Sick and disoriented, I'm able to form only one thought: Peeta Mellark just saved my life.

I take a few breaths to calm myself, step back, and lift Buttercup by the scruff of the neck. "I should've drowned you when I had the chance." His ears flatten and he raises a paw. I hiss before he gets a chance, which seems to annoy him a little, since he considers hissing his own personal sound of contempt.

Everything is about them, not the dying boys and girls in the arena.

My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.

He never lets go of Annie's hand. Not when they walk, not when they eat. I doubt he ever plans to.

Every day when I wake I tell myself that it will be my last. If you are not trying to hold on to time, you are not so afraid of losing it... And then, if you make it to bedtime, you feel the joy of cheating death out of one more day.

Just don't die for me, you won't be doing me any favour !