The Hunger Games: Extended Epilogue

Chapter 3: Paintings

The next week goes by slowly, dragging on for ages that only come out to be a few hours. Most of the time, I found myself sitting in front of the fire or watching Peeta bake and pretend to listen as he tries to teach me; though, I find my mind struggling to even form the simplest of thoughts.
Sometimes, when the smell of the rich kitchen became too strong or the fire became too hot, I ventured through Peeta's home. His long halls and painted pictures hung on them created something to look at that wasn't the kindling of fire or the rolling of dough.
Peeta painted them entirely. Beautiful and mystical pieces of art that he created through images locked into his memory. Though, these painting are different than before the Quarter Quell. No lifeless paintings of the arena, or mutts, or even me. These paintings reflected landscape that he recalls from the Victory Tour and visiting the districts.
For hours, I walk up and down, up and down, shuffling between pictures looking at every perfect stroke.
There is one piece, though, that gives me a breath of fresh air every time I pass it.
There, frameless and living on the walk besides Peeta's room, is a painting of a forest. Often I sit against the wall wanting so badly to make myself revisit the actual woods, but know it's still too early to face those memories again.

Another week passes, and I continue to live on, all I can really accomplish at this point.
I sleep with Peeta and with his arms around me when I go to bed and still when I wake. He normally makes trips into the small repopulating town and gives out his cookies, cakes, and bread he occupies himself with baking at home.
Every time he leaves, he begs for me to join him, but I cant. Although I have come to accept what has happened to my home, I try as hard as I can to avoid it. I do not dare face the ruins I caused and see people struggle to live around it. Its too soon.
I still stop and stare at Peeta's forest painting, considering to possibility of finally, once again, going beyond the fence.
At night, in the embrace of Peeta's arms, I lay awake and ponder the options. And after hours of tireless thinking, I, after several nights, come to a compromise that I believe I can uphold myself- and it's simple really.
First, I will go into the forest tomorrow. Second, I will go and get my bow and arrows (mostly because it is something I feel naked without in there). Thirdly, I will avoid all areas of intense memory, (the lake, the rock, the concrete shelter). And finally, I will discuss my decision with Peeta.
The final term was mostly because I have come to fully trust him. I know that if he thinks it is a bad idea, he won't allow me to go, and have me wait for another time.
I can barely wait for morning, so I turn towards Peeta and kiss him lightly, but enough for him to open his eyes.
A smile forms on his soft lips. "Was I snoring?"
I laugh, "No, but I have a question."
He repositions and sits up, leaving me now laying on his chest. And as he yawns, my head follow his lungs up and down. And he replys in the exhale of his yawn, "Ya?" sounding confused.
I close my eyes and focus on my offer, "Do you know the painting in the hall of the woods you painted?"
"Yes."
"Well, I have been looking at it for sometime now, and I think it might be time for me to finally go hunting again."
There is a long pause, and all I hear is Peeta's steady thumping heart.
"Kat-" he begins to say and I immediately interrupt.
"But I have a plan." I begin to explain. "I can just hunt and avoid the lake or anywhere the memories might come back. I can do it."
He replies, "Are you sure you can handle it? You haven't even walked outside in a month."
"I think it will be good." I want him so badly to approve, just so I don't have to go against his thoughts, knowing I'm going to go with his approval or not.
Finally, after some thinking he says, "Okay," kissing my forehead, "if that's what you think."
I smile, and squeeze him tightly and close my eyes. As I slip into unconsciousness, Peeta states,
"...But I'm coming with you."