Today brings promise. Today brings joy. Today we crown our victor.

But for me, today brings despair.

With the horrors that Peeta had to endure, I don't know how he'll make it through this interview. Rue will be a main point, so will Vailea.

I have to admit, there is a part of me that's sad that Vailea died. I knew her prior to my Games, we went to school together. There's always that history there that can never be erased.

The image of tributes that one mentor's are etched into their brains, how we failed them, how we helped them succeed. But nonetheless, there is a part of us that cries out for mercy. Why? Why must we bring these children into darkness? Aren't we already the children of the darkness? Why must we take that faint glow of light away from them?

She had wanted to do the honourable; she had told me that killing my district partner was not honourable. That hypocrite. The honourable is what Peeta did, he refused to succumb to the chains that bind him. She had a flame inside her that could not be tamed, and in the end, it was her downfall.

In this hour, I can hear the hollers and chants of the audience outside, begging to see the victor from District Twelve. I can't help but wonder when Peeta will be put up for sale.

Caesar Flickerman's voice booms loudly in the auditorium, one by one, he announces the District Twelve team. The prep team first, then Cinna and Portia who receive a thunderous applause.

Then I can hear Effie Trinket's giggles from the stage, obviously enjoying her ten minutes of fame.

Then Haymitch and I are introduced, I am slowly being risen from my platform and the spotlight blinds me. Haymitch is on the other side of the stage with a small smile on his face. We too, get a thunderous applause, one that beats Cinna and Portia's.

Caesar Flickerman then finally announces the moment that everyone has been waiting for.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The victor of the Seventy-Fourth Annual Hunger Games!"

The crowd goes wild, the noise begins to deafen my ears. From the corner of my eye, I can see Peeta in a plain black suit with contrasts his skin and hair, it makes him stand out from the rest of us.

But even his smile does not mask the dread in his eyes.

There's something wrong.

I so badly want to drag him off the stage and take him back to the roof, where we can take in peace. Had President Snow already gotten to him? Does he know, how much danger he's in?

Who would have known that this quiet, but strong baker's boy would influence the entire country with just a few words.

It's a talent that I envy.

Peeta then sees me, and all the dread in his eyes disappears and he comes running. Before I even know what I'm doing, my feet sweep me away from my place and I find myself in his arms.

The crowd applauds and is in aw, I can feel my cheeks go hot and I bury my head in his chest.

I inhale the scent that I've missed so much, despite being with him yesterday.

He runs his hand through my hair and buries his head there, he whispers, "I'm right here."

I shake my head, "Don't leave me again."

I can feel his body shake under my hug and he chuckles, "Never."

He detaches himself from me and takes my chin in his hands, making me look at him. His eyes are like deep pools of a bottomless ocean, I could stare at them and never reach the end. But there's a certain hollowness to them now, like a void that's been left empty.

He leans in towards me and grazes my lips, he whispers against them, "I missed you so much."

I respond by pressing my lips against his. I ignore the crowd. I ignore the fact that I'm on live television. I ignore the fact that I'm kissing Peeta Mellark in front of the whole nation. What matters is that he's here with me, now, and I'll do anything to keep him safe.

It's a sweet kiss, and we linger for a couple of seconds before Caesar attempts to break us apart. But Peeta and I wave him off before connecting again.

He wasn't fully conscious yesterday so I'm taking every opportunity that I can get to be with him.

Finally, I am seating next to Peeta in the victor's chair, despite the team being seated in the audience.

When Caesar starts the interview, Peeta grabs my hand and looks at me with panic in his eyes, he's not ready for the replays.

I give him a small squeeze and I nod to my shoulder, telling him that if he needs to look away, he has my shoulder to lean on.

The Games begin with an overview shot of the arena, circling the Cornucopia as the tributes rise from their platforms.

It has always been overwhelming to see their faces again.

Then the bloodbath starts, I see Peeta saving Rue again and battling with Glimmer before he leaves her. After Peeta runs away from the bloodbath, they make sure to show every single murder in detail, done to the tiniest speck of blood.

Peeta leans on me for support.

Then the forest fire takes on the screen, it shows Peeta getting burned and saved by Rue. And soon it shows their alliance. They seem to also linger on my hologram scene, and I feel Peeta sniffle from my shoulder. He refuses to look at the screen until the replays are over.

The brutality of watching Vailea kill again makes bile rise in my throat.

Soon, I too, am covering my eyes in Peeta's hair.

I try to block out Rue's scream and cry for help. I try to block out the laugh that haunted the forest.

But most of all, I try to block out the announcement of Peeta's victory, to spare myself from seeing him die again.

