“Because it doesn't matter anymore, and because I'm so desperately lonely I can't stand it.”

“Nonetheless, after we've dropped off the birds and volunteered to go back to the woods to gather kindling for the evening fire, I find myself wrapped in his arms. His lips brushing the faded bruises on my neck, working their way to my mouth. Despite what I feel for Peeta, this is when I accept deep down that he'll never come back to me. Or I'll never go back to him. I'll stay in 2 until it falls, go to the Capitol and kill Snow, and then die for my trouble. And he'll die insane and hating me. So in the fading light I shut my eyes and kiss Gale to make up for all the kisses I've withheld, and because it doesn't matter any more, and because I'm so desperately lonely I can't stand it. Gale's touch and taste and heat remind me that at least my body's still alive, and for the moment it's a welcome feeling. I empty my mind and let the sensations run through my flesh, happy to lose myself.”

“I know. I was hoping," I say."Exactly. Because you're desperate," says Haymitch.I don't argue because, of course, he's right.”

“It's just me and the Bane. And I'm fighting him because he killed all of those innocent mice and people, and I have to stop him. Not because Sandwich says so but because I say so.”

“That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then I'm free to act as desperately as I wish.”

“Because I can't handle the nightmares. Not without you.”

“Desperate, yet no longer alone after that day, because we'd found each other.”