"Momma! Momma I'm over here! Help me!" I run through the woods, my feet catching on tree roots and underbrush, as I try to get closer to the voice calling to me. The run seems endless until I finally reach him. He's caught in a net, and his hand is reaching out for me. I've been here before, but I can't figure out where until I see the spear go through his body. I wake up with a sweat on my face, and I'm screaming. I'm trying to catch my breath when I hear someone run up the steps. I bring my knees to my chest and try to breathe. It feels like I'm drowning and I can't catch my breath. Peeta appears in the doorway. "Are you okay? What is it?" I look up at him and I feel the tears starting to form. I can feel the screams come up, but they get stuck in my throat. He comes around to the side of the bed that I am on. He sits down beside me and I lean my head against his shoulder. His shoulders are still as familiar and strong as they were in the first Games. "This is my fault. It's all my fault. I thought that I had paid for the Games, the rebellion, everything. I lost my sister. Maybe it would've been better if I had just died in those first Games. None of this would be happening." I get up off the bed and walk into the hallway. I don't know what to do. It's been 3 days since we watched the video of Baylor. We haven't seen anything since.
I don't notice that I'm walking towards the town center until I almost run into the memorial that was put in place. It's a memorial for all the people that died in the bombings. For all the places that were destroyed, and for the people that died under the scrutiny of the Capitol. I don't know how long I walk around for, but by the time get back to the Victor's Village it's dusk. I walk up the steps to my house, but hesitate at the door. This place feels more like a prison every day that I don't find him. I'm stuck inside trying to find a way out. Haymitch left yesterday to go to District 3 to see if he could trace where the video of Baylor was made. I walk inside and smell food. I haven't eaten much the past few days. I don't think that I could keep anything down if I tried.
I walk into the brightly lit kitchen that has many different smells. There is a stew cooking on the stove, and fresh bread on the kitchen table. I sit down and put my head in my hands. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't mean it…or maybe I did. I don't really know how to feel right now. I just feel so out of place. I feel like I'm a stranger watching all of this happen from the outside. I just thought that all of this would be over. I thought we would be safe." I get up from the table and walk over to Peeta. I wrap my arms around his torso and hold him tightly. Afraid that he might be taken too. I listen to his heartbeat, steady and constant, not wanting to be the first to let go.
Before I know it, the television that's in the living room jumps to life. Sending a white light across the room. Peeta and I make our way to the room when we hear a familiar voice. The voice sends chills down my spine and I want to run away in fear. The voice belongs to Claudius Templesmith, the one who announces the beginning of the Hunger Games. "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 74th Hunger Games." The video that plays next is the one that was played during the interview with Caesar Flickerman at the end of the Games. Claudius' voice comes through again this time announcing the 75th Hunger Games. Many images flash past the screen. Most of them I still remember every night when I sleep. The video must have moved on to the rebellion because when I focus back on the television there are small clips of what happened. The interviews with Caesar Flickerman and Peeta. The propos I did for Thirteen, me shooting Coin instead of Snow. The TV goes black after that. Then, another voice comes through the screen. One that I don't recognize. "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for tuning into this special program today. I bet some of you are wondering what's going on, but we'll get to that in a moment. I have a message for Katniss Everdeen. The girl who was on fire. The girl who took down the Capitol, and betrayed the only people who believed in her. Killing the only person who helped her during the rebellion. I know these few days have been rough for you, but I think that it's going to get worse." Baylor comes onto the screen and I let out a small cry. I hear a man tell him that he has 24 hours and then they're coming after him. Then someone else says, "Let the 76th Hunger Games begin!" They all share a laugh together. The original voice comes back. "It has been over twenty-hours since your son has entered that arena. We are now going after him, but don't worry! In true Hunger Games style, you will be able to watch the entire thing in real time. You'll be able to watch us kill your son. Your only hope. Then maybe you can feel what we feel. See you soon!" A gong rings out and they leave to go in the arena.
I run outside and throw up. I sit down next to the steps of the house and cry. I cry until I run out of tears. The sadness is replaced by rage. I get up and walk back into the house. I go upstairs and put on a plain shirt and my father's old hunting jacket. I pull on my worn leather boots and head downstairs. I grab my bow and the two sheaths of arrows from the study. I'm walking back towards the door when I see Peeta standing in the doorway. "I'm going to go hunt. Or break things. Probably both. Do you want to come?" Peeta looks at me and fights with himself. He keeps saying things to himself and moving rapidly. He runs towards me and knocks me on the ground. I don't know what's happening, then I remember back to when he was hijacked. The images of us in the arena probably set him off and he couldn't sort out what was real and not real. He can usually tell the difference, but with all the memories right in front of him, one after the other; it must be difficult to sort it out. He pins me down to ground has one fist in the air. I move my head just in time because his right hand comes down to the floor to my left. "Your name is Peeta Mellark and you're District 12! You were a tribute in the Games with me. You helped me survive, and I helped you. It's what we do."