Голодные игры

           Hestuckwiththetownkids,sohowwouldI?Hismotherwentbackintothebakery,grumbling,buthemusthavebeenwatchingmeasImademywaybehindthepenthatheldtheirpigandleanedagainstthefarsideofanoldappletree.TherealizationthatI’dhavenothingtotakehomehadfinallysunkin.MykneesbuckledandIsliddownthetreetrunktoitsroots.Itwastoomuch.Iwastoosickandweakandtired,oh,sotired.LetthemcallthePeacekeepersandtakeustothecommunityhome,Ithought.Orbetteryet,letmedierighthereintherain.

           TherewasaclatterinthebakeryandIheardthewomanscreamingagainandthesoundofablow,andIvaguelywonderedwhatwasgoingon.FeetsloshedtowardmethroughthemudandIthought,It’sher.She’scomingtodrivemeawaywithastick.Butitwasn’ther.Itwastheboy.Inhisarms,hecarriedtwolargeloavesofbreadthatmusthavefallenintothefirebecausethecrustswerescorchedblack.

           Hismotherwasyelling,"Feedittothepig,youstupidcreature!Whynot?Noonedecentwillbuyburnedbread!"

           Hebegantotearoffchunksfromtheburnedpartsandtossthemintothetrough,andthefrontbakerybellrungandthemotherdisappearedtohelpacustomer.

           Theboyneverevenglancedmyway,butIwaswatchinghim.Becauseofthebread,becauseoftheredwealthatstoodoutonhischeekbone.Whathadshehithimwith?

           Myparentsneverhitus.Icouldn’tevenimagineit.