Голодные игры

           Maybetherewillbeenoughfondnesstokeepheralive.

           Mynextguestisalsounexpected.Madgewalksstraighttome.Sheisnotweepyorevasive,insteadthere’sanurgencyabouthertonethatsurprisesme."Theyletyouwearonethingfromyourdistrictinthearena.Onethingtoremindyouofhome.Willyouwearthis?"Sheholdsoutthecirculargoldpinthatwasonherdressearlier.Ihadn’tpaidmuchattentiontoitbefore,butnowIseeit’sasmallbirdinflight.

           "Yourpin?"Isay.Wearingatokenfrommydistrictisaboutthelastthingonmymind.

           "Here,I’llputitonyourdress,allright?"Madgedoesn’twaitforananswer,shejustleansinandfixesthebirdtomydress."Promiseyou’llwearitintothearena,Katniss?"sheasks."Promise?"

           "Yes,"Isay.Cookies.Apin.I’mgettingallkindsofgiftstoday.Madgegivesmeonemore.Akissonthecheek.Thenshe’sgoneandI’mleftthinkingthatmaybeMadgereallyhasbeenmyfriendallalong.

           Finally,Galeishereandmaybethereisnothingromanticbetweenus,butwhenheopenshisarmsIdon’thesitatetogointothem.Hisbodyisfamiliartome-thewayitmoves,thesmellofwoodsmoke,eventhesoundofhisheartbeatingIknowfromquietmomentsonahunt-butthisisthefirsttimeIreallyfeelit,leanandhard-muscledagainstmyown.

           "Listen,"hesays."Gettingaknifeshouldbeprettyeasy,butyou’vegottogetyourhandsonabow.That’syourbestchance."