It was a long night, but I did sleep a little. Now that I am awake, and I know Peeta is dead. I am in a killing mood. Today I go hunting, people hunting. I even have a plan, I will get near the Cornucopia and try and stake out a tree on a likely people trail. With a little patience and luck Cato or Thresh will come along and catch an arrow in their chest for me. In fact, right now I am hoping they don't die too quickly, I think some blood would make me feel better. Today, we are going to bury all our pain in some good old fashion vengeance. I picture Cato bleeding to death, with a big pool of blood around him, and it makes me smile.
I gather my gear from the cave, I am going to need to hunt some today, and my plan may involve an extended stay in the trees. As I leave the cave I see a new parachute. I need the food so I should be glad but I hesitate to open it. Then I open it. My head screams, "NO! It has bread!" I can't do this, I can't think about Peeta now, when I think of him I am weak, and I need to be a killer. Someday, it may take years, I am going to kill this sponsor! I grab my composure again and stuff the bread in my backpack. Maybe I should mutilate the dead bodies, see what they think of that in the capital. My first thought is how you rip the face off a squirrel when you prepare it, I wonder if that would work on a human. I decide it would be too much work, just cut off their noses, so they will have to have a closed casket funeral. The uglier the thought the farther away are my thoughts of Peeta.
I go around and check the traps. In one of the traps I did get a squirrel. There are still some berries on the bushes we found earlier. And I even score a rabbit. Not bad for a girl with a broken heart.
I make a fire not even worried about an attack. I am ready for them if they come. As I cook the meat I've a minute and think "Why did he do it?" To the woods I say, "Katniss shut up, just shut up." The people must think I am going crazy, now I am even talking to myself. Go to hell capital people!
It is then I notice I am not alone. Someone is nearby, there are sounds of someone getting around me. Both Cato and Thresh are so big, I must kill them quickly, or be in a safe place like a tree. My verdict is I don't have time to climb a tree. The first arrow will have to reach a vital spot, or at least a leg. I pull my bow, and aim where I hear the sounds. They will rush me for sure, so I've to be quick. Off to my left I hear something come out of a bush. I turn and look, it is just a stupid squirrel. Then I turn back to the where I was aiming, but it is too late they are almost on top of me. They knock me to the ground and rip the bow from my arms.
And there is Peeta sitting on my chest
"Peeta, oh Peeta! I was sure you were dead! I almost killed you! You idiot why didn't you say something before? I could have killed you!"
Peeta smiles as he mocks me, "Well I am glad to see you too." Then while he still on my chest he leans over and slowly brushes my lips with his. Then again he just brushes my lips with his, he is teasing me, and I will not stand for it. I reach up with my hand, grab his head, and hold it still so I feel his warm lips locked with mine. Time seems to stop, I've the sense of bliss that makes me stop thinking, just feeling warm lips and sensations. Our mouths open and our toughs embrace as if they too were long lost lovers. When Peeta finally pulls away, we stay so close our noses are just touching.
Peeta looks at me perplexed. "Why is it every time we meet, I feel like saying, I am sorry?"
"Peeta, I think you and me are finally beyond that."
"Then where are we?"
"We are together."
I love this moment, but all of sudden I am crying again and I can't stop. With my throat closing up, my nose running and my eyes running I really can't breathe in this position. Peeta sense this and sits me up and we together start walking back toward our camp.
As we walk Peeta does all the talking. He tells me of the big mutant dog pack the game makers have. How Thresh and Cato were in the middle of some great fight when the mutts attack. Then both of them ran off, so Peeta couldn't see the end but he knows Thresh is dead.
"We should both get some rest, I've thought a lot about what the game makers will do on my trip back. I expect they will give us a few hours rest, not too many. Then they will force a confrontation. Since it will be the two of us verses Cato they will likely add some mutts or other device to spice it up. Given the dogs size and number all that can be done is run and get to high ground. When we face Cato I will rush him so to give you time to shoot him. I will not run straight at him, so as to not get in the way of your arrows. And when me and Cato are about to collide, I will veer off to one side to make him chase me and give you more time to land arrows."
"You have thought about this a lot haven't you."
"Well I had some time."
"Well my vote is to stick to the original plan."
Peeta has a shocked look on his face. Is it shocked because I referred to our secret plan on camera or because I still think about that. Peeta throws his jacket over our heads.
"Katniss, that is over. That plan succeed beyond any hope, it kept us from having to kill or being killed for days. But now that is all over. Now it is just Cato and us, the game makers aren't going to just let Cato cool his heels while we make out."
"It worked before, I think we can do it one more night."
"Even if we could somehow make every person in Panem watch us make out tonight, tomorrow we will be right back here, Cato isn't going to starve overnight."
"Then we will have to make them watch us for several nights!"
Peeta looks shocked, "Oh my god! Oh my god! Katniss you couldn't, could you? I not sure I could."
"We always have the pills, if we need them."
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