Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Fifteen

Katniss POV-

Without words, Peeta and I move like a machine, automatically knowing what to do.

Working together for years.

I sit on the edge of the couch and Peeta sits next to me.

He gives me a frown, asking if I want to go through with this.

I nod, letting him physically know that I am sure about this.

He nods back and begins carefully unsealing the envelope.

He pulls out two slips of paper.

The first has my name in Prim's perfect preteen print and the second one says Peeta's name.

He holds it out to me but I push it back to him.

I want him to read it

I take a deep breath as Peeta begins to unsteadily read the neat print of my late little sister.

Peeta still wears a shocked, almost scared look on his face as he holds the letter out in front of him.

His hands shake as he clears his throat.

(Prim's letter to Katniss)

"Katniss, I want to thank you for everything that you have done for me. I love you but I want you to know that I think something is going to happen to one of us. I don't know when or how or to who but I feel like something bad is about to happen. I hope it's not to you or Peeta or Mom or Rue or any of us and maybe I'm wrong. I hope that I am wrong, Kat. I don't know what I would do if I lost any of you. Please, just know that if I am right and something bad does happen, to any of us, that it will be okay. I am going to miss you a lot when you and Peeta move away. Please, just promise me no matter what happens that you will marry him? You would be so happy with him. He loves you a lot, Katniss. You're his whole world and I know he's your whole world too. I'm really proud of you and I'm glad that you are my big sister. I love you so much.

Love,
Your Little Duck."

Peeta finishes the letter, his voice cracking.

I'm at a loss for words.

I can't even cry.

I am just so shocked.

"She knew something was going to happen..." I croak out to Peeta as he puts his hand on mine.

I gasp at the touch and pull away from him, mouth wide open in fear for whatever reason.

Immediately, I feel bad for my actions.

I look up at Peeta whose body trembles and he gives me a look that shows me his own regret.

I close my eyes, letting tears drip down my cheeks as Peeta does the same.

"I'm so sorry." He chokes out.

Hearing him so torn up at this makes me cry harder, he is so torn up by this letter.

My letter.

I bury my hands into my face and cry, not even wanting Peeta's comfort though he needs mine and I need his whether I want to admit it or not.

"What-what does your letter say?" I ask I between sobs, looking up through water-blurred eyes.

Peeta's body racks with sobs.

He loved Prim just as much as I did.

That's when I know I need to read his letter, he read mine for me.

"Here." I choke out, taking both letters from his shaky grip.

I wipe my hands of the tears and snot that accumulated over the minutes and pick up Peeta's letter.

(Prim's letter to Peeta)

"Peeta, know that something bad is about to happen to our family." I start as my tears pick up.

I take a deep breath and continue.

"I don't know to who, but I know something's happening soon. I hope that it's not happening to you or Katniss or my mom. Remember our promise. No matter what happens, if you're around and so is Katniss, please take care of her? I know that she's grumpy sometimes-" I stop, laughing as I begin to sob. Peeta smiles sadly, still crying just as hard as me. "And stubborn but she loves you so much. She needs you, Peeta." I laugh a little through my tears and Peeta looks up with tears still streaming down his pale cheeks and he croaks out a little a chuckle. I continue, "I hope you get to marry Katniss one day. She loves you a lot, you know. She may be a brat sometimes but no matter what happens, she loves you. I remember on school nights or on weekends when she would be braiding my hair or we would just be hanging out, she would never shut up about you. But I didn't mind, I loved that she was so happy. She never really thought she would find someone who loves her like you do. I am going to miss hearing her gawk over you and you gawking over her when she's not around. Thanks for everything you do for me and my sister. You're the best big brother I could have ever asked for. Just, please always do your best for her, she deserves it. I love you, Peeta. You're my best friend besides my sister.

Love Prim."

I finish the letter, sobbing now.

Peeta just stares at me as tears continue streaming down his face.

I don't say anything but I just pull Peeta's trembling body to my own and we hold each other. I lay my head on his shoulder and he sobs into my hair.

The way he shakes reminds me of how strong he really was for me after she died.

He held it together for me and didn't let the sorrow overtake him the way I let it.

It's my time to comfort Peeta for my sister's death.

But maybe, it's our time to mourn.

Together this time.