Голодные игры

           IunscrewthelidandIknowbythescentthatit’smedicine.Cautiously,Iprobethesurfaceoftheointment.Thethrobbinginmyfingertipvanishes.

           "Oh,Haymitch,"Iwhisper."Thankyou."Hehasnotabandonedme.Notleftmetofendentirelyformyself.Thecostofthismedicinemustbeastronomical.Probablynotonebutmanysponsorshavecontributedtobuythisonetinypot.Tome,itispriceless.

           Idiptwofingersinthejarandgentlyspreadthebalmovermycalf.Theeffectisalmostmagical,erasingthepainoncontact,leavingapleasantcoolingsensationbehind.Thisisnoherbalconcoctionthatmymothergrindsupoutofwoodlandplants,it’shigh-techmedicinebrewedupintheCapitol’slabs.Whenmycalfistreated,Irubathinlayerintomyhands.Afterwrappingthepotintheparachute,Inestleitsafelyawayinmypack.Nowthatthepainhaseased,it’sallIcandotorepositionmyselfinmybagbeforeIplungeintosleep.

           Abirdperchedjustafewfeetfrommealertsmethatanewdayisdawning.Inthegraymorninglight,Iexaminemyhands.Themedicinehastransformedalltheangryredpatchestoasoftbaby-skinpink.Mylegstillfeelsinflamed,butthatburnwasfardeeper.Iapplyanothercoatofmedicineandquietlypackupmygear.Whateverhappens,I’mgoingtohavetomoveandmovefast.Ialsomakemyselfeatacrackerandastripofbeefanddrinkafewcupsofwater.

           Almostnothingstayedinmystomachyesterday,andI’malreadystartingtofeeltheeffectsofhunger.