The Beginning of the End

Chapter 7

-Katniss-

     "I'm not!" I hear Peeta scream from outside. I struggle against the restraints they put on my arms, wanting so badly to go to him.

     But then for some reason, I get a bad feeling and it takes me awhile to place it. Hatred. There's suddenly a burning hatred for the boy with the bread.

     "Pleaseet me go in there. Please." I can hear his voice outsied, pleading to come in like an abandoned puppy, and my hatred dissolves. Finally, the door opens and he races to my side. His eyes are red from crying and his face is soaked with tears.

     I open my mouth to speak, but again I feel the hatred and an involuntary scream escapes. I thrash around, wanting to hit him, to hurt him, but all I can do is scream.

-Peeta-

     It's been three hours since Katniss's episode, and I finally decide that the only person I can call for help is Gale. If there's anyone that can calm her down, it's him. After one ring, he answers.

     "What happened?!" he says. I explain the situation to him, my voice sounding almost girly compared to his deep rumble. I hear his gasp and wheb he speaks again, his tone is accusatory.

     "Why don't you just get her out of there, you useless little..." he stops. "I'm in District Two, it'll take me about eight hours to get there. I'm on my way." he says, and hangs up. I sigh and walk to the elevators to wait for him.

     Exactly eight and a half hours later, Gale walks out of an elevator.

     "How long have you been there?" he asks, glaring at me. I shrug.

     "Since you hung up." I say. He narrows his eyes but says nothing. We walk in silence to Katniss's room. When we reach the door, we look around to see if there are any nurses, and then we enter. When we walk in she looks at us and smiles.

     "Gale." she says, reaching out for him. I feel a stab of jealousy. He runs to her and she throws her arms around him.

     "Hey Catnip." he whispers. Over his shoulder, her eyes lock with mine.

     "Peeta." she says with no emotion. I hesitate, but walk to her other side. I don't overlook the way she clings to Gale's hand, but she reaches out for my hand too and I take it.

     The moment our skin touches, she changes. She begins to scream and pull me towards her, but Gale runs around the bed and pulls me away. Her screams follow us into the hallway.

     "See what I mean?" I say. He nods.

     "We need to get her out of here."