Голодные игры

           Maybebeingtheleastprestigious,poorest,mostridiculeddistrictinthecountryhasitsadvantages.Suchas,beinglargelyignoredbytheCapitolaslongasweproduceourcoalquotas.

           "Doyougetallthecoalyouwant?"Rueasks.

           "No,"Ianswer."Justwhatwebuyandwhateverwetrackinonourboots."

           "Theyfeedusabitextraduringharvest,sothatpeoplecankeepgoinglonger,"saysRue.

           "Don’tyouhavetobeinschool?"Iask.

           "Notduringharvest.Everyoneworksthen,"saysRue.

           It’sinteresting,hearingaboutherlife.Wehavesolittlecommunicationwithanyoneoutsideourdistrict.Infact,IwonderiftheGamemakersareblockingoutourconversation,becauseeventhoughtheinformationseemsharmless,theydon’twantpeopleindifferentdistrictstoknowaboutoneanother.

           AtRue’ssuggestion,welayoutallourfoodtoplanahead.She’sseenmostofmine,butIaddthelastcoupleofcrackersandbeefstripstothepile.She’sgatheredquiteacollectionofroots,nuts,greens,andevensomeberries.

           Irollanunfamiliarberryinmyfingers."Yousurethisissafe?"

           "Oh,yes,wehavethembackhome.I’vebeeneatingthemfordays,"shesays,poppingahandfulinhermouth.Itentativelybiteintoone,andit’sasgoodasourblackberries.TakingRueonasanallyseemsabetterchoiceallthetime.Wedivideupourfoodsupplies,soincasewe’reseparated,we’llbothbesetforafewdays.Apartfromthefood,Ruehasasmallwaterskin,ahomemadeslingshot,andanextrapairofsocks.