"Thank you," I say as the Avox boy takes my plate away. I've almost gotten used to the sight of them in the Capitol. I will never forgive these people for their way of life, between the Hunger Games and these eternally silent slaves, but there's nothing I can do. Not now, at least. Sad, but true.

He only nods in response, keeping his eyes down. He's more evasive than most. Even though what I can see of his face is expressionless, he seems easy enough to read. My guess is that he was a rebel, like so many other Avox who have been cropping up lately. His spirit was stronger than the rest, which makes the breaking so much more painful. I know that feeling from my Games. I sympathize with this boy, however secretive he is, because I have felt his suffering.

I get up to grab another plate of food, but I have no intention of stuffing my face like these disgusting Capitol people. Instead I follow the boy. Something about him seems different than the others.

He glances back once. When he sees me trailing just behind, he quickens his step, something registering in his gaze. What is it? Pain? Sadness?

Fear?

But I keep going. We've left the dining room behind us now, and he's broken into a run. I easily match his stride. Finally we've reached the edge of the hallway and his back is to the wall. I'm closing in, still not quite sure why I'm so intrigued by him, and he's turning to me with wild eyes. And then I realize.

It's because I know those eyes.

He's shaking his head slowly, and I can read exactly what he's saying. Go, Katniss. I'll be fine. It's not about me anymore.

But for me, this is too much. The sound of my strangled sobs is echoing through the corridor, shameless and ugly. He's still shaking his head and pushing me away, but my heart is breaking and I'm whispering now, over and over: "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

I didn't see the next thing coming at all.

Because suddenly, he's kissing me on the lips, pressed close against me, every ounce of love and passion anyone could possibly hold and more coursing through him and into me until I think I'm going to burst with the the shock of so much raw emotion.

Then a shudder passes through his body and something seems to come over him. He steps back from me and bows slightly in that polite, apologetic way the Avox have. I'm sure he will never feel so intensely again, and that it's up to me to pass those feelings along to everyone he cared about back home. That kiss was something I've never experienced before. I feel almost guilty, because I didn't want more. It wasn't anything like those rare moments of true love I'd shared with Peeta. But still. All love, whether it was true for me or not, has left this Avox boy now. The least I can do is share it with those who loved him back.

Almost as an afterthought, he opens his jaws wide, a final show of rebellion and courage, a testimony to the sacrifice he has made. His white robes are such a sharp contrast to the bright red mutilation in his mouth.

And then Gale turns and walks away, never to speak again. Never to breath again is more like it.

Because after this act of outright mutiny, I know he won't live to see the sun again.

i'm sorry i wrote something depressing again, but i had a nightmare like this (yes, i do dream about the hunger games. what's that? me? obsessed? noooo....) and it was bothering me. had to let it out. AND i've done something absolutely taboo. i've written two contradicting ships! AH! well, this wasn't really gale x katniss, honest. it was totally one-sided, if that makes any PxK fans feel better. and speaking of PxK, i promise i'll continue writing "anything you can do" soon, because now i owe it to you all after writing something so sad XD