kiss, and he felt a tear. He knew what this was. It was a goodbye kiss. She was going to go outside, get the sleep syrup from Haymitch, and she was gonna trick him into taking it so she could get his medicine. He pulled back.
"Hey it's ok. We're ok Katniss. I promise," he told her. She stared at him sadly. He knew she was feeling guilty about what she was about to do. He smiled at her. "It's ok Katniss," he told her again. She looked down.
"Why don't you just go out and stretch a bit. See if you can find me some more fruit," he told her. She nodded her head and kissed him on the lips again and she left. Another whole day would pass him in the arena, and he would never know. It went by much quicker for him then Katniss. She was awake for most of it. He got off easy this time.
Katniss walked out to the bush and stopped in front of them.
"Please Haymitch. Don't let him die. Please. Help me," she begged. And then she heard the parachute and went to work.
"I found you some new berries up stream Peeta," she said sweetly as she came back. She sat down and smiled at him. "I think you'll really like these. They're sweet. They're called sugar berries," she said, scooping a spoonful into his mouth. She was nervous. She was feeling guilty. But he wasn't angry at her. Haymitch promised him. He took another bite.
"They are really sweet," he said. He took another bite. "Like syrup," he said, and widened his eyes before Katniss roughly covered his mouth with her hand. He was forced to swallow but didn't try to throw them up this time. He didn't want to waste time.
"I'm so sorry Peeta," she cried and hugged him tightly. "I promise I'll be back," she cried. He tried to hug her, but he was already falling asleep. She laid him down, and he pulled her ear to his lips.
"Not mad," he whispered, and then darkness overtook him.
She felt terrible for doing this again. She knew it was for the best. She cleaned up the cave and went to work on covering the hole better. Why, she didn't know. It blocked out the sun better she supposed. Try to get some of the heat off of him. She just had to keep him warm tonight when it would be cold. She had a hard time sleeping for 30 minutes, cuddled up next to Peeta until she heard Haymitch's voice.
"We can make you fall asleep sweetheart. Just scratch your eyebrow. You haven't had a good night's sleep since you found him. You'll be safe. We'll wake you up when you need to go," he said. Haymitch was right. She was exhausted. She scratched her eyebrow and was instantly asleep.
And then she was awake before she knew it and feeling rested. She sat up and looked at Peeta. His fever was still high. She went to work on packing up her stuff and leaving things for Peeta. She took his jacket off and wrapped it around herself. She kissed Peeta for a while. Not being able to tear herself away. Touching him everywhere.
"I'll be back Peeta. I promise," she choked out, then wiped a tear. She leaned over him and moved her finger in the dirt. She left him a note for when he'd wake up, and he would see her lying there.
You're ok now.
She gave him one last kiss, and then left the cave.