Голодные игры

           Belowme,IcanseetheCareerpackandPeetaasleepontheground.Byherposition,leaningupagainstthetrunkofthetree,I’dguessGlimmerwassupposedtobeonguard,butfatigueovercameher.

           Myeyessquintastheytrytopenetratethetreenexttome,butIcan’tmakeoutRue.Sinceshetippedmeoff,itonlyseemsfairtowarnher.Besides,ifI’mgoingtodietoday,it’sRueIwanttowin.Evenifitmeansalittleextrafoodformyfamily,theideaofPeetabeingcrownedvictorisunbearable.

           IcallRue’snameinahushedwhisperandtheeyesappear,wideandalert,atonce.Shepointsuptothenestagain.Iholdupmyknifeandmakeasawingmotion.Shenodsanddisappears.There’sarustlinginanearbytree.Thenthesamenoiseagainabitfartheroff.Irealizeshe’sleapingfromtreetotree.It’sallIcandonottolaughoutloud.IsthiswhatsheshowedtheGamemakers?Iimagineherflyingaroundthetrainingequipmentnevertouchingthefloor.Sheshouldhavegottenatleastaten.

           Rosystreaksarebreakingthroughintheeast.Ican’taffordtowaitanylonger.Comparedtotheagonyoflastnight’sclimb,thisoneisacinch.Atthetreelimbthatholdsthenest,IpositiontheknifeinthegrooveandI’mabouttodrawtheteethacrossthewoodwhenIseesomethingmoving.There,onthenest.Thebrightgoldgleamofatrackerjackerlazilymakingitswayacrossthepaperygraysurface.Noquestion,it’sactingalittlesubdued,butthewaspisupandmovingandthatmeanstheotherswillbeoutsoonaswell.