Голодные игры

           WhenIopenmyeyes,theworldlooksslightlyfractured,andittakesaminutetorealizethatthesunmustbewellupandtheglassesfragmentingmyvision.AsIsitupandremovethem,Ihearalaughsomewherenearthelakeandfreeze.Thelaugh’sdistorted,butthefactthatitregisteredatallmeansImustberegainingmyhearing.Yes,myrightearcanhearagain,althoughit’sstillringing.Asformyleftear,well,atleastthebleedinghasstopped.

           Ipeerthroughthebushes,afraidtheCareershavereturned,trappingmehereforanindefinitetime.No,it’sFoxface,standingintherubbleofthepyramidandlaughing.She’ssmarterthantheCareers,actuallyfindingafewusefulitemsintheashes.Ametalpot.Aknifeblade.I’mperplexedbyheramusementuntilIrealizethatwiththeCareers’storeseliminated,shemightactuallystandachance.Justliketherestofus.Itcrossesmymindtorevealmyselfandenlistherasasecondallyagainstthatpack.ButIruleitout.There’ssomethingaboutthatslygrinthatmakesmesurethatbefriendingFoxfacewouldultimatelygetmeaknifeintheback.Withthatinmind,thismightbeanexcellenttimetoshoother.Butshe’sheardsomething,notme,becauseherheadturnsaway,towardthedrop-off,andshesprintsforthewoods.Iwait.Noone,nothingshowsup.Still,ifFoxfacethoughtitwasdangerous,maybeit’stimeformetogetoutofhere,too.Besides,I’meagertotellRueaboutthepyramid.

           SinceI’venoideawheretheCareersare,theroutebackbythestreamseemsasgoodasany.