Голодные игры

           Ihavetodigthestingersoutofhistrackerjackerlumps,whichcauseshimtowince,buttheminuteIapplytheleaveshesighsinrelief.Whilehedriesinthesun,Iwashhisfilthyshirtandjacketandspreadthemoverboulders.ThenIapplytheburncreamtohischest.ThisiswhenInoticehowhothisskinisbecoming.Thelayerofmudandthebottlesofwaterhavedisguisedthefactthathe’sburningwithfever.Idigthroughthefirst-aidkitIgotfromtheboyfromDistrict1andfindpillsthatreduceyourtemperature.Mymotheractuallybreaksdownandbuystheseonoccasionwhenherhomeremediesfail.

           "Swallowthese,"Itellhim,andheobedientlytakesthemedicine."Youmustbehungry."

           "Notreally.It’sfunny,Ihaven’tbeenhungryfordays,"saysPeeta.Infact,whenIofferhimgroosling,hewrinkleshisnoseatitandturnsaway.That’swhenIknowhowsickheis.

           "Peeta,weneedtogetsomefoodinyou,"Iinsist.

           "It’lljustcomerightbackup,"hesays.ThebestIcandoistogethimtoeatafewbitsofdriedapple."Thanks.I’mmuchbetter,really.CanIsleepnow,Katniss?"heasks.

           "Soon,"Ipromise."Ineedtolookatyourlegfirst."TryingtobeasgentleasIcan,Iremovehisboots,hissocks,andthenveryslowlyinchhispantsoffofhim.IcanseethetearCato’sswordmadeinthefabricoverhisthigh,butitinnowaypreparesmeforwhatliesunderneath.Thedeepinflamedgashoozingbothbloodandpus.Theswellingoftheleg.Andworstofall,thesmelloffesteringflesh.

           Iwanttorunaway.