Голодные игры

           Ifyoudon’tcounttheruinsofDistrict13thatstillsmolderfromthetoxicbombs.Theyshowitontelevisionoccasionally,justtoremindus."Orwhytheywouldleavehere."HaymitchhadcalledtheAvoxestraitors.Againstwhat?ItcouldonlybetheCapitol.Buttheyhadeverythinghere.Nocausetorebel.

           "I’dleavehere,"Peetablurtsout.Thenhelooksaroundnervously.Itwasloudenoughtohearabovethechimes.Helaughs."I’dgohomenowiftheyletme.Butyouhavetoadmit,thefood’sprime."

           He’scoveredagain.Ifthat’sallyou’dhearditwouldjustsoundlikethewordsofascaredtribute,notsomeonecontemplatingtheunquestionablegoodnessoftheCapitol.

           "It’sgettingchilly.Webettergoin,"hesays.Insidethedome,it’swarmandbright.Histoneisconversational."YourfriendGale.He’stheonewhotookyoursisterawayatthereaping?"

           "Yes.Doyouknowhim?"Iask.

           "Notreally.Ihearthegirlstalkabouthimalot.Ithoughthewasyourcousinorsomething.Youfavoreachother,"hesays.

           "No,we’renotrelated,"Isay.

           Peetanods,unreadable."Didhecometosaygood-byetoyou?"

           "Yes,"Isay,observinghimcarefully."Sodidyourfather.Hebroughtmecookies."

           Peetaraiseshiseyebrowsasifthisisnews.Butafterwatchinghimliesosmoothly,Idon’tgivethismuchweight."Really?Well,helikesyouandyoursister.Ithinkhewisheshehadadaughterinsteadofahousefulofboys."