I'm thrown back onto the cold floor of my cell, my own warm blood painting the tiles red. I curl up, gentely rocking myself, not knowing what to think.
I know I must kill Katniss to avenge my family and get rid of one of the Capitols mutts. President Snow has explained the story to me many times before. How I was saved from Katniss in the arena, how I was meant to go home to my family but Katniss found out and burn down my home, killed my family...my child. And for that she must die, the mutt must die.
I shake my head. But Johanna told me not to hurt her, that she's not a mutt.
My head begins spinning and temple throbbing.
This makes no sense. Why does Snow let his men torture me if he's meant to be the one protecting me? Why can't I even remember Katniss? Why does my heart hurt when I hear her name?
I can feel bile filling my mouth again, the horrific taste welling up. I choke it out. I feel so weak and empty...so alone.
Once again a strangled cry rips through my cell from the room next door, the paper thin walls offering no shield to the sheer pain Johanna's in.
I am not alone.
Johanna needs me.
I don't care what she said about Katniss, she can be trusted.
I know it.
I need her.
I drag myself along the tiled floor to the wall joining mine and Johanna's wall. I press my ear to the cool wall. She's alone and sobbing softly. The sound all too familiar.
"Johannah...it's....me Peeta." I say slowly, pressing harder against the wall, trying to close the distance between us. The sobbing stops and I hear the soft sound of crawling.
"Peeta?" She asks, her voice almost unrecognizable.
"Hey." I smile softly, relieved to actually talk to someone. The pain spreading through my body goes numb.
"What...what have they done to you?" She asks softly, almost like a whisper.
I go silent, unable to think straight. "Who...who is Ka...Katniss Everdeen?" I ask, spitting g out her name. Why is it so hard to say it.
"I'm so sorry Peeta." Johannah sobs, my heart begins to thunder in my chest. Why is she so sad? She clears her throat. "Katniss Everdeen entered the arena with you in the 74th Hunger Games, I trust you remember what they are?" I nod even though she can't see me. "Well, you...were madly in love with her and risked your life for her. Now I didn't watch your games but from what I've heard or been told you were wounded....badly." I look down at my prosthetic leg and nod. "And Katniss came and found you, healed you and risked her life for you. Look, I know you don't believe me but Katniss really does love you, I didn't believe it at first but...she does Peeta. She is not a mutt. She is the mockingjay and I bet she is breaking up without you right now." My body begins to shake.
"But...but she killed all those people...my family...our son..." I begin to twitch uncontrollably.
"No, Peeta. They lied to you they-" the familiar sound of a burst of static electricity comes from Johannahs cell, followed by heavy footsteps. Johannah screams. "Peeta! Peeta! Don't believe them! You love Katniss! YOU NEED KATNISS!"
I crumple to the ground. I was wrong. Katniss loves me, and I do too. The door opens to my cell, peacekeepers enter wielding injections again.
Katniss needs me.
She needs me...
