I shift on to my side and find myself looking directly into Gale's eyes. For an instant the world recedes and there is just his flushed face, his pulse visible at his temple, his lips slightly parted as he tries to catch his breath.

As coal pressured into pearls by our weighty existence. Beauty that arose out of pain.

Buttercup, miserable even with Prim’s constant attention, huddles in the cube and exhales cat breath in my face.

I'm sick of people lying to me for my own good. Because really it's mostly for their own good.

When you're in the arena...you just remember who the enemy is" - Haymitch

Haymitch said you'd take a lot of convincing.

Tick, tock,” whispers Wiress. I guide her in front of me and get her to lie down, stroking her arm to soothe her. She drifts off, stirring restlessly, occasionally sighing out her phrase. “Tick, tock.” “Tick, tock,” I agree softly. “It’s time for bed. Tick, tock. Go to sleep.