Голодные игры
Chapter 26
Myfeettakeoffwithouthesitation.Maybeavictorshouldshowmorerestraint,moresuperiority,especiallywhensheknowsthiswillbeontape,butIdon’tcare.IrunforthemandsurpriseevenmyselfwhenIlaunchintoHaymitch’sarmsfirst.Whenhewhispersinmyear,"Nicejob,sweetheart,"itdoesn’tsoundsarcastic.Effie’ssomewhattearyandkeepspattingmyhairandtalkingabouthowshetoldeveryonewewerepearls.Cinnajusthugsmetightanddoesn’tsayanything.ThenInoticePortiaisabsentandgetabadfeeling.
"Where’sPortia?IsshewithPeeta?Heisallright,isn’the?Imean,he’salive?"Iblurtout.
"He’sfine.Onlytheywanttodoyourreunionliveonairattheceremony,"saysHaymitch.
"Oh.That’sall,"Isay.TheawfulmomentofthinkingPeeta’sdeadagainpasses."IguessI’dwanttoseethatmyself."
"GoonwithCinna.Hehastogetyouready,"saysHaymitch.
It’sarelieftobealonewithCinna,tofeelhisprotectivearmaroundmyshouldersasheguidesmeawayfromthecameras,downafewpassagesandtoanelevatorthatleadstothelobbyoftheTrainingCenter.Thehospitalthenisfarunderground,evenbeneaththegymwherethetributespracticedtyingknotsandthrowingspears.Thewindowsofthelobbyaredarkened,andahandfulofguardsstandonduty.Nooneelseistheretoseeuscrosstothetributeelevator.Ourfootstepsechointheemptiness.
