¨I havenˇt had the chance;〃 says Peeta with a slight shrug。

¨Itˇs my fault;〃 I say。 ¨Because I used that tourniquet。〃

¨Yes; itˇs your fault Iˇm alive;〃 says Peeta。

¨Heˇs right;〃 says Caesar。 ¨Heˇd have bled to death for sure without it。〃

I guess this is true; but I canˇt help feeling upset about it to the extent that Iˇm afraid I might cry and then I remember everyone in the country is watching me so I just bury my face in Peetaˇs shirt。 It takes them a couple of minutes to coax me back out because itˇs better in the shirt; where no one can see me; and when I do e out; Caesar backs off questioning me so I can recover。 In fact; he pretty much leaves me alone until the berries e up。

¨Katniss; I know youˇve had a shock; but Iˇve got to ask。 The moment when you pulled out those berries。 What was going on in your mind 。 。 。 hm?〃 he says。

I take a long pause before I answer; trying to collect my thoughts。 This is the crucial moment where I either challenged the Capitol or went so crazy at the idea of losing Peeta that I canˇt be held responsible for my actions。 It seems to call for a big; dramatic speech; but all I get out is one almost inaudible sentence。 ¨I donˇt know; I just 。 。 。 couldnˇt bear the thought of 。 。 。 being without him。〃

¨Peeta? Anything to add?〃 asks Caesar。

¨No。 I think that goes for both of us;〃 he says。

Caesar signs off and itˇs over。 Everyoneˇs laughing and crying and hugging; but Iˇm still not