Голодные игры

           Glimmerandanothergirl,theonefromDistrict4,arenotsolucky.Theyreceivemultiplestingsbeforethey’reevenoutofmyview.Glimmerappearstogocompletelymad,shriekingandtryingtobatthewaspsoffwithherbow,whichispointless.Shecallstotheothersforhelpbut,ofcourse,noonereturns.ThegirlfromDistrict4staggersoutofsight,althoughIwouldn’tbetonhermakingittothelake.IwatchGlimmerfall,twitchhystericallyaroundonthegroundforafewminutes,andthengostill.

           Thenestisnothingbutanemptyshell.Thewaspshavevanishedinpursuitoftheothers.Idon’tthinkthey’llreturn,butIdon’twanttoriskit.Iscamperdownthetreeandhitthegroundrunningintheoppositedirectionofthelake.Thepoisonfromthestingersmakesmewobbly,butIfindmywaybacktomyownlittlepoolandsubmergemyselfinthewater,justincaseanywaspsarestillonmytrail.Afteraboutfiveminutes,Idragmyselfontotherocks.Peoplehavenotexaggeratedtheeffectsofthetrackerjackerstings.Actually,theoneonmykneeisclosertoanorangethanapluminsize.Afoul-smellinggreenliquidoozesfromtheplaceswhereIpulledoutthestingers.

           Theswelling.Thepain.Theooze.WatchingGlimmertwitchingtodeathontheground.It’salottohandlebeforethesunhasevenclearedthehorizon.Idon’twanttothinkaboutwhatGlimmermustlooklikenow.Herbodydisfigured.Herswollenfingersstiffeningaroundthebow.