The Train (Chapter Two) Part One

Katniss woke up with a start. She didn't know where she was and for that matter where Peeta was. "PEETA!!!" she screamed tears rolling down her check. It couldn't have been real. Any moment she would here his loud walk hurrying to the door. But none came.  It had been so vivid. Maybe it was real. She let the idea sink in her head and then she curled up into a ball hugging her knees. It must have been a nightmare. Yet how could it have been, it was so real. To be truthful the nightmares had returned weeks before but she made a point not to let Peeta know. He would have made himself worry about her every second and he had really needed to work on the bakery. Just to make sure she was truly awake and not in one of her nightmares she yelled even louder, "PEETA!!!" No answer, slowly she got out of bed.

She waited for what seemed like five minutes. Still no answer. Katniss was hysterical, she couldn't live without him so she knew exactly what to do. Quickly she made her way  to the window. She unlatched the hook and a burst of wind hit her. Her hair went flying in all directions and was whipping her face and sticking up in peculiar ways. Then for a second it would settle back onto her back before it went flying again. Then she took a deep breath and placed one foot on the open sill. Then she hoisted herself up. Only three inches of wood was holding her between the line of life and death.

Then Katniss closed her eyes and leant forward. Now only her hands were holding her between the fine line, her feet now obsolete to her support. She was so caught up in the moment, waiting for her final plummet she had no heard the muffled voices or the loud banging of labored running into the room. Then she let go. Just as a young bird would do as it was learning how to flu. But, just as she was starting to fall two strong arms hugged her waist and brought her back into reality. He body went numb and she collapsed to the floor along with Peeta, who had just saved her life.

She buried herself into him and started crying. He held onto her as he motioned for Gale and Haymitch to leave the room. Haymitch nodded but, gale looked weary. Eventually they both left and when the door clicked into place Peeta started crying silently. Suddenly, out of no where Katniss pushed him away. He fell back a little as she jumped up screaming, "No! You are not Peeta! Peeta is dead! He would never cry. You're not him! Get away from me!"

Peeta looked up at her with a confused face. Sure there were things that he still did not remember but, he sure as hell was not dead. Slowly he got up and walked towards Katniss. She backed into a corner and when she hit the wall she once again collapsed to the floor sobbing. Cautiously he sat down in front of her. He did not dare touch her, in fear that she would hurt herself or him. So, instead he said, "Katniss, look at me." Slowly she lifted her head and locked eyes with him. He calmly let a smile flicker on his face and added, "There's my beautiful girl. I'm not dead. I'm right here. I'm not going to leave you. It's me." Katniss laughed a little in between her sob and raised her hand so that it rested on his check. Yes, he was real. It had only been a dream. An awful, horrible dream but, only a dream. Then he took his hand and placed it on top of hers. He closed his eyes and relaxed under he soft hand. "It's okay. I'm here." She believed everything was okay.

"Oh, Peeta," Katniss sighed. His eyes shot open and he smiled taking he into a hug. He was worried but, everything was okay for the moment. Then he thought for a moment. The last time she had had an episode like this had been months before when she had been having nightmares. Suddenly, it hit him, why hadn't he seen it before.

"Katniss, what did you dream about?"

She lowered her head and said, "They killed you. You said you would be back for us but," sob, "You never came back. I was waiting to tell you.." She trailed off. "You just never came back."

He wondered what she was about to say for a moment but then shoved the thought to the back of his head. Then he took his thumb and put it under her chin and lifted her head so that he could look at her agin. He sighed deeply and for a moment thought about what to say. Then he coed, "I'm right here Katniss. I am never going to leave you. Your never going to leave me. I'm stuck to you like glue. You love me. Real or not?"

She giggled at the old game they had invented when he couldn't remember much and then she whispered, "Real."

He smiled and the said in a serious tone, "You are never going to try to leave me with another stunt like the last one. Real or not?"


This time she smiled and said, "Not unless you are there to ketch me."

He looked at her and shook his head then he said, "You are ready to go to the Capitol. Real or not."


She shook her head, no, but said, "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Okay, then lets go. The train is going to leave soon." He picked her up bridal style and said sarcastically, "Great, two days with Haymitch and Gale." Katniss laughed and playfully punched Peeta. Then she snuggled into him and fell back to sleep before he even made it to the door.

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