"I will repeat this one more time Mr Mellark." He hisses in my ear. "Where is Miss Everdeen?"
"I don't know!" I spit through gritted teeth.
He slams his fist into my jaw.
I scream as a white ring of fire burns on the left side of my face.
He drives his boot into my stomach and my head slams into the cold tiled floor. I wretch uncontrollably, shielding my head with my arms.
The peace keeper recoils, massaging his fist. I can feel myself slipping away but I force myself back onto my knees and stare right into his black helmet. He punches me again, harder this time, more driven by anger. "Tell me!" He screams.
"I don't know anything!" I hiss, dragging myself back to my knees, sucking in deep breaths of air. "And even if I did I would never tell you!"
He draws out his gun and presses it to my temple.
I smile, pressing my head hard into the cool ring of the gun. Bracing myself for death...
I'm sorry Katniss, I think, If I'm dead, you're safer...
He pulls his gun away, and puts it back in his belt.
Frustration wells up inside me, as he storms out the room.
"Just kill me!" I scream after him. "Kill me!"
Then I lose it, the sobs begin to wrack my body, I slam my fists down in frustration until I collapse on the floor and let my eyes close, disappearing into darkness.
Ceasar Filckerman clears his throat.
"So Peeta." he begins. "How are you?"
It's amazing how quickly they can mask your emotions here in the Capitol. Within an hour I was transformed from my emotional wreck and back into a victor.
Within a few seconds the bruises on my face had disappeared and the colour inserted back into my cheeks. Even Caesar seems chirpy...considering the circumstances.
Yet Snow's words linger in my brain, clouding my eyes over with fear.
"Lie Mr Mellark. Or else, we will be in an all out war. And if you remember correctly this means death... Almost like a huge Hunger Games, only, this time there are no rules or allies...so what happens to Miss Everdeen is out of our hands... what I mean to say is, who can protect the girl on fire when she's the face of the rebellion?"
So I obey.
Within 15 minutes the entire interview is over and Snow greets me off set with a wide smile.
"Well done Mr Mellark. You never disappoint."
I clench my fists tightly. "No." I say spitefully. "I don't."
