We could do it, you know," Gale says quietly.

"What?" I ask.

"Leave the district. Run off. Live in the woods. You and I, we could make it," says Gale.

I don't know how to respond. This idea is so preposterous.

Maybe I'll be like the man in the Hanging Tree still waiting for an answer.' Gale who I have never seen cry has tears in his eyes. To keep them from spilling over. I reach forward and press my lips against his. We taste of heat, ashes and misery.

I had to do that. At least once.

‎I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay right here and cause all kinds of trouble.

Katniss, there is no District Twelve...

This was the door to both sustenance and sanity. And we were each other's key.