Hold Me Close

Part III

My hair whips around my face as run through the barren halls of District 13. I find Peeta crouched in the nearest supply closet, an old favorite place of mine to go while he was away.

"Peeta," I whisper as my eyes scan his face. He looks up at me, his blue irises a sharp contrast to the whites of his eyes which have became streaked with red.

"Katniss... is it true? Are my parents really gone?" He mutters softly as I sink down next to him in the dark closet. I inhale quickly.

"Yes. Peeta, it's all my fault. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I hadn't shot the arrow in that arena. I think we both would've been better off. So many lives would have been saved."

"No, Katniss, don't you see? People are going to be able to not worry about the ones they love constantly! Even though those lives were lost, the ones that remain are fighting for freedom! You haven't hurt anyone. You've helped them. " Peeta responds angrily.

"Peeta, they're dead! So many people are dead! Without me, everyone would have been fi-"

"Don't you dare say that. You- you're my world. I need you. I couldn't have survived without you. Without you, everyone would have been safe to waste their lives forever and ever."

I sigh, realizing he is correct. "You are right, Peeta. But still, I'm sorry about your parents." I mutter.

"I'm not mad at you Katniss." He responds, grabbing my hand. "I mean, my mother wasn't all that great-" I scoff at his remark about his mother; it was quite the understatement. She was a living hell. "but my father was the best anyone could ask for. My brothers, they taught me so much. I'll miss them like crazy but I think I'll be okay as long as I have you."

"Thank you, Peeta." I respond. I stand up and walk out of the dark closet, Peeta trailing a few steps behind me.

We end up back in Peeta's hospital room. Shortly after we arrive there Haymitch enters, seemingly in a hurry.

"Peeta, Katniss, you are both wanted in Command. Immediately.  Coin's orders." He breathes out. The old drunk must of ran all the way from command. I nod my head slowly before taking Peeta's hand. We follow Haymitch down the hall and towards whatever Coin wants from us.

-

The door to the command room opens and Haymitch ushers Peeta and I inside quickly. I'm still confused as to what we are doing here. What did Coin want from Peeta? He just got back from months of torture yesterday!

We still across a large steel table from Coin and Plutarch, and Haymitch sits next to me. "Haymitch," I whisper in his ear, "What are we doing here?' I ask.

"Your guess is as good as mine, sweetheart." He mutters back. Peeta sits there confused, as to who these people are and what we are doing in this strangle room. Coin clears her throat.

"Hello, Peeta Mellark. I am President Alma Coin, and I run District 13. It is a pleasure to finally meet you; I've heard quite a lot about you." She states, as cold and reserved as ever.

"The pleasure is all mine, President." Peeta responds as he plasters a smile on his face which I can tell is not sincere. He still has no idea what he's doing here.

"I hope you remember me,  Peeta. Plutarch Heavensbee." Plutarch says, directing all attention in the room towards him. Peeta slowly nods, as Plutarch continues. " I organized the rescue from the arena during the quell, and I help lead this Revolution." He finishes.