Real (chapter 25-27)

When I first came back to Twelve and showed Katniss the Primroses, I thought she would slap me, yell at me, or declare her hatred. To my surprise, she didn't. She only gave a curt nod and ran back into the house. I thought at first that she wouldn't want to have anything to do with me, but we soon grow close together agian. When the time came that I had worked up the courage to kiss her, it was like the kiss on the beach of the quater quell. I gave her a protection that she had always wanted... needed. So when I asked the question, I already knew the awnser.
"You love me. Real or not real."
She looks straight in to my eyes and whispers," Real."

Can't survive without (Chapter 22-24)

I sit up and gently sip the water that Gale had given me. I should thank him. I don't want to be rude.
"Thanks for the water." I glance up at him and offer a soft smile.
He returns the smile for a second before his face returns to his 'deep in thought' look. "No problem. I wake up ten times a night anyway."
I glance at the fur mound that hides Katniss and see the lightest shift of weight. She's awake... she's listening. "To make sure Katniss is still here?"
Gale glances at Katniss and luckily doesn't notice that Katniss is eavesdropping. Several emotions flash in his eyes. Hurt. Love. Longing. Regret. He shakes his head and turns towards me again. "Something like that."
Neither of us speaks. I can't tell if the silence is comfortable or not, but Gale goes back to watching Katniss intently. I feel a burning sensation form in my gut. I haven't felt this feeling in a while. Jealousy?
"That was funny. what Tigris said. About no one knowing what to do with her."
"Well," Gale flashes me a winning smile, "we never have."
Laughter erupts from my stomach. The sad thing is, that was one hundred percent true. Katniss was a confusing person, to put in nicely. I know now she must be wondering how Gale and I can have a conversation like two old friends. I don't really know myself.
I turn to Gale and he stops laughing as soon as he sees my face. "She loves you, you know," I glance down at my cuffs. "She as good as told me after they whipped you."
Gale lets out a soft chuckle and gives a silent yawn. "Don't believe it." I could see the hurt on his face. "The way she kissed you in the Quarter Quell... well, she never kissed me like that."
The memory flashes in my head and I know he's right, but I shake my head. "It was just part of the show."
He looks up, "No, you won her over. Gave up everything for her. Maybe that's the only way to convince her you love her." He turns his head and I can tell he's blinking away tears. "I should have volunteered to take your place in the first Games. Protect her then."
"You couldn't," I give a shrug, trying to make him feel better. "She'd never have forgiven you. You had to take care of her family. They matter more to her than her life."
"Well, it won't be an issue much longer. I think it's unlikely all three of us will be alive at the end of the war. And if we are, I guess it's Katniss's problem. Who to choose." Gale yawns and hunches his shoulders. "We should get some sleep."
I wiggle into my fur and close my eyes. "Yeah. I wonder how she'll make up her mind."
Gale silently sits up again. "Oh, that I do know." He leans forward and his mouth twist into a small smirk. "Katniss will pick whoever she thinks she can't live without."
I give a curt nod and roll on my side. I know that the words Gale just uttered may have seemed innocent to him, but they probably just sliced through Katniss's heart.

Orange (Chapter 19-21)

I see Katniss crawl from the tent into the open. She turns her attention to me and I focus on my knots, pretending that I haven't noticed her. I can see your face flash with several different emotions. I can tell she's contemplating whether or not to speak to me and I already know she's going to decide on the latter. We sit in silence. Her eyes traveling anywhere but me and my eyes stealing glances of her face light by the moonlight. She looks absolutely stunning. I regret that thought as soon as it enters my head because the throbbing points in my neck begin to burn.
What did you say?
'I called her stunning.'
That dirty mutt is anything, but stunning.
'That's your opinion.'
My opinion is your opinion, Peeta.
I slowly found the tingling spreading through my body and the hatred for Katniss grow along with it. I grip tightly on my knot and squeeze my eyes shut. Trying to will away the hate, but it only makes the tingling increase.
Don't fight it Peeta.
'Y- Yes'
Good. Now Peeta why don't why try and talk to our lovely Mutt.
I glance up at Katniss and find my body sneering instead of smiling, "These last couple of years must have been exhausting for you. Trying to decide whether to kill me or not. Back and forth. Back and forth."
I can see in her face flash angry for a moment, but she takes a breath and looks at me with gentle eyes.
"I never wanted to kill you." I raise an eyebrow and she looks at the dirt. "Except when I thought you were helping the Careers kill me.." She locks eyes with me again and I see an emotion I have only seen once before, on the beach during the my second games. What is it? Love? "After that, I always thought of you as... an ally."
I can feel the tingle begin as soon as she breaks eye contact with me and I know I have to say something before I am completely consumed.
"Ally..." I can feel the tingling spread as my brain registers the word, '" Friend. Lover. Victor. Enemy. Fiancee. Target. Mutt. Neighbor. Hunter. Tribute. Ally. I'll add it to the list of words I use to figure you out." The tingling sensation is fading and Katniss looks beautiful in my eyes once again. "The problem is, I can't tell what's anymore, and what's made up."
I see a stirring in the sleeping group and Finnick's voice rises up. "Then you should ask, Peeta. That's what Annie does."
"Ask who?" I can heart the tenseness and worry in my voice. "who can I trust?"
'More stirring and this time Jackson's voice fills my ears. "Well, us for starters. We're on your squad."
'You're my guards."
"That, too, but you saved a lot of lives in Thirteen. It's not the kind of thing we forget."
Everyone goes silent and I can feel the tingling return. I let out a sigh and know that the tingling can not be stop by silence. A small memory floats into my brain and I can't help the nagging in my head to ask Katniss.
I turn towards Katniss. "Your favorite color... it's green?"
She gives a soft smile. "That's right." She glances back at her hands, trying to think of something to say. "And yours is orange."
I raise an eyebrow. "Orange"
"Not bright orange." She pauses as if trying to conjure up the color in her head. "But soft. Like the sunset. At least, that's what you told me once.'"
"Oh." I close my eyes and a sunset glows in my head. The sun setting over the forest in Twelve. The gentle yellows, pinks, and.... oranges. The tingling stops all together when the sunset pops in my head. For the first time, there is no throbbing points in my neck, no remembrance of the torture I endured at the Capitol, just the orange sunset that rolls over my memories.
"Thank you."
I open my eyes slightly to see Katniss on the verge of tears. "You're a painter. You're a baker. You like to sleep with the windows open. You never take sugar  in your tea. And you always double-knot your shoelaces."
She quickly dives back into the tent before the tears spill over the brim of her eyes.
I smile and close my eyes. I whisper to myself, hoping that no one would hear.
"I love you."