Usually the Games end there, but they keep the camera rolling even after he's rescued by the hovercraft, so the entire nation can see me break down, begging for my lover.

Peeta gives me a kiss which tastes of tears when he sees this.

Finally, the television in the background flickers off.

Caesar turns to face the crowd, "My, my. So exciting!"

I crowd roars in agreement.

"Now," he turns to face us, "Peeta, tell me, how did you feel during the bloodbath, when you saved Rue?"

Peeta delivers a small smile on his face, "I had promised her prior to the Games to protect her in any way that I can. I was determined to get her past the first day, and when I saw her in danger, I just went for her without thinking about what I would be getting myself into. I knew fighting with a Career would be a death sentence."

Caesar nods, "Yes, I see. Well, sparing Glimmer's life certainly paid off."

"Yes, it did. And I am eternally grateful to her."

Caesar furrows his blue eyebrows and looks at both of us, "I think that we were all very moved when Rue decided to help Peeta. Katniss, how did you feel?"

I look down at Peeta and I's intertwined hands and sigh, "I feel like I owe her. I feel like I'm in debt. So, the best thing for me to do is not let her efforts go in vain. I will keep Peeta safe, at any cost."

Peeta gives me a small squeeze.

Caesar gives us a genuine smile, "I'm sure that she'll appreciate that," his face suddenly grows serious, "now, on a more serious matter. Did you know that your district partner, Ms. Vailea Halliwell, was out for your blood?"

I cut off Peeta before he can respond, "I did. I knew. In fact, after the Opening Ceremonies, she came up to me and threatened me that she would kill him, because she knew how much he meant to me. And on the day of the interviews, I finally found out why she wanted him dead," my eyes begin to tear up, "she said she wanted him dead because it would be the best way to get me back for what I did to her. B-because I killed her fiancé, who was my d-district partner during my Games. But I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to kill him."

Peeta's face is sullen, "I won't ever forget her. Despite the fact that she wanted and tried to kill me, I can't erase the fact that I knew her, I knew her family, her friends, I went to school with her, she used to be my friend."

Caesar nods in approval, "Can you tell us Peeta, how it is to be the only victor that didn't make any kills?"

Peeta sighs, "It's something I'm very proud of. Before the Games, I was sure that I would kill eventually; I guess I just got lucky. But I promised myself that I wouldn't let myself change for the worst in there, and I take pride in keeping that promise. I never break my promises, but I was so tempted to give up when Rue died that I almost broke my most important bind yet. I told Katniss that I would come home, and when she sent me that note, it gave me the determination that I needed to come back to her. To win for her, and to win for Rue."

Caesar gives a bow of his head and flashes us a real and genuine smile, "And you did succeed. And I congratulate you greatly for that."

Peeta and I both stand up and face the crowd just when Caesar closes off the ceremony, "Ladies and gentlemen I would like to present, the star-crossed lovers of District Twelve!"

President Snow strides in on stage baring a golden crown that will be placed on Peeta's head. He stands in front of us and raises his eyebrow, he gives us a small smirk.

I can feel Peeta stiffen beside me, something happened yesterday after I left, I know it.

He clasps the golden crown in his long and bony fingers and places his gently on Peeta's head.

President Snow brings his head down to Peeta's shoulders and dusts him off saying, "Now, boy, take that look off your face, it looks like you're about to puke. Oh, and congratulations," he smirks.

I watch as the ruler of Panem and the killer of innocent people stride off the stage. Once he takes his seat he looks towards me and gives me a small but evil smile, which makes my stomach knot. He looks at me as though I am his property. But he is so very wrong, I am not his property, not anymore.

That night, we didn't talk. None of us did. Haymitch went into his room. Effie was in the living room watching reruns of the interview. Peeta and I went into his bedroom, lying in each other's arms on his bed until I fell asleep.

That night was the first time since I won the Games that the nightmares never came.

I don't know what the morrow brings, I don't know what will happen once we get back to District Twelve. All I know is that there isn't going to be a 75th Hunger Games, there isn't going to be a Third Quarter Quell next year. By this time next year I may be dead, Panem may be free from President Snow's dictatorship. I know that this journey that I am about to embark on will cost the life of thousands, but I will assure them that they won't die in vain. I will make sure that the Mockingjay sings the song of victory and that the Phoenix will help bring Panem back from the ashes once again.

Tomorrow, a firebird and a songbird will take flight on their greatest distance yet.

But why do I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that we will burn in our own flames before the rebellion even begins?

Next chapter is the last chapter! I have it already written and I'm so giddy with excitement to share it with you guys! So excited that in fact, I might just post it tonight if I can get five reviews before I go to sleep in three hours. Trust me, it's a chapter you do not want to miss ;)