Peeta
I slowly open my eyes.
Huge bright lights shine down, making my head throb and palms sweat. A groan escapes my lips and I attempt to massage my aching temple, only to discover my arms are tied down with thick metal restraints. I crane my neck to see that my ankles are also tied down. A wave of panic flushes over my body.
I tug against the restraints, my pulse beginning to pick up. My eyes jolt around the room: the walls white, windowless and empty.
The capitol.
Another wave of panic washes up my body. So I attempt to distract myself. I steady my breathing and preoccupy myself with studying the room.
It’s fairly big, with my bed…my table in the centre, to the right of me the wall doesn’t seem to match the clinical whiteness of the others, it’s a two way mirror, but disguised so I can't see myself.
They’re watching me.
I pull harder on the restraints, panic taking hold again. I have to get out of here. I have to find Katniss.
Katniss!
My mind begins to spin. “Katniss!” I call. “Katniss!”
I hear a sudden burst of static electricity and a door opens behind me. I try desperately to turn around to see who’s coming for me, but I begin to gag uncontrollably. The smell of blood and roses swivels its way up into my delicate nostrils.
Snow.
“Hello, Mr Mellark.” He says, his words bursting with venom.
“Hello.” I reply as steadily as possible, trying to block out the sound of my heart slamming against my chest.
President Snow walks steadily past me holding one of his prize white roses in his gloved hands.
I keep my eyes trained on him, studying every move.
“I presume you are rather confused-“He begins.
“Where’s Katniss!?” I demand clenching my fists. “Tell me where she is!”
Snow inhales frustrated. “Oh Peeta, Peeta, Peeta. They didn’t tell you, did they?”
“What!?” I ask impatiently. Snow rolls his eyes. “Didn’t tell me what?!” I yell anger and fear building up inside me.
“They left you.” He says coolly. “Katniss has joined the rebels…with Gale.” My body tenses up at the mention of his name.
“The rebels?” I ask. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, dear Peeta.” He grins. “Did you not know of the plans Haymich Abernathy and Katniss Everdeen had made?”
I shake my head.
He laughs. “Well, this is interesting.”
“I don’t understand…” I begin.
“Of course you don’t.” He says sniffing his rose. “You see Peeta… there are a lot of things Miss Everdeen and Mr Abernathy have kept secret from you.”
And as if on cue an image is projected onto the roof.
An image of Katniss kissing Gale.
I remember Katniss had told me of this kiss, but hearing about it and seeing it projected in front of you, are two completely different things.
I clench my jaw tightly.
“Oh, and there’s more.” He smiles triumphantly. Once again, on cue, another image appears of Katniss and Gale.
Followed by another, and another, and another, each time escalating in intimacy.
Surely these must have been fabricated, Katniss wouldn’t do that…would she?
I shake my head.
No. She wouldn’t.
“I’ve seen enough.” I say harshly. “That’s not Katniss. So whatever sick and twisted trick you are trying to pull on me, it’s not working.”
Snow’s smile ceases. “Okay.” He says too softly. “We’ll let you rest now.”
Then he leaves the room, leaving me alone once more, leaving me to dwell on the images I have just witnessed.
