Sherlock carefully removes the bandage. They don't really have anything to replace it with, but he sniffs it - no petrification, good - and replaces it.

He doesn't reply immediately to the statement. Part of him is still incredibly angry with Howard for saying it in the first place, but he's not superstitious. He doesn't think that Howard saying it had anything to do with what happened to John - except, perhaps, a testament to the Capitol's cruelty. As if proving to Howard they could make dreams come true.

But Sherlock knows where the real blame lies.

"I know." He says finally, if only to get Howard to shut up about it, if only to assuage John (perhaps the Capitol won't let the tributes send gifts? perhaps they want him to think John's dead?).

He secures the bandage back as tightly as he can without hurting Howard.