Голодные игры
Chapter 14
WhenIreachthelimbthatsupportsthenest,thehummingbecomesmoredistinctive.Butit’sstilloddlysubduedifthesearetrackerjackers.It’sthesmoke,Ithink.It’ssedatedthem.Thiswastheonedefensetherebelsfoundtobattlethewasps.
ThesealoftheCapitolshinesabovemeandtheanthemblaresout.It’snowornever,Ithink,andbegintosaw.BlistersburstonmyrighthandasIawkwardlydragtheknifebackandforth.OnceI’vegotagroove,theworkrequireslesseffortbutisalmostmorethanIcanhandle.Igritmyteethandsawawayoccasionallyglancingattheskytoregisterthattherewerenodeathstoday.That’sallright.Theaudiencewillbesatedseeingmeinjuredandtreedandthepackbelowme.Buttheanthem’srunningoutandI’monlythreequartersofthewaythroughthewoodwhenthemusicends,theskygoesdark,andI’mforcedtostop.
Nowwhat?Icouldprobablyfinishoffthejobbysenseoffeelbutthatmaynotbethesmartestplan.Ifthewaspsaretoogroggy,ifthenestcatchesonitswaydown,ifItrytoescape,thiscouldallbeadeadlywasteoftime.Better,Ithink,tosneakuphereatdawnandsendthenestintomyenemies.
InthefaintlightoftheCareers’torches,IinchbackdowntomyforktofindthebestsurpriseI’veeverhad.Sittingonmysleepingbagisasmallplasticpotattachedtoasilverparachute.Myfirstgiftfromasponsor!Haymitchmusthavehaditsentinduringtheanthem.Thepoteasilyfitsinthepalmofmyhand.Whatcanitbe?Notfoodsurely.
