I Loved You Once (Katniss and Peeta)

Katniss and Peeta stood, facing each other. They both had death in their eyes and hate. Peeta's hands trembled and Katniss's followed in suit. They had loved each other once and now they were going to have to kill one another. Who would win?

What would have happened if Katniss had not volunteered? Would Prim be fighting him? Would she even be alive now? Would she win? No matter what, though Katniss knew she had to win. She had to win for her sister, for her mother, but most of all for her District. No matter what, though, District 12 would get the supplies, but now their two tributes were going to kill each other.

Katniss remembered that time that Peeta had taken her the bread from his father's shop. He had gotten beaten for that and now Katniss had to kill him. She had to or she would be killed. Even though she owed him everything for that one small gesture she had to win. Others didn't matter. Katniss Everdeen was the one that mattered right now, right here.

Peeta raised his hands, almost to admit defeat before the fight even began. “Katniss …. we don't have to do this. We could both die here ….” Peeta gestured to some poisonous berries that looked strangely appetizing to Katniss. She laughed maniacally.

“Yes of course. Go ahead and eat some of them. Let's see what happens.” Her grin was that of a killer. Of a murderer. Of someone who had been brainwashed by the Capitol … like she had. If she won these Games would she be this way in the District or would she be back to normal? It was questions like these that made Peeta tremble with anxiety.

He had not been driven mad by the Games …. or at least he didn't think he had. He had killed no one and he didn't plan on it … but he had to. He had to kill Katniss for the sake of his life and for the sake of his District. “Katniss, you don't understand. You don't want to kill me. You were once a great girl from District 12 ….. now you are a …. a-”

“A what Peeta? An evil genius? An amazing archer? A killing machine? Why thank you very much! I will enjoy slicing open your chest.” She picked at her tooth with her fingernail and smirked. Her hair clouded her eyes which made her all the more insane looking. What did Prim think when she saw this? What did Katniss's mother think? If she did win would they hate her? Would they welcome her with open arms?

“You aren't any of those things …. inside you are a sweet, loving girl from District 12. You are a hunter, a fighter, a provider. You were the love of my life, the center of my universe, the sunlight to my flower. You were everything to me and now …. now you mean nothing. You aren't the girl you once were.”

“You are right, Peeta. I'm not the girl I once was. I am better, more powerful. I am the best Tribute ever to walk the grass of the arena! I am the best archer to ever walk this Earth! I am better than Robin Hood than ANYONE! You can't beat me! You could never beat me you idiotic PASTRY CHEF!” Katniss pulled an arrow from the quiver she had on her back and hitched it in her bow, aiming it at Peeta's head. “Any last words ….. BAKER?!” She spat out the last word as if it was a vegetable that she hated.

Peeta ducked behind a rock and sighed, closing his eyes and shaking his head. She had lost it. He heard her footsteps approaching and her maniacal laugh increase. He pulled a dagger from his belt and fiddled with it in his hand. He then stood up and ran for a Katniss. He was within arms length of her when he heard the twang of her arrow being released. He deflected it with his dagger and it dropped to the ground. “You may be amazing with a bow. But I am damn good with a dagger!”

Katniss's eyes grew and her mouth dropped open. Peeta smirked and he charged for her, dagger in hand. He tackled her to the ground and time seemed to go in fast forward. All of a sudden he had the dagger at her throat and she had an arrow to his. He swallowed a lump in his throat and looked into her eyes. There was misery in them. “Peeta ….. help me ….” She choked out, sobbing.

“I wish I could, Katniss,” Peeta said frowning. He pressed the dagger harder against her throat as blood drew to the surface. She gasped as her eyes grew in astonishment. She pressed her arrow against his throat and blood drew from his as well. The blood leaked down and landed on Katniss's face. She seemed unsurprised by it. Peeta gulped. “We can end this now if you want to.”

Katniss smiled. “You're right,” she pierced the arrow through his throat and the sharp point came out on the other side. “we can end this.” His body dropped to one side and Katniss stood over his remains. “So the Pastry Chef dies and I win. Magnificent.”