We hand the meat over to Greasy Sae in the kitchen. She likes District 13 well enough, even though she thinks the cooks are somewhat lacking in imagination. But a woman who came up with a palatable wild dog and rhubarb stew is bound to feel as if her hands are tied here.

District 12. Where you can starve to death in safety," I mutter. Then I glance quickly over my shoulder. Even here, in the middle of nowhere, you worry someone might overhear you.

They can fatten me up. They can give me a full body polish, dress me up, and make me beautiful again. They can design dream weapons that come to life in my hands, but they will never again brainwash me into the necessity of using them. I no longer feel allegiance to these monsters called human beings, despite being one myself.

Orange? Like Effie's hair?" I say. "A bit more muted," he says. "More like sunset.

You call that a kiss?

What? My head doctor says I'm not supposed to censor my thoughts. It's part of my therapy.

You have a... remarkable memory." "I remember everything about you. You're the one who wasn't paying attention.