Голодные игры

           "You’rejustgoingtohavetooutlasttheothers,Peeta.They’llcureitbackattheCapitolwhenwewin,"Isay.

           "Yes,that’sagoodplan,"hesays.ButIfeelthisismostlyformybenefit.

           "Youhavetoeat.Keepyourstrengthup.I’mgoingtomakeyousoup,"Isay.

           "Don’tlightafire,"hesays."It’snotworthit."

           "We’llsee,"Isay.AsItakethepotdowntothestream,I’mstruckbyhowbrutallyhotitis.IsweartheGamemakersareprogressivelyratchetingupthetemperatureinthedaytimeandsendingitplummetingatnight.Theheatofthesun-bakedstonesbythestreamgivesmeanideathough.MaybeIwon’tneedtolightafire.

           Isettledownonabigflatrockhalfwaybetweenthestreamandthecave.Afterpurifyinghalfapotofwater,Iplaceitindirectsunlightandaddseveralegg-sizehotstonestothewater.I’mthefirsttoadmitI’mnotmuchofacook.Butsincesoupmainlyinvolvestossingeverythinginapotandwaiting,it’soneofmybetterdishes.Imincegrooslinguntilit’spracticallymushandmashsomeofRue’sroots.Fortunately,they’vebothbeenroastedalreadysotheymostlyneedtobeheatedup.Already,betweenthesunlightandtherocks,thewater’swarm.Iputinthemeatandroots,swapinfreshrocks,andgofindsomethinggreentospiceitupalittle.Beforelong,Idiscoveratuftofchivesgrowingatthebaseofsomerocks.Perfect.Ichopthemveryfineandaddthemtothepot,switchouttherocksagain,putonthelid,andletthewholethingstew.