Голодные игры

           Thesoundofthetrumpetsstartlesme.I’monmyfeetandatthemouthofthecaveinaflash,notwantingtomissasyllable.It’smynewbestfriend,ClaudiusTemplesmith,andasIexpected,he’sinvitingustoafeast.Well,we’renotthathungryandIactuallywavehisofferawayinindifferencewhenhesays,"Nowholdon.Someofyoumayalreadybedecliningmyinvitation.Butthisisnoordinaryfeast.Eachofyouneedssomethingdesperately."

           Idoneedsomethingdesperately.SomethingtohealPeeta’sleg.

           "Eachofyouwillfindthatsomethinginabackpack,markedwithyourdistrictnumber,attheCornucopiaatdawn.Thinkhardaboutrefusingtoshowup.Forsomeofyou,thiswillbeyourlastchance,"saysClaudius.

           There’snothingelse,justhiswordshangingintheair.IjumpasPeetagripsmyshoulderfrombehind."No,"hesays."You’renotriskingyourlifeforme."

           "WhosaidIwas?"Isay.

           "So,you’renotgoing?"heasks.

           "Ofcourse,I’mnotgoing.Givemesomecredit.DoyouthinkI’mrunningstraightintosomefree-for-allagainstCatoandCloveandThresh?Don’tbestupid,"Isay,helpinghimbacktobed."I’llletthemfightitout,we’llseewho’sintheskytomorrownightandworkoutaplanfromthere."

           "You’resuchabadliar,Katniss.Idon’tknowhowyou’vesurvivedthislong."Hebeginstomimicme."Iknewthatgoatwouldbealittlegoldmine.You’realittlecoolerthough.Ofcourse,I’mnotgoing.Heshakeshishead."Nevergambleatcards.You’llloseyourlastcoin,"hesays.

           Angerflushesmyface.