Victors and Mentors

Pandcakes

Katniss' POV

The relief I feel after fixing things with Peeta is like a burden off my back. By the time Peeta and I finish talking, its almost five in the morning, which surprises me since I'm not much for talking, but its hard to not to talk to Peeta Mellark. He's so likeable and such a good listener and a smooth speaker. I told him about Prim and my new relationship with my mother, which involves more speaking to each other and less speaking to a statue. When first light starts to seep in through the windows, turning the deep black of the sky to a navy blue, Peeta practically kicks me out of his house. I'm a bit glad for it, since if I was any later, Prim and my mother would have a fit, but another part of me is reluctant to leave. 

My prep team will be here at 8 in the morning and the cameras would be here around 10. Snow personally sent for cameras to record our lives together so "the Capitol could have a taste of the star-crossed lovers after the Games."

I reach my new, soft, bed but barely sleep thinking about what I want from Peeta. I know he truly loves me and I can't help but wonder if I love him, but I don't even know what love is. Romantic love, that is. I know I love Prim with all my heart and I know Gale has some sort of feelings for me. Ever since I came home, he keeps bringing up Peeta and whenever he does he compares himself to Peeta almost as if he's jealous and who am I to say he's not. 

I go to sleep right as I hit the bed but wake up two hours later, panting and sweating. 

I was in the cave with Peeta, curled up against him in the sleeping bag when all of a sudden, there was a crack of thunder and I could see the shaggy brown fur of a  wolf mutt. But it didn't look scary, rather it looked innocent; if anything...afraid. I approached it slowly and Peeta woke with a start, trying to move away but pinned to the spot by his infected leg. The mutt whimpered and I edged closer until i was merely a few inches away. I reached my hand out to touch its snout, still staring at its huge chocolate brown eyes when its jaw snapped open and it tore off my hand. Then, ignoring my cry of pain, it edged to Peeta who staggered back. I lurched forward but the pain in my hand was too immense to do anything. I was frozen still, wailing and crying and begging as the mutt tore apart Peeta's body. Then Prim's. Then Gale's. 

I hear murmurs outside of my head but all I can do is look at Peeta's torn body, a beautiful masterpiece of pale skin and golden hair reduced to a chunk of raw meat and blood. Then, I hear his voice. At first I think it's just him taunting me, another masterful scheme in this nightmare but then I feel his arms wrap around me. So familiar and safe and warm and...home. And all I want to do is burrow into them. 

"Open your eyes. Open your eyes Katniss. Look at me."

And so I do. I open my eyes to find Peeta's warm, loving gaze staring right back  at me. I trace my fingers over his face...his nose, his eyes, his cheeks, his chin. Just to make sure it's really him. To ensure that my hands are feeling skin, not fur. I'm so lost in the confusion that I don't notice all the eyes on me until Peeta turns around. I glance at the clock and see that it reads 8:15. My mother and Prim stare at me from the corner of the room with horrified glances and teary eyes. Surprisingly, on the other side, is my prep team, with all their makeup and wigs, staring at me with their mouths wide open. 

I'm burrowed into Peeta's arms and look up at him for answers. Instead, my mother responds. 

"You started screaming at around 7:30. Prim went to check up on you and she tried to wake you but... you wouldn't wake up. She tried everything and called me. Both of us had been holding you back for about half an hour when Prim ran over to Peeta's house. Then the prep team came, at the same time as Peeta and the second he took you into his arms, you woke up." I looked around warily.