The Hunger Games: Extended Epilogue

Chapter 17: Unbearable

Dear Katniss,
The very thought of losing you is unbearable. Every minute since you were striped away and placed into the hands of the capital, I have found myself incapable of anything but to wait for your return back to me and your family- where you belong. At this moment, I sit on our edge of the valley soaking up your presence and replaying our last conversations and with every inch of my being pleading they weren't our final words to each other. And here, with this pen and wrinkled paper, I write my last confessions that will only reappear if the impossible to bear reigns true or be tucked away forever if I am lucky enough to see you again.
I love you Katniss. Every moment with you I learn something new and am transformed into a man that only you can make me be- which is the man I want to become. You understand the poverty and injustice, and listen. You have this incredible unobtainable presence about you that makes everyone intrigued but intimidated. You are so determined to protect your family, protect my family from problems that should have never landed onto your shoulders. I love you Katniss.
I have not watched the games, nor will. I don't want to know, to want to have to bear the pain yet. You are so strong, so smart that I know I will see you again.
Please, don't make me have to re read this letter.
Forever,
Gale

I wipe my tears that have been in constant, slow streams running down my cheeks as soon as I realized the letter was written when I was sent away to the first games.
Before the panic, the death, the revolution, the bombings, the abandonment. Before Peeta. In essence, this is a raw beautiful letter where Gale wrote if I were killed.
He never showed this emotion. I always knew that he really cared for me, and before the games knew that we would end up together bound in marriage. Though, the thought of love didn't cross my mind.
Was it always like this? Or his realization of my more than possible death triggered the emotion? No one will know.
I look around my and am still alone outside in the backyard. It must have been under 50 degrees, for my hands were turning a slight purple and I uncontrollably shaking.
I stand up, about to make my way in doors and contemplate more over the old letter but am stopped by a white, fairly new smaller piece of paper that flutters to the ground from the envelope that is in my left hand, while my right clutches onto Gales words.
I bend to pick it up and see cursive that is much different than Gales scratchy penmanship.

Katniss,
I found this only days before your second trip to the arena and kept it to myself fearing that Gales true fear of losing you forever would become a reality.
After contemplating for many months, I have finally decided to show you yourself through his eyes.
It was great seeing you again,
Hazelle