Chapter 27: Have to Go On
The day after losing Martin is absolute hell.
Cracking ice I could deal with. Careers I could deal with. I even dealt with a fucking avalanche while losing my ally!
But a blizzard? Its merciless winds and torrent of snow just might kill me.
It's me or Bond now. But even if I escape this tornado of white, can I really find it within myself to beat the Peacekeeper's bastard kid? He scored higher than me in Training, and he's made it this far, same as I have. It's clear by now that I underestimated him. And so did Haymitch.
I stumble to my knees, sinking in the snow up to my thighs. Flakes pummel my eyes, sticking to my parka hoodie, my gloves, everywhere.
I try desperately to think of something warm, and my thoughts end up flying to Katniss and to baby Riley. They are waiting for me back in District 12. What would happen to them if I….. never returned?
And with that, I suddenly find my strength renewed. I have to go on! For Katniss! For Riley!
For fathers everywhere!
I rise to my feet. Shielding my face, I trudge forward with a vigor into the howling winds. And I pray that the snow does not claim me…..
A/N: All right, everybody, you're gonna have to bear with me. Katniss is going to have an interlude in the next chapter. I think after that, we break up Peeta's perspective one other time, and then it remains consistent for the rest of the story.