Just End It | An After Mockingjay Short Story

Chapter 3

Peeta's P.O.V.

"Katniss! Im home" I shout, my voice echoing through the large house.

I slip off my shoes and hang my jacket on the coat rack. When Katniss doesn't respond after a while, I assume she is too focused or busy to hear me. Slowly walking into the living room, I sit on the couch, peering around me to see if Katniss decides to show up anytime soon. I sit around for a few minutes, checking whats on TV, however soon, I grow concerned.

"Katniss?" I call again, hoping that this time she will respond. When neither an answer nor a sign of life comes from Katniss, I decide to find her on my own.

I head upstairs and into the bedroom, knowing that Katniss most likely dosed off on the bed. But I find the room empty. That is when I start to search frantically around the house. If she had went out, she would have left a note somewhere that I could have easily seen, however, I found none.

Soon, I start making my way to the room that Katniss was the least likely to be in, the kitchen. I walk in, not expecting what I see. Katniss is lying on the floor, unconscious. Like that wasn't bad enough, when I run towards her, I see her clutching a knife in her hand. Its like millions of questions run through my head. How could have this happened? What happened? Then I remember. What put her in this state was one of her 'flashbacks'. They are a lot like my flashbacks, however during them her main purpose is to punish herself. And scream. They started happening a few years after I came back to district 12. Im not exactly sure how they happen, but I think her emotions and thoughts trigger them.

I quickly remove the sharp knife from her tight grip and scoop her up into my arms. I need to get help immediately. If Katniss' mother was here I could immediately bring Katniss to her. However, she's not here. Moreover, I am also not very familiar with the hospitals in the district thus, I think that I may need some guidance.

I run across the path, heading directly for Haymitch's door. My tight fist pounds on the door. I get captured in my thoughts again as I wait for the drunk to open up. I am too worried for my girl. What if something happens to her? I cant live without her. I just cant. And I really need Haymitch's help. While waiting, I check on Katniss' breathing. It is coming out in quick thumps, which makes me continue to worry.

As minutes pass, I look more carefully at Katniss. Thats when I notice a red substance staining my sleeve. I gasp when I notice that her head is bleeding. I knock on Haymitch's door even harder, trying to catch his attention. Soon, Haymitch opens the door and speeds outside.

"Whats the rush Peeta?" Haymitch asks, sounding serious. Actually, maybe its the rare time when Haymitch isn't drunk. However, I don't even need to answer his question, as the moment Haymitch asks the question, he notices Katniss unconscious in my arms. "Get in the car."

Haymitch pulls his rusty car from its parking spot and I immediately jump into the backseat with Katniss still in my arms. Haymitch stomps onto the gas peddle, causing us to immediately race across the driveway.

When we arrive at the hospital, I hurriedly step out of my seat. Haymitch and I run into the emergency department.

"She's unconscious and her head is bleeding," I tell the first nurse that I find. They quickly bring in a hospital bed and I swiftly place Katniss onto the bed. Nurses push her into room as Haymitch and I follow them.

Katniss' pulse is checked. They tie her up to some machines to monitor her at all times. Her mouth and nose are covered by a breathing mask. Also, they clean and cover the wound on her head. By the time we arrived it was bleeding a lot harder. It still bled through the bandages slightly when they had finished. All of this happens to her and I have to sit and watch from the outside. While those questions still linger through my mind. Is she going to be okay? Was I too slow? Did I get to her in time?

Soon, a doctor comes over and tells us that Katniss has most likely hit her head really hard, making her fall unconscious from the force and the bleeding. He says that they don't know if the hit caused any mental damage.

"When she wakes up, we will know," He says and turns to leave. As he walks away, a miserable though goes through my mind. 'If she wakes up, we will know'.

All I can do now is watch her. Her beautiful face. Her sweet lips. And those silver pupils that I want to meet again.

Hours go by quickly and I start to fear that I lost her. Katniss soon-to-be-Mellark. She didn't know. I guess she'll never know.

I slowly turn my head to look away. I unhurriedly walk out of the hospital room and take a seat in the chairs outside of my room. My head rests in my hands. The pain and regret is too much to bear. Nevertheless, the voice takes away all of my worries when I hear it. And it is so loud and panicked that I can hear it from the outside of the room.

"Peeta?"

•••

Hey everyone!

So... Peeta found Katniss! Yay!

But who was the one who called Peeta? Is Katniss going to be okay?

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!

Please vote to help me with this story and comment any feedback and suggestions! Thank you all so much!

-fansreads