The Hanging Tree

Chapter 9

The town square was crowed around of what little of the hob was still left. The hob was always busy, so at least they kept business well. The bakery was across from the hob, I looked through the window. Beautifully decorated cakes were displayed, one cake in particular stood out to me. The cake was three towers tall and had almost an oil painting look to it. The forest was painted on it and it looked like it was right out of a picture. I know who decorated this cake, it was the same boy who blended into the rocks near the river.
Behind the displayed cakes you could see a bunch of blonde boys working viscously behind a counter. There were maybe ten people inside as costumers. One blonde boy stood out from the others, one boy who I knew too well. I opened the door and a wave of a sweet smell came over me.
"Katniss!" Peeta waved at me.
His smile was refreshing and it was enough to make me almost forget what I had come here for. Almost. I have a small smile in return but it quickly disappeared. I walked over to Peeta, behind the counter.
"What are you doing at the bakery? You haven't worked here since the first games."
Peeta shrugged. "My dad went out of town for a little while,"
Peeta brushed the hair out of my eyes.
"So I decided to help out."
I must've looked scared or sad because Peeta's smile vanished.
"Katniss, what's wrong? Why'd you come here?"
And that's when I started crying in front of the whole bakery. The costumers and Peeta's brothers stared. Peeta grabbed my hand and led me to the back. Probably to hide me from embarrassment.
"Katniss," his voice was calm and steady.
"What's wrong? What happened to your head?" He touched the bandage on my forehead.
I choked back a sob.
"We're going back, Peeta," he pulled me into his chest.
"We're going back into the arena."

• • •

President Snow's announcement was recorded, so I showed Peeta once we got home. He didn't say anything, he just comforted me. Gale had gone home a little after I left for Peeta. Mom said that he was well enough to go home, since we was just bruises. But I think he still needed to stay here, if not for his well being then for myself. I need him here, I need him like Peeta. He's practically my brother and without him I feel just as empty as I am without Peeta.
I probably don't deserve to even have Peeta, after all I've done, how could anyone love me?
I've gotten so many people killed with the riots and in the games alone, how many people will die for me if there is a war? I told Snow I didn't want a war, and I don't, but if it means being freed of the games I can never get out of, then it's worth it.
The only way to start this revolution, is to go back into the games.