Catching Fire: The New Story

Chapter 60

Katniss's POV

I turn to my left to try and gain a comfortable position. I haven't slept right at all. My cheek hurts. But not as much as before. I curl up under the duvet and close my eyes. Trying to go back to sleep. Without nightmares. Which isn't something I can do. I wish I could. And trying to keep Peeta to sleep. If I moved incorrectly, he would wake. And I didn't want that.

I lightly hum an old song I can't remember the lyrics too. Just to take my mind off everything. I was so stressed. Especially about the baby. I've done so many things wrong, I wonder if I've just completely ruined this chance of having children. Well of course you already did Katniss. I'm going back into the arena. Because of my berries. My idea. My mind. My actions. It was all me. It is my fault my child may not have a life. Tears well in my eyes at the thought of that. Maybe I could do something to help myself. Lay low. Maybe stop training. But I can't. It is mandatory with Haymitch to train for the games. No matter what, I'm going back in. And either Peeta or Haymitch are. If Peeta is called, Haymitch will volunteer. And he can't do anything but save me. If Haymitch is called. Peeta would sacrifice himself for me. And I'm not letting that happen.

I shift quickly to my back. Waking Peeta. He plops himself with his elbow and rubs his eyes. His blonde curls everywhere, making me giggle. He looks sleepy. But cute. "Go to sleep, Katniss." He says. His deep bed voice soothes me. But makes me kiss him. His eyes close and he smiles. When I release, he laughs a low laugh. Something boys do when they're tired. "Now Katniss." I giggle and lay back down with him. His head lays on the pillow above while I lay mine on his chest. I slowly hum the song once more until I'm lightly singing. Peeta snores come out softly, showing me he's asleep so I stop and close my eyes to his heartbeat.

*

The moons reflection peaks through the curtains and shines in my eyes. I shift off Peeta and curl up on my left side. I always feel comfortable on that side. The bed bounces up and down until I know Peeta has turned the other way. His back now to mine. I stretch my curled body and lay still. I didn't feel like moving. All my muscles sore and beating with every heartbeat. I listen to the quiet chirp of the birds out my window. Maybe today could be a nice, relaxing day.

I thought wrong.

I felt the bed shift. Thinking Peeta was awake and going to shower. Or do something manageable off the bed. It shifted again. And again. I turned and realized he was thrashing and kicking around. He hit my arm, then leg. Almost my stomach. I catch his arm and crawl onto him. Holding him down. He thrashes under my arm.

"Peeta. Peeta, please. Peeta! Peeta, wake up!" I start begging for him to wake. He does no such thing and keeps his night filled tantrum. I shake his arms, referring to nothing in return from him. I start bawl. He keeps his thrashing at a steady pace and escalates until he's screaming. No one comes to check up on us. Usually, Prim comes in to help calm me, but this time, no ones here. I grip his hands in mine and try to hold him to the bed to calm him.

He's too strong for my hold. He almost tosses me off the bed. I crumple to the floor and bring my knees to my stomach. As much as I could without hurting it. I wiped my tears with the back of my hands and prevented anymore from falling. I kneel beside Peeta and watch him thrash and scream. I finally get up and grab his head and kiss him. He slows his actions previously scary to me, now I understand. He goes through this with me every night. I owe to wake him now. He completely stops his arms and legs from moving. My lips linger on his for a while before I feel his moving with mine and his arms wrap around my waist. I lay down and keep the kiss going longer than expected. His tongue moves with mine and we don't break for a second.

We both lay back and catch our breath after that long kiss. I smile and bring his head to me. Tears now filled his eyes. He grabs me, laying me on my side again. He touches my face and hair and body. I wonder what he was doing. But the look in his eyes explained. He didn't know if the me in front of him was real, or a dream. His hands moved to mine and they were chilly. I pulled him closer to me and he cried on my chest. His hand ran over my stomach while mine on his back.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask softly. He nods. He explains to me what happened in his dream. All in one sentence: I died.

I took it simply as something always happening to me, so I understood. I knew how he felt. He wanted to know I was alive and well. He couldn't get the thought of me, lying dead. With a spear to my stomach or wound on my neck. Anything, anyway I could die.

I brushed his hair softly, the curls soft and silky. I let him cry until his breathing was just heavy and it tickled my whole body. "Shhh. It's okay Peeta." I whispered. He nodded and closed his eyes. I didn't see it, but I felt his eyelashes brush against my skin.

