Ashes Blow Away

Chapter Two

~~~~Chapter Two: Katniss Makes Peace with Prim~~~~

Hey guys!
So I was pretty impressed with how well chapter one did! Nineteen reads and five votes may not seem to be a lot to you guys, but I think that it is amazing! Especially since that was only the first chapter!
Keep up the good work guys!
So I hope you're all enjoying this story!!
I wondered if this particular part of the story was appropriate at this time, but I then realised that the story could not exactly move forward until this had happened!
Thank you all for reading!

- realornotreal_real. X

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Edited

I dream of Prim. I am sprawled on the cobblestone street, and I can see her. She smiles wryly when she sees me.

" Prim," I say, " please." I drag myself toward her. I leave a trail of blood, but I don't care. If I am dying, I don't care. I need her. She needs to live. But every time I get anywhere near her, she takes a step backwards.

" Katniss," she whispers. The bombs begin to fall. Her perfect golden hair blows around her face beautifully. So young. 13. Such life. It has to be her. She has a purpose. I am hollow. I am broken. She is whole.

" Prim, run for me," I say weakly.

" Katniss," she says. But that is all. Just, " Katniss."

And then she explodes. And I scream and I scream and I scream and I scream and she is gone.

I wake up screaming.

This goes on for multiple minutes. I can't seem to stop and I'm pulling on my hair, my head whipping from side to side. I am riding the line between sanity and giving myself over, and I cannot keep it in much longer. I cannot-

Peeta bursts through my door. His blond hair is dishevelled, and he is wearing a white cotton shirt. He has been sleeping.

He rushes to me. I mutter Prim's name over and over, stumbling to the end of the bed, but before I can hit the floor, he is there to catch me.

I am still screaming as he rocks me. I must seem crazy, but I don't care, and he certainly doesn't. I cannot stop. He is taking care of me, kissing my hair, whispering sweet nothings in my ear.

" It's okay, I'm here, it's okay."

But, it's not okay. It is never okay.

Eventually, I calm down. I am too embarrassed to even look at him.

" Would you like me to stay with you?"

I nod.

We don't speak. Peeta arranges my head on the pillow, pulls the sheets up to my chin, and climbs in next to me. He pulls my head to his soft but solid chest. Five minutes pass. Then ten.

And then he says, " I'm so sorry I haven't been there for you, Katniss. I really am. I'm just. . . I'm just dealing with my own issues. But, I promise, you're not one of them."

Liar. Such a liar. I am the biggest one of all his problems. The only reason he hasn't kissed me, held me like this in so long is me.

" Peeta?" I say quietly. " Are you awake?"

" Mmm," he answers groggily.

I prop myself up on one elbow.

" Thank you," I say.

He leans forward, running a hand down my face. I flinch, and he sees this, pulling his hand away. But he is still here. He won't leave, I know he won't.