As I descend the stairs, I can’t help brushing my fingers along the unblemished white marble walls. So cold and beautiful... But there’s no give to the surface – only my flesh yields, my warmth taken. Stone conquers people every time.
I’ll authorize them to surgically implant this transmitter into your ear so that I may speak to you twenty-four hours a day.” Haymitch in my head full-time. Horrifying. “I’ll keep the earpiece in,” I mutter.
In my mind, President Snow should be viewed in front of marble pillars hung with oversized flags.
In school, they tell us the Capitol was built in a place once called the Rockies. District 12 was in a region known as Appalachia.
But mockingjays were never a weapon,” said Madge, “They’re just songbirds. Right?
Is that the standard protocol here?” asks the Head Peacekeeper. “Yes, sir,” Purnia says, and several others nod in agreement. I’m sure none of them actually know because, in the Hob, the standard protocol for someone showing up with a wild turkey is for everybody to bid on the drumsticks.
The music swells and I recognize the brilliance of it. As the notes overlap, they complement one another, forming a lovely, unearthly harmony. It was this sound then, thanks to Rue, that sent the orchard workers of District 11 home each night. Does someone start it at quitting time, I wonder, now that she is dead?
Besides I like watching you sleep. You don’t scowl. Improves your looks a lot.
A tendency toward obsession was hardwired into his brain and would likely be his undoing if he couldn’t learn to outsmart it.
Do you hear that, Coriolanus? It’s the sound of Snow falling.
And Gale. I know him. He won’t be shouting and cheering. But he’ll be watching, every moment, every twist and turn, and willing me to come home. I wonder if he’s hoping that Peeta makes it as well. Gale’s not my boyfriend, but would he be, if I opened that door? He talked about us running away together. Was that just a practical calculation of our chances of survival away from the district? Or something more?
So, you’re supposed to give us advice,” I say to Haymitch. “Here’s some advice. Stay alive,” says Haymitch, and then bursts out laughing.
The show is not over until the Mockingjay sings.
I wonder what Gale made of the incident for a moment and then I push the whole thing out of my mind because for some reason Gale and Peeta do not coexist well together in my thoughts.
I watch his hands, his beautiful, capable fingers.
Like a reminder to me that I could still one day have kids with Gale?
Oh, sorry,” I say. “I was supposed to get those back to Cinna. I’m sorry. Can you take them to him?
Well, try and pretend!” snaps Effie. Then she composes herself and beams at me. “See, like this. I’m smiling at you even though you’re aggravating me.
Whereas when you open your mouth, you come across more as sullen and hostile.
I can’t reach Peeta. I can’t even reach my pearl. My eyes strain to capture one last image of beauty to take with me. Right before the explosions begin, I find a star.