Did you love me? (16-18)

The restraints that held my arms to the bed are starting to feel like a peice of clothing. I know the tube in my arm is to knock me out if I lost control, but I'm not foolish enough to try and attack her when I am pinned down. Right now, the voice says my goal is to make her angry. I need to make her hate me.
Exactly Peeta. Make her boil over with rage.
'I still don't understand why I need to'
So that everyone sees her like we do. So that they know the true Katniss.
I hear a small creak and my eyes dart up to find Katniss slowly approching me.
'She doesn't look evil...'
Don't let her trick you, Peeta.
She standing about a yard away and has her arms crossed protectevily over her mid-section.
She's scared.
'Because you made me choke her.'
I didn't make you do anything.
"Hey." Her voice is the same as I remember and something moves in my heart.
'I miss her'
She tried to kill you, Peeta.
The nightmares flash back into my mind. Those horrible memories from the arena where she tried to kill me so many times. The part of my heart that had warmed by her voice slowly goes cold again, but I know I must reply.
"Hey." I try to keep my voice at a calm level. I must make her mad. This is my only chance
"Haymitch said you wanted to talk to me."
I know what she wants from me. An annocment of my love. An apology for branding her with the title Mutt, but that's not what she's gonna get.
"Look at you for starters."
'She's beautiful.'
Under that desguise is a dirty mutt, Peeta. Remember that.
"You're not very big, are you?"
Or pretty, Peeta. Look at her. Disgusting.
"Or particularly pretty?"
Perfect.
I can see anger in her eyes. Despite my situation, she gets mad like a littly baby. I know that I've hurt her and I feel pride swell up in my chest. Seeing her eyes narrow and her lips purse makes the two points on my neck tingle with excitment.
She takes a breath." Well, you've looked better."
I can't help, but laugh. "And not even remotly nice. To say that to me after all I've been through." My voice starts to turn into a growl and I can feel my body's longing to break out of the retrainst.
'All I want to do is take a swing at those pretty eyes of hers.'
Pretty?
I freeze. 'No... not pretty... ugly and mutt-like.'
Better.
"Yeah. We've all been through a lot. And you're the one who was known for being nice. Not me."
I can feel a smile play on my lips. Perfect. I have right where I want her. She expected a happy reunion and now she's been blindsided by the new me.
The better you.
'The better me.'
"Look, I don't feel well."
Check mate.
"Maybe I'll drop by tommorrow."
Katniss turns and slowly approches the door.
Defeated by the boy with the bread.
'The boy with the bread?'
Suddeny the two points on my neck stop tingling and all I want to do is call out to Katniss. But what to say? I've made her angry. The boy with the bread? The bread! I wiggly slightly in my restraints and lock my eyes on Kaniss.
"Katniss. I remember about the bread."
I feel as if my body is being ripped in two as I recall the bread. One side of me wants to break from the bed and hug Katniss as if I was dying, but the other side wants to break from the bed and strangle her until the last bit of her pathetic life has gone below. I can feel the love that I had for her returning, until she doesn't awnser my question.
"And did you love me?" I ask as I feel tears in my eyes.
Her eyes dart up at me quickly and then resume there postion pointed towards the tile. "Everyone says I did.Everyone says that's why Snow had you tortured. To break me."
"That;s not ann awnser."
I give up then. She's lost her chance and I allow the tingle in my neck to return along with the voice.
Good Peeta. Don't worry now, Darling. You'll have a chance to kill her soon.
I fight beck another smile as Katniss explains herself and her actions in the arena.
 'Good.'

