Голодные игры

           Unexpectedly,Ruethrowsherarmsaroundme.IonlyhesitateamomentbeforeIhugherback.

           "Youbecareful,"shesaystome.

           "You,too,"Isay.Iturnandheadbacktothestream,feelingsomehowworried.AboutRuebeingkilled,aboutRuenotbeingkilledandthetwoofusbeingleftforlast,aboutleavingRuealone,aboutleavingPrimalonebackhome.No,PrimhasmymotherandGaleandabakerwhohaspromisedshewon’tgohungry.Ruehasonlyme.

           OnceIreachthestream,IhaveonlytofollowitdownhilltotheplaceIinitiallypickeditupafterthetrackerjackerattack.IhavetobecautiousasImovealongthewaterthough,becauseIfindmythoughtspreoccupiedwithunansweredquestions,mostofwhichconcernPeeta.Thecannonthatfiredearlythismorning,didthatsignifyhisdeath?Ifso,howdidhedie?AtthehandofaCareer?Andwasthatinrevengeforlettingmelive?IstruggleagaintorememberthatmomentoverGlimmer’sbody,whenheburstthroughthetrees.Butjustthefactthathewassparklingleadsmetodoubteverythingthathappened.

           ImusthavebeenmovingveryslowlyyesterdaybecauseIreachtheshallowstretchwhereItookmybathinjustafewhours.Istoptoreplenishmywaterandaddalayerofmudtomybackpack.ItseemsbentonrevertingtoorangenomatterhowmanytimesIcoverit.

           MyproximitytotheCareers’campsharpensmysenses,andthecloserIgettothem,themoreguardedIam,pausingfrequentlytolistenforunnaturalsounds,anarrowalreadyfittedintothestringofmybow.