Aftermath

Bloodstains

Before I've even got through the front door Gale materializes from upstairs.

I gasp.

He's got a deep red mark on his right cheek bone and there's blood trickling down his nose, dripping onto his white T-shirt, which seems to be entirely ripped from the center of his chest to his left arm.

"What happened?!" I exclaim, pressing my back against the cold door my knees becoming weak.

"Peeta..." He says the quietly, keeping his eyes on the floor. "Peeta...flipped out."

Before I can register anything a scream penetrates the eerie silence that falls between us.

The scream belongs to Peeta.

I push past Gale and drive myself up the stairs. My thighs burning.

I stagger into his room panting fiercely.

I can't see Peeta anywhere.

His bed is covered in bloodstains.

Panic washes over me.

"Peeta?" I call, my voice shaking. "Peeta?"

Then I see him, trembling in the corner of his room, covering his head with his hands.

"Peeta! Oh my god!" I exclaim as I crawl over to him. 

Cautiously I pull his hands away from his face. His trembling wildly, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm so sorry Katniss..." he sobs quietly. I wrap my arms around him, planting a soft kiss on his lips.

He's got a deep cut on his left temple and several bruises all over his face and chest, a few small cuts on his nose.

"It's okay." I whisper, stroking his hair. "It's okay."

"No, it's not...maybe...maybe I should go get some help." He says wiping his eyes roughly. "Maybe I should go away for a while."

"Peeta-" I begin.

"I know Katniss." He says softly, kissing me again. "But I have to."

The door closes downstairs.

Gale's gone.

Peeta looks away. "Is he okay?"

I laugh lightly. "I think he'll survive."

Peeta smiles, shaking his head lightly. "I don't know what happened."

"It doesn't matter." I say sternly, wrapping a blanket around his bare chest. 

Mainly to keep him warm, but also to hide his butchered body. I hate seeing his scars, they're like a constant reminder of what he's been through.

I slowly, wash his wounds, before plastering them over with some band aids and bandages. I then force him to drink some pain relief serum. The whole time holding my breath.

Peeta smiles at me, and I plant another kiss on his lips.

"C'mon, I'll cook something." He takes my hand gently and guides me downstairs.

Enveloping me in his strong arms once more.