Just End It | An After Mockingjay Short Story

Chapter 5

Katniss' P.O.V.

I wake up screaming to a nightmare again. This time, I see every time I saw someone die replay in front of me. I see the spear puncture Rue's stomach. Me shooting Cato to end his misery. Cinna getting beaten to death right in front of my eyes. Finnick getting torn apart by the Capitol mutts. The parachutes dropping. I could even see the Mellark bakery blowing up, even though I didn't witness it myself. As I pant and sob from the horrible things that continue to haunt me 'till this day, Peeta coos in my ear to comfort me. I cry into Peeta's chest, soaking his shirt in my tears. He tells me that its okay.

"Its not real," He says. But my sobs don't stop and I cant control them. He tries to pull me into his chest. But I stop him.

"Don't touch me Peeta!" I scream. "I killed everyone! Many innocent people! Your family, Finnick, Prim!"

Peeta stops listening after I mention his family. His clear blue eyes start to cloud. His breathing turns rapid. I know whats happening. However, at that moment, thats the least I care about.

"Peeta! Im a mutt! Im a murderer! I deserve to die! Why don't you just kill me?" I yell. I need to use the hijacked Peeta for my advantage. I need him to kill me.

"You're a mutt," He repeats. He inches closer to me and I don't try to back away. His hands are deadly close to my neck. I need him to strangle me. To end this.

"Peeta, just end it. Please!" I continue to try to get him to give me what I need. Then, I see Peeta starting to hesitate. Its like he is trying fight himself. Trying to pull himself away from me. My Peeta trying to stop the monster inside of him. Instead, I pull him towards me, myself.

"No, Katniss! Stop, please!" He yells back at me. I know that thats the real Peeta. The one who can comfort me. The boy that I feel safe with. Although, I need the hijacked one.

"Do it, Peeta! Kill me!" Peeta looks ready to pounce on me. And Im happy about it. I need to die. I killed too many people. I deserve to die. I need to be with Prim.

But I am proved wrong. Peeta doesn't kill me. Instead, he kisses me full on the mouth. Soon, I turn back to my senses and I know Peeta has too.

"I-Im so sorry Peeta!" I cry.

"Its okay, Katniss. We're both okay. We're both okay." He tells me. I try to believe him. I just can't.

"Peeta! Don't you see! We are not okay! We are broken," I scream at him.

But he just calmly says, "No. We are not broken. We are just bent."

Bent but not broken. Bent but not broken.

*****

My eyes gradually open, revealing a dim room with an unopened window. I slide my hand towards Peeta's side of the bed, but all I find are cold and empty sheets. Something is wrong. And different. I slide out of bed, walking out of the room. I make my way to the stairwell to go downstairs. I need to find Peeta. But I stop dead in my tracks.

Downstairs, I hear a hushed voice on the phone. Peeta. Who would he be talking to so early in the morning?

"Peeta?" I call down. There is no response. But I hear him continue to talk on the phone.

"Oh yes, thank you Dr. Aurelius. Sorry I have to go. But see you soon. Thanks again. Bye." I hear Peeta say on the phone. After the phone call ends, I make my way downstairs.

"Why were you talking to Dr. Aurelius?" I ask Peeta.

"What? No good morning kiss?" Peeta cheekily asks. I roll my eyes at him and repeat my question.