Голодные игры

           "Here,takethis,Cato,"saysthegirlfromDistrict1,andsheoffershimthesilverbowandsheathofarrows.Mybow!Myarrows!JustthesightofthemmakesmesoangryIwanttoscream,atmyself,atthattraitorPeetafordistractingmefromhavingthem.Itrytomakeeyecontactwithhimnow,butheseemstobeintentionallyavoidingmygazeashepolisheshisknifewiththeedgeofhisshirt.

           "No,"saysCato,pushingawaythebow."I’lldobetterwithmysword."Icanseetheweapon,ashort,heavybladeathisbelt.

           IgiveCatotimetohoisthimselfintothetreebeforeIbegintoclimbagain.GalealwayssaysIremindhimofasquirrelthewayIcanscurryupeventheslenderestlimb.Partofit’smyweight,butpartofit’spractice.Youhavetoknowwheretoplaceyourhandsandfeet.I’manotherthirtyfeetintheairwhenIhearthecrackandlookdowntoseeCatoflailingasheandabranchgodown.HehitsthegroundhardandI’mhopinghepossiblybrokehisneckwhenhegetsbacktohisfeet,swearinglikeafiend.

           Thegirlwiththearrows,GlimmerIhearsomeonecallher-ugh,thenamesthepeopleinDistrict1givetheirchildrenaresoridiculous-anywayGlimmerscalesthetreeuntilthebranchesbegintocrackunderherfeetandthenhasthegoodsensetostop.I’matleasteightyfeethighnow.Shetriestoshootmeandit’simmediatelyevidentthatshe’sincompetentwithabow.OneofthearrowsgetslodgedinthetreenearmethoughandI’mabletoseizeit.