Голодные игры

           Shecanmovethroughthewoodslikeashadow,youhavetogiveherthat.Howelsecouldshehavefollowedme?ThewordscomeoutofmymouthbeforeIcanstopthem.

           "Youknow,they’renottheonlyoneswhocanformalliances,"Isay.

           Foramoment,noresponse.ThenoneofRue’seyesedgesaroundthetrunk."Youwantmeforanally?"

           "Whynot?Yousavedmewiththosetrackerjackers.You’resmartenoughtostillbealive.AndIcan’tseemtoshakeyouanyway,"Isay.Sheblinksatme,tryingtodecide."Youhungry?"Icanseeherswallowhard,hereyeflickeringtothemeat."Comeonthen,I’vehadtwokillstoday."

           Ruetentativelystepsoutintotheopen."Icanfixyourstings."

           "Canyou?"Iask."How?"

           Shedigsinthepackshecarriesandpullsoutahandfulofleaves.I’malmostcertainthey’retheonesmymotheruses."Where’dyoufindthose?"

           "Justaround.Weallcarrythemwhenweworkintheorchards.Theyleftalotofneststhere,"saysRue."Therearealothere,too."

           "That’sright.You’reDistrictEleven.Agriculture,"Isay."Orchards,huh?Thatmustbehowyoucanflyaroundthetreeslikeyou’vegotwings."Ruesmiles.I’velandedononeofthefewthingsshe’lladmitpridein."Well,comeon,then.Fixmeup."

           Iplunkdownbythefireandrollupmypantlegtorevealthestingonmyknee.Tomysurprise,Rueplacesthehandfulofleavesintohermouthandbeginstochewthem.Mymotherwoulduseothermethods,butit’snotlikewehavealotofoptions.