Extraits

Because I don't want you forgetting how different our circumstances are. If you die, and I live, there's no life for me at all back in District Twelve. You're my whole life," he says. "I would never be happy again." I start to object but he puts a finger to my lips. "It's different fro you. I'm not saying it wouldn't be hard. But there are other people who'd make your life worth living."

There is that quality of goodness that's hard to overlook, but still ... and then I think of it, what Peeta can do so much better then the rest of us. He can use words."

We all nod in agreement, and that's when I notice it. The silence. Our canary has stopped singing."

I haven't figured out a rainbow yet. They come so quickly and leave so soon. I never have enough time to capture them. Just a bit of blue here or purple there. And then they fade away again. Back into the air," says Peeta.

The morphling seems mesmerized by Peeta's words. Entranced.

You were dead ! Your heart stopped !" I burst out, before really considering if this a good idea. I clap my hand over my mouth because I'm starting to make those awful choking sounds that happen when I sob.

"Well, it seems to be working now," he says. "It's all right, Katniss." I nod my head but the sounds aren't stopping. "Katniss ?" Now Peeta's worried about me, which adds to the insanity of it all.

I brush the damp blond strands of hair back from his forehead, find the pulse drumming against my fingers at his neck.

His lashes flutter open and his eyes meet mine. "Careful," he says weakly. "There's a force field up ahead."

I laugh, but there are tears running down my cheeks.

Finnick knows then what Haymitch and I know. A bout Peeta. Being truly, deep-down better than the rest of us."

I press my ear against his chest, to the spot where I always rest my head, where I know I will hear the strong and steady beat of his heart.

Instead, I find silence."

We walk down the hallway. Peeta wants to stop by his room to shower off the makeup and meet me in a few minutes,but I won't let him. I'm certain that if a door shuts between us, it will lock and I'll have to spend the night without him. Besides, I have a shower in my room. I refuse to let go of his hand."

Stay alive," Haymitch says gruffly.