Stories Don't Ring True

Paradox of Dreams or Darkness

WARNING: Dark, sad, mildly disturbing themes

Chapter 7

Katniss's POV

I rush down the hallway, not caring about anything except Peeta.
Boggs said he was awake and fine, and told me which room.

I find the room, go to open the door, but a doctor stops me. "You can't go in there."

"I'm his wife."

"Not legally. Please wait here."

"Why can't I go in?" I am confused.

He sighs. "He took a bad turn. We are treating him for it."

Something catches in the back of my throat. "Wh... what?"

"Mr. Mellark was doing fine, but then he began struggling to breathe, his blood pressure spiked and he got a migraine."

"Why can't I go in?"

The doctor stares blankly at me, then says "fine, go in."

◇◇◇

Like a million spiders into one, tubes run in and out of him.

He is laying motionless on a metal table. He has black circles around his eyes, his hair is matted and greasy and dry. He still wears the blue jumpsuit from the quell, stained with blood. They are cleaning his arm, which has blood dried onto it and some orange substance. He is Peeta, but I don't recognise him. His hope is gone, and I need to see his eyes. Those blue eyes. So soft, so calming, so beautiful.

"Peeta." I rush to him and wrap my arms around him. "What did they do to you?" A sob escapes me, rattling through my bones. A mix of happiness for him to be back with me, and a sadness for him to have gone through this.

"We gave him a sedative because he was in a lot of pain, it'll wear off in about an hour or so. We just need to monitor some things and stitch up a couple of wounds, so he should be out within the month."

"Okay," I say. My arms wrap tighter around him.

I sit there next to him. Past when the doctors leave. Past when Haymitch visits and leaves. I want to be there when he wakes. I rest my hand on my belly. The baby kicks softly. "You're gonna get to meet your dad. I promise."

◇◇◇

Peeta's POV

The sun is warm on my skin, and turns strands of her hair a dark gold. She sits in the tree, and suddenly she is sixteen again. I watch from the ground, hidden in a small cave. A bow and arrows are slung across her back, as well as a small orange backpack. We are back in the games.

Her head turns to me. "There you are... finally. I can win."

She shoots an arrow that pierces my heart.

◇◇◇

I lie in darkness again, until another dream drags me into its depths...

◇◇◇

The sky is beautiful; teal and coral and yellow. Katniss sits beneath it. She smiles the way she does when she is about to kiss me, then leans into Gale. Their lips collide, and suddenly I hate her. Orange floods my vision, a sickly colour, all vivid and neon, and I slowly slip back into darkness.

◇◇◇

She holds the baby in her arms, it is calm and still. She must have sang it to sleep. I sit down next to her and notice the knife. "I never wanted this child." Her face twists into anger and she drives the knife toward me. "You ruined my life."

◇◇◇

She hold the baby again. She smiles. "It's Gale's."

She turns to me. "Why would I want to be with you?" My arms go toward her throat and she smiles as she dies.

◇◇◇

I finally wake. I can't move very much, as there are tubes connected to my arms. I look around the room.

It is grey, and one of the walls is made of tinted glass. There is a small pressure on my hand- another hand. It is made of olive skin, and I look up to a sleeping Katniss. I squeeze her hand a little and she stirs. She looks a little confused, but after a second her arms go around me. Not in a choke, like so many of the nightmares portray, but a hug. A deep, loving embrace.

◇◇◇

Katniss's POV

I am woken by a squeeze on my hand. I look down and see Peeta's blue eyes looking back at me.

I embrace him, and am immediately calmed by his strong arms. I will never let him go again. "You're back." I say, tears in my eyes.

"Yeah." His voice is rough. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. I love you."

I can feel his smile against my neck. "I love you."

A/N: I am sorry for a shorter chapter. But i had to make a happy chapter :) I  hope you guys are enjoying.

Any suggestions for what you would like me to do or should i just carry on the track i'm thinking? im just not sure what im doing so suggestions would help.

new chapters at least once a week, possibly more