Peeta is a little surprised that Daine doesn't take off after the thing as soon as he releases her, despite her obvious weariness. When she begins to move toward the bodies instead, Peeta follows close behind, understanding her intentions.

He stops by Almondine, a few paces away from Daine and Edgar. Edgar is on his back, eyes open, staring blankly up at the sky. For the space of a heartbeat, Peeta sees other eyes, other faces, memories imposing themselves on the scene. But the horror of his own empty eyes, his own pale face - younger and so achingly still - cuts through all of that. He has a moment where he feels untethered, as if his insides aren't lining up correctly with the outside of his body.

The signs of violence that were hidden by distance are now startlingly clear, and Peeta looks away from the marks on Edgar's neck. Daine isn't meeting his eyes, but he focuses on her anyway.

"We should take them to the base," he says, voice barely above a whisper. They shouldn't have to lie out here any longer, and the thing could always come back.