Under the Willow

Chapter 31

" Katniss has been hurt!"
I looked up from my plate of food to see a guard standing right in front of me.
" Where is she?"
" Peeta's room. He choked her."

When I unpacked half and hour ago, I heard some news that Peeta had just been recused. I imagined them hugging, kissing each other.
But what I didn't expect was to see Peeta being strapped down to his bed sedated, and Katniss's broken body on the floor. She was
unconscious, and a man was doing a tracheotomy. I ran right behind her to lift her head up so the nurses could put her on a bed. We were all afraid she would die.
I reached out my hand and squeezed it, and I thought I felt a soft squeeze back.
***

For a few weeks, I never left her side. Then, there was a meeting to discuss about Peeta's condition. I was invited, but not my mom.
Plutarch held the meeting.
" We gather here to discuss Peeta's condition."
he said, and folding his hands and rubbing his thumb. " Our choices are to release Peeta or keep him."
   " Why? " Haymitch asked, taking his feet off the table. " You can't just release him out in the wild like a wolf with rabies!"
 
A voice, deep but strong spoke up.

" He's dangerous. I say release him."
I turned my head to see Gale.
" We can't have Katniss hurt again."

  I was too shocked to speak, but I was able to mouth a few words to him.
How could you?

  I saw his eyes fill with tears as he turned his head. I was so disappointed with Gale. I had looked up to him so much, until he had turned as hard as a rock, but I guess we all have during the war. Everyone has seen things they wish they hadn't.

  " Prim?" Plutarch said, interrupting my thoughts. " How about you?"

  I looked straight into Gale's eyes, but spoke to Plutarch.
" I say keep him. He's done at least one thing for all of us. Maybe we could reverse the memories and give him old ones."
  " That's a good idea, but the equipment we would need.. It's too risky, but we'll try, ok?"
  I sat back in my chair. After an hour, the vote was clear. Everyone accept Gale and Boggs wanted Peeta to stay.
  I went back to Katniss's room to help comfort her for what Plutarch had to tell her. I held her limp hand through most of it. Katniss had been able to speak, but her voice was raspy.
  I didn't hear what most of them said, but I was able to catch one sentence.
  
  They were talking about me going to see hijacked Peeta tomorrow.