"So, I've never been totally clear on this," said Katniss, "I know you work for the government, but are you like, good, or bad?"
Mayor Undersee lowered his cup and saucer carefully down to the table. "Well-"
"Let's go talk to Madge. You haven't seen her in awhile, huh, Katniss?" Peeta put an arm around his fiance and led her up the stairs.
Through a half-open door, Katniss caught a glimpse of a television snapping on. Taking a step down, the entire scene came into view. An intent female reporter warned that the 'situation' in District 8 has escalated to the next alert level, and that additional Peacekeepers were being sent in. They cut to a live-feed of the main square, where masked citizens were smashing windows with bricks and setting fire to Capitol banners.
"What does this mean for us?" Peeta asked.
"Honestly, I'm just surprised that there isn't a better way to communicate this to the Mayor. Couldn't they email him? I swear if they'd stop doing ridiculous stuff like this they would have the money to implement some of the information-control programs I recommended," commented Katniss, who sounded more irritated than alarmed.
"Maybe Madge will-"
Katniss stopped him with a hand. "I'm going to level with you here. I've totally forgotten who Madge is."
The following day, in light of the extreme events she had witnessed, Katniss had set out into the woods. The carpet of leaves was damp and quiet under the receding snow. Her bag bounced along at her shoulder as the destination came within view. A small, simple cabin, the location of which was known only by herself and Gale.
Gale arrived as Katniss had finished creating a noisy fire in the blackened hearth. He set down some dead rabbits and stared into the flames for a moment before addressing his friend.
"When's the wedding?"
She had braced herself for this. "They threatened to kill both of our families."
"Don't care."
She had not braced herself for this. "Wow, okay. You've gotten a lot darker."
"The world's gotten a lot darker. I mean, society-"
Waving him off, Katniss shook her head. "I'm just gonna stop you there, because we've got other stuff to get through. I've got a plan."
"What is it?" Gale wondered, seemingly to himself, as he studied the fire.
"We run away. You always said we could do it."
Rising, Gale embraced her, then, holding her at arm's length, said, "Let's go."
Katniss was surprised to find herself smiling. "Alright. Your family, my family, Peeta's family, Haymitch, Backpacky, if we can find him-"
"Well why don't we just bring the whole District while we're at it?" Gale let her go, and his complexion settled back into a scowl.
"I will never hold it against you that you would have been okay with leaving everybody else behind to die." Katniss replied rather blankly.
Gale met her eyes with his. "I love you."
"Do you not understand that I kind of have a lot to deal with right now? My life doesn't revolve around you and Peeta, you know."
Attractively wearing a disappointed frown, Gale reached for her, but she brushed past him for the door.
"Let's just die and get it over with," she said.