She's a mutt (Chaters 13-15)

I don't fight the restraints that tie me to the bed, but what reason is there anyway? Katniss is gone, I've lost my chance.
'Why are you doing this to me? I don't want to kill her."
Why not Peeta. She's a dirty mutt. She killed your family, Peeta.
'My family?' I can feel my pulse quicken, 'What did you say about my family?'
Shhhh, Peeta, quite, someones coming.
'Its not like they can hear you, idiot'
Who knows what these doctors have done to you.
'Good point...'
I blocked out the voice when I saw a pretty blonde girl enter my hospital room. Who is that? Is she working with the mutt? Why is she in my room? My brain goes foggy again when the voice interrupts my thoughts.
Wow, that's an improvement from the mutt.
'Shut up.'
Whatever, Peeta.
I turn my attention back to the girl, who is crossing the room as if I was some injured animal. I see her smile and I can feel something twinge in the back of my brain. Who is she?
"Peeta?" She whispers gently, "Its Delly. From home"
"Delly" I know that name.
'Who's Delly?'
She's from your district. Imagine her... fatter.
"Delly. It's you."
"Yes!" She seems to let out a sigh, "How do you feel?"
"Awful."
'Here is my chance to get some answers.'
You might not want them.
I ignore the voice and press Delly, "Where are we? What happened?"
Delly gives an aged smile and tells me that we live in Thirteen now.
'Why would we live in thirteen?'
Our lovely Mockingjay wanted your family dead
Delly continues to talk, trying to avoid what happened in Twelve.
'What happened?'
Silence.
'I know you know.'
There was a fire
"There was a fire."
Delly hesitates, "Yes"
And guess whose fault it was, Peeta. IT WAS KATNISS! THE MUTT DID IT! She killed everyone. She destroyed... everything.
"Twelve burned down, didn't it? Because of her."
Yes Peeta. She destroyed everything. Doesn't that make you mad, Peeta?
"Because of Katniss!"
"Oh no Peeta." I can see her back up slightly, "It wasn't her fault."
Don't listen to her. She's lying to them. She tricked Delly.
"Did she tell you that?" My voice is a low hiss
""She didn't have to."
Katniss is a liar
The mutt's a liar
 Shes backing up more, "I was-"
"Because she's lying! She's a lair!"
Good boy
"You can't believe anything she says!"
Tell them Peeta. Tell them what she really is.
"She's some kind of mutt the Capitol created to use against the rest of us!"
Delly looks despriate and lost, "No. Peeta. She's not a-"
Don't let Delly get killed! Katniss will kill her liked she tried to kill you!
"Don't trust her Delly," I shout, I don't want Delly to die. "I did and she tried to kill me. She killed my friends. My family. Don't even go near her! She's a mutt!"
Perfect Peeta.
"A mutt! She's a stinking mutt!"
Delly is pulled out of the that she was slowly making her way towards. I know I only have a few moments before the doctors come back to examine me again. To poke at me and dissect me like some disgusting, useless lab rat.
You know Katniss was watching right, Peeta?
I couldn't help the smile forming on my lips, "Good."

Rescue (Chapters 10-12)

"Get up, Peeta," Johanna wakes me with a kick to the gut.
"Hey," Suddenly it hits me that Johanna is standing in my cell, ""what are you doing here?"
"The guards told me to get you." She shrugs and tosses a large piece of paper my way, "We have to find new cells."
"New cells?"
She gives me another shrug and pulls me to my feet. We follow the map without a word and soon find small, empty cells.
"They're small," I say after walking the length of the first cell.
"They don't have any turtore devises." Johanna adds, the relief apparent in her voice, "The guards said to pick two cells, because the rest of us will be coming."
"Us?"
""Beats me," Johanna gives a third shrug, "just pick a cell."
I sigh and pick the first cell in the row. Once Johanna makes it clear that she doesn't want to talk, I settle down and stare at the stone ceiling.
When the other prisoners come in, I can neither see them or speak to them due to a stern warning from a burly, short-tempered guard. He leans against the wall outside my cell and watches me with narrow, heavily hooded eyes. After what seems like eternity, he kicks off the wall and leaves without a sound.
'Why is he leaving?'
They have arrived
'Who?'
The voice has no chance to answer when we hear the first bang. I hear shouts, screams, and the scuffle of boots and soon the face of Gale Hawthorne peering through the bars.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, gritting my teeth.
"I'm here to rescue you." He jingles a key in my face and pulls the bars open.
The only thing I want right now is to punch him the face, but I keep my composure and follow him as he menovers the hallways with ease. We soon reach a surface and he ushers me into a hovercraft where we are transported to District 13.
'That was... easy'
President Snow wants Katniss to see the new you
'The new me?'
You'll see soon
*************************************************************************************************************
The rest of the next couple days go by in a blur. They scan me and check me into the hospital and people come in and out, asking me questions and probing me with needles. The world was a big white blur, until she came into my view.
A push away the trio of doctors examining me and move swiftly towards her. She looks the same, long brown hair and seam grey eyes.
'My mission. My mission.'
She extend out to me.
Good Peeta. Don't forget the mission.
'my mission. My mission'
I reach out my hands and lock them around her throat.
'I will kill the capitol mutt Katniss. That is my mission.'

