Don't Let Me Go

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“Katniss, I have noticed these people are trying to keep you and me alive. Mags sacrificed her life for me, Johanna tried to keep me from getting into the Jabbarjay section and the girl who lost her life for me in front of that monkey” “I noticed that too but I thought it all sounded too strange in my head” “I know” Peeta gives me a sympathetic look.

 He puts his head even closer. “Today Johanna screamed at Finack saying she had to bring Beetee and Wirless back for you, Katniss.” “Really?” “Maybe she knew I wanted them as Allies? Because I did from the start” I whisper “No but Katniss why would she bring them back for you? It doesn’t make sense” I can tell Peeta is getting fastrated because we can’t figure out why this is happening.

I snuggle down into Peeta trying to block out this horrible confusing world of the arena to get some sleep but it’s hopeless. For starters I don’t feel at all safe with Johanna on guard, something about her makes me think she wants to kill me in my sleep. The question constantly is running through my head “Why would she bring them for you? She doesn’t even like you” I nudge Peeta selfishly because I can’t bear being awake by myself.

His eyes shoot open and he gives a half smile when he sees me staring at him still surrounded my darkness. “Sorry I can’t sleep, I know I shouldn’t have woken you, that was selfish of me” I sigh feeling ashamed. “No its fine Katniss, every single moment till the day I die I want to spend as much of that time with you” he says wrapping his arms firmly around my waist while sitting up.

“You and me we have the same plan don’t we?” Peeta says after a minute and without having to question it I know straight away that he means that he is here to try protect me and keep me alive yet I am here to try protect him and keep him alive. “No” I try to fib but it doesn’t fool him. His eyes look at me for a second before I know he can sense my dishonesty “Yes okay, we do” I admit “But Peeta please just let me do this” “No” Peeta says his voice stern. “But Peeta” I say my eyes filling with tears. “No” he says again softly.

“Katniss the thing is… you have people that care about you at home, yet if I went back to district 12 well I would have lost the only person I truly care about” Peeta says his voice full of sorrow. “But Peeta, your family” I say foolishly. Thinking about it I guess I am the only one he cares about yet I have Prim, Mother and Gale who I also care about.

“Look at this” Peeta says trying to convince me as he hands me a locket. I open it, eyes brimming with tears. I see Mother, Prim, and Gales faces staring back at me. “Peeta no” I say the tears finally escaping my eyes. I miss Prim an unbearable amount and yet even this can’t win my desire to protect Peeta and make sure he wins.

“Katniss at home these people need you, no one needs me” Peeta says his eyes now damp from tears too. “I do, I need you” I say leaning forward and looking deep into his eyes. “I need you more than anything” I say breathing in his scent. Still the same old scent, I trust this scent. The scent of home, of bread, of hope. Of the hope I felt ever since the day he threw me that bread. The hope since the day I caught his eye and then saw the first dandelion of the season.

“You’ve saved me a hundred times over Peeta and I will never stop owing you or loving you”.