Голодные игры

           ThelittlepaddingIwasabletoputonbygorgingmyselfduringpreptimeintheCapitolisgone,plusseveralmorepoundsaswell.MyhipbonesandribsaremoreprominentthanIrememberthembeingsincethoseawfulmonthsaftermyfather’sdeath.Andthentherearemywoundstocontendwith-burns,cuts,andbruisesfromsmashingintothetrees,andthreetrackerjackerstings,whichareassoreandswollenasever.Itreatmyburnswiththeointmentandtrydabbingabitonmystingsaswell,butithasnoeffectonthem.Mymotherknewatreatmentforthem,sometypeofleafthatcoulddrawoutthepoison,butsheseldomhadcausetouseit,andIdon’tevenrememberitsnameletaloneitsappearance.

           Waterfirst,Ithink.Youcanhuntalongthewaynow.It’seasytoseethedirectionIcamefrombythepathofdestructionmycrazedbodymadethroughthefoliage.SoIwalkoffintheotherdirection,hopingmyenemiesstilllielockedinthesurrealworldoftrackerjackervenom.

           Ican’tmovetooquickly,myjointsrejectanyabruptmotions.ButIestablishtheslowhunter’streadIusewhentrackinggame.Withinafewminutes,Ispotarabbitandmakemyfirstkillwiththebowandarrow.It’snotmyusualcleanshotthroughtheeye,butI’lltakeit.Afteraboutanhour,Ifindastream,shallowbutwide,andmorethansufficientformyneeds.Thesun’shotandsevere,sowhileIwaitformywatertopurifyIstripdowntomyunderclothesandwadeintothemildcurrent.