Голодные игры

           ThePeacekeepersarebacktoosoonandGaleasksformoretime,butthey’retakinghimawayandIstarttopanic."Don’tletthemstarve!"Icryout,clingingtohishand.

           "Iwon’t!YouknowIwon’t!Katniss,rememberI-"hesays,andtheyyankusapartandslamthedoorandI’llneverknowwhatitwashewantedmetoremember.

           It’sashortridefromtheJusticeBuildingtothetrainstation.I’veneverbeeninacarbefore.Rarelyevenriddeninwagons.IntheSeam,wetravelonfoot.

           I’vebeenrightnottocry.Thestationisswarmingwithreporterswiththeirinsectlikecamerastraineddirectlyonmyface.ButI’vehadalotofpracticeatwipingmyfacecleanofemotionsandIdothisnow.Icatchaglimpseofmyselfonthetelevisionscreenonthewallthat’sairingmyarrivalliveandfeelgratifiedthatIappearalmostbored.

           PeetaMellark,ontheotherhand,hasobviouslybeencryingandinterestinglyenoughdoesnotseemtobetryingtocoveritup.IimmediatelywonderifthiswillbehisstrategyintheGames.Toappearweakandfrightened,toreassuretheothertributesthatheisnocompetitionatall,andthencomeoutfighting.Thisworkedverywellforagirl,JohannaMason,fromDistrict7afewyearsback.Sheseemedlikesuchasniveling,cowardlyfoolthatnoonebotheredaboutheruntiltherewereonlyahandfulofcontestantsleft.Itturnedoutshecouldkillviciously.Prettyclever,thewaysheplayedit.ButthisseemsanoddstrategyforPeetaMellarkbecausehe’sabaker’sson.