Blood on the tiles (Chapter nine)

"Come with me," I raise my eyes to see President Snow standing above me, "now"
He turns on his heel and walks out my cell door. I scramble to my feet with a moan of pain and scamper after him. We reach the interview stadium, where I was a couple days ago.
Four days to be exact.
'Pardon?'
Four days without food, water or sunlight.
President Snow points to an elevated stool in front of a map. He leans in close to my face.
"Listen boy, get this right and the mutt can die alright?"
"Katniss?"
"Yes Katniss, Peeta." His face contorts into a smile, "We'll blow her sky high."
 A few stylist flock around me and decorate my face. They are shooed of stage just as the cameras begin to roll. My leg starts to tap as I point out places of damage on the map. I feel my blood pulse and rage fill me as the voice inside my head whispers in my ear.
This is all Katniss's fault. Peeta, she is doing this to you. She is making them hurt you. Its all her fault. She's a beast. She's a mutt.
Mutt
Mutt
Mutt
Suddenly President Snow's words hit me. They'll blow her sky high?
'They are going to kill her!'
Good riddance
"Any parting thoughts for Katniss Everdeen." President Snow looks at me with warning eyes.
I can feel my face twist with anger and slight insanity, "Katniss... how do you think this will end?" I try my hardest to maintain composure as I speak, but its obvious I am failing, "And you... in Thirteen," I take in a sharp breath as my lungs burn with invisible water, "Dead by morning!"
That was a mistake.
Before I have time to take in my words, I hear President Snow shout to end the broadcast. I try to speak again  to tell her to run and hide, but a security guard knocks the camera to the floor. I know what's coming next. I hear someone running behind me and feel a crushing blow to my head. Black starts to fill my line of sight, but just before I give way to it, I see the white tiles stained with my blood.
'I will kill Katniss. It is my mission.'
Good boy.

Pain (Chapter eight)

I am on the platform of the my second games. How I am supposed to get out? I am surrounded by water? I see Finnick swimming towards me and I let out a sigh of relief that was only to be replaced by a sharp intake of breath. Finnick was coming to my rescue, but could I trust him to save me? Once I hit that water I am one hundred percent dependent on Finnick. He could drown me as easily as Katniss shot her prey.. Despite my doubts of his real intentions, when he comes to my platform, I latch onto him like a scared child. I feel like a man in control of a boat as I float through the water with ease. A small smile graces my lips only to soon fade before beings seen as pangs of regret shot through me for ever doubting Finnick.
My heart flutters when I see Katniss swimming with ease, her hair laced with golden sparkles. When did she get those? I shake my head and pull my attention by to the water. It's surprisingly warm and without a current. A current, that's what it's called right? A small bead of sweat forms on my forehead as the images of how people in District 12 described sea beasts flash in my head. I wish I had a canvas here.
Katniss had somehow reaches us in a matter of seconds and a her lips form a smile as she puts both hands on either side of my face. She pulls me closer until our faces are only a inch apart. Why was she doing this? Oh right the cameras.
She presses her lips to mine in a light kiss before she pulls me under the water, her mermaid tail pulling me deeper into salty, wet darkness until I can no longer hold my precious life in. I gasp in an effort to seize the burning in my lungs, but instead of perfect capitol air, I am met with only water.
I feel my life slipping away when the first electric shock hits my body like a ton of bricks.
I desperately try to scream  but only gang on the ocean water. Another shock hits me and I let out another silent scream.
Katniss swims up so that her face is once again only inches from mine and laughs as the electric currents rock my body.
I know I must be dead right now, or at least unconscious, but Katniss keeps me up with her laughter. It still pierces my ears even with no air to let the sound travel.
Suddenly, the laughter stop and Katniss looks at me with careful eyes. Another smile forms on her lips when she bites down on my neck.
*************************************************************************************************************
I wake from my haunting memories and rise with a wince. I see burns from where the electrocution hit me hardest and I can still feel my lungs burn.
"They put you in water and electrocute you. Kinda refreshing isn't it?"
I turn and see Johanna sitting in the corner opposite of me. Her body frail and covered with burns, she still holds an aura of strength. They haven't broken her yet.
"Johanna"
"I know my name, Peeta." She rises with much difficulty and wobbles towards me.
Once she reaches me, she collapse on the ground and just looks at me. I don't bother to smile, because this isn't a happy moment.
"I heard the guards talking. You are going to be interviewed by Caesar Flickerman today so I'd start preparing... mentally."
"They aren't going to make me over?"
Johanna snorted, "Yeah right, honey, that was a one time thing. This time you are going on air all natural."
I was going to retort, but a pair of guards pulled my from what I guess was Johanna's cell. I am pulled through the same corridors and hallways as before, but I do not enter the mirror room. I am pulled right into the interview stadium and pushed into the overly-stuff chair that I have sat in three times prior. Caesar sits before me, but he doesn't offer an smile, he doesn't even meet my gaze.
"Five, four, three," The voice of an unknown man calls out and I raise my head to try to meet Caesar's eyes, "two, one."
"Hello Peeta," Caesar finally looks up, but everything about him is fake.
Caesar tells me about the rumors of Katniss's rebel tapes and throughout it all, I feel pangs of hate, sadness, and love.
"They're using her, obviously," I say trying to keep the pain out of my voice, ""To whip up the rebels. I doubt she even really knows what's going on in the war. What's at stake."
We continue to talk, to make Katniss feel guilty. I try my hardest to give the capitol what they want. I feel numb to the thought of what Katniss would want, I just want the pain to stop.
The interview ends and I am lead back into my cell, where the pain continues.

