[Claire hadn't expected such a visceral reaction, and she was taken aback at Katniss' response. It was obviously a sensitive subject, and Claire wished that she hadn't asked - she wasn't the best at dealing with her own emotions, much less everyone else's. In fact, if this conversation happened about a week ago, Katniss might've thought that Claire was cold, indifferent, and - for lack of a better word - fake, as though her sympathies had been rehearsed.]

[Now, though . . . well, Claire was learning, and she was genuinely bothered.]

I apologize. I hadn't meant to ask about a delicate subject.

Wherever our families are - I hope, indeed, that they are safer than we are at the moment.