Голодные игры

           Idon’tknowwhatsheshowedthejudges,butshe’ssotinyitmusthavebeenimpressive.

           District12comesuplast,asusual.PeetapullsaneightsoatleastacoupleoftheGamemakersmusthavebeenwatchinghim.Idigmyfingernailsintomypalmsasmyfacecomesup,expectingtheworst.Thenthey’reflashingthenumberelevenonthescreen.

           Eleven!

           EffieTrinketletsoutasqueal,andeverybodyisslappingmeonthebackandcheeringandcongratulatingme.Butitdoesn’tseemreal.

           "Theremustbeamistake.How.howcouldthathappen?"IaskHaymitch.

           "Guesstheylikedyourtemper,"hesays."They’vegotashowtoputon.Theyneedsomeplayerswithsomeheat."

           "Katniss,thegirlwhowasonfire,"saysCinnaandgivesmeahug."Oh,waituntilyouseeyourinterviewdress.""Moreflames?"Iask."Ofasort,"hesaysmischievously.

           PeetaandIcongratulateeachother,anotherawkwardmoment.We’vebothdonewell,butwhatdoesthatmeanfortheother?Iescapetomyroomasquicklyaspossibleandburrowdownunderthecovers.Thestressoftheday,particularlythecrying,haswornmeout.Idriftoff,reprieved,relieved,andwiththenumberelevenstillflashingbehindmyeyelids.

           Atdawn,Ilieinbedforawhile,watchingthesuncomeuponabeautifulmorning.It’sSunday.Adayoffathome.IwonderifGaleisinthewoodsyet.UsuallywedevoteallofSundaytostockingupfortheweek.Risingearly,huntingandgathering,thentradingattheHob.IthinkofGalewithoutme.Bothofuscanhuntalone,butwe’rebetterasapair.