Catching Fire: The New Story

Let's Work on It... with a Pin

Katniss's POV

I yelp and stumble back, holding onto my cheek. The door behind me opens and I turn to see Peeta, his face red with embarrassment and sadness. His blue eyes an ocean with tears.

His face pains me, I can't stand it. The tip of his nose a bright pink, just like his cheeks. Did he hear our conversation? If so, how much? Before I can answer any of my questions, I run. I trip when the train gives a slight budge, then stopping all at once. But it didn't stop my running. I pull the side door open and am hit with a cool breeze. I jump down to the cement and turn each way before deciding where to go. I go right, where the end of the train must be. It must lead to Twelve, home, my woods, my family, away from this lie I must live now. I just want to go home. 

I start jogging, but soon push my feet farther toward the end of the train. I run against the wind, it making the sweat on my forehead cold and re-freshening. I soon reach the small, lanky fence separating District Twelve's woods from the rest of the world. I can easily slip through the thin wire and leave. Live in the woods where I know how to, go some place far away, much safer than this situation. I only need to get my bow and arrows, I would be fine then. 

I'd need to get Prim from home, too. 

Then scratch leaving altogether. It wouldn't be safe for either of us if we got caught now. I stop with the thought of leaving out of mind. My breathing is rushed, my heart beats in my ears. My eyes grow weak, but stay open. My legs feel numb and limp, I practically fall onto the concrete beneath me. I shiver as my bottom touches the cold rock. My joints pop and stiffen as I sit on the ground, reminding me of earlier this morning before my day went wrong. I hurt everywhere, I curl up on myself in the empty wind.

My unplaced hair falls from my braid, the nap I had destroying the creation. My hair covers my burning cold face. My nose and ears and fingers are numb. I bare my hands under my arms and start shaking, realizing the snow that stood around me, and the snow falling onto me.

I am so close, I can practically taste the coal of Twelve on my lips. It is just a couple yards from me, but I can't. I just sit here, my chin on my knees, staring at my long lost home. It is until I hear someone catch up with me in a slow walk behind me that I move.

"Just make this short, Haymitch. I'm not in the mood for a lecture," I mumble, shivering.

"I don't know, I don't have a great speech for you."

I turn to see Peeta standing a few feet from me. He stays some distance from me as I stare at him, like I am some weird Capitol muttation he doesn't want to get too close to. A tear stains his left cheek, but he is quick to wipe is away, thinking I didn't see it. I made him cry, I am the reason for those tears running down his face. I've broken his heart, again. Slowly, he sits next to me, adjusting his artificial leg. I can't even stand thinking about it, let alone look at it. I still feel horrible he lost his leg for me. Peeta risked his life, he lost his leg to save me, spare me my life, because he loves me. And yet I can't return him the favor of loving him back? I see him stare at our district, I stare at his face as he concentrates. He takes it all in, the trees, the fence surround and protecting the town from trouble. His tongue sticks out of his lips, just a little bit, which I smile at. His eyes narrow in the sunlight. 

"I'm sorry," I whisper hoarsely. He turns to me from his daze, giving me a confused face. I didn't expect it. 

"You're sorry? For what?" 

I look away in a blush. I have never been good at apologizing. I have never regretted anything enough to apologize for until I met Peeta. I regret a lot of things because of him.

I turn back to him, obviously confused myself why he doesn't know why I am sorry. He definitely heard something, if not, then I have not one clue to why he is crying. I sit up a bit straighter and say stronger, "I'm sorry."