Голодные игры

           Thegroundbeforethemouthofthehornsplitsintwoandaroundtablewithasnowywhiteclothrisesintothearena.Onthetablesitfourbackpacks,twolargeblackoneswiththenumbers2and11,amedium-sizegreenonewiththenumber5,andatinyorangeone-reallyIcouldcarryitaroundmywrist-thatmustbemarkedwitha12.

           ThetablehasjustclickedintoplacewhenafiguredartsoutoftheCornucopia,snagsthegreenbackpack,andspeedsoff.Foxface!Leaveittohertocomeupwithsuchacleverandriskyidea!Therestofusarestillpoisedaroundtheplain,sizingupthesituation,andshe’sgothers.She’sgotustrapped,too,becausenoonewantstochaseherdown,notwhiletheirownpacksitssovulnerableonthetable.Foxfacemusthavepurposefullylefttheotherpacksalone,knowingthattostealonewithouthernumberwoulddefinitelybringonapursuer.Thatshouldhavebeenmystrategy!BythelimeI’veworkedthroughtheemotionsofsurprise,admiration,anger,jealousy,andfrustration,I’mwatchingthatreddishmaneofhairdisappearintothetreeswelloutofshootingrange.Huh.I’malwaysdreadingtheothers,butmaybeFoxfaceistherealopponenthere.

           She’scostmetime,too,becausebynowit’sclearthatImustgettothetablenext.Anyonewhobeatsmetoitwilleasilyscoopupmypackandbegone.Withouthesitation,Isprintforthetable.IcansensetheemergenceofdangerbeforeIseeit.Fortunately,thefirstknifecomeswhizzinginonmyrightsidesoIcanhearitandI’mabletodeflectitwithmybow.