Chapter 25

           Muttations.Noquestionaboutit.I’veneverseenthesemutts,butthey’renonatural-bornanimals.Theyresemblehugewolves,butwhatwolflandsandthenbalanceseasilyonitshindlegs?Whatwolfwavestherestofthepackforwardwithitsfrontpawasthoughithadawrist?ThesethingsIcanseeatadistance.Upclose,I’msuretheirmoremenacingattributeswillberevealed.

           CatohasmadeabeelinefortheCornucopia,andwithoutquestionIfollowhim.Ifhethinksit’sthesafestplace,whoamItoargue?Besides,evenifIcouldmakeittothetrees,itwouldbeimpossibleforPeetatooutrunthemonthatleg-Peeta!MyhandshavejustlandedonthemetalatthepointedtailoftheCornucopiawhenIrememberI’mpartofateam.He’saboutfifteenyardsbehindme,hobblingasfastashecan,butthemuttsareclosinginonhimfast.Isendanarrowintothepackandonegoesdown,butthereareplentytotakeitsplace.

           Peeta’swavingmeupthehorn,"Go,Katniss!Go!"

           He’sright.Ican’tprotecteitherofusontheground.Istartclimbing,scalingtheCornucopiaonmyhandsandfeet.Thepuregoldsurfacehasbeendesignedtoresemblethewovenhornthatwefillatharvest,sotherearelittleridgesandseamstogetadecentholdon.Butafteradayinthearenasun,themetalfeelshotenoughtoblistermyhands.

           Catoliesonhissideattheverytopofthehorn,twentyfeetabovetheground,gaspingtocatchhisbreathashegagsovertheedge.Now’smychancetofinishhimoff.