He sniffed and looked up to me. "Can you sing?" he asked softly. More than I could ever think his boyish voice could go. The last time someone asked me that was before the reaping, when Prim was called. I nodded stiffly. He saw it but said nothing. I've never sang for him before. He's seen me on video for Rue when she died, but never truly. I didn't want to sing, the more anxiety growing in my stomach, the more I pushed myself to singing for him.

I thought for a moment and found the perfect song to sing. I cleaned my throat and started:

Down in the valley, the valley so low

Hang your head over, hear the wind blow

Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow

Hang your head over, hear the wind blow

Roses love sunshine, violets love dew

Angels in heaven know I love you

Know I love you, dear, know I love you

Angels in heaven know I love yo

Build me a castle, forty feet high

So I can see her as she rides by

As she rides by, dear, as she rides by

So I can see her as she rides by

Roses love sunshine, violets love dew

Angels in heaven know I love you

Know I love you, dear, know I love you

Angels in heaven know I love you

His eyes never lingered off mine as my soft voice continued the song until the last line: Angels in heaven know I love you. I loved the last line. Only the angels knew how much I loved Peeta. Either people thought it was real, or just for cameras. But he knew I truly loved him.

I started the valley song again and he followed my lips until the end once more. His eyes started closing, concealing the bright blue that shined everywhere. I closed my eyes and let my head fill me with random nightmares.

*

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, the reaping. Tomorrow, we see if either Peeta or Haymitch will join me in the games once more. I try to get the thought out of my head. I concentrate on Peeta's and Gale's breathing. They both decided to stay in Peeta's house tonight. Just to keep me safe. Me and Peeta on the couch, facing the flaming fire. Gale on the love seat by the window. They thought I had fallen first. But they beat me in sleeping. I just couldn't. My head was spinning my vision. My stomach turned and turned. It's bump was now larger than before. Without the training for the rest of the time spent, it grew larger. I'm glad. It means I didn't kill my child. Or hurt it. Or fail at being a mother. I've been a good one. Haven't I?

I get myself up. It's harder now. I push my stomach forward with my hands and walk to the kitchen. I warm up the tea left over from earlier. I helped myself onto the counter over looking the small stove and big window in the kitchen. The snow melted. The wind died down. The sun came out from it's hiding about the clouds. Now it was sunny. But not yet, it is too early for the sun to be up. Just a few more hours, then it will be warmer.

I jump down and pour a little tea cup to the middle. I grab one more. Knowing one of the boys protecting me will wake at the sight of me gone. As expected I hear a groan and shuffling behind me. I continue to pour the tea and look up. I find myself looking into my mimicked eyes of Gale. I slide the tea cup to him and he sipped it.

"You okay?" he asked. "Should be asleep. Laters a big, big day."

I smiled at his high pitched, mimicking voice from Effie. I nodded. "I'm fine. Just can't sleep." I yawn. He laughs. He can always find ways to get me to smile. Which I do until our silence is broke.

"Come one. Let's sleep." He says. I allow his hand to lay on my lower back and guide me to the love seat he was on. We sit down, side by side. Hip by hip. My eyes trail around the room until they find Peeta's sleeping head on the arm of the couch. A blanket laying over his body. He looks more relaxed. Younger than he is. But, we are still young.

I look back to Gale. He was watching me watch Peeta. "You love him? Don't you?"

I looked at him confused. Tears welled up in my eyes. My lip quivered. I nodded slightly. Tears filled up in his. I knew he loved me at that moment. But I didn't the same he wanted. I failed Gale. Everyone, even me, knew I would someday marry him. He was happy about that. Then Peeta came. I see why he doesn't like him much. He took me away from him. That got me angry, because I loved Gale with everything I had. I hugged him and comforted him. Like I have done to Peeta for a while. He didn't cry though. Peeta would for just a few minutes until he's either asleep or doesn't want to cry any longer. His eyes stay glimmered by the light, his cheeks stay dry.

"Your coming out, right?" He asked. I shrugged. After everything calmed, and Peeta was eating dinner with his family, I headed over to Haymitch's house. I found him drunk. But sober enough to talk to him and he would actually remember our conversation. I asked him to allow Peeta to stay and for him to take his place. I wanted Peeta to win. No matter what. Before he said anything, he almost cried. I didn't though. I wanted to. I wanted to beg him for anything for Peeta. He didn't disagree.

