Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Ninety-Nine

Katniss POV- (A month later, August 29th. 1am)

I wake up and see that Peeta is no longer in our bed so I get up too.

He may need me, he may not want me around.

This has been the guessing game I've played for a month now.

I creep down the stairs and find him at the island, staring out the window.

I go over and sit down on the stool next to him, he turns his head slightly.

"Couldn't sleep?" I ask him softly, putting my hand on his back.

He let's out a breathy laugh and shakes his head, "No."

I lay my head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry." I say softly.

He lays his head on top of mine, "It's fine."

We sit there for a long time, not even speaking.
Just enjoying the terms we happened to put ourselves in tonight.

Things haven't been exactly okay between us since the incident and they really don't seem to be getting better.

We have our moments though.

We've lost a lot of sleep and shed a lot of tears and argued a lot of the time when we could be loving each other.

Wasting yet another summer to grieve.

"Do you want to talk?"

"No." He says simply.

"We can try to go back to bed if you want." I say, looking at how tired his eyes are and wishing so badly for him to be able to have a good night's rest.

"You go on back. I'll be there soon." Peeta mutters softly, patting my leg.

I look at him in the dark, the moon shining on his face.

"I promise." He adds in.

He's told me that a lot lately.

Promise me he would come in a minute and it ends up being hours or not at all before he shows up. And it's not like I sleep anyways.

For one, I've been having a lot of trouble lately falling asleep, even before all this happened and Peeta not at my side doesn't help.

I've been worried sick about him every waking moment and even when I do find a little slumber.

I nod my head and he stares at whatever.

"Do you just need to be alone?" I ask him softly, knowing at times like these, that's all a person really needs.

I think he nods, but I can't really tell but with that, I lean over and kiss his soft cheek and stand up, pulling my nightgown tighter around my body.

Slowly, I turn around and disappear up the stairs.

I lie awake in bed, even after Peeta comes back to me and he lays there too.

Tossing and turning like I've done for about three months now for whatever reason.

Is this the warning my dad tried to give me in my dream all those months ago?

I'll bet that it is.

Despite, the warning, nothing could have prepared me for this.

Nothing could have prepared me to see Peeta take such a loss.

He hasn't slept once that I know of.

I know it won't be long before he starts passing out from exhaustion again or something and I'm dreading it.