第25部分(第1/7 頁)

in　my　bag　before　I　plunge　into　sleep。

A　bird　perched　just　a　few　feet　from　me　alerts　me　that　a　new　day　is　dawning。　In　the　gray　morning　light；　I　examine　my　hands。　The　medicine　has　transformed　all　the　angry　red　patches　to　a　soft　baby…skin　pink。　My　leg　still　feels　inflamed；　but　that　burn　was　far　deeper。　I　apply　another　coat　of　medicine　and　quietly　pack　up　my　gear。　Whatever　happens；　Iˇm　going　to　have　to　move　and　move　fast。　I　also　make　myself　eat　a　cracker　and　a　strip　of　beef　and　drink　a　few　cups　of　water。

Almost　nothing　stayed　in　my　stomach　yesterday；　and　Iˇm　already　starting　to　feel　the　effects　of　hunger。

Below　me；　I　can　see　the　Career　pack　and　Peeta　asleep　on　the　ground。　By　her　position；　leaning　up　against　the　trunk　of　the　tree；　Iˇd　guess　Glimmer　was　supposed　to　be　on　guard；　but　fatigue　overcame　her。

My　eyes　squint　as　they　try　to　perate　the　tree　next　to　me；　but　I　canˇt　make　out　Rue。　Since　she　tipped　me　off；　it　only　seems　fair　to　warn　her。　Besides；　if　Iˇm　going　to　die　today；　itˇs　Rue　I　want　to　win。　Even　if　it　means　a　little　extra　food　for　my　family；　the　idea　of　Peeta　being　crowned　victor　is　unbearable。

I　call　Rueˇs　name　in　a　hushed　whisper　and　the　eyes　appear；　wide　and　alert；　at　once。　She　points　up　to　the　nest　again。　I　hold　up　my　knife　and　make　a　sawing　motion。　She　nods　and　disappears。　Thereˇs　a　rustling　in　a　nearby　tree。　Then　the　same　noise　again　a　bit　farther　off。　I　realize　sheˇs　leaping　from　tree　to　tree。　Itˇs　all　I　can　do　not　to　laugh　out　loud。　Is　this　what　she　showed　the　Gamemakers？　I　imagine　her　flying　around　the　training　equipment　never　touching　the　floor。　She　should　have　gotten　at　least　a　ten。

Rosy　streaks　are　breaking　through　in　the　east。　I　canˇt　afford　to　wait　any　longer。　pared　to　the　agony　of　last　nightˇs　climb；　this