I’ll tell them that on bad mornings, it feels impossible to take pleasure in anything because I’m afraid it could be taken away.
My mother just wanted me to forget it. So, of course, every word was immediately, irrevocably branded into my brain.
In other words, I step out of line and we’re all dead.
Our romance became a key strategy for our survival in the arena. Only it wasn’t just a strategy for Peeta.
Thank you for your consideration.
This is no place for a girl on fire.
He puts the chain with the locket around my neck, then rests his hand over the spot where our baby would be. “You’re going to make a great mother, you know,” he says. He kisses me one last time and goes back to Finnick.
Positioned on my dresser, that white-as-snow rose is a personal message to me. It speaks of unfinished business. It whispers, I can find you. I can reach you. Perhaps I am watching you now.
It’s more complicated than that. I know them. They’re not evil or cruel. They’re not even smart. Hurting them, it’s like hurting children.
You know what I miss? More than anything? Coffee. – Plutarch Heavensbee.
For a second, I’m afraid he’s dying. I have to remind myself that I don’t care.
The more you can distract yourself, the better.
But after several hours, I go anyway, walking in silent sock feet, so as not to awaken the ghosts.
And random bits of happiness, like Finnick and Annie’s newborn boy.
I wish Peeta were here to hold me, until I remember I’m not supposed to wish that anymore. I have chosen Gale and the rebellion, and a future with Peeta is the Capitol’s design, not mine.
Come on and eat with him. I promise, I won’t let him kiss you again.
But the only thing that distracts me from my current situation is fantasizing about killing President Snow.
I’m sick of people lying to me for my own good. Because really it’s mostly for their own good.
I sit back on my bed cross-legged and find myself rubbing the smooth iridescent surface of the pearl back and forth against my lips. For some reason, it’s soothing. A cool kiss.
The heat of the bread burned into my skin, but I clutched it tighter, clinging to life.