Голодные игры

           Poisonedone.Sheclaimedshehadnoknowledgetheringtransformedandtherewasnowaytoproveshedid.Butshelosthertoken.There,you’reallset.Movearound.Makesureeverythingfeelscomfortable."

           Iwalk,runinacircle,swingmyarmsabout."Yes,it’sfine.Fitsperfectly."

           "Thenthere’snothingtodobutwaitforthecall,"saysCinna."Unlessyouthinkyoucouldeatanymore?"

           IturndownfoodbutacceptaglassofwaterthatItaketinysipsofaswewaitonacouch.Idon’twanttochewonmynailsorlips,soIfindmyselfgnawingontheinsideofmycheek.Itstillhasn’tfullyhealedfromafewdaysago.Soonthetasteofbloodfillsmymouth.

           NervousnessseepsintoterrorasIanticipatewhatistocome.Icouldbedead,flat-outdead,inanhour.Noteven.Myfingersobsessivelytracethehardlittlelumponmyforearmwherethewomaninjectedthetrackingdevice.Ipressonit,eventhoughithurts,Ipressonitsohardasmallbruisebeginstoform.

           "Doyouwanttotalk,Katniss?"Cinnaasks.

           Ishakemyheadbutafteramomentholdoutmyhandtohim.Cinnaenclosesitinbothofhis.Andthisishowwesituntilapleasantfemalevoiceannouncesit’stimetoprepareforlaunch.

           StillclenchingoneofCinna’shands,Iwalkoverandstandonthecircularmetalplate."RememberwhatHaymitchsaid.Run,findwater.Therestwillfollow,"hesays.Inod."Andrememberthis.I’mnotallowedtobet,butifIcould,mymoneywouldbeonyou."

           "Truly?"Iwhisper.

           "Truly,"saysCinna.Heleansdownandkissesmeontheforehead