Голодные игры

           Bytheendofthesession,Iamnooneatall.Haymitchstarteddrinkingsomewherearoundwitty,andanastyedgehascreptintohisvoice."Igiveup,sweetheart.Justanswerthequestionsandtrynottolettheaudienceseehowopenlyyoudespisethem."

           Ihavedinnerthatnightinmyroom,orderinganoutrageousnumberofdelicacies,eatingmyselfsick,andthentakingoutmyangeratHaymitch,attheHungerGames,ateverylivingbeingintheCapitolbysmashingdishesaroundmyroom.Whenthegirlwiththeredhaircomesintoturndownmybed,hereyeswidenatthemess."Justleaveit!"Iyellather."Justleaveitalone!"

           Ihateher,too,withherknowingreproachfuleyesthatcallmeacoward,amonster,apuppetoftheCapitol,bothnowandthen.Forher,justicemustfinallybehappening.Atleastmydeathwillhelppayforthelifeoftheboyinthewoods.

           Butinsteadoffleeingtheroom,thegirlclosesthedoorbehindherandgoestothebathroom.Shecomesbackwithadampclothandwipesmyfacegentlythencleansthebloodfromabrokenplateoffmyhands.Whyisshedoingthis?WhyamIlettingher?

           "Ishouldhavetriedtosaveyou,"Iwhisper.

           Sheshakesherhead.Doesthismeanwewererighttostandby?Thatshehasforgivenme?

           "No,itwaswrong,"Isay.

           Shetapsherlipswithherfingersthenpointstomychest.IthinkshemeansthatIwouldjusthaveendedupanAvox,too.Probablywouldhave.AnAvoxordead.

           Ispendthenexthourhelpingtheredheadedgirlcleantheroom.