Katnip

Chapter Two

"Just close your eyes,

The sun is going down.

You'll be alright,

No one can hurt you now.

Come morning light,

You and I'll be safe and sound."

-Taylor Swift, Safe and Sound

"It's okay, Katnip." Gale smiles sadly. "It's okay. Don't pretend anymore, not for me..."

"Don't leave. Please. You've made mistakes, I have to. A lot of them. I nearly killed the ones I love, those I tried so hard to protect. You, Gale. My mother. Johannah. Haymitch. God, even Effie! Some did actually die. Prim," my voice catches slightly, "Finnick. Cressida. So many.." I tail off, losing my train of thought.

He shakes his head, self-loathing, exasperation and a great, deep sadness warring in his eyes.

"There's no excuse!" Gale yells suddenly. "No justification, Katniss! I'm a monster! Prim, Katniss! Poor, sweet, helpful, clumsy little Prim! God, oh God..." His voice breaks and his face is a mask of desperation and helplessness. I want to help him? But can I?

He takes a deep breath, and starts again, softly, gently. "You have Peeta now Katniss. He can care for you."

I sob and hiccup, pleading at him with wide eyes as my shoulders shake.

"Peeta is gone, Gale. He was only just hanging on before. The doctors told me. Even just my name caused him to strangle and almost kill a nurse. He's gone, gone too. Two months, they told me, at the most... Before he's fully mutt. But is he a mutt? Or are we the uncontrollable ones, the demons?"

I break down. Screaming and hyperventilating, telling the world it's not right, not fair. I expose the wasteland inside of me, and Gale holds me, telling me he's sorry, and that Peeta's a better man than he'll ever be. I feel his shoulders tremble slightly, but he stays strong, for me.

"Sh, Katnip, I know. It'll be okay... C'mon, let's get you to bed."

"No! Don't leave!"

"I wont, Katniss, I'm right here. I always will be."

In that moment, I know he's made his choice, and so have I. He will stay, for better or for worse.

Gale picks me up, and carries me to the bed.

"Gale?"

"Yeah?"

"When will I have to use that arrow? When will it be over?"

"Tomorrow, Katnip, tomorrow..."

That night, I fall asleep in a warm bed, in the eyes of the man I would trust with my own mother's life.

Mine doesn't have as much worth anymore.

I know I'm not the girl a boy met in the woods, on a cold day five years ago. But the boy? He's changed too...