"I almost forgot! Happy Hunger Games!" He plucks a few blackberries from the bushes around us. "And may the odds—" He tosses a berry in a high arc towards me. I catch it in my mouth and break the delicate skin with my teeth. The sweet tartness explodes across my tongue. "—be ever in your favour!" I finish with equal verve. We have to joke about it because the alternative is to be scared out of our wits.
The Peacekeepers came back too soon and Gale asks for more time, but they’re taking him away and Katniss starts to panic.
“Don’t let them starve!” Katniss cries, clinging to his hand.
“I won’t! You know I won’t! Katniss, remember I—” he says as the Peacekeepers yank them apart and slam the door in Katniss’ face.
“Love you…” Gale whispers to the blank door staring at him, knowing those words might never reach Katniss’ ears.
