After the war (A Mocking jay sequel)

Chapter fifteen- Stalker?

2 days later...

KATNISS'S POV

Rye is playing in his playpen when Peeta walks in and sits down next to me on the couch.

"Hey." He kisses my cheek.

"Hey," I respond, clicking through the channels on the TV.

"What are you watching?" he asks.

"I don't know, there's nothing good on."

"Effie called again," he says.

I stop and look at him. "What did you talk about?"

"She wanted an answer about the interview."

"What did you tell her?"

"I said I didn't have an answer for her at the moment."

"But we need to give one soon. You haven't said yes — is that a no then? I can't put this off forever," Peeta continues.

"It's an I don't know!"

"Okay, okay," he says.

I go back to watching TV. A documentary about the games is on.

It's interrupted by breaking news.

Caesar Flickerman appears on the screen.

"Attention, Panem. I am live in the Capitol. We have breaking news. As you all know, the Hunger Games simulation was delayed. I have come to announce that it will happen in two weeks. All the kids will return home safely. Everything will be the same as the games — minus the actual deaths. We will have more information for you later in tonight's viewing."

He disappears and the documentary continues.

"Wow," Peeta says.

I can't speak. I feel anxious. I pick up Rye and hold him protectively against me. I sit back down and watch the rest of the documentary with Rye laying on me.

*Hours later*

After Peeta and I put Rye to bed, we went downstairs to watch the news.

"I'm surprised they didn't tell us they were going to announce the games," Peeta says.

"Yeah," I say softly.

I listen carefully as they announce the details of the games.

Reaping: 9 days from now. Tryouts: 11 days from now. Interviews: 13 days from now. Games: 14 days from now.

I turn the TV off and turn to Peeta. He looks at me with concern. I guess he can see the fear in my eyes.

PEETA'S POV

She faces me, fear in her eyes. I take her hands. "Katniss, it will be okay. No one is actually going to die. This is all a simulation," I reassure her.

"I know, it's just.. I can't help but have flashbacks."

I caress her cheek. "It'll be okay. Let's just take it one day at a time."

She smiles and hugs me, laying her head on my chest.

"Peeta?" she says softly.

"Yeah?"

"I want to do the interview."

I'm about to reply when she adds, "Tomorrow."

I sit up, causing her to stop hugging me.

"How will we manage that? Taking the train, we won't get there until the day after tomorrow. None of the trains run this late," I say.

"So? Let's fly. Early tomorrow morning."