The Mockingjay Returns

Part 5: A Risk Worth Taking

I'd missed Haymitch more than I realised. Right now, sat at the table, I feel something pretty close to happiness. I told him about Dr Aurelius' instructions.

"I knew the time would come," Haymitch had said, "Soon, it'll be just like old times."

I don't know what he'd meant by that. "Old times" was the last thing I wanted.

"How about new beginnings?" I'd replied.

This idea of hope was what got  Haymitch and me to where we are now.

Peeta's front door no longer seems to loom over me, and it now seems welcoming. I knock confidently three times and hear footsteps immediately.

Taking a deep breath, I think of how careful I have to be with what I say and do. One wrong move could cause a flash back for me, or worse, Peeta.

All of a sudden, stood on the other side is Peeta Mellark. I look behind me at Haymitch, who just nods.

Peeta's messy hair and ever-blue eyes are somehhat comforting to me; again, they are a symbol of constancy in our changed world.

But there's still something not quite right. The way he stands is different to how he always did, and he's not as muscular and stocky as before.His burn scars poke out from under his sleeve, mirroring mine.

"Hey," he says, "sorry abou-"

"Save it" I say. Haymitch nudges me as sharply as those words came out of my mouth. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm a bit on-edge. How're you doing?"

Peeta manages a smile, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'm okay, Katniss. Some days are worse than others, but I'm okay."

I can't tell if he truly believes this, or if he needs to repeat himself to make himself believe it...

•

Half an hour later, I'm sat inside on one of his plush, Victor-worthy armchairs. Haymitch has gone to raid Peeta's food supply, or something.

From where I sit, I watch Peeta fumbling around, looking for something. When he finds it, he comes and sits next to me. I notice that he is careful to sit close enough to me so that it seems natural, but at the same time leaving space between us. I appreciate his awareness; he must know how afraid I am.

I look at him. In his shaking hands is the pearl: the one he gave to me in the quarter quell.

"The pearl I gave you in the quarter quell," he says, putting it on the table. "Doctor Aurelius used it to help me after the war. It made me remember..." he says, thinking.

I really don't know how to reply, so I just look at him. Then, floods of memories keep start to penetrate my mind.

Peeta and I in the cave.
Nights on the train.
The Quarter Quell Games.
And they keep on coming.

I notice Peeta looking at me.
"I can't," I murmur.
"What?"
"I think I should go. I'm sorry." I say, raising my voice this time. I can't stand being near him; it's too much for me. Too much, too soon.

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Oooooh, a bit of a cliff-hanger. Will they ever come to their senses? There's only one way to find out ;) ⬇️