"He was here maybe, an hour or so, ago. Asked the same thing." He sniffed and took a large sip of his liquor. "Yes."

Afrer, I jumped from my chair and hugged him. Not caring about anything in the world, not even a smelly drink Haymitch. He hesitated but hugged me back. I left with a skip in my walk and I rested after.

I shrug again.

"No." He said. "I'm not letting you die. Peeta isn't either. Haymitch has to go in."

"I know. Just, calm down. It'll be okay." I smile. I rub my stomach. It always calms me. I sighed, along with Gale. We stared at each other in the eye for a while. I broke the silence only filled with Peeta's breathing and the flickers of the fire to hug him. He was taken aback but wrapped his arms around me. It felt good to have him in my arms, where he's safe.

I let go and lay my head on his shoulder. Our hands collide and his thumb rubs mine. I couldn't remember how or when, but I feel asleep with Gale.


Peeta's POV









I rubbed my eyes and blinked back the fuzzy picture of my living room. Katniss and Gale were asleep. Her on top of him. On the love seat. If we didn't enter the games, they would've been like that forever. Married, possible kids. I know Katniss never wanted kids, but she would've done it for Gale. And me, I see now. I stand and grab a blanket from an extra room. I lay it on top of them and let them sleep. It was still dark, but I'd do anything to keep the day going until the reaping hour.

I start to make bread. It always entertains me. I hear a shuffle and turn from the counter where my dough laid to check on Katniss and Gale. Only Katniss was asleep. Her arms laying across the small couch. I shrugged and turned back. I jumped when Gale was sitting across from me.

"You okay there?" he asks with a smile. A charming smile. I see why girls always like him.

"Yeah. Are you hungry?" I ask. He thinks it over and nods. I stuff the dough in the oven and let it cook. I start to clean up and Gale's eyes trail to Katniss. Mine eventually do too.

"How are you going to do it?" He asks. Out of sudden. "I mean, go back in, with Katniss. It's better to let Haymitch go in and-"

"No. I have to go with her. I need to save her." I state, cutting him off. I know I should allow Haymitch in the games with her but I don't trust him enough to let Katniss just go alone with him. I need to to protect her. She must come out alive. I just can't let her go.

He nods. "I would do the same." His voice is softer. We do really love Katniss. We'd both die for her. No say in that. I hear the ding of the oven and open it. The bread is a light brown and crisp. I let it cool and cut a piece for Gale. He mumbles a thank you and we sit on different couches. We watch Katniss sleep. "I'll take her up." He says. I nod and lead him with Katniss in his arms to my room. The orange colors not bright at this moment from the lack of light. But sill noticeable. He lays her down and we wrap her up with blankets.

We walk back downstairs and the door opens. Haymitch walks in, sober. I'm surprised for once at him. He starts blabbing about how we have to get ready. You sound like Effie, Haymitch. I think. I smile. Gale does too. Like he read my mind. Haymitch gets impatient with us and makes Gale leave. I wave goodbye and lock the door behind him. It's morning now. Haymitch keeps going on and on about the randomest things. I nod along with him. Maybe he did drink a little.

I give him tea and it shut him up. I'm glad, I couldn't stand Haymitch talking anymore. Haymitch turns to my direction. But doesn't look at me. Beyond me. I turn around and see Katniss walking down the steps. Her bare feet making no sound. A blanket wrapped around her and being dragged down the last steps. I notice her eyes blotchy and red. She runs to me and I catch her in my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist and her arms encircle my neck. I feel her tears on my shoulder. I look back and see Haymitch watching us. He nods towards the door and walks out, thinking he'd leave. He just sat on the porch chair.

I sit down with Katniss still in my arms. She digs her head in my chest and cries. She scrunched my shirt in her fists and doesn't let go. Like I can't let her go. "Are you okay?" She shakes her head.

"I don't want to go back." She whispers. "Please, Peeta. Let Haymitch take your place. I-I-"

I cut her off. "What was your dream about?" I ask, changing the subject. She lifts her head up and looks at me. Then hides her head in my chest again. Her soft eyes filled with tears. She really doesn't want me to go in. She doesn't want me to die.

She doesn't answer my question. I don't answer hers. Asking if Haymitch could go and I stay. I'm not staying here to watch her die. And she can't stay to watch me die. Because, I am. To save her and our child. That's all I want. For her to save our child. And herself.

