The Hunger Games: Peeta's POV

Chapter Seventeen

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Peeta's POV-
I follow the four careers into the forrest. They sprint for their next victim, Katniss. Sweet Katniss, who volunteered for her sister, who is just trying to get home alive to see her again. And she could face death in the next five minutes if I don't do something now.

When we reach the girl on fire, she is climbing a tree. I know she can climb. In fact, she can climb the slimmest branches, so she has a better chance of surviving.

The pack screams at her, comments of negativity. "That's not gonna help you up there Katniss!" Glimmer screams with a sickly sweet smile plastered across her face.

She still climbs. So determined to stay alive. So determined for Prim.

Eventually Cato follows Katniss up the tree, but I know with his strong and bulky build, he has no chance to catch up with Katniss.

He climbs with his sword in hand and says to Katniss, "I'm coming for you!" He climbs, breathing heavily. The careers shout at him to kill her. "Kill her Cato!" Clove screams. "Get her!" Marvel yells.

He is somewhere halfway up the tree, when he grabs hold of the wrong branch. It's a small one and it snaps the moment he grasps it.

He falls to the hard ground of the arena. I hope that he at least broke something. Anything. Unfortunately, he eventually gets back up in his feet with effort. He has not broken anything. He probably does have some bruises, though.

Glimmer seems very upset. She loads her bow and pulls back the string. She aims it up the tree with hopes to kill Katniss, or at the very least, injure her.

She fires, but, fortunately, it misses her and flys into the unknown.

Cato grabs the silver bow from her and loads it. He fires, and this time it almost hits, but thankfully misses.

Wait!

I finally have something! An idea! I can keep her alive! I can! Or at least spare her some time, but she's clever enough to figure it out!

"Let's just wait her out." I say. Everyone looks at me, shocked that I have actually spoken up. "She's got to come down some point it's that or starve to death. Let's kill her then."

Everyone looks at Cato for one final, definite answer, and he finally nods. "Okay. Somebody build a fire." He demands.

I exhale in relief. She can live!
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Night has fallen and I lay on a sleeping bag. I stare up at Katniss with raised eyebrows and I think our eyes meet for a split second, but then flicker away.

I'm slowly overtaken by the power of sleep.
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Peeta's Dream-
"Give it up, lover boy! Look at you! Your leg!" I'm on the floor of the arena looking down at my leg. Cut to the bone. My skin is raw and covered with warm blood.

Katniss stands tied to a tree screaming at me to help her. "Peeta!" She screams. "Peeta please! Please help me! I thought you loved me!" "I do!" I scream back. "Please Katniss! Stay strong!" Cato looks down at me. "It's over!
It's all over! Now let's get to the fun!" He walks over to Katniss. "Please!" I plead, but he tunes me out.

He raises his sword.

"KATNISS!"
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"Help! Help!" My eyes blurt open.

Buzzing. Furious buzzing. Screams for help.

Glimmer.

She is the one who is screaming. She is on the ground and I get one moment to take a look at her just as a stinger jabs me in the body. Bugs all over me. And instantly I know. There Tracker Jackers. No question. And I know who did it.

Katniss.