26

Before, Peeta wasn't entirely convinced that Katniss was beyond salvation. Now he is.

Katniss started the forest fire. She must've. Peeta just never imagined that she'd learn to hate mice so much that she'd invest in a pyro-cannon. Doesn't she know that mice take less than a .22 pistol to kill?

Well yes, they do individually. But if she thinks there's an infestation on this estate...she's probably right.

Katniss must be stopped. Peeta can't do it. He's sure the mice mutts will soon lead an assault against her. He can't bear to be there when they kill her.

On the upside, Katlanna will finally die. On the downside, Katniss will too.

She deserves to. Peeta knows it. But again, he can't watch. This is the end.

Katniss's traps torture mice before killing them. It's a painful way to go out...but as long as she's already hurt him plenty, the torture in the trap will feel like a mere paper cut in contrast.

Night has fallen over Appalachia. The midnight chorus sings.

Katlanna runs through the woods, in the buff, shouting Peeta's name. He doesn't answer.

Under a tree, a cat lies dead. It's the same trap of Katniss's that tortured that poor doveling and started the forest fire.

Peeta approaches it. He approaches it as if he were being marched to a firing squad.

Some of the mice mutts notice. They keep a low profile, softly squeak among themselves, and follow Peeta.

From the woods, Peeta can hear Katlanna calling his name. But he won't answer. Not now. Not ever again.

The fake dead cat's belly calls Peeta's name. It all starts when Peeta gets too close to its belly sensors.

The mice and mice mutts are all around by now. Peeta doesn't know it, but he'll die in front of a live audience.

Some of the female juvenile mice try to call out, and beg Peeta not to do it. One tries to run out and stop him...but is stopped herself by one of the mice mutts.

Peeta's getting close now. He can feel the magnetism of that fake dead cat's belly...

Buttercup swoops in, faces Peeta, and bares his fangs. Peeta gasps, and falls over backwards.

All around, the mice and mice muts run off. They REALLY thought they'd scared away the cat for good...

Peeta crawls backwards...but stops when he realizes Buttercup isn't following him. He lies down on his belly, yawns, and stretches; he creates a minor tremor, felt by Peeta, when his belly hits the ground.

Buttercup's got a lot of teeth. But at least he isn't opening his mouth to eat Peeta...as Peeta thought he would many times while small.

"You," Peeta stammers, "you came back. Why?"

Buttercup doesn't move. He commences purring.

Nervously, Peeta approaches the area of space between Buttercup's rested front legs. He makes no move to pounce.

In the corners all around, a few mice and mice mutts stick around to see what happens next. They're worried that Buttercup's going to eat him.

Buttercup takes off Peeta's clothes and gives him a bath. The mice and mutts ultimately get bored watching, and vanish.

This is weird, Peeta admits. But it beats getting eaten by his late sister-in-law's cat. He thought he would be at some point. Apparently Buttercup is much more capable of forgiveness that Katniss.

Radical, Peeta thinks. Cats are usually made fun of for holding grudges that make Capulet and Montague look like angels.

Nearby, a nightjar rests beneath a bush. Soon he'll be out hunting...as soon as the midnight chorus slows to a whisper.

In a tree, a hawk sleeps. He won't wake until the sun's in his eyes.

Buttercup gives Peeta a ride into his house. He can't see much in the dark. But he's sure everything's gotten bigger since he was last in here.

The ride upstairs is scary. He's worried he'll fall off Buttercup.

Buttercup leaps onto his and Katniss's bed. He leaves them there, and takes his own leave.

At long last, Peeta's own bed. He's never been more thankful that his bed is bigger than he is. He rolls over, and starts snoring. Katniss is such a bad housekeeper that she almost never makes the bed.

Peeta feels better about making amends with Katniss. Although he'd be lying if he said he trusted Katniss to want to make amends with him...if he's done anything wrong.