The Hive (Chapter seven)

I am sitting under the tree where Katniss sits stranded, waiting to die. I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes but I blick them away. They could be easily seen by the other carrers in the light of our tourches. The carrers. How could I possibly team up with the carrers? To stay alive, of course. Now, though, as I sit next to the sleeping figure of Cato I feel second thoughts creep into my head. Suddenly I hear a sawing nose coming from above. I crawl to the edge of my group's temoary shelter to see Katniss sawing away at a unshual looking hive.
 What is it? Is it a form of escape? I have no more time to question her motives before the hive crashes to the ground with a sicking thud. Suddenly thousands of small insects emerge from their demolished home with much rage. They swarm around all the other carrers and chaoes erupts as children scatter in all directions. I, being one of the targets of the insects, flew towards the entance of the woods before a sharp pain in my thigh sends my crashing towards the ground. I see the yellow-jaket like animal send its enormous stinger into my stomach and I yell out in pain.
My eyes shut in agony, but soon shot back open when I see a sparkling Katniss standing before me. She smiles and kisses me on the forehead before sending a stinger straight in my heart.

The Mission (Chapter six)

I open my eyes and a feel the small amount of food I've eaten over the days in my cell burn my esophagous as it retracts up my throat. The arena, I am in the arena. I remember it as if I lay still injured in the cave with Katniss. Katniss! I look around despritatly and see her observing the arena with careful eyes.
Her eyes catch mine and she notions towards the golden cornacopia before us. I shake my head. I want to scream no. I want to run off my plateform, but I know that being so foolish would be the end of me so I only give one more stern shake of my head before the gong sounds and the small glitering balls rise from the grassy arena floor.
I expect her to run towards the woods but instead she runs towards the cornacopia. She grabs a knife and impales the youngest child in the game without a moment of hesitation. Burgendy blood drips over his body, which was well under five feet.
Katniss turns towards me and her sharp teeth are revealed in a wolfy grin. She extends her thumb and pointer finger, narrows her eyes, a pulls an imaginary trigger, and sends a metaphorical bullet through my heart.
**********************************************************************************
Sweat cements hair to my forehead when I wake with a scream.
'Another dream'
Another memory
The voice in my head has spoken to me often lately
'P- Pardon'
Peeta, have you not relized?
'Relized what exactly?'
Those aren't dreams Peeta. Those are memories. All the events you see and will see are real. Realer than you can ever fear. What Katniss said was true; she is a mutt of the capitol and you are the only one who can stop her from killing all the people of the districts.
'And how do you expect me to do that,' I sneer.
You will see Katniss soon and when you do... you must kill her.
 I can't help but shout,  "I can't do that! I love her!"
The voice in my head lets out a dark chuckle.
You will kill her Peeta. It is your mission.
Words come out of my mouth without my consent or control and they leave my body shaking until the world goes dark agian.
"I will kill Katniss. It is my mission."

The true Katniss (Chapter five)

"Who are you?" I scream up at the mutt hovering over me.

"I am Katniss." It states simply

"You... speak... English?"

"Of course," a nasty laugh escapes its snarling lips, "all citizens of the capitol speak English."

I sit up slightly and feel Katniss's fur brush my skin through the holes in my clothing. Katniss lets out another laugh at what was probably a shocked expression.

Katniss leaps of my body and circles me as if I am prey, "Silly Peeta, you actually thought I was a member of District 12?"

I slowly nod, my eyes trained on the true form of Katniss.

"I was made in the capitol and sent to District 12 to kill all those who are innocent."

I can feel my eyes grow wide, "Wha- what?"

"I was never real. Our friendship was all an act, Peeta, and now that I am the face of the rebellion, I will kill every living man, women, and child who dare deify the capitol." 

