Catching Fire: You and Me

Chapter 26:

they released her this morning.

but shes not okay yet.

im not allowed in our compartment alone with her, i have to have a doctor with me. 

sitting on a bench in the common lounge, Micaela comes and positions herself gracefully next to me. 

"you know, if she does not love you anymore, i can dump my boyfriend." she says.

"how old are you?" i ask.

"i am almost 16."

"im 18. not going to happen. just, leave." i say, resting my head in my hands. 

"fine. i will just settle for the Prince of Croatia." she says and folds her arms across her chest.  "oh, i had almost forgotten. they said she wants to see you now." and then shes gone. 

.

****

.

"she said she wants to be alone with you for a few minutes." the doctor says.

shes not in the compartment anymore. 

her mother insisted she be moved to her new bedroom in the palace.

its huge, bigger than anything ive ever seen before. 

its gorgeous.

"Cat." i say staying on the far side of the room. 

"come closer." she says weakly.

"are you still afraid of me?" i ask.

"i dont think so." she says. "theres alot im not sure of right now."she says. "will you help me remember?" 

"yes. i will." i say. 

she gives me permission and i sit on the edge of her bed. 

"how can you help me remember about us?" she asks.

"theres two ways." i say.

"okay. show me the first one."

i step outside for a moment and get the twins.

"do you remember them?" i ask handing one to her.

"i think so. what are their names?"

"i dont know. but right before you blacked out you said protect Arielle and Amelie. is that what you wanted to name them?"

"i think so, they're beautiful." she smiles.

" i know. just like you."

"Peeta, did you try to kill me?" she blurts out.

"never. i love you." i say with a furrowed brow.

"i have this memory. its really shiny. but it keeps telling me that you did. that you want to hurt me." she says. "the real memories and the fake one keep fighting and it hurts my head. i just want it to stop." she says warily.

"its okay. your strong, you'll figure everything out."

"how do you keep your nightmares away?" she asks.

"we help each other. protect each other. its what we do." i say gently.

"i've felt so tired all day. but i dont want to sleep because i know the nightmares will come."

"they cant hurt you. i wont let them." i say moving closer to her.

"Peeta." she says trailing her fingers down my face and over my chest.  "Stay with me."