ackened windows； and the trainˇs waiting for us。 We barely have time to say good…bye to Cinna and Portia； although weˇll see them in a few months； when we tour the districts for a round of victory ceremonies。 Itˇs the Capitolˇs way of reminding people that the Hunger Games never really go away。 Weˇll be given a lot of useless plaques； and everyone will have to pretend they love us。
The train begins moving and weˇre plunged into night until we clear the tunnel and I take my first free breath since the reaping。 Effie is acpanying us back and Haymitch； too； of course。 We eat an enormous dinner and settle into silence in front of the television to watch a replay of the interview。 With the Capitol growing farther away every second； I begin to think of home。 Of Prim and my mother。 Of Gale。 I excuse myself to change out of my dress and into a plain shirt and pants。 As I slowly； thoroughly wash the makeup from my face and put my hair in its braid； I begin transforming back into myself。 Katniss Everdeen。 A girl who lives in the Seam。 Hunts in the woods。 Trades in the Hob。 I stare in the mirror as I try to remember who I am and who I am not。 By the time I join theothers； the pressure of Peetaˇs arm around my shoulders feels alien。
When the train makes a brief stop for fuel； weˇre allowed to go outside for some fresh air。 Thereˇs no longer any need to guard us。 Peeta and I walk down along the track； hand in hand； and I canˇt find anything to say now that weˇre alone。 He stops to gather a bunch of wildflowers for me。 When he presents them； I work hard to look pleased。 Because he canˇt know that the pink…and…white flowers are the tops of wild onions and only remind me of the hours Iˇve spent gathering them with Gale。
Gale。 The idea of seeing Gale in a matter of