Katniss's grey eyes cloud over with rage. She bounds back towards me and latches her fangs on my neck once again. The world is plunged into a sickening and familiar darkness.

The Nightmares Begin (Chapter four)

I wish that scratching on my ears made a difference to the screams of terror coming from the cell to my right. I am in the far left comer of my cell and yet the screams were as clear as if Darius was only an inch from my face.

"What weapons are the rebels using?" A deep voice demands for the fourth time.

"Arghula!" Darius sounds like some kind of rushing river, but if he had a tongue, he would be shouting.

"What weapons are the rebels using?" The volume of the mans voices increases.

Darius is silent, until the punishments begin again. From what I gather, it starts with a simple cut or a light punch. Then, slowly, but surely the man works up to more painful activities, until, despite Daruis's screams of protest, the man is removing fingers and toes.

I wince at every sound out of Daruis's mouth and wonder if my fate would be the same?

No, you are to valuable to risk you bleeding to death or some silly death like that

'Why do you sound so quiet?'

I am growing weak since my last... recharging.

'Recharging?'

Your dreams, Peeta. The venom. It is my lifeline.

'Venom?'

Tsk, I had to open my mouth. You are smart, no?

'I... I guess'

Then you will put two and two together soon enough

'Put two and two together?'

No response

I sigh and notice for for the first time Darius's screams have been replaced with small whimpers that means that beatings have ended for the day.

"Darius?"

The whimpers stop, "Huuu?"

"Are you ok?" I crawl towards our conjoining wall

"Nahhsshhh," I can hear the pain in his voice

"Darius. I'm sorry. I'm sorry you are going to die."

There is silence from then on. Darius knows I am correct and, much my despair, I know as well. I crawl as far away as possible and curl up into a pathetic little ball. Soon the darkness of my cell is replaced by a darkness I fear much more. 

My dreams are now just desolate darkness. There is no Katniss ripping at my flesh; no wounds that transfer from my dream world to real life. I know that this should bring a smile to my face, but it leaves me with an unsettling feeling in my gut.

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"Move him, move him," a voice pulls me from my dream abyss.

"Silence, we must not wake him." another voice states as the owner pulls me from the ground.

My feet brush the the ground as I am pulled towards the back of my cell. My body comes in contact with the cold metal I discovered just days ago.

'What is this?'

They are going to inject it.

'What?'

Liquid nightmares.

My eyes shot open soon enough to see two large syringes enter my neck before everything goes black.

**********************************************************************************

I slowly feel my senses coming back. The cold stone under my body feels just like it did my first night in my cell, the throbbing pain in my neck has returned with much vigor, and the realization that my eyes are close reaches my foggy brain. 

I manage to lift my heavy eyelid and am face to face with the snarling mutt who seemed to cause all this trouble, Katniss.

The chair (Chapter 3)

As soon as the cameras stop rolling, I am pulled up roughly by two gaurds, pushed through various corridors and hallways, and shoved into my cell where the sadly famlir ground provides a strange sense of confort. I crawl to the corner and for the first time take a few moments to explore my new home. The room seems over-sized and empty, until I find one extremly cold metal chair. The chair provides no comfort so I abandon the thought of using it as seating.
My hands find something in the dark, "Cuffs," I speak the word into the empitness.
Metal cuffs connected to the arms and front feet of the chair.
'What could these be for?' I ask  myself
To end you.
'What?' I ask earnistly to the invisible man
No response.
'Tell me!'
No response
I face defeat and cral back to the entrance of the cell. I lie there in the fetal position, not awar that time was moving at all... until the sounds of footsteps enter my empty brain. I crawl to the bars and look out into the dimly lit corridor. I see them. The two Avoxes who had assited Katniss and me during our time in the capitol. Then it hits me.
"Darius!" Although I do not know him well I can't fight his name as it escapes my throt.
He looks at me, his once glowing, rambusious face was now one that should be placed on a mother mourning the death of her child, face somber maybe even emotionless but eyes filled with enough unseen tears to fill the oceans, and with one swift movement, takes his chakled hand, places two fingers on his lips, and extends his hand to me.
I can almost hear him say it, "Goodbye."
I struggle away from the bars and plsce my head on my knees.
That's when the beatings began

The Interview (Chapter two)

