The real enemy is the Capitol.
The real enemy is President Snow.
Katniss and I did not conspire with the rebels.
We did not know what was going on.
My name is Peeta Mellark.
I am from District 12.
I am in the Capitol. The real enemy.
The real enemy is the Capitol.
I must play their games.
There's been food. I didn't want to eat it at first, it seemed like further betrayal but the guard started beating the Avox whose meal I had refused.
Between meals they've shown me what I didn't know about the games. I've watched it six times now. It's bitter sweet to see Katniss on the recordings, and I fail so wonderfully at the unaffected demeanor I told myself I would portray to them. Especially when Johanna attacked her. Then Beetee unconscious at the tree and Katniss aiming her bow at Finnick but then that reminder I know so well, the one that Haymitch told us before we went into the arena. The one I repeat to myself "Remember who the real enemy is" and she instead wraps the wire around her bow and shooting into the air and blowing out the force field when the lightning hits. She did that. She did it.
But, I can't believe that she fully grasped what would happen.
After the second day of tape watching I had the first meeting about the interview. I wanted to back out again but I remember Portia's words and I remember her tear stained face as the back of her skull and her brains exploded. Caesar will greet you. Caesar will ask you about what happened, speak about your experiences, about how you knew nothing of the rebel plot, about how you are victims in all this. It makes me want to laugh, on day three I do laugh and they sedate me. Then I wake up and we watch the tapes again. I don't want to watch the tapes again; but we must, I'm told.
The next day, there is a slight change in schedule. I get to see other things which are going on out in the districts. There are bombings, and fire fights. These are due to what happened in the arena.
"You must understand, Mr. Mellark." I am told, "Things were difficult before, but now, with what happened...this is why the cease fire is so important. This is why you must memorize this. Caesar will ask you about this at the end of the interview and you will repeat it word for word. Word for word."
Two days ago I got my leg back, oh hip hooray and I've been allowed to walk, with an escort.
I must practice out loud and repeat I have them memorized. I must sit with the Avox who was beaten, looking at her purple and yellowing, swollen face, reading the words to her and then after a while she takes the script and I recite them and she shakes her head or nods approvingly depending on my success. She, of course, can't tell me what I've said incorrectly but she shows me the lines and we go again. Over and over until I can hear them all the time. I could swear they are playing in my sleep.
But I must play their game.