Chapter 12

           Thankgoodness,Ihadtheforesighttobeltmyselfin.I’verolledsidewaysofftheforkandI’mfacingtheground,heldinplacebythebelt,onehand,andmyfeetstraddlingthepackinsidemysleepingbag,bracedagainstthetrunk.TheremusthavebeensomerustlingwhenItippedsideways,buttheCareershavebeentoocaughtupintheirownargumenttocatchit.

           "Goon,then,LoverBoy,"saystheboyfromDistrict2."Seeforyourself."

           IjustgetaglimpseofPeeta,litbyatorch,headingbacktothegirlbythefire.Hisfaceisswollenwithbruises,there’sabloodybandageononearm,andfromthesoundofhisgaithe’slimpingsomewhat.Irememberhimshakinghimhishead,tellingmenottogointothefightforthesupplies,whenallalong,allalonghe’dplannedtothrowhimselfintothethickofthings.JusttheoppositeofwhatHaymitchhadmidhimtodo.

           Okay,Icanstomachthat.Seeingallthosesupplieswastempting.Butthis.thisotherthing.ThisteamingupwiththeCareerwolfpacktohuntdowntherestofus.NoonefromDistrict12wouldthinkofdoingsuchathing!Careertributesareoverlyvicious,arrogant,betterfed,butonlybecausethey’retheCapitol’slapdogs.

           Universally,solidlyhatedbyallbutthosefromtheirowndistricts.Icanimaginethethingsthey’resayingabouthimbackhomenow.AndPeetahadthegalltotalktomeaboutdisgrace?

           Obviously,thenobleboyontherooftopwasplayingjustonemoregamewithme.Butthiswillbehislast.