The beeping of a machine was what woke her up. She was in a hospital room, with white curtains around her bed.

"H-hello?" She called out, her voice rough from lack of use. The curtains were opened, revealing a nurse with short blonde hair. "Mom?" Madge asked. The nurse gave her a sympathetic look.

"Sorry, I'm not your mother." She explained. And suddenly, the memories of the past three days came flooding back. Quickly, Madge felt for her leg. It was still there and it didn't hurt anymore.

"Where's Gale?" She asked, trying to sit up.

"Mr. Hawthorne? He's probably eating lunch. Are you hungry?" The nurse set a tray of hot soup and bread on Madge's lap. She wasn't really that hungry. She just wanted to see Gale.

"Thanks," she said, ripping the bread and dunking it in the soup. "If you see Gale - uh, Mr. Hawthorne - will you let him know that I'm awake?" Madge asked as the nurse quickly checked the IV she was hooked up to.

"Of course. And if you need anything else, just holler." The nurse smiled brightly and began to close the curtain again.

"Wait!" Madge said quickly. The nurse peeked back in. "Where are we exactly?" She asked, looking around at the minimal surroundings.

"We're in the Hospital. In District 13," she explained, shutting the curtain. Madge thought she'd heard wrong. But she hadn't. District 13 was apparently still alive. This gave Madge such a renewed hope, that she didn't stop smiling all through lunch.


The curtains got yanked back so quickly, that Madge nearly jumped out of bed. It was Gale, finally coming to see her.

"Madge!" He exclaimed loudly. When he saw that she was sitting up in bed, he rushed to her, leaning down to hug her. "How do you feel?"

"A lot better since the last time you saw me." Madge smiled, hugging Gale back.

"I'm sorry I didn't come earlier. I was with Prim." Gale apologized. "But I'm here now." Madge smiled sweetly.

"I'm glad you're here," she said.

"How are you doing? With everything?" Gale asked, trying to be sensitive about it.

"I'm fine. My leg doesn't really hurt anymore." She showed him how she could bend it at the knee. He smiled sadly.

"That's really good, Madge. But I meant more along the lines of dealing with what happened." He sat down on the edge of the bed. Madge frowned.

"What do you mean?" She asked. Gale shifted uncomfortably.

"I mean... about your parents." He couldn't even look her in the eye after he said this. There was a long silence.

"They're still alive," Madge finally said quietly. Gale shook his head.

"No, they aren't. I'm really sorry, Madge." He reached out to put a hand on her shoulder. "I should have tried harder to save them."

"No, they're still alive. I know they are."

"How can you know that?" Gale asked almost angrily. The tears that should have been in Madge's eyes, were in his. Madge recoiled slightly.

"If District 13 can survive the bombing, so can my parents." She started. "We had a cellar in our house. They would have gone there. They're still there." She explained. Gale shook his head sadly.

"Someone went back already to look. There are no more survivors." With this statement, Madge pulled back her first and punched Gale in the arm. Her face was contorted in pain. "Ow! Madge!" Gale rubbed his arm, shocked.

"Don't say that! My parents are still there! They have to. They wouldn't do that to me." The tears now came freely. Soon, she was sobbing and Gale reached out to pull her into his arms.

"I'm sorry," he repeated over and over.

Finally, a nurse came and told Gale that visiting hours were over and he would have to leave. He kissed the top of Madge's head and promised he would be back the next day.

"I'll be okay, Gale," she reassured him, wiping her tears away.

"I know you will be. You're strong." He closed the curtain behind him. The last thing she heard him say was: "I'll come back for you." Just like he'd been back for her the night of the bombing...