Always

Never Leaving

If it weren't for the darkness smothering the room, preventing me from counting the minuscule cracks in the ceiling, my mind would at least be slightly diverted from the torrent of thoughts currently threatening to drive me insane. All I can think about is how, tomorrow morning, I will board a hovercraft to fly to the Capitol. Convincing Coin to let her precious Mockingjays leave district thirteen wasn't an easy task. However, we explained how we could end the war faster. . .we chose to leave out the part of her dying.

It's terrifying to think that after nearly two years, I might actually be free. No more Snow. No more Hunger Games. No more Coin. No more war. All of this could come true in mere days. After fighting for so long, the idea of peace seems foreign and both equally terrifying and exciting.

And though I yearn for it with my entire being, I'm terrified of actually achieving it. If only because experience has taught me that any peace I gain will be snatched from me.

I sigh quietly, closing my eyes and trying to sleep. I need to be well-rested. Storming the Capitol is no simple task. Are we prepared? The question haunts me mercilessly. Even with three weeks to prepare and plan for every detail that might go awry, anything could happen. What if Peeta dies? What if we can't find Coin's assassin? What if Finnick doesn't remember where a boobytrap lies cloaked in the Capitol's street? What if we can't get away from Boggs' team without them realizing it? Will Haymitch be able to divert attention away from us in Command? What if Rye dies? Johanna? I don't know if I can stand to watch yet another friend die.

"Katniss." Peeta's soft voice breaks through my mild panic attack. The sheets rustle quietly as Peeta turns on his side to face me. His hand easily finds my chin in the dark, tilting my face toward him. In the faint glow of the room, all I can see is a vague outline of his form, but his blue eyes seem to shine in the darkness. "Stop worrying."

"I can't help it," I whisper. "So many things could go wrong."

"We're prepared for that," Peeta assures me, lightly caressing my cheek. "We'll finish this. Once and for all." I don't speak, not trusting my voice. Suddenly, I feel Peeta's lips capturing mine. "We'll be fine," he whispers. "We'll win the war." I sigh as he runs his hand through my hair. "We'll take care of Coin and Snow." My eyes close involuntarily when his arms wrap around me and hold me tightly. "And then we'll finally go home."

"I know." I say slowly trying to sound reassured.

"Katniss, what are you so afraid of?" He asks me and I lock eye with his blue enchanting ones.

"Loosing you."

He sighs and kisses my head. "I'm never going to leave you."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

He laughs softly and I can the vibration in his chest. "Go to sleep."

When the sunrises and Peeta and I pack our things to leave, he stops and stares at Amy's crib.

"She looks so peaceful." He whispers and runs his hand along her chubby cheeks.

I walk towards him and wrap my arms around his torso. "Haymitch will take care of her." I tell him softly but he continues to stare at our daughter.

"She's beautiful, just like her mother." He locks his eyes with mine and I kiss him softly before pulling him away from the crib.

This is all for her.

The next four hours go by in a blur. We're loaded onto a hovercraft with Finnick, Rye, and our group leader Boggs. When it lands were put underground in a set of tunnels that will lead us to the Presidents mansion, but no one could have seen it coming. The pain that was about to consume us.