I rock her back and forth until her breaths are at a slow pace and her eyelids don't move anymore. I lay her on the couch again and let her hand fall to the floor. Brushing the carpet. Haymitch comes back in, dumps the rest of the tea down the sink and hugs me. "You'll be okay, boy."

I nod. Tears welled up in my eyes. I don't want to die. But I have to.

"I don't want to die, Haymitch. I'm scared." I whisper. He nods.

"I know, boy. It's scary. It's most people's main fear. Don't worry. You're only doing it for Katniss. Just think of her the whole time." He pulls me back and looks me in the eye. I'm as tall as Haymitch now. I've grown so much. That's what my father and brothers told me. Katniss barely has. But she already grew when she was younger. Haymitch nods and leaves me with that. All my questions and words to talk about left in me. Next time I see him, we'll be in the square.

Katniss's POV









I wake up on the couch. I sit up and look for Peeta. I start calling his name and try to get out of the mixture of me and the blanket on top of me. Peeta runs down from upstairs and comes to me. Kneeling in front of me and grabs my head in his hands. "Are you okay?" he asks worriedly.

I let out a small smile. "Yes. Just looking for you." He chuckles and shakes his head. His kisses my forehead and pulls me upstairs. He told me he had went to my house and gotten some clothes for the reaping. He considered the dress I wore to the last reaping. I consider it also, i try it on. The bathroom mirror reveals my big baby bump with the dress on. I shake my head no. I can't show my stomach. He hands me pants and a shirt. I keep the pants. But toss the shirt. Shows too much. I try on a few more shirts until I find a good blue one that is loose enough to hide my stomach and looks okay.

I help Peeta with his outfit. Black pants that match mine. A red shirt and gray cover top. I fix his hair and he helps me with my normal braid to the side.

We walk out of the house at one fifty. We have ten minutes to line up at the square for the reaping. Haymitch follows behind us. Our hands lock together and don't separate until Peacekeepers surround us and walk us to the square. We're the only ones in the bowl. Why shouldn't we get an escort to the square?

All eyes are on us three. The only victors of Twelve. I'm glad no one has to die for this game. No child has to die for the Capitols entertainment. Not this time.

One Peacekeeper pricks out finger and smear the blood on the blank paper. We walk on stage and I stand to Effie's left. Peeta and Haymitch on her right. Effie walks to the microphone, her orange wig perfect with an orange butterfly sitting on the side. Like all the other ones of her short dress. And brackets.

"Welcome, welcome." Her voice doesn't hold the happiness they always held when hosting the reaping for Twelve. "First, like always." She swallows. "The girls." Her heels click in the quietness from all the people. She stands over the gigantic bowl, usually full to the brim, now, only one piece on the bottom. She grabs it and walks back. "The girl tribute for District Twelve, Katniss Everdeen." I let a tear slip and look at Effie. She almost burst into tears when I walk beside her. I haven't told effie we were expecting. It's weird saying, and thinking, I was having a baby. Saying 'expecting' sounds a bit more, comforting.

"Now, for the boys." She walks over to the boys bowl and picks from the two slips. She grabs one and walks back. She opens the flaps and sighs. "Haymitch Abernathy." I hear the whole district sigh in relief. Except, I wasn't happy Haymitch was called.

"I volunteer." Peeta says. That's why. If Peeta was called, Haymitch would've went in with me. Now Peeta will go with me. Dammit. Dammit! I scream in my head. I want to just scream.

Haymitch holds Peeta back. "No. Don't." He says.

"You can't do anything to stop me." Peeta says. He flings his arm away and stands by Effie. She sniffs and starts:

"Our tributes, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark." Her voice cracks at the end. I hear many cries from the crowd. Then everyone stops, raises three fingers to their lips and put them up. Peeta, Haymitch and me raise them also.

I feel a hand around my arm and try to pull back. At an instinct.

"Trains' next."










SO FCKING SRY U HAVENT UPDATED I HAVE SO MUCH TO DO THIS WEEK AND THE MEXT WEEK THEN IM OFF FOR TWO FLIPPING WEEKS AND I CAN UPDATE ALL THE TIME. SRY FOR THE HANG CLIFFER BUT I MUST. I KNOW IM LIKE FLIPPING SHIT MOCKINGJAY SET IS FJEIFMWODNEOXJEIFNOSJRICNDIFNEONDIFNIDNCOENXOWNCOWNCIENXIWBYSBRJFOMWOXJEINCIWNXOWHIWBCUENXIRNXIRNIXEJJCJFR. BYE.







~Jez