Голодные игры

           Poortragicus.

           ButIknowbetter.

           Aftertheanthem,thetributesfilebackintotheTrainingCenterlobbyandontotheelevators.ImakesuretoveerintoacarthatdoesnotcontainPeeta.Thecrowdslowsourentouragesofstylistsandmentorsandchaperones,sowehaveonlyeachotherforcompany.Noonespeaks.MyelevatorstopstodepositfourtributesbeforeIamaloneandthenfindthedoorsopeningonthetwelfthfloor.PeetahasonlyjuststeppedfromhiscarwhenIslammypalmsintohischest.Heloseshisbalanceandcrashesintoanuglyurnfilledwithfakeflowers.Theurntipsandshattersintohundredsoftinypieces.Peetalandsintheshards,andbloodimmediatelyflowsfromhishands.

           "Whatwasthatfor?"hesays,aghast.

           "Youhadnoright!Norighttogosayingthosethingsaboutme!"Ishoutathim.

           Nowtheelevatorsopenandthewholecrewisthere,Effie,Haymitch,Cinna,andPortia.

           "What’sgoingon?"saysEffie,anoteofhysteriainhervoice."Didyoufall?"

           "Aftersheshovedme,"saysPeetaasEffieandCinnahelphimup.

           Haymitchturnsonme."Shovedhim?"

           "Thiswasyouridea,wasn’tit?Turningmeintosomekindoffoolinfrontoftheentirecountry?"Ianswer.

           "Itwasmyidea,"saysPeeta,wincingashepullsspikesofpotteryfromhispalms."Haymitchjusthelpedmewithit."

           "Yes,Haymitchisveryhelpful.Toyou!"Isay.

           "Youareafool,"Haymitchsaysindisgust."Doyouthinkhehurtyou?Thatboyjustgaveyousomethingyoucouldneverachieveonyourown."

           "Hemademelookweak!"Isay.