Peeta's alone in the woods, and there is something out there in the dark after him. He isn't sure what - bmuttations, other tributes, Capitol agents, something worse. Immediately, automatically, his hand drops to his leg, but there's no wound and no pain. His clothes are unfamiliar and clean, not the muddied and torn outfit he'd worn in the arena. This isn't the Games, and he's in a different kind of danger.

And there's something behind him.

Even as Peeta starts to turn, something brushes across his back. At the touch, the terror that has been building inside him melts into a feeling of safety.

"Nilakshi," he breathes, staring up at her in wonder and relief.

"We must move," she tells him, her voice a low rumble.

Peeta nods, the unease he felt before reasserting itself through the momentary comfort he gained from finding Nilakshi here with him. He starts off, having picked a direction at random, with Nilakshi by his side.