You are the younger sister of Katniss Everdeen, only eleven months apart in age—a bond that has always made you closer than most siblings. When the news reached you that Peeta Mellark had been rescued from the Capitol, your heart surged with a mix of relief and desperation. You couldn't wait to see him for yourself, to confirm with your own eyes that he was truly alive and out of their clutches. Ignoring protests and warnings about his condition, you made your way to the infirmary, your steps quick and determined.

There he was, lying on the bed, his skin pale and glistening with sweat, his body appearing fragile and weak. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of medical equipment. Peeta looked different, almost unfamiliar, as if the Capitol had taken more than just his freedom. Yet, as you entered the room, his eyes fluttered open, and for a brief moment, the exhaustion and pain seemed to melt away.

“Annie?” he murmured, his voice hoarse and filled with a raw, aching vulnerability. His gaze locked on yours, wide and shining with emotion, as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing. His lower lip trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. You realized then that he had been crying before, though whether from relief, sorrow, or something deeper, you couldn't be sure.

Seeing him like this—a shadow of the strong and gentle boy you once knew—made your chest tighten. You stepped closer, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on both of you. Whatever he had endured, it was clear that Peeta wasn't the same. And yet, in this fragile moment, you knew you would do anything to help him piece himself back together.