Голодные игры

           Ispendthenighthalf-sitting,half-lyingnexttoPeeta,refreshingthebandage,andtryingnottodwellonthefactthatbyteamingupwithhim,I’vemademyselffarmorevulnerablethanwhenIwasalone.Tetheredtotheground,onguard,withaverysickpersontotakecareof.ButIknewhewasinjured.AndstillIcameafterhim.I’mjustgoingtohavetotrustthatwhateverinstinctsentmetofindhimwasagoodone.

           Whentheskyturnsrosy,InoticethesheenofsweatonPeeta’slipanddiscoverthefeverhasbroken.He’snotbacktonormal,butit’scomedownafewdegrees.Lastnight,whenIwasgatheringvines,IcameuponabushofRue’sberries.Istripoffthefruitandmashitupinthebrothpotwithcoldwater.

           Peeta’sstrugglingtogetupwhenIreachthecave."Iwokeupandyouweregone,"hesays."Iwasworriedaboutyou."

           IhavetolaughasIeasehimbackdown."Youwereworriedaboutme?Haveyoutakenalookatyourselflately?"

           "IthoughtCatoandClovemighthavefoundyou.Theyliketohuntatnight,"hesays,stillserious.

           "Clove?Whichoneisthat?"Iask.

           "ThegirlfromDistrictTwo.She’sstillalive,right?"hesays.

           "Yes,there’sjustthemandusandThreshandFoxface,"Isay."That’swhatInicknamedthegirlfromFive.Howdoyoufeel?"

           "Betterthanyesterday.Thisisanenormousimprovementoverthemud,"hesays."Cleanclothesandmedicineandasleepingbag.andyou."

           Oh,right,thewholeromancething.Ireachouttotouchhischeekandhecatchesmyhandandpressesitagainsthislips.