Голодные игры
Chapter 26
Abrand-newmetalplatehasbeeninstalledtotransportmeupward.Youcanstillseesmallpilesofsawdust,smellfreshpaint.Cinnaandtheprepteampeelofftochangeintotheirowncostumesandtaketheirpositions,leavingmealone.Inthegloom,IseeamakeshiftwallabouttenyardsawayandassumePeeta’sbehindit.
Therumblingofthecrowdisloud,soIdon’tnoticeHaymitchuntilhetouchesmyshoulder.Ispringaway,startled,stillhalfinthearena,Iguess.
"Easy,justme.Let’shavealookatyou,"Haymitchsays.Iholdoutmyarmsandturnonce."Goodenough."
It’snotmuchofacompliment."Butwhat?"Isay.
Haymitch’seyesshiftaroundmymustyholdingspace,andheseemstomakeadecision."Butnothing.Howaboutahugforluck?"
Okay,that’sanoddrequestfromHaymitchbut,afterall,wearevictors.Maybeahugforluckisinorder.Only,whenIputmyarmsaroundhisneck,Ifindmyselftrappedinhisembrace.Hebeginstalking,veryfast,veryquietlyinmyear,myhairconcealinghislips.
"Listenup.You’reintrouble.WordistheCapitol’sfuriousaboutyoushowingthemupinthearena.Theonethingtheycan’tstandisbeinglaughedatandthey’rethejokeofPanem,"saysHaymitch.
Ifeeldreadcoursingthroughmenow,butIlaughasthoughHaymitchissayingsomethingcompletelydelightfulbecausenothingiscoveringmymouth."So,what?"
"Youronlydefensecanbeyouweresomadlyinloveyouweren’tresponsibleforyouractions."Haymitchpullsbackandadjustsmyhairband.
