Голодные игры

           Thestilleryouare,themoreefficientlyIcanplaceit,"shesays.

           Still?I’mastatue.Butthatdoesn’tpreventmefromfeelingthesharpstabofpainastheneedleinsertsthemetaltrackingdevicedeepundertheskinontheinsideofmyforearm.NowtheGamemakerswillalwaysbeabletotracemywhereaboutsinthearena.Wouldn’twanttoloseatribute.

           Assoonasthetracker’sinplace,theladderreleasesme.ThewomandisappearsandCinnaisretrievedfromtheroof,AnAvoxboycomesinanddirectsustoaroomwherebreakfasthasbeenlaidout.Despitethetensioninmystomach,IeatasmuchasIcan,althoughnoneofthedelectablefoodmakesanyimpressiononme.I’msonervous,Icouldbeeatingcoaldust.Theonethingthatdistractsmeatallistheviewfromthewindowsaswesailoverthecityandthentothewildernessbeyond.Thisiswhatbirdssee.Onlythey’refreeandsafe.Theveryoppositeofme.

           Theridelastsabouthalfanhourbeforethewindowsblackout,suggestingthatwe’renearingthearena.ThehovercraftlandsandCinnaandIgobacktotheladder,onlythistimeitleadsdownintoatubeunderground,intothecatacombsthatliebeneaththearena.Wefollowinstructionstomydestination,achamberformypreparation.IntheCapitol,theycallittheLaunchRoom.Inthedistricts,it’sreferredtoastheStockyard.Theplaceanimalsgobeforeslaughter.

           Everythingisbrand-new,IwillbethefirstandonlytributetousethisLaunchRoom.Thearenasarehistoricsites,preservedaftertheGames.