The Beginning of the End

Chapter 3

 -Katniss-

    The sunlight peeks through the window, waking me up with it's warm touch. Sitting up, I feel a sharp pain in my wrist and look down at it. There's a bruise that circles all the way around it, like someone grabbed me too roughly. Suddenly I feel threatened.

     "Peeta!" I scream, shaking and sobbing. I don't know what brought this feeling on, but the edges of my vision were starting to get blurry. He rushes in and embraces me.

     "Shh, it's okay, it's okay, you're safe." I hold on to him, letting him carry me downstairs and set me on the couch. I sob into a pillow until I hear him pick up the phone.

     "Hello, may I please speak to Dr. Boggs?"...."Hi, this is Peeta Mellark. I was wondering if I could make an appointment for Katniss Everdeen."...."She's been sleepwalking." he looks at me and I close my eyes, pretending to be asleep. "Yes." his voice sounds shaky. "As soon as possible."....."Thank you".

     He hangs up the phone and I hear his footsteps head upstairs. Standing up, I walk into the kitchen, confusion clouding my thoughts. Stuffing my favorite cheese bread rolls in my mouth without warming them up, I sit at the table and examine my bruises.

     "Katniss, you're awake." I turn around and see Peeta, his eyes full of concern. I walk over to him and embrace him. He shrinks away from me, wincing. I look at his arm and see a bandage with blood.

     "What happened?" I ask. He moved my hair out of my eyes.

     "It wasn't your fault..." he begins, but I stare at the bandage.

     "What happened?" I say, more harshly this time. I touch his bandage and again he winces.

     "You were sleepwalking and..."

     "I did this?" I gasp, backing away from him as if I could hurt him just by being near him.

     "It wasn't your fault." he repeats. "I'm getting you help. You're going to be okay." he says softly.

     "Help? You think I need help?" I say angrily. He opens his mouth but before he can say another word, I storm out of the house.