Голодные игры

           Istandstraight,andwhileI’mthin,I’mstrong.ThemeatandplantsfromthewoodscombinedwiththeexertionittooktogetthemhavegivenmeahealthierbodythanmostofthoseIseearoundme.

           Theexceptionsarethekidsfromthewealthierdistricts,thevolunteers,theoneswhohavebeenfedandtrainedthroughouttheirlivesforthismoment.Thetributesfrom1,2,and4traditionallyhavethislookaboutthem.It’stechnicallyagainsttherulestotraintributesbeforetheyreachtheCapitolbutithappenseveryyear.InDistrict12,wecallthemtheCareerTributes,orjusttheCareers.Andlikeasnot,thewinnerwillbeoneofthem.

           TheslightadvantageIheldcomingintotheTrainingCenter,myfieryentrancelastnight,seemstovanishinthepresenceofmycompetition.Theothertributeswerejealousofus,butnotbecausewewereamazing,becauseourstylistswere.NowIseenothingbutcontemptintheglancesoftheCareerTributes.Eachmusthavefiftytoahundredpoundsonme.Theyprojectarroganceandbrutality.WhenAtalareleasesus,theyheadstraightforthedeadliest-lookingweaponsinthegymandhandlethemwithease.

           I’mthinkingthatit’sluckyI’mafastrunnerwhenPeetanudgesmyarmandIjump.Heisstillbesideme,perHaymitch’sinstructions.Hisexpressionissober."Wherewouldyouliketostart?"

           IlookaroundattheCareerTributeswhoareshowingoff,clearlytryingtointimidatethefield.Thenattheothers,theunderfed,theincompetent,shakilyhavingtheirfirstlessonswithaknifeoranax.