Голодные игры

           Hehasbeenaroundsolong,he’spracticallyanoldfriendtosomeofthem.Andafterhishead-diveoffthestageatthereaping,everybodyknowshim.Bythistime,they’llhavedraggedhimoutofthecontrolroomforinterviewsaboutus.Notellingwhatsortoflieshe’smadeup.He’satsomethingofadisadvantagebecausemostmentorshaveapartner,anothervictortohelpthemwhereasHaymitchhastobereadytogointoactionatanymoment.KindoflikemewhenIwasaloneinthearena.Iwonderhowhe’sholdingup,withthedrinking,theattention,andthestressoftryingtokeepusalive.

           It’sfunny.HaymitchandIdon’tgetalongwellinperson,butmaybePeetaisrightaboutusbeingalikebecauseheseemsabletocommunicatewithmebythetimingofhisgifts.LikehowIknewImustbeclosetowaterwhenhewithhelditandhowIknewthesleepsyrupjustwasn’tsomethingtoeasePeeta’spainandhowIknownowthatIhavetoplayuptheromance.Hehasn’tmademuchefforttoconnectwithPeetareally.PerhapshethinksabowlofbrothwouldjustbeabowlofbrothtoPeeta,whereasI’llseethestringsattachedtoit.

           Athoughthitsme,andI’mamazedthequestion’stakensolongtosurface.Maybeit’sbecauseI’veonlyrecentlybeguntoviewHaymitchwithadegreeofcuriosity."Howdoyouthinkhedidit?"

           "Who?Didwhat?"Peetaasks.

           "Haymitch.HowdoyouthinkhewontheGames?"Isay.

           Peetaconsidersthisquiteawhilebeforeheanswers.Haymitchissturdilybuilt,butnophysicalwonderlikeCatoorThresh.