"Regret is such a fickle monster. It can eat you up just because you said one word incorrectly. It is unforgiving and allows very little to no room for error. Do be afraid of it, but don't go out of your way to welcome it."

My father's words are ringing in my head right now. He gave me many pieces of advice before his accident, but this one seems to have resonated the most. Especially after everything that has conspired in the last 48 hours.

My current regret is immense. It makes it hard to breathe. I have isolated myself from everyone else, including Prim and Peeta. People are beginning to notice this and are starting to question it.

"Katniss, you got a minute?" A familiar voice quietly asks.

I turn around to see Peeta's head peeking around the door of my room, if you want to call it that. It is a part of a bunker, since nuclear is basically the calling card of my new home District 13. I have been recently told that many of the Victors, including Finnick and Johanna, conspired with Haymitch to rebel against Snow as well as to protect both Peeta and I. Although it gave me some answers, new questions arose at the same time. I guess that I was right to not trust Finnick. He just used my emotions to get close to me in order to protect me.

I notice that Peeta is waiting for a response, so I shake my head to clear my numerous thoughts before I respond with a "Sure, what's on your mind Peeta?"

Even in the dimly lit room, I can see Peeta smile gratefully for me allowing him in as he enters my room. Once he shuts the door behind him, he sighs before saying,

"Your sister is worried about you. I'm worried about you. We know something is wrong, that much is obvious. But we are unsure of what. There are multiple theories swirling around the bunker, although I believe that Prim's and my theory is the most accurate. Why won't you talk to her about it, or to me?"

I am grateful for Peeta's concern while I feel guilt at the same time for making my loved ones worry.

I can tell that he wants to say more and is waiting for some sort of confirmation from me to continue. I give him a small smile as I nod for him to continue.

"Well, I am guessing that you want to know our theory. So, hear me out, even if I am wrong. People would expect that you would act this way if I was captured by the Capitol, since we are 'star-crossed lovers'. But, as you can see, I was not captured by the Capitol. Finnick was. I know you Katniss, better than you give me credit for sometimes. I saw how the two of you were during the Games, especially in the end. Whatever you said to him broke him in ways that I have only seen a handful of times. Plus, I know Finnick was the one who saved my life because I heard his voice asking me to treat you right and to protect you. You might feel better if you talk about it."

When I hear what Finnick said to Peeta, my tears begin to fall. Peeta, seeing this, immediately pulls me into a hug and whispers soothing words in my ears. I hate crying, it makes me feel weak. But something about Peeta makes it a little less of a bad thing.

Once I am able to slow down the tears, I slowly pull back from Peeta and respond with, "But you heard Haymitch. He and Johanna, as well as the other victors, were just protecting us. There were no feelings involved from his end. He was just doing his job. I feel so stupid for believing it."

Peeta chuckles before he says, "Welcome to my world Katniss. That is how I felt after the first games, when I realized that you were 'with' me in order to keep me alive. I'll admit, I was quite hurt and felt used when I realized it. And, as hard as this is to say, I was initially quite jealous of the two of you. You may not believe me Katniss, but I don't think that this is the same scenario. I saw the light in his eyes. I should know, since my eyes light up the same way with you. At least hear him out whenever you two see each other again."

I grimace and sigh, "You mean if we ever see each other again."

(Finnick POV)

"The best type of love is the selfless love. Even if you get nothing in return, you should show love. That is the only way to keep your heart and your head in these games. They can bring even the strongest man to his knees."

This was Mags' motto for life. Whether it was her life or mine, she expected people to live that way. That's why she sacrificed herself for us. That's why I sacrificed myself for Katniss.

When the explosion happened in the arena, the force threw me a few feet backwards. But I was able to maintain consciousness and was able to get back onto my feet.

Katniss was not too far from where I landed, so it was easy to find her and carry her to the ship. I knew she was blacking out, so I gently kissed her forehead while I whispered, "I promised that I would never let go Katniss. Never forget that."

It was easy to get her on the ship, since Snow and the peacemakers were still trying to figure out what was going on. I could have easily left Peeta for the Capitol, but I knew that would break Katniss' heart. So I turned back before Haymitch could stop me.

"What the hell are you doing Finnick? We don't have much time left!" Haymitch screams while carrying Beetee onto the ship.

I shook my head while I yelled back, "I'll be right back! Just leave the engine running!"

I knew that this was a suicide mission, but I had to do whatever I could to make sure that Peeta would make it out.

It took a little longer to find Peeta. Once I did, I scooped him up and said something that would break my heart, "I know you love her. Treat Katniss well. She doesn't belong in this world, do whatever you can to keep her away from all this. She deserves so much better than what life has given her. Treat her right Mellark!"

As I was carrying him back to the ship, I could hear the peacemakers running at us. So, I broke into a sprint, knowing that nothing short of death would deter me from my mission.

I was able to lose them long enough to get Peeta on the ship. As soon as I handed off Peeta to Haymitch, we started to run back onto the ship.

But luck wasn't on my side. I soon felt a dart in my neck and knew immediately that it was a tranquilizer. I tried to push through it, but my body soon gave out on me.

I saw what looked like Haymitch start to turn around to try and save me, but I screamed for him to go ahead. I told him that he couldn't risk Katniss and Peeta. It appeared that he nodded in resolution before running onto the ship, which took off as soon as the door closed.

As everything started to go black, I sluggishly rolled onto my back as I saw figures that looked like peacemakers converge on me.

I'm sorry Katniss…