A Fresh Start-After Mockingjay (Before the Epilogue)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Katniss POV-

I feel a hot rain fall onto my face as I hear Peeta's cries begging me to come back to him. "Please, wake up? Please? Katniss, I'm so sorry. Please? I can't lose you like this." He sobs. It takes every bit of energy I have left but I force my heavy eyes to open. I've never seen Peeta so distraught in my life and it's heart wrenching. I reach up and touch his face, taking his other hand in mine as he comes into focus. My throat aches but I know already that the injury isn't as bad as before. I'm just not so sure that Peeta will be okay after this. He's never going to forgive himself for hurting me again. "I'm going to get you some help. I need to know you're okay. Haymitch, she needs a doctor." He says frantically, making my heart race at the terror in his voice. I try to sit up but I can't. I'm bound to the ground by the pain in my neck.

"Peeta, she doesn't need a doctor. There is nobody to help her here and if we're not careful with this information, you could be sent away." Haymitch tells him sternly.

Peeta looks down at me and back up at Haymitch, "I almost killed her. She needs help from somebody. Anybody! Dr. Aurelius could help." He says frustratedly.

"Katniss is fine. If she's in too much pain I'll let her have a strong drink. Otherwise, she will be okay." Haymitch assures him.

"Who are you to decide if she needs help or not?" He asks frustratedly. The urgency in his voice reminds me of when my mother refused to give Gale her strongest medication after he was whipped. Haymitch is right about one thing though. If they call Dr. Aurelius, she will send Peeta back to the Capitol in a heartbeat and I will not let that happen.

"And who are you to decide? She was sent home under my guardianship. Not yours." Haymitch says.

Peeta glares at him.

Just to appease him, I think of the only person that we could trust with this information and to give me a proper diagnosis.

"Mm-mom." I manage to croak out weakly.

Peeta shushes me softly, "Don't force it. I'm going to get you some help." He assures me.

"Mom." I choke out again, my eyes meeting Haymitch's this time.

He gives us a pitiful look that reminds me of how doomed we really are, "She wants us to call her mother for help."

Peeta looks down, his eyes asking for an assurance. I blink my eyes and try to focus on breathing, which is painful.

Haymitch stands up, "I'll give her a call and see what I need to do to make sure you're alright." He says, going to the kitchen to make the call.

I squeeze Peeta's hand as he looks at me with tears in his eyes again. "I'm so sorry, Katniss. I don't know what happened to me. I lost control so fast. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm so sorry." He tells me desperately clinging to my hand as he cries, so angry with himself.

I swallow hard, "I'm okay." I say in a raspy voice and he sits there, silently sobbing into our hands until Haymitch reappears a few minutes later.

"I need you to sit up, Sweetheart." He says, kneeling down next to me. Haymitch and Peeta gently guide me into a sitting position, I lean against Peeta for support. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Katniss Everdeen." I get out, the words coming out easier now, despite the hard lump in my throat.

"Can you tell me where you are from and how old you are?" He asks.

"District Twelve. I'm eighteen. Haymitch, this is stupid." I say, a little annoyed at the all too familiar questions.

He gives me a look that says he agrees but I know we are both only doing this to make Peeta feel better. "Let me take a look at your throat." He says, gently running his fingers across my neck. I wince at the touch and Peeta rubs my arms comfortingly. "Do you think that you can stand up?" Haymitch asks me.