Голодные игры

           "You’retheonewhowasn’tpayingattention."

           "Iamnow,"Isay.

           "Well,Idon’thavemuchcompetitionhere,"hesays.

           Iwanttodrawaway,toclosethoseshuttersagain,butIknowIcan’t.It’sasifIcanhearHaymitchwhisperinginmyear,"Sayit!Sayit!"

           Iswallowhardandgetthewordsout."Youdon’thavemuchcompetitionanywhere."Andthistime,it’smewholeansin.

           Ourlipshavejustbarelytouchedwhentheclunkoutsidemakesusjump.Mybowcomesup,thearrowreadytofly,butthere’snoothersound.Peetapeersthroughtherocksandthengivesawhoop.BeforeIcanstophim,lie’soutintherain,thenhandingsomethingintome.Asilverparachuteattachedtoabasket.Iripitopenatonceandinsidethere’safeast-freshrolls,goatcheese,apples,andbestofall,atureenofthatincrediblelambstewonwildrice.TheverydishItoldCaesarFlickermanwasthemostimpressivethingtheCapitolhadtooffer.

           Peetawrigglesbackinside,hisfacelituplikethesun."IguessHaymitchfinallygottiredofwatchingusstarve."

           "Iguessso,"Ianswer.

           ButinmyheadIcanhearHaymitch’ssmug,ifslightlyexasperated,words,"Yes,that’swhatI’mlookinglot,sweetheart."