Before the Epilogue

Chapter 20

"Peeta," I say as I slowly start walking towards him.

"Don't come by me!" Peeta screams. "I'm a mutt! I'm a stinking mutt! I can't handle this! I wanna die!."

"Leave him alone sweetheart," Haymitch says as he embraces me in a hug.

"I don't get it," I begin.

Haymitch holds his hand up and I stop immediately.

"Save it for after your interview," Haymitch whispers.

He starts walking towards the stage and beckons for me to follow him. I sigh, walk up the stairs, stand in the wing, and wait for Caesar to introduce me.

"Open up," Haymitch barks.

"We'll see," I snort.

"Here she is... Katniss Everdeen, The Girl On Fire!" Ceaser beams extending his arm out.

As I walk on the stage, the crowd goes wild.

Cesar quites them down and begins to ask me questions.

"So tell me," Ceaser begins. "After being in two arenas, barely escaping the second one, and being the leader of the rebellion... why did you volunteer to go in again?"

Tears fight to escape my eyes. I need Peeta.