Голодные игры

           Galewillgethertheherbsshedoesn’tgrowherself,butshemustbeverycarefultodescribethembecausehe’snotasfamiliarwiththemasIam.He’llalsobringthemgame-heandImadeapactaboutthisayearorsoago-andwillprobablynotaskforcompensation,buttheyshouldthankhimwithsomekindoftrade,likemilkormedicine.

           Idon’tbothersuggestingPrimlearntohunt.Itriedtoteachheracoupleoftimesanditwasdisastrous.Thewoodsterrifiedher,andwheneverIshotsomething,she’dgettearyandtalkabouthowwemightbeabletohealitifwegotithomesoonenough.Butshemakesoutwellwithhergoat,soIconcentrateonthat.

           WhenIamdonewithinstructionsaboutfuel,andtrading,andstayinginschool,Iturntomymotherandgripherarm,hard."Listentome.Areyoulisteningtome?"Shenods,alarmedbymyintensity.Shemustknowwhat’scoming."Youcan’tleaveagain,"Isay.

           Mymother’seyesfindthefloor."Iknow.Iwon’t.Icouldn’thelpwhat-"

           "Well,youhavetohelpitthistime.Youcan’tclockoutandleavePrimonherown.There’snomenowtokeepyoubothalive.Itdoesn’tmatterwhathappens.Whateveryouseeonthescreen.Youhavetopromisemeyou’llfightthroughit!"Myvoicehasrisentoashout.Initisalltheanger,allthefearIfeltatherabandonment.

           Shepullsherarmfrommygrasp,movedtoangerherselfnow."Iwasill.IcouldhavetreatedmyselfifI’dhadthemedicineIhavenow."

           Thatpartaboutherbeingillmightbetrue.