An Unfinished Battle (The Hunger Games FanFiction)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

My eyes are transfixed to the puddle of red liquid that pools around my feet. The sharp contrast of the colors stain the insides of my eyelids. Even when I close my eyes I can't escape the image; I cannot escape my fate.

A sharp pain hits my gut as a wave of nausea surges through my body. I bend over in agony, clutching my abdomen in an attempt to hold down my dinner. The room spins and swirls around me in fast, dizzying, turns. I'm losing it. Every ounce of control and courage I've ever had in my life is now gone. I'm moving in slow motion through a spiraling universe.

The finger-like flames of a burning fire linger is the back of my throat, begging for liberation. Everything within my being wants to scream, and free my terror, but I can't. I can't give in so easily. It's far too soon to surrender to Gale. All I can do is stand here, in complete and utter shock and stare blankly at the floor.

"Katniss!" It's his voice that breaks me from my stare. Peeta comes whipping around the corner, nearly knocking over a waiter's tray of sushi. He finds himself right at my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, "Katniss, is everything okay!?"

I part my lips and begin to say something, but I can't. No words can describe the way I'm feeling right now. My bottom lips treamors, searching for the right words to say but, of course, I find nothing.

Clusters of people begin to gather around the scene. They're all exchanging hushed whispers and worried glances when they see the shattered glass beneath my feet. What a sight it must be to them, seeing Katniss Everdeen, their Mockingjay terrified of a spilled glass of wine.

"Peeta, we need to leave now." I whisper hastily through clenched teeth.

A worried Annie pushes her way through the crowd and approaches us. "Is everything okay?" She asks sympathetically.

I shake my head back and forth repeatedly, wondering if anything will ever be 'okay.'

"Yeah," Peeta chuckles nervously, "Everything's great! Katniss here just had a little too much to drink, that's all." He pats me on the back, his cheeks flush pink .

Annie purses her lips and eyes me a suspicious look, "Okay, whatever you say" She looks me in the eye, she knows I'm not drunk. "Why don't you go on back to your hotel and get some rest," She gently places a hand on my shoulder, "Eat a lot of fruit tonight, I hear it helps with the hangover"

I give her a small smile,"Alright there's nothing too see here," Annie says waving her guests away from the scene, "We all get a little tipsy sometimes. Come on, lets get back to the party!" All of the nosy groups begin to filter back into the ballroom.

Annie waits out in the hallway with us until the last guest has returned to dancing. She leans in close to my face, "If you ever need anything just give me a call, okay?" she whispers in my ear. She knows something is wrong. I suppose it's just her motherly instincts kicking in.

"Thank you," I say with a crackling voice. She gives me a quick smile and heads back to cater her guests.

I turn to Peeta, and my eyes immediately flood with tears. "Look, I can tell you-"

"Shhhh," he places an index finger over my quivering lips "You don't need to explain anything more tonight. Let's just get you back to the hotel."

Before I have the chance to object, His masculine arms sweep me right off my feet. He holds me bridal style and cradles my tiny body in my arms with ease. Usually, I don't let him pamper me like this; I am perfectly capable of walking on my own, I don't need his help. However, sometimes I do let him pamper me, but only because it makes him so happy. That's not why I let him carry me now. I'm too much of a wreck to make it on my own. I really do need him. I'm vulnerable, everything that once seemed so easy now seems difficult. I'm weak. I've been strong for all of my life and I can't do it anymore. I never was pampered, never babied. I've always had to be the strong one. But now, with Peeta, he takes over. The only thing that keeps me going is his strength. He is the doctor when I'm sick, the banker when I'm poor, he is my wings when I'm too broken to fly. He's everything. He is with me in everything I do, he's behind every decision I make. He is the reason I survived the games, and the rebellion. He is the reason I'm still surviving.