As I start reading, I lose my balance. Gale catches me and gently pulls me onto the sofa in the carriage.
The letter is short:
Dearest Katniss,
If you are reading this letter then one of us is dying or being sentenced to death.
I love you and I hope you realise that bread I burned was not an accident. I did it for you. Because you are the only one for me.
May the odds be ever in our favour?
Peeta
By now tears are streaming down my face.
"What's up?" Gale stands up to read the note.
"It's nice to know my family will get free bread if I die." I say, screwing up the note.
I walk up and leave, pausing to take the mug of steaming something to my room. I walk to the end of the cart and sit there. Effie joins me.
"So, how's my newest addition to the blazing glory of the hunger games!" she smiles brightly, as if I'm about to be granted luxury and wealth for ever.
Come to think of it, if I do win, I will get that stuff. But chances of that are, well, about 24 to 1.
"This is the bonding of the manners and poise centre. See that mannequin? It moves to show you what you are doing and what you should be doing." Effie smiles.
"Come, come. We must introduce you to your mentor."
"Haymitch" I mutter.
She looks at me in awe, as if my soft voice will win the games.
"Use that voice in your interview; no-one will let you go!" She grinned at me with a sickly smile.
We were back in the dining cart now. Haymitch was in a slumped mess on the table and Gale was experiencing how well the game was shot with an electric Taser.
I kick Haymitch as I make my way to Gale.
"Hey."
"I need to speak to you. About what happened this morning?"
I nod and we make our way to the back of the cart.
"When I, you know powered down." He starts. "I heard you. Crying. I tried to reach up and stroke your hair but I couldn't. It was like I was tied to the floor. I felt your ear on my heart and you gasped. You ran. I realised where you'd gone. And, well, just the thought of it made me gasp. And again. And again. You saved my life Katniss. I love you."