Chapter 7

           Myslumbersarefilledwithdisturbingdreams.ThefaceoftheredheadedgirlintertwineswithgoryimagesfromearlierHungerGames,withmymotherwithdrawnandunreachable,withPrimemaciatedandterrified.Iboltupscreamingformyfathertorunasthemineexplodesintoamilliondeadlybitsoflight.

           Dawnisbreakingthroughthewindows.TheCapitolhasamisty,hauntedair.MyheadachesandImusthavebittenintothesideofmycheekinthenight.MytongueprobestheraggedfleshandItasteblood.

           Slowly,Idragmyselfoutofbedandintotheshower.Iarbitrarilypunchbuttonsonthecontrolboardandenduphoppingfromfoottofootasalternatingjetsoficycoldandsteaminghotwaterassaultme.ThenI’mdelugedinlemonyfoamthatIhavetoscrapeoffwithaheavybristledbrush.Oh,well.Atleastmybloodisflowing.

           WhenI’mdriedandmoisturizedwithlotion,Ifindanoutfithasbeenleftformeatthefrontofthecloset.Tightblackpants,along-sleevedburgundytunic,andleathershoes.Iputmyhairinthesinglebraiddownmyback.ThisisthefirsttimesincethemorningofthereapingthatIresemblemyself.Nofancyhairandclothes,noflamingcapes.Justme.LookinglikeIcouldbeheadedforthewoods.Itcalmsme.

           Haymitchdidn’tgiveusanexacttimetomeetforbreakfastandnoonehascontactedmethismorning,butI’mhungrysoIheaddowntothediningroom,hopingtherewillbefood.I’mnotdisappointed.Whilethetableisempty,alongboardofftothesidehasbeenlaidwithatleasttwentydishes.