"Peeta," A husky voice penetrates my dream, "get up."
I know this voice was real, but I do not open my eyes. I have not moved since I awoke and am merely replaying my... experience over and over, trying to make sense of what has happened. I have come to terms that this attack was not a dream, but now I face the daunting task of having to clarify what it was and, more importantly, what Katniss was.
"Peeta," I feel breath on my face and the scent of rotting animals and alcohol fills my nostril, "if you don't get up right now, I'll put a few more marks on that pretty little face of yours."
This man sounds remarkably like Haymitch, but I know it's too good to be true. Haymitch abandoned me for Katniss in this game just like before. I can't say I'm surprised, I mean, it's what we agreed on, but knowing he was trying to save me would be rather comforting fact at this point in time. 
I keep my eyes closed and focus on the pain in my neck rather then the stink enveloping my two good senses, smelling and hearing. My sense of touch has only felt cold hard ground since I found myself here. My tongue has stayed in my mouth without protest and with my eyes shut as tightly as my weaken self can manage, I am perfect game for anyone in the mood to hunt. 
I feel comfortable to the thought of dying though. I would be easier for everyone, Haymitch, Katniss, Gal-
Katniss is a dirty mutt, Peeta. She doesn't deserve an easier life; she deserves to be shot through the head.
I can feel my eyes widen under my eyelids. Had the man with the rancid breath said that? No, the voice was to clear to have be registered by ear. This voice was in my head. The real question is, do I reply?
I clear my throat and take a deep breath, 'what?'
Oh Peeta, you fool. I'm not going to do all the work for you. Just be a little more observant next time.
'Next time,' I pause trying to gather my thoughts, 'what next time.'
No reply. I'm on my own.
Suddenly the cold ground leaves the company of my back and I feel my feet dangling the air. I know then that the man with the rancid breath is going to kill me and I can't help but feel a bolt of excitement coarse through my body. But instead of a knife to the throat or a stab at the heart I feel of punch connect with my right cheek and my world goes dark.
                                                                            ****
"Oh now look what you have done!" A shrill voice brings my world back into the light, "He  has got a big old shiner on his face and he needs to be on television TODAY!"
"Well I'm sorry, but the kid was just lying there with some weird-ass look on his face"
"Well you're lucky you have the best stylist the capitol!"
That's when it all connects. Television, capitol, and the unmistakable capitol accent clicked in my clouded brain. My eyes shot open and I have to stifle a scream. About two inches away from my face is an alien-looking capital drone.  
Her rose pink face twist into what I think is a smile and her yellow cat eyes glitter with happiness, "There are those ocean blue orbs I just adore!
The giant pink flower rises and scurries away so I use this time to observe my surroundings. I am in a giant square room full of wall to wall windows. I see a well-built man in a uniform leaning on the frame of a door. His black hair brushes the tops of his jade green eyes and his face reads an expression that seem like boredom mixed with frustration.
"What are you looking at," he sneers when he notices I was staring at him from, what I expect is, my pitiful position on the floor.
I'm able to prop myself onto my elbows before the pain in my sides flare and I plaster a smirk on my face, "You."
"Listen up, kid," the man glides towards me with a devilish look in his eyes, "I don't like you. You are in no position to be holding that look of yours." My face falls, "I would have already killed you if it wasn't for Lilaplak," he notions towards the door where the stylist had disappeared through so I assume that must be Lilaplak, "convincing me to keep you alive to campaign against the rebels." He leans in close and his breath holds its familiar stench, "I would be dead if it wasn't for her so be nice."
He gives me a hard kick to the stomach before retreating back to his original spot. Lilaplak scurries back in followed by a trio of other capitol freaks.
"Alright," Lilaplak's face twist back into the capitols take on a smile and she, with the help of one of her helpers, pulls me into an overstuffed high chair, "let's make you beautiful. Peeta!"
The use of my name on her lips sends a uncomfortable chill through me.

                                                                            ****
I look in the mirror at myself. Never underestimate the power of the capitol. I have gone from a dirty, weak mess of a person to a glowing, renewed Peeta.
The man with the rancid breath leans next to my face and examines my in the mirror, "You can sure work magic Lilaplak."
Lilaplak face twists into a grin, "Ah Randal, I could just kiss you."
Randal smiles and takes a couple steps towards Lilaplak. He's actually going to kiss her.
"But I'm too busy right now." She continues, oblivious to Randal's reaction.
Randal... a surprisingly normal name for someone of the capital. Of coarse he doesn't hold the capital look either. Who is this man?
"All right darling," Lilaplak's right hand man, Poliolnoid, pulls me out of  my thoughts,"time to  the interview."
"Interview?" My mind is blank
"Yes! The only thing we've been talking about all this time! You are being interviewed by Caesar Flickerman about the games and the rebellion! Its being broadcasted to the whole capital and all of the districts! You are so lucky..."
Poliolnoid mumbles to himself about interviews as he pulls me along many hallways and corridors until we reach the interview stadium I know so well.
Caesar is out of sight, but I see President Snow and he is coming towards me. His puffy lips seem to form some kind of smirk and his eyes are sizing me up like some kind of animal. 
"Hello Peeta," his breath turns my stomach, "how has your stay been with us so far?"
"Fabulous," I say through gritted teeth, trying not to smeel his bloody breath.
"Good so you are willing to listen to me."
I raise my eyebrows and give a yawn, "About what, exactly?"
"You and Katniss were tricked in the area by Haymitch and your supposed allies and now they have tricked her into becoming the mockingjay."
I'm not to surprised. Most of this I had figured out on my own, but the mockingjay information takes me by surprise. Does she actually expect to win a war? If she does, she is a fool. The rebels have changed her, tricked her, something.
"You are going to be viewed by everyone," he leans in closer, "most certainly the rebels. It is your job to convince them to stop fighting. Understand?"
I give a slow nod, "And if I fail?"
President Snows eyes begin to glow, "Everybody dies. Johanna dies. The avoxes die." He leans in until his face is only millimeters from mine, "Katniss dies."
My body pulses then freezes. He can't do that can he? She's safe. Right?
Don't doubt him, Peeta. He'll kill the mutt just to torture you.
Before I could answer I am pushed onto the stage and into the same plush chair as always. I remain motionless, but I feel President Snow come behind me. 
"Don't mess up," he whispers, his breath licking my ear and making my nauseous.
He walks away and I am left to face Caesar Flickerman. He smiles and gives me a nod
"Five, Four, Three, Two," the cameraman calls out and suddenly the cameras are rolling and the crowd is cheering.
Caesar gives me a long look, "So... Peeta... welcome back."
I give a slight smile, ignoring the pain of my covered up wounds, "I bet you thought you'd done your last interview with me, Caesar."
"I confess I did," Caesar says.
He continues to take and I continue to answer, but only one thing is going through my mind. President Snow's last words.
Don't mess up
Don't mess up
Don't mess up
Don't mess up or Katniss dies

