Chapter 4

           Forafewmoments,PeetaandItakeinthesceneofourmentortryingtoriseoutoftheslipperyvilestufffromhisstomach.Thereekofvomitandrawspiritsalmostbringsmydinnerup.Weexchangeaglance.ObviouslyHaymitchisn’tmuch,butEffieTrinketisrightaboutonething,oncewe’reinthearenahe’sallwe’vegot.Asifbysomeunspokenagreement,PeetaandIeachtakeoneofHaymitch’sarmsandhelphimtohisfeet.

           "Itripped?"Haymitchasks."Smellsbad."Hewipeshishandonhisnose,smearinghisfacewithvomit.

           "Let’sgetyoubacktoyourroom,"saysPeeta."Cleanyouupabit."

           Wehalf-leadhalf-carryHaymitchbacktohiscompartment.Sincewecan’texactlysethimdownontheembroideredbedspread,wehaulhimintothebathtubandturntheshoweronhim.Hehardlynotices.

           "It’sokay,"Peetasaystome."I’lltakeitfromhere."

           Ican’thelpfeelingalittlegratefulsincethelastthingIwanttodoisstripdownHaymitch,washthevomitoutofhischesthair,andtuckhimintobed.PossiblyPeetaistryingtomakeagoodimpressiononhim,tobehisfavoriteoncetheGamesbegin.Butjudgingbythestatehe’sin,Haymitchwillhavenomemoryofthistomorrow.

           "Allright,"Isay."IcansendoneoftheCapitolpeopletohelpyou."There’sanynumberonthetrain.Cookingforus.Waitingonus.Guardingus.Takingcareofusistheirjob.

           "No.Idon’twantthem,"saysPeeta.

           Inodandheadtomyownroom.IunderstandhowPeetafeels.Ican’tstandthesightoftheCapitolpeoplemyself.