Chap5

"Katniss, what were you thinking? How could you let him do this to you?" gale shouts at me. "I thought you never wanted kids!"

"Gale," I sigh. "I never wanted kids with you. And because you were the only guy who I thought was paying attention to me, I decided I didn't want kids. But with Peeta… he's everything I want. And I could have a kid with him, it wouldn't be so bad. I guess I thought you wouldn't be the best father figure." I start to tremble. "Gale, I'm sorry that you don't understand. But I don't know why you can't understand when you know I love him and I'm pregnant with his kid."

And then he notices im not alone.

He pushes past me into the house. "Mellark! You're dead! I will kill you before I let her have your baby! She's mine!" He lunges at Peeta.

"Gale!" I scream. "No!"

In less than 10 seconds, I'm over there, trying to break them up. But I can't and Gale hits me. I'm flung backwards, and then I notice Peeta isn't fighting anymore. "Oh God, Gale, what did you do!"

"He's dead." He says nonchalantly. "I killed him."

"Peeta, no!" I scream. I look around and I can't find my husband. I start to cry. By the time Peeta rushes over to me, I'm sobbing hysterically.

"Katniss, what's wrong?" his face is riddled with concern.

"Oh Peeta, thank God, you're alright!" I start into another round of hysteria in Peeta's arms.

"Alright? Why wouldn't I be?" He looks quite frightened.

"Gale… he… you…" I sob. "He killed you. I had a dream where he killed you. You… you were gone. I lost you forever. Why? Why did he take you away from me?"

He crawls onto the bed. "Shhhh, honey, it's okay. I will never, ever leave you. Not in a million years. I love you too much to leave you."

"But…" I wail. "Gale killed you! What if he did that in real life? What if he took away my only love? Left me a widowing mother, alone, raising a baby that was meant for her and her husband?"

"Katniss, I just realized something." He starts to look at his watch. "It's been a month since you got pregnant and you haven't been to see a doctor or anything. Why don't you make an appointment today and we can go?"

Just then, the phone rings.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I get up to answer the phone, but freeze when I see the number.

"Peeta." I whisper.

"Yes, love?"

"He's coming." It's barely audible. Quickly I answer the phone. "Hello?"

I then hear a very grim sounding Hazelle Hawthorne. "Katniss, he knows."

I start to cry. "How long ago did he leave?"

"He just left. I'm so sorry dear, but I'm quite afraid he's coming to your house."

I sob. "Thank you, Hazelle. I appreciate your warning."

The line then goes dead.

"We are about to have company, Peeta." I smile. "Mr. Hawthorne should be arriving shortly." But even I, the queen of sarcasm, can't keep up this façade anymore. I start to weep. "Peeta, he knows!"

He looks at me with sadness in his eyes. "Katniss. Breathe, please take a deep breath. It's going to be okay. I promise he won't hurt you. Or me. I can stand up against him."

"I'm not worried about you. You're the wrestling champion of district 12! It's Gale. He's strong, but what if he isn't strong enough to keep in control?"

He stops. "Even if he isn't, it won't matter. I won't let him hurt you. I will be by your side the entire time."

I breathe. "Okay. We'll be fine. Can you make me a drink?" I smile.

"Diet Coke?" he smiles.

"Yes, please." I reply.

"How ever did I know? Oh yes, that's right. You can be predictable sometimes."

I settle in on the couch and Peeta brings me my drink. We watch TV and make idle conversation of no importance.

"Peeta?" I ask.

"Yeah?"

I hesitate, thinking I know the answer before I ask. "What's your most favorite thing in the world?"

He grins foolishly. "You, of course."

I smile. "I thought I might be." Then another thought hits me. "Peeta?"

"Yes?" he looks a little ill at ease.

"Real or Not Real? You love me until the end of time?" I cry small tears.

"Real. Always real, baby, always real."

I lean over and kiss him. We kiss fervently until we hear a knock at the door.

"KATNISS EVERDEEN! WE NEED TO TALK! OPEN THE DOOR!" The voice belongs to Gale.

Hesitantly, I make my way to the door, with Peeta trailing closely behind. My hand reaches the knob and I turn it. But what awaits my eyes is a picture far different than what I expected.

He has a gun.