Catching Fire: The New Story

Chapter 82

Katniss's POV

Walking was becoming difficult for all of us. The heat of mid day was becoming painful, the Gamemakers are sure trying to kill us this time round. We only travel until around three, when the fog rises from thin air in the area of three to four. Everyone sits in the shade, exhausted and sweating. Peeta gets up to drain a tree, only to ask Finnick for help. They are both weak, we all need cool water, the water from the tree is almost boiling. We sip it slowly, thankful for the water at least.

I lay down, my head in Peeta's lap. I wince as my back touches the ground, I reach up but only to wince again, feeling my hand. The scar running on my finger burns like the ones on my back from the monkeys. With the heat and all our injures, we won't make it through the next few days without water or food especially.

Once the sun lowers in the sky and the heat isn't as burning as it was earlier, we walk again. Peeta and I lead the rest. I think about what Johanna said, about agreeing on a name for Peeta and I's baby. I should do it now, if we die tomorrow. So, I speak up.

"So, got any names picked out?" I ask loud enough for only Peeta to hear. He stares at the ground while we walk, his face a pout thinking. Of course he knows what I am talking about, maybe he doesn't want to talk about it.

"No, you?"

"Not really, with the arena trying to kill us and all, I haven't really had time to think other than protecting you and our allies."

"I've only really thought of my two girls."

"I think that's why we haven't found names yet." I say.

Peeta looks up at me, his eyebrows ruffled together. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you say we're having a girl, I think a boy. We can't pick names because we can't choose if it is a girl or a boy." I explain. He nods, taking in that information.

"Why don't we just make a name for both boy and girl? Then, when the time comes, we will see what we have exactly." Peeta says.

"That's a great idea." I smile, his smile comes brighter.

We continue walking while we think of names. The others not really taking interest in our conversation, and keep quiet while we talk.

"How about Sourdough?" I ask, as a joke. He looks up, smiling. We laugh.

"No, something prettier. Although Sourdough is pretty." Peeta says, we continue to laugh, but we end the conversation there. Not wanting to discuss our child's names, knowing the possibility of either of us not leaving this arena.

"Let's head down to the beach, get cleaned up." Finnick says. I nod, we are close to the Lightning Tree. We're all filthy, I have dirty on my arms from the Earthquake hour. Johanna does too, from pulling me out of the hole the ground made. We walk down the jungle until we reach the beach. Peeta helps me wash off the dirt from my arms. I undo my messy braid and let it hang down my back. I brush it out with my fingers, getting them stuck in the knots that have formed. I walk back to the beach, soaking and sit next to Peeta. I kiss his cheek and lay my head on his shoulder. Beetee is examining his wire, Finnick is helping Johanna clean up herself. We are alone for a while.

"Katniss." says Peeta, softly. "We both know what the other one is trying to do." I don't turn to look at him, although I knew he was staring at me. Well, I guess we do, but it's no fun discussing it either. The Capitol is probably at the edge of their seats waiting for our every word.

"I don't know what kind of deal you made with Haymitch, but he made me promises." Of course he did, I know that, too. I stare at the beach, with it's damp sand and waves crashing on its shore. The beauty Finnick must see every time he steps outside his house. "So I think we can assure he was lying to one of us."