Голодные игры

           TheaudienceintheCapitolwillbegettingbored,claimingthattheseGamesarevergingondullness.ThisistheonethingtheGamesmustnotdo.

           It’snothardtofollowtheGamemakers’motivation.ThereistheCareerpackandthentherearetherestofus,probablyspreadfarandthinacrossthearena.Thisfireisdesignedtoflushusout,todriveustogether.ItmaynotbethemostoriginaldeviceI’veseen,butit’svery,veryeffective.

           Ihurdleoveraburninglog.Nothighenough.ThetailendofmyjacketcatchesonfireandIhavetostoptoripitfrommybodyandstampouttheflames.ButIdon’tdareleavethejacket,scorchedandsmolderingasitis,Itaketheriskofshovingitinmysleepingbag,hopingthelackofairwillquellwhatIhaven’textinguished.ThisisallIhave,whatIcarryonmyback,andit’slittleenoughtosurvivewith.

           Inamatterofminutes,mythroatandnoseareburning.Thecoughingbeginssoonafterandmylungsbegintofeelasiftheyareactuallybeingcooked.Discomfortturnstodistressuntileachbreathsendsasearingpainthroughmychest.Imanagetotakecoverunderastoneoutcroppingjustasthevomitingbegins,andIlosemymeagersupperandwhateverwaterhasremainedinmystomach.Crouchingonmyhandsandknees,Iretchuntilthere’snothinglefttocomeup.

           IknowIneedtokeepmoving,butI’mtremblingandlight-headednow,gaspingforair.Iallowmyselfaboutaspoonfulofwatertorinsemymouthandspitthentakeafewswallowsfrommybottle.Yougetoneminute,Itellmyself.