Голодные игры
Chapter 1
Tomysurprise,mymotherhaslaidoutoneofherownlovelydressesforme.Asoftbluethingwithmatchingshoes.
"Areyousure?"Iask.I’mtryingtogetpastrejectingoffersofhelpfromher.Forawhile,Iwassoangry,Iwouldn’tallowhertodoanythingforme.Andthisissomethingspecial.Herclothesfromherpastareveryprecioustoher.
"Ofcourse.Let’sputyourhairup,too,"shesays.Ilethertowel-dryitandbraidituponmyhead.Icanhardlyrecognizemyselfinthecrackedmirrorthatleansagainstthewall.
"Youlookbeautiful,"saysPriminahushedvoice.
"Andnothinglikemyself,"Isay.Ihugher,becauseIknowthesenextfewhourswillbeterribleforher.Herfirstreaping.She’saboutassafeasyoucanget,sinceshe’sonlyenteredonce.Iwouldn’tlethertakeoutanytesserae.Butshe’sworriedaboutme.Thattheunthinkablemighthappen.
IprotectPrimineverywayIcan,butI’mpowerlessagainstthereaping.TheanguishIalwaysfeelwhenshe’sinpainwellsupinmychestandthreatenstoregisteronmy(ace.Inoticeherblousehaspulledoutofherskirtinthebackagainandforcemyselftostaycalm."Tuckyourtailin,littleduck,"Isay,smoothingtheblousebackinplace.
Primgigglesandgivesmeasmall"Quack."
"Quackyourself,"Isaywithalightlaugh.ThekindonlyPrimcandrawoutofme."Comeon,let’seat,"Isayandplantaquickkissonthetopofherhead.
Thefishandgreensarealreadycookinginastew,butthatwillbeforsupper.
