Forever in the Games- UNDER EXTREME EDITING

Chapter Twenty-Four

I think that if Peeta hadn't of been okay when we got back to the cave, then Katniss and I's fight would have won an award for the most entertaining fight in this years games. I wouldn't be surprised really, she's the one most of the sponsors are rooting for.

"You shouldn't have gone you said you weren't gonna go!" Peeta exclaimed, as we both shake him awake.

"You got worse" As she applies the medicine to his leg. He keeps making this noise, that sounded like half a whimper and half a sneeze, but hey, who am I to judge?

"You need some of that too" He told Katniss, noticing the slice on her forehead.

"I'm okay" Pft, no one asked me if I wanted any, ungrateful little-

"Okay, now you. I want you to, come on" Katniss hands him the pot of cream, and he starts applying it. I can see in his eyes that he loves her, to death, and even if Katniss can't see it, I can, as well as the whole of Panem. I've never had someone love me the way Peeta loves Katniss. No one. So you can't blame me when I have to move out of the cave.

I was used. Played, the first time someone besides my mother said they loved me. I was heart broken. I slump down a few trees away from the cave, and just stare into space. Never again am I going through that again. That broke my trust, which is why I find it so difficult now.

Katniss is just playing along with their little love scenario, does Peeta know that? I hope he does, for his sake.

As the night falls, the weather gets a lot cooler than usual. I wonder what the Game-makers have in store.

"Luce" I spin around, knife raised"Woah hey, it's just me" Peeta says, raising his hands a little.

"You shouldn't be walking on that leg, it's not in the fittest state" I slowly turn back around, and slump back on the floor.

"When it falls off, then I'll start listening to you" He limps over, and sits down next to me and sighs. We sit in silence for a few moments. A very comfortable silence.

"Where's Katniss?" I whisper.

"Asleep. I came out to ask you to come into the cave, it's too cold tonight"

"I'm fine" I say bluntly, and wrap my jacket tighter around my body.

"Well it looks like I'm out here too" I don't say anything, whatever I say won't change his mind.

"Does your leg feel any better?"

"A little, I doubt it'll kick in until after a few hours" He examines his leg. "Thank you, Luce"

"What for?" I turn to him. I don't understand what I've done to make him thank me.

"Taking care of Katniss. I doubt she would have survived the bloodbath if it weren't for you"

"She's a big girl, I'm sure she would have been okay" Well, okay, maybe I lied a little, but when will he find out? I'll be dead so he won't be able to say anything anyway. I look in his direction, he's not convinced.

"And just keeping her alive in general, I can't thank you enough"

"Once is enough for me"

We both eventually go into the cave for sleep, something I haven't had in a while. He sleeps next to Katniss while I slept on the other side. It was a lot warmer than out in the open. My mind travels back to the Capitol. What are Haymitch and Effie doing right now? Who's giving them both hate because they don't want me Katniss or Peeta to win? Who's been betting on us? And then I wander back to District 12. How's Katniss' little sister doing? Is she coping well? What about the big guy, what's his name, Gale? Is he looking out for her? He seemed very protective over her at the time. But then my mind dares to think of the smallest and worst built house in the District. How's my mother? I would hate to be in her position where she has to watch her only child go into the games, every year, kill every year, fight every year, win every year. I doubt she'd be happy with me winning, knowing that I'd have to live through the same hell again next year.

My stomach drops. I've only just realized that when I last saw her at the Reaping, it would be the last time in my life I'd see her again. Knowing I'm putting my life on the line for Katniss, and now, Peeta. Maybe, if I helped them reach the end, it wouldn't be so bad if I just slip away, knowing that I'd have died for a good reason.

I don't even remember saying goodbye to Effie, I suppose if I told her the plan, she'd refuse to speak to me, she'd probably prevent me from killing myself in here. Haymitch respects my choice, just like always, he's helped me through so much, I'm surprised he's put up with me this long.

Boy am I going to miss them when I go.