What if Katniss didn't Volunteer? (Complete) (2013 Watty Award WINNER:)

Part 29

Like I predicted, the game makers leave us alone for 3 days. I usually sleep most of the day and Peeta sleeps at night. I slip away each night after he is snoring, and after I have heard him whisper Katniss at least once. When he starts talking, he is out. I walk around the woods each night with a loaded arrow. I hope I don't run into anyone because I don't want to kill anyone. I never do though. On the third night, just before I'm about to slip away, a voice over what sounds like a loud speaker brings Peeta fully awake. He sits up and looks at the sky. It was Claudius Templesmith. He was congratulating us on making it to the final 4. He said our families and friends back home have been interviewed and he had a surprise for us.
"Tomorrow at noon, there will be a feast at the cornucopia. Now, what I'm saying now isn't being aired, but they want to end the games soon. Everyone is required to go and if you don't, well, an accident has been arranged for you. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor." I look at Peeta and he looks at me.
"Well, we are in a pickle aren't we? Don't worry Prim, I know how to fight. I wish I didn't, but I do. I will go out and you stay close behind. Hopefully we all are able to kill each other again so you don't have to." He tells me. No, I don't want this to happen. NO!
"Peeta? What do you mean, again?" I ask him, trying to get the fact that he will probably be dead tomorrow.
"I never actually told you what happened the first day at the bloodbath. But first, how many people have you killed?" He asks me. What kind of question is that? It's not even relevant.
"Um, I think four." I tell him, "Why?" He kind of laughs and sighs. "I wish I only killed four. At the bloodbath, it was bad. The original plan was to just run, but we needed supplies. I went in and so did Rue. I didn't want her to, but she was just following me. Anyway, when the gong sounded, it was nothing but bodies and blood in that area. I don't know who exactly, but I killed I think 6 people, and Rue killed 1 by mistake. She had a weapon and he was running for her. I think the boy from 7. She tripped with the knife in her hand and it went into him. I pulled her away from his lifeless body. I put that one kill on me. So I think I killed 7 people. I became a competitor and I didn't mean to. That's why I didn't kill the careers when they were in between our bushes. We could have killed them all, but that would be another 4 people on our hands." I look at him flabbergasted. I never took Peeta as a fighter, even if others were attacking him first. I guess that's how I am too. No one at home thought I would kill I'm sure, so when I took down the girl from 4 I'm sure everyone was surprised. Peeta is one of those people who want to talk instead of fight, and I am too. But we have both become competitors in these games.
"I just didn't want them to change me. But they have." I hear him say. I look into his eyes and I can already see the tears building up. It was then I made my decision. I know he wants me to get home and make Katniss happy, but I couldn't let him. When he fell asleep tonight and I took my walk, I was going for the cornucopia. He couldn't stop me, and I would be giving him a fair chance at winning.