Chapter 20

           GettingthebrothintoPeetatakesanhourofcoaxing,begging,threatening,andyes,kissing,butfinally,sipbysip,heemptiesthepot.Ilethimdriftofftosleepthenandattendtomyownneeds,wolfingdownasupperofgrooslingandrootswhileIwatchthedailyreportinthesky.Nonewcasualties.Still,PeetaandIhavegiventheaudienceafairlyinterestingday.Hopefully,theGamemakerswillallowusapeacefulnight.

           IautomaticallylookaroundforagoodtreetonestinbeforeIrealizethat’sover.Atleastforawhile.Ican’tverywellleavePeetaunguardedontheground.Ileftthesceneofhislasthidingplaceonthebankofthestreamuntouched-howcouldIconcealit?-andwe’reascantfiftyyardsdownstream.Iputonmyglasses,placemyweaponsinreadiness,andsettledowntokeepwatch.

           ThetemperaturedropsrapidlyandsoonI’mchilledtothebone.Eventually,IgiveinandslideintothesleepingbagwithPeeta.It’stoastywarmandIsnuggledowngratefullyuntilIrealizeit’smorethanwarm,it’soverlyhotbecausethebagisreflectingbackhisfever.Icheckhisforeheadandfinditburninganddry.Idon’tknowwhattodo.Leavehiminthebagandhopetheexcessiveheatbreaksthefever?Takehimoutandhopethenightaircoolshimoff?Iendupjustdampeningastripofbandageandplacingitonhisforehead.Itseemsweak,butI’mafraidtodoanythingtoodrastic.