Голодные игры

           "Herewegothen,"hesays,andbeforewecanreacthesetsourcapesonfire.Igasp,waitingfortheheat,butthereisonlyafaintticklingsensation.Cinnaclimbsupbeforeusandignitesourheaddresses.Heletsoutasignofrelief."Itworks."Thenhegentlytucksahandundermychin."Remember,headshigh.Smiles.They’regoingtoloveyou!"

           Cinnajumpsoffthechariotandhasonelastidea.Heshoutssomethingupatus,butthemusicdrownshimout.Heshoutsagainandgestures.

           "What’shesaying?"IaskPeeta.Forthefirsttime,Ilookathimandrealizethatablazewiththefakeflames,heisdazzling.AndImustbe,too.

           "Ithinkhesaidforustoholdhands,"saysPeeta.Hegrabsmyrighthandinhisleft,andwelooktoCinnaforconfirmation.Henodsandgivesathumbs-up,andthat’sthelastthingIseebeforeweenterthecity.

           Thecrowd’sinitialalarmatourappearancequicklychangestocheersandshoutsof"DistrictTwelve!"Everyheadisturnedourway,pullingthefocusfromthethreechariotsaheadofus.Atfirst,I’mfrozen,butthenIcatchsightofusonalargetelevisionscreenandamflooredbyhowbreathtakingwelook.Inthedeepeningtwilight,thefirelightilluminatesourfaces.Weseemtobeleavingatrailoffireofftheflowingcapes.Cinnawasrightabouttheminimalmakeup,webothlookmoreattractivebututterlyrecognizable.

           Remember,headshigh.Smiles.They’regoingtoloveyou!IhearCinna’svoiceinmyhead.Iliftmychinabithigher,putonmymostwinningsmile,andwavewithmyfreehand.