It sends an ice-cold stab of fear through Stephen's lower abdomen, and also makes him seriously consider calling a Peacekeeper or two.

"I apologize," said Stephen slowly, "if any of these questions seem intrusive. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. Quite the opposite: it's my job to help you adjust to living in the Capitol. However, out of curiosity, I have to wonder: was it that people did not die when they were strangled where you were from?" Or was it that their death didn't matter? he did not say.