Peeta has just dispatched the second of his attackers when Johnny calls his name. He whirls on the spot, sword raised. It's immediately clear that Johnny's call was for help and not a warning, and Peeta strides toward him without pause.

The one that has hold of Johnny is the more pressing concern, but Peeta focuses on the one that's loose first, as it is easier to attack. He lunges forward, shoving that one away from Johnny with perhaps more force than necessary. The thing falls backward, somersaulting in an uncoordinated tumble. As it attempts to rise to its feet (well, one of its feet - the other, Peeta notices, is missing), Peeta removes its head from its shoulders with a swift, clean swipe of his sword. For a second it continues its upward motion. Then, the rest of its body catching on to the fatal blow Peeta inflicted, it crumples into a lifeless heap.

Before it hits the ground, Peeta has already turned back to Johnny. The thing clutching him has a unnaturally strong hold and Peeta doubts he'll be able to quickly pull it off. The longer he waits and the longer they struggle, the more likely it is that Johnny will get hurt. So Peeta does the only thing he can think to do.

Lifting his sword, he thrusts it directly into the thing's head.