Голодные игры

           ButjustasI’mholdingthemtomylips,Igetahardlookatthem.WhatIthoughtwereblueberrieshaveaslightlydifferentshape,andwhenIbreakoneopentheinsidesarebloodred.Idon’trecognizetheseberries,perhapstheyareedible,butI’mguessingthisissomeeviltrickonthepartoftheGamemakers.EventheplantinstructorintheTrainingCentermadeapointoftellingustoavoidberriesunlessyouwere100percentsuretheyweren’ttoxic.SomethingIalreadyknew,butI’msothirstyittakesherremindertogivemethestrengthtoflingthemaway.

           Fatigueisbeginningtosettleonme,butit’snottheusualtirednessthatfollowsalonghike.Ihavetostopandrestfrequently,althoughIknowtheonlycureforwhatailsmerequirescontinuedsearching.Itryanewtactic-climbingatreeashighasIdareinmyshakystate-tolookforanysignsofwater.ButasfarasIcanseeinanydirection,there’sthesameunrelentingstretchofforest.

           Determinedtogoonuntilnightfall,IwalkuntilI’mstumblingovermyownfeet.

           Exhausted,Ihaulmyselfupintoatreeandbeltmyselfin.I’venoappetite,butIsuckonarabbitbonejusttogivemymouthsomethingtodo.Nightfalls,theanthemplays,andhighintheskyIseethepictureofthegirl,whowasapparentlyfromDistrict8.TheonePeetawentbacktofinishoff.

           MyfearoftheCareerpackisminorcomparedtomyburningthirst.Besides,theywereheadingawayfrommeandbynowthey,too,willhavetorest.