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

“Because that's what you and I do, protect each other.”

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

“Mutually counting on each other, watching each other's backs, forcing each other to be brave.”

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

“You're still trying to protect me. Real or not real," he whispers."Real," I answer. "Because that's what you and I do, protect each other.”

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