Голодные игры

           Stayputandgetsomesleep,Katniss,Iinstructmyself,althoughIwishIcouldstarttrackingPeetanow.Tomorrow,you’llfindhim.

           Idosleep,butinthemorningI’mextra-cautious,thinkingthatwhiletheCareersmighthesitatetoattackmeinatree,they’recompletelycapableofsettinganambushforme.Imakesuretofullypreparemyselffortheday-eatingabigbreakfast,securingmypack,readyingmyweapons-beforeIdescend.Butallseemspeacefulandundisturbedontheground.

           TodayI’llhavetobescrupulouslycareful.TheCareerswillknowI’mtryingtolocatePeeta.TheymaywellwanttowaituntilIdobeforetheymovein.Ifhe’sasbadlywoundedasCatothinks,I’dbeinthepositionofhavingtodefendusbothwithoutanyassistance.Butifhe’sthatincapacitated,howhashemanagedtostayalive?AndhowonearthwillIfindhim?

           ItrytothinkofanythingPeetaeversaidthatmightgivemeanindicationastowherehe’shidingout,butnothingringsabell.SoIgobacktothelastmomentIsawhimsparklinginthesunlight,yellingatmetorun.ThenCatoappeared,hissworddrawn.AndafterIwasgone,hewoundedPeeta.ButhowdidPeetagetaway?Maybehe’dheldoutbetteragainstthetrackerjackerpoisonthanCato.

           Maybethatwasthevariablethatallowedhimtoescape.Buthe’dbeenstung,too.Sohowfarcouldhehavegotten,stabbedandfilledwithvenom?Andhowhashestayedaliveallthesedayssince?Ifthewoundandthestingershaven’tkilledhim,surelythirstwouldhavetakenhimbynow.