Waking up (Chapter one)

Black. I am surrounded by black.
"Am I alone?" I call out as I circle, my feet echoing on an unknown surface into the dark.
That's when I see her. A single light shines onto her face, illuminating the curves and dimensions I know so well. The memories of the damp cave come to mind, when she was my only and I was hers. I was her warmth, her only ally, the one for whom she risked her life to save. Now I wonder if she has forgotten me. No... it can't be. I remember. I remember her voice calling out to me in the arena. I remember running towards it.
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                                                                     Flashback
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"It was a trap," I thought as I ran through the arena, "they are going to kill her! Johanna is going to rip her apart!" I hear the gong ring through the arena and a weight drops into my stomach.
I had almost reached the forest when the explosion knocked me off my feet. Then a large hovercraft blocked my line of sight. The capitol seal seemed to taunt me as a metal claw descended onto my body. I didn't fight. I knew I would not win this battle. I just look at the seal, my eyes glistening with tears and brimming with defiance. 
"I will not break, President Snow. " I whispered with as much malice as possible, "Katniss will not break."
I could have sworn I heard the words, "She will break and you are what will extinguished the flames in the heart of the girl who was on fire."
I begin to rise and am about to retort when I here a crush as a hard object slams against my head and the world fades into nothingness.

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                                                                  End of Flashback

**********************************************************************************

I pull myself out of my thoughts and rise. I had crumpled to the ground as the memory of my last night with Katniss comes ripping through my mind. I feel a crippling pain on my left temple where I had been smashed over the head. 

"Peeta," a faint voice calls out, "Peeta!"

I hear the voice of Katniss, but the mouth of the girl before me merely twitches like some kind of animal.
I still can't help but race towards Katniss, "Katniss! Katniss, I'm coming!"

Suddenly my legs buckle underneath me and I come crashing onto the frozen ground. I am panting and a burning sensation is traveling up my stomach. How long had I been running? I feel a warm fluid dripping down from my forehead. I reach my hand up and feel a series of cuts and scrapes decorating my face. 

I look up and a shudder shakes my body. I am no closer to Katniss, in fact, I seem to be twice as far away as before. She has not changed positions despite that she seems to be over a thousand yards away. Another shudder runs through me as I notice that her mouth is still twitching and a white foam has started forming on her lips.

I stagger back. I'd know that foam anywhere. Rabies... just like the mutts from my first hunger games.

 Katniss hunches down and gives a low, spine-tingling growl. Tear escape my eyes as Katniss's olive skin is replaced with brown fur with glittering silver ends and her teeth grow into a pair of pointed fangs. Her body goes from one of a beautiful girl to one that haunts my nightmare. I am frozen in fear as she leaps closer and closer, approaching with speed only the capitol could generate. 

I shut my eyes as I feel the mutt's hot breath, Katniss's hot breath, on my cheeks. Her nose makes contact with my neck as she searches for the opportune place to take her first bite and start ripping apart my body. Her fangs dig into my neck.

I wake with a scream. I let out a sigh, realizing this pain in my body was only a dream. I try to push myself up, but the pain in my sides feels all to real. My hands find my face where the cuts and scrapes are still warm with blood. I open my eyes to find a fluorescent light burning into my brain and I squeeze my eyes shut only to see the figure of Katniss lunging towards me and I let out another scream. I settle for squinting and focus my energy on the dull pain in my sides. I feel it for the time once my heart settles to a regular speed. Two pinprick circle on my neck feel as if a psychopath was painting on my neck with a knife. My fingers probe the wounds along with moaning and wincing and I know what made this wound. Katniss. This was not a dream.