Mocking Jay TRAPPED

Chapter 18

I wake up in a dimly lit room.
Am I dead? 

I wonder as I try to remember what happened. Yes, I was giving a speech. Then someone shot me. But I felt no pain. I scanned my body, my leg. There was a giant bandage around it. I reach out to touch it and wince in pain. I can see it start to bleed again.

Near the wound is a bottle, pain killer. Powerful ones I can tell. Thats why it doesn't hurt to badly. My mind wanders...why aren't I dead?  The gun was aimed right at me. And if they missed, why am I alive anyways?  They surely would've fired again.

I attempt to sit up, keeping my leg out straight.  I can't see much and I decide to sleep for a while more, the pain medicine is wearing off.

"Peeta"  A whisper fills my ear.

I groan as I attempt to open my eyes, but I feel so tired. 

"Peeta, it's me. Katniss"   I immediately look up.

"Katniss"  I sigh with relief that she's still alive

"Peeta...you were almost killed"  I hear her sob. "How's your leg?"  She strokes my forehead with her hand, a worried look in her eyes.

"W-What happened?"  I try to sit up, but she gently pushes me back down.

"I came in, after they set me free. I ran for it. I'm still trying to remember why I wanted to find you so badly. I don't remember much about you. But something told me."  She tries to smile, probably still not knowing why. "I heard a crash and when I saw you on the floor, I was worried. Then I saw the gun"  She bites her lip at the memory. "I shot them, right before they fired. Luckily I had messed up his aim when he fell, but...your leg"

"I'm fine. Thank you for saving me"  I reach out and run my fingers through her knotted hair. "Do you remember in the games, when I was hurt and you found me. It was when you kissed me.  I couldn't tell if you were acting or not. If you remember, were you?"  I ask desperately.

She is thinking, I can tell. Trying the retrieve one of the stolen and twisted memories.  "You didn't kiss me. You told me to leave."  She looks hurt again.

"No Katniss. Try to remember the truth. Try to see past what the Capital implanted in your mind. Please"  She must remember. No matter how powerful the Capital is, they can't actually remove a memory, only hide it.

Her eyes light up a little and she leans towards me. My instincts push me towards her, and I form my lips around hers.  She doesn't resist.  Weight is immediately lifted from my shoulders and I remember this feeling now...the real one.  I thought I felt it when I kissed the stupid decoy, but I know now that it was only desperation. This...this is real love.

We break apart and enjoy some silence.

"I think I remember now"  She smiles and I let out a small laugh.

"Thank you" 

Ching ching. The door opens. It was unlocked anyways. Only now do I think about where I am. Katniss must have brought me here. She stands up, alerted.

"Who is it?"  Katniss cautiously moves and stands in front of me.

"Beetee"  The voice comes as barely a whisper. "Please, trust me.  62271 "  I don't know what the numbers at the end were about but Katniss relaxes after she hears them.

"Come in" 

He clicks on a flashlight. "Peeta, thank goodness you're alive!  No time to explain but I just wanted to tell you that your plan was a good one. The districts are reacting violently and some are already at the Capital. War is really breaking out now. I have to go. Stay here, I am locking the door, don't give any evidence that you're here"  He starts to leave and I'm still left processing the information.

"Wait Beetee!  Don't lock the door. If something happens, I won't be able to escape ever."  He studies my face.

"Fine, but remember what I said. Out of sight!"  He rushes away. 

Katniss turns to me. "Thats not the real reason you want the door unlocked is it?"  She gives me a knowing look.

"No. I wanna know something happens. And then I can be out of here in a hurry, well as fast as I can go"  I look at my leg.

"Youre not going anywhere.  But I am. Stay here"  She rushes out, giving me one last kiss.

"Katniss!!"  I am left, stranded, in the dark again. Waiting to know if Katniss will return. Again.