arrival! [ota]
Keeping his eyes open was becoming an issue. The days and days Peeta had spent on the train made the hum and rock of it more familiar than home and, as such, had become nearly as bad as a warm glass of milk. He pressed his cheek against the glass window, blinking listlessly out at the blurred scenery. Trees blended with bushes blended with the occasional dirt or paved path into a swimming mirage that reminded him of the Games just enough to unsettle but not completely enough to deter him from staring. It was a little like prodding at a bruise just to check that it was still there.
Through the haze of his exhaustion Peeta could hear Haysmitch and Effie arguing about something but the words themselves were beyond him. His blinking grew slower and slower, until at last opening his eyes seemed like far too much work. Perhaps the dreams wouldn't come with the sunshine pouring in through the windows. Perhaps the familiar voices would act as sentinels and keep bad memories at bay.
It didn't work. An indeterminable time later Peeta sat up with a hitching gasp, the image of a wolf muttation's dripping teeth closing in on his throat burned with absolute clarity in his mind. Panic still rushing through him, Peeta took in the scenery with wide, terrified eyes. It wasn't the train compartment he had fallen asleep in, nor was it his bedroom at home. He was propped up against a tree, facing a small road that was lined with what looked like a few shops.
Taking a minute to slow his breathing, Peeta awkwardly rose to his feet. If anything, the place reminded him of the Capitol, only lacking the glamor and odd fashions he had seen there. He took a step out onto the sidewalk and spun in a slow circle, trying to place himself. Nothing jogged his memory.
Through the haze of his exhaustion Peeta could hear Haysmitch and Effie arguing about something but the words themselves were beyond him. His blinking grew slower and slower, until at last opening his eyes seemed like far too much work. Perhaps the dreams wouldn't come with the sunshine pouring in through the windows. Perhaps the familiar voices would act as sentinels and keep bad memories at bay.
It didn't work. An indeterminable time later Peeta sat up with a hitching gasp, the image of a wolf muttation's dripping teeth closing in on his throat burned with absolute clarity in his mind. Panic still rushing through him, Peeta took in the scenery with wide, terrified eyes. It wasn't the train compartment he had fallen asleep in, nor was it his bedroom at home. He was propped up against a tree, facing a small road that was lined with what looked like a few shops.
Taking a minute to slow his breathing, Peeta awkwardly rose to his feet. If anything, the place reminded him of the Capitol, only lacking the glamor and odd fashions he had seen there. He took a step out onto the sidewalk and spun in a slow circle, trying to place himself. Nothing jogged his memory.