Голодные игры

           Neitherofourstomachsisusedtosuchrichfare.ButifIcanholddownGreasySae’sconcoctionofmicemeat,pigentrails,andtreebark-awinterspecialty-I’mdeterminedtohangontothis.

           WegotoanothercompartmenttowatchtherecapofthereapingsacrossPanem.Theytrytostaggerthemthroughoutthedaysoapersoncouldconceivablywatchthewholethinglive,butonlypeopleintheCapitolcouldreallydothat,sincenoneofthemhavetoattendreapingsthemselves.

           Onebyone,weseetheotherreapings,thenamescalled,(thevolunteerssteppingforwardor,moreoften,not.Weexaminethefacesofthekidswhowillbeourcompetition.Afewstandoutinmymind.AmonstrousboywholungesforwardtovolunteerfromDistrict2.Afox-facedgirlwithsleekredhairfromDistrict5.AboywithacrippledfootfromDistrict10.Andmosthauntingly,atwelve-year-oldgirlfromDistrict11.Shehasdarkbrownskinandeyes,butotherthanthat,she’sverylikePriminsizeanddemeanor.Onlywhenshemountsthestageandtheyaskforvolunteers,allyoucanhearisthewindwhistlingthroughthedecrepitbuildingsaroundher.There’snoonewillingtotakeherplace.

           Lastofall,theyshowDistrict12.Primbeingcalled,merunningforwardtovolunteer.Youcan’tmissthedesperationinmyvoiceasIshovePrimbehindme,asifI’mafraidnoonewillhearandthey’lltakePrimaway.But,ofcourse,theydohear.IseeGalepullingheroffmeandwatchmyselfmountthestage