Голодные игры

           Confused,Ithinkit’sforGlimmer,althoughthisdoesn’tquitemakesensebecauseI’mstillinthepicture,stillfightingforthearrows.Ilurchbackontomykneesandthetreesaroundmebegintospinincircles.Inthemiddleofthesky,Ispotthehovercraft.IthrowmyselfoverGlimmer’sbodyasiftoprotectitbutthenIseethegirlfromDistrict4beingliftedintotheairandvanishing.

           "Dothis!"Icommandmyself.Clenchingmyjaw,IdigmyhandsunderGlimmer’sbody,getaholdonwhatmustbeherribcage,andforceherontoherstomach.Ican’thelpit,I’mhyperventilatingnow,thewholethingissonightmarishandI’mlosingmygrasponwhat’sreal.Itugonthesilversheathofarrows,butit’scaughtonsomething,hershoulderblade,something,andfinallyyankitfree.I’vejustencircledthesheathwithmyarmswhenIhearthefootsteps,severalpairs,comingthroughtheunderbrush,andIrealizetheCareershavecomeback.They’vecomebacktokillmeorgettheirweaponsorboth.

           Butit’stoolatetorun.IpullaslimyarrowfromthesheathandtrytopositionitonthebowstringbutinsteadofonestringIseethreeandthestenchfromthestingsissorepulsiveIcan’tdoit.Ican’tdoit.Ican’tdoit.

           I’mhelplessasthefirsthuntercrashesthroughthetrees,spearlifted,poisedtothrow.TheshockonPeeta’sfacemakesnosensetome.Iwaitfortheblow.Insteadhisarmdropstohisside.

           "Whatareyoustilldoinghere?"hehissesatme