And then there was Tick. Brave little Tick, who had flown into the faces of an army of rats to save his baby sister. Tick - who never spoke much. Tick - who shared her food. Tick - who was after all just a roach. Just a roach who had given all the time she had left so that Boots could have more. Gregor pressed Boots's fingers against his lips and felt scalding tears begin to slide down his cheeks. He hadn't cried, not the whole time he'd been down here, and there had been plenty of bad stuff. But somehow Tick's sacrifice had crushed whatever thin shell remained between him and sorrow.
Suzanne CollinsAt some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead.The hard thing is finding the courage to do it.
Suzanne CollinsOkay, listen to me, you're stronger than they are. You are. They just want a good show, that's all they want. You know how to hunt. Show them how good you are.
Suzanne CollinsBut Mockingjays were never a weapon," said Madge. "Theyโre just songbirds. Right?" "Yeah, I guess so,โ I said, But itโs not true. A mockingbird is just a songbird. A mockingjay is a creature the capitol never intended to exist. They hadnโt counted on the highly controlled jabberjay having the brains to adapt to the wild, to thrive in a new form. They hadnโt anticipated its will to live.
Suzanne Collins