We had to save you because you're the mockingjay, Katniss," says Plutarch. "While you live, the revolution lives.
Suzanne CollinsShe must have really loved him to leave her home for the Seam. I try to remember that when all I can see is the woman who sat by, blank and unreachable, while her children turned to skin and bones. I try to forgive her for my father's sake. But to be honest, I'm not the forgiving type.
Suzanne CollinsI don't know what it is with Finnick and bread, but he seems obsessed with handling it.
Suzanne CollinsWhat do you think?" he asks. "I hate them," I say. I can almost smell the blood, the dirt, the unnatural breath of the mutt. "All I do is go around trying to forget the arena and you've brought it back to life. How do you remember these things so exactly?" "I see them every night," he says.
Suzanne CollinsI wonder if Effie will still be wearing that silly pink wig, or is she'll be sporting some other unnatural color especially for the Victor Tour.
Suzanne CollinsWell, I don't have much competition here." "You don't have much competition anywhere.
Suzanne CollinsI carefully lay out the provisions. One thin black sleeping bag that reflects body heat. A pack of crackers. A pack of dried beef strips. A bottle of iodine. A box of wooden matches. A small coil of wire. A pair of sunglasses. And a half-gallon plastic bottle with a cap for carrying water that's bone dry. No water. How hard would it have been for them to fill up the bottle?
Suzanne CollinsYes, everyone in the districts will be watching me to see how I handle this death sentence, this final act of President Snowโs dominance. They will be looking for some sign that their battles have not been in vain. If I can make it clear that Iโm still defying the Capitol right up to the end, the Capitol will have killed meโฆbut not my spirit. What better way to give hope to the rebels?
Suzanne CollinsThere was no discussion between them; it was as if the bugs had worked out this whole scenario long ago. Temp put on a burst of speed for the end of the bridge, and Tick turned to face down the army of rats alone.
Suzanne CollinsI poke around in the pile, about to settle on some cod chowder, when Peeta holds out a can to me. โHere.โ I take it, not knowing what to expect. The label reads LAMB STEW.
Suzanne CollinsBesides, it's the first gift that's always the hardest to pay back. I wouldn't even have been here to do it if you hadn't helped me then.
Suzanne CollinsBarbarism? That's ironic coming from a woman helping to prepare us for slaughter. And what's she basing our success on? Our table manners?
Suzanne Collins"Katniss?" He drops my hand and I take a step, as if to catch my balance. "It was all for the Games," Peeta says. "How you acted." "Not all of it," I say, tightly holding onto my flowers. "Then how much? No, forget that. I guess the real question is what's going to be left when we get home?" he says. "I don't know. The closer we get to District Twelve, the more confused I get," I say. He waits, for further explanation, but none's forthcoming. "Well, let me know when you work it out," he says, and the pain in his voice is palpable.
Suzanne CollinsYou're a painter. You're a baker. You like to sleep with the windows open. You never take sugar in your tea. And you always double-knot your shoelaces.
Suzanne CollinsBecause it doesn't matter anymore, and because I'm so desperately lonely I can't stand it.
Suzanne CollinsBut because two can play at this game, I stand on tiptoe and kiss his cheek. Right on his bruise.
Suzanne CollinsReally, the combination of the scabs and the ointment looks hideous. I can't help enjoying his distress. "Poor Finnick. Is this the first time in your life you haven't looked pretty?" I say. "It must be. The sensation's completely new. How have you managed it all these years?" he asks. "Just avoid mirrors. You'll forget about it," I say. "Not if I keep looking at you," he says.
Suzanne CollinsJohanna glances over at Finnick, to be sure, then turns to me. โHowโd you lose Mags?โ โIn the fog. Finnick had Peeta. I had Mags for a while. Then I couldnโt lift her. Finnick said he couldnโt take them both. She kissed him and walked right into the poison,โ I say. โShe was Finnickโs mentor, you know,โ Johanna says accusingly. โNo, I didnโt,โ I say. โShe was half his family,โ she says a few moments later, but thereโs less venom behind it.
Suzanne CollinsYou asked why the rate hate Overlanders so deeply. It is because they know one will be the warrior of the prophecy," said Vikus. "Oh, I see," said Gregor. "So, when's he coming?" Vikus fixed his eyes on Gregor. "I believe he is already here.
Suzanne CollinsI never see these things coming. They happen too fast. One second you're proposing an escape plan and the next...
Suzanne CollinsFour people wheel out a huge wedding cake from a side room. Most of the guests back up, making way for this rarity, this dazzling creation with blue-green, white-tipped icing waves swimming with fish and sailboats, seals and sea flowers. But I push my way through the crowd to confirm what I knew at first sight. As surely as the embroidery stitches in Annie's gown were done by Cinna's hand, the frosted flowers on the cake were done by Peeta's.
Suzanne CollinsI don't have a talent, unless you count hunting illegally, which they don't. Or maybe singing, which I wouldn't do for the Capitol in a million years. My mother tried to interest me in a variety of suitable alternatives from a list Effie Trinket sent her. Cooking, flower arranging, playing the flute. None of them took, although Prim had a knack for all three. Finally Cinna stepped in and offered to help me develop my passion for designing clothes, which really required development since it was non-existent.
Suzanne CollinsBut Gale is not one to keep secrets from me. "Katniss, there is no District Twelve."
Suzanne CollinsI roll my eyes. "So when did I become so special? When they carted me off to the Capitol?" "No, about six months before that. Right after New Year's. We were in the Hob, eating some slop of Greasy Sae's. And Darius was teasing you about trading a rabbit for one of his kisses. And I realized...I minded.
Suzanne CollinsShe's not here," I tell him. Buttercup hisses again. "She's not here. You can hiss all you like. You won't find Prim." At her name, he perks up. Raises his flattened ears. Begins to meow hopefully. "Get out!" He dodges the pillow I throw at him. "Go away! There's nothing left for you here!" I start to shake, furious with him. "She's not coming back! She's never ever coming back here again!" I grab another pillow and get to my feet to improve my aim. Out of nowhere, the tears begin to pour down my cheeks. "She's dead, you stupid cat. She's dead.
Suzanne CollinsSometimes when things are particularly bad, my brain will give me a happy dream. [...] When I fully awaken, I'm momentarily comforted. I try to hold on to the peaceful feeling of the dream, but it quickly slips away, leaving me sadder than ever.
Suzanne CollinsAn ability to look into the confusing mess of life and see things for what they are.
Suzanne CollinsThen itโs just Venia, whose skin is so pale her tattoos appear to be leaping off it. Almost rigid with determination, she does my hair and nails and makeup, fingers flying swiftly to compensate for her absent teammates. The whole time, she avoids my gaze. Itโs only when Cinna shows up to approve me and dismiss her that she takes my hands, looks me straight in the eye, and says, โWe would all like you to know what aโฆprivilege it has been to make you look your best.โ Then she hastens from the room.
Suzanne Collins