Metaphoric language isn't really something Katniss is good at. She's blunt and to the point, incapable of lying or saying anything but what's directly on her mind. While Katniss hadn't been there to witness the destruction of her District, she had gone back to see what little remained. Snow had purposely spared the Victor's Village to further his message. The rest though? The charred remains of her childhood and the the skeletal remains of those caught in the fire remained permanently seared in her memory. Her sister's death isn't the only thing she has nightmares about.

Her statement had been very literal. Of course, she doesn't know how literal the words can be for Derek, too.

Turning off emotion is something she wishes she can do. It's something she wishes she could do for a long time now. But no matter how hard she tries, she feels. She feels too much. Alpha Complex isn't Panem but it doesn't change how dangerous this place might be. Or how damaged she is.

"Aren't you afraid that I'll get you killed?" she whispers, not moving away when his forehead leans against her own. Her gaze meet his and she can't hide her vulnerability right now. "Because I am."

The more people she lets into her life, the more likely that eventually, one of them will die because of something she did.