The sound of intense pandemonium wakes me from my slumber. It sounded like a stampede of people running across the hall. I began to make my way to the door, when a mild sense of fear slowly crept into my thoughts. There were only a few possible reasons why this much commotion would be going on. And the lack of terrified screams ruled out the thought of another Capitol bombing.

Peeta!

I swung the door open and before I could take a single step, I was met by the gleaming bald head of Johanna Mason. The Capitol had done quite a number on her other than just shaving her chocolate-brown hair off. Her eyes were filled with tiredness and her face and body were carpeted with various bruises and scabs. The Capitol knew that she had valuable information regarding the Rebellion, yet to my knowledge, Johanna stayed strong and didn't let any information slip. Even through the horrific conditions that she was put through. And for that also, I was indebted to her.

"Well look at you," she said to me, crossing her arms and leaning her hips to one side. "Finally decided to get out of bed?"

"What's going on?" I asked, trying to get around her to watch the flow of people running behind her.

"Gee, thanks Katniss," she says sarcastically. "I'm doing swell! Thanks for asking."

I shot her an annoyed glance and she couldn't help but crack a smile.

She proceeds to eye me up-and-down. "You look like shit and desperately need a shower."

"What is going on Johanna?" I repeat, ignoring her for the second time. "Where is everyone running off to?"

She lets out an exasperated sigh and says, "Word is baker-boy is finally up."

"What?" I asked, not believing what I had heard.

"Peeta is awake, isn't that what you've been waiting for?"

She had no idea.

Without another word, I shove her out of the doorway and follow the onslaughts of people flooding the hallway to Peeta's room. My heart begins racing not only from me sprinting, but from the anxiety of seeing him face-to-face once more after so long.

I round the final corner and everyone has gotten there before me. Plutarch, Haymitch, Finnick and Gale are all looking into the glass, their faces sharing the same perplexed look. I push through to the front of the glass and my mind goes blank as the image of Peeta awake fills it.

He was finally back.

He was sitting upright as various medical staff encircled around him, trying to do their job. Peeta was making it difficult however, due to him swatting the numerous hands around him as if he was being swarmed by bees. He wore a look of bewilderment, possibly with countless questions in his mind.

My body took on a mind of its own as it made its way to the door.I tried desperately to keep my eyes affixed on him, as if once I looked away, he would disappear forever somehow. Plutarch must have sensed my approach to the entrance of his room and quickly blocked my advance.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," he said, arms outstretched.

Without saying a single word, I shove him to the side. To my surprise, I had enough strength to move his portly body out of the way. I push the door open with a loud creak and all commotion inside the room ceases. All the medical staff stop what they are doing and turn to the disheveled girl standing in the if I was parting an ocean, they step to the side as I slowly make my way to Peeta.

There he was. Peeta.

No longer separated by glass, I steadily reach out my hand and cup his face. We lock eyes and he puts his hand atop mine. I expect him to clasp my hands lovingly and caress his cheek with my hand, but instead he grabs it and pulls it off his face. He raises an eyebrow inquisitively and says, "W-Who are you?"

My heart sinks to my stomach and my smile fades from existence. My mouth began to dry up and I could no longer produce saliva to comfort it. It felt like time had come to a complete stand still.

"What do you mean Peeta?" I reply, slowly beginning to reach my hand up once again. He catches it in his grasp and lowers it once again. With unbroken focus, he utters a sentence I dreaded.

"I-I don't know you."

Tears begin streaming down my face and I turn my head to the glass where the others stood. They couldn't bear to see the pain in my eyes and all turned away, avoiding my gaze like medusa.

I feel a hand gently placed onto my shoulders and turn to see a masked medic. "Ms. Everdeen, we must begin testing immediately. We ask that you leave at once."

I surrender and follow her as she leads me to the hallway. The men outside, without turning to me, begin to disperse. Only Plutarch stays, sitting on the couch and patting the cushion next to him for me to sit as well. I reject his compassion and sniffle my runny nose.

"They've completely voided his mind and memory of everything regarding you Katniss," he says.

"How-How could they do that?" I ask through loud sobs.

"The Capitol knows what it's doing. They're doing everything to try and stop you because they know with you at the front lines of this rebellion, they don't stand a chance. They know that they don't have to kill or kidnap you to break you. All they have to do is break your spirit. And that spirits name is Peeta. "

"But they're right!" I yell, my sadness slowly converting to anger.

"Given a choice between death and Peeta, which would you choose?" he asks.

"The 74th made that choice pretty apparent, now doesn't it," I sarcastically responded back.

"Now what about the lives of others," he says. "Thousands or even millions."

"My choice wouldn't change for anyone."

Plutarch gets to his feet and frowns at me, thinking that his show of emotion would somehow sway my verdict.

"You're eventually going to have to make a determination, Katniss. The rebellion, and the countless lives of those fighting for and by your side, or him. I, for all our sakes, hope you make the right decision."

With that last statement, he begins to walk away.

"You, as well as everyone here, knows what I'll choose," I say before he can leave my voice range.

"And if it need be, I will make that choice for you," he says before making his way down the hallway. His silhouette eventually disappears and I'm once again left in my thoughts.

It was getting harder and harder to tell friend from foe. Right from wrong. But I was sure of one thing.

Just like in our first Games, it was either both of us, or neither.

Author Notes:

A bit of a shorter chapter but hopefully it hit just the same! Feel free to leave a review and look forward to the next chapter coming June 21st!