After a while of trudging on through the jungle, we came to an open area, but I noticed that in front of us the air was wavering slightly.
Peeta was about to step forward, when I flung my arm out to stop him.
'No! It's a forcefield, see?' I say, picking up one of the nuts Peeta deemed unpoisonous and throwing it at the space in front of us.
A fizzing noise could be heard, and then the nut bounced back, its shell black.
I gave Peeta an exasperated look, took his hand, and started walking away from the area I thought was the forcefield. But I placed my foot wrong, and the next thing I know is darkness.
Darkness.
Darkness.
Darkness.
Darkness.
Darkness.
I gave a long, drawn-out breath, gasping for air as a pain in my chest wracked my lungs.
I coughed and sputtered, trying to get air in. My chest! The pain!
I could feel something wet on my face, but never mind that. I needed to get up! Where was Peeta when you needed him?
I struggled upwards, and realised someone was holding onto me tightly, shaking terribly.
'Katniss! Oh god, Katniss.' Peeta sobbed into my hair, clutching me tighter to his chest.
What? What was going on? 'Peeta,' I said. My voice was awfully hoarse for some reason. 'Peeta, w-what's going on?'
Peeta shudders against my body, and moves slightly away from me so I can see his face. Beneath his dishevelled and heartbroken state, there's evident confusion. 'What do you mean?' He asks me. 'Don't you know?'
I frowned. 'Don't I know what?'
Peeta grimaced, then pushed me close to him again. 'Katniss. Katniss, your heart failed. You died.' He cried into my ear.
Shock.
That was what registered everywhere around me.
What? How could that be? How did that happen? I can't just die. Things like that don't happen in the arena!
With much effort, I managed to pry Peeta off of myself, and stumbled to get myself on my feet, when Peeta swooped forward and let me balance onto him.
That was when I realised we weren't alone.
Finnick and Mags were there, sitting nearby looking sombre. I gave them a questioning look, but they merely stared back.
I looked at Peeta. He was looking incredibly grateful at Finnick, who in turn stared at the ground.
I must be missing something here..?
'Katniss,' Peeta started. 'You, uh, you stepped into the forcefield without realising. You must not have felt anything, because it was pretty much instantaneous. I was shouting so much that I attracted, um, Finnick and Mag's attention. They came and saw what happened. Finnick immediately went into action, uh, r-reviving you.' By this time Peeta had crumbled into a sodden mess again against my shoulder, and I awkwardly patted his shoulder, all the while looking at Finnick.
He was still staring at the ground.
'Well, uh, thanks. Finnick.' I say. That's when he looks up, and he quickly returns that cocky look he plays so well.
'Ah, it was nothing, Girl on Fire.' He smirks, and I smile weakly at him. I guess the four of us are allies.
I suggest we head on our way, but Peeta immediately interrupts.
'Wait, Katniss, you just, j-just died. You need rest.'
I roll my eyes at him. He still doesn't know I was born a fighter.
'Peeta, I'm fine. I'll be alright if we just take everything slow. We need to get somewhere here. There must be water around.'
Peeta still looks unsure, so I walk forwards to emphasise my strength.
He finally complies, and we once again set off. But as soon as we set through some vines, away from the forcefield, we meet some unwanted predators.
'Well, if it isn't Lover Boy and Girl on Fire. Get em', En.' Came a mocking gruff voice.
I inwardly groaned. Why can't I just get a couple of hour's peace?
Peeta, Mags, Finnick and I don't wait another second to sprint into the other direction, but I soon lose breath. Peeta grabs me and picks me up. I knew he was strong, but I probably underestimated his strength.
After a while of running, or me being jumbled around in Peeta's arms, we finally lost track of Brutus and Enobaria.
Peeta lays me out against a tree, while he kneels, gasping for breath, along with Finnick, who carried Mags.
I only just remembered something.
Panicking, I cried, 'Peeta, the baby!'
He looked up towards me, confusion set on his face, then realisation dawned on him.
His face drowned of all colour, until he was as pale as white sheets, and dropped to his knees by my side.
'No..' He mutters. 'I-it's got to be alright.'
I can only hold onto that small piece of hope.