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the hunger games-饥饿游戏(英文版)-第30部分
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Huh。 I always assumed the shopkeepers live a soft life。
And itˇs true； Peeta has always had enough to eat。 But thereˇs something kind of depressing about living your life on stale bread； the hard； dry loaves that no one else wanted。 One thing about us； since I bring our food home on a daily basis； most of it is so fresh you have to make sure it isnˇt going to make a run for it。
Somewhere during my shift； the rain stops not gradually but all at once。 The downpour ends and thereˇs only the residual drippings of water from branches； the rush of the now overflowing stream below us。 A full； beautiful moon emerges； and even without the glasses I can see outside。 I canˇt decide if the moon is real or merely a projection of the Gamemakers。 I know it was full shortly before I left home。 Gale and I watched it rise as we hunted into the late hours。
How long have I been gone？ Iˇm guessing itˇs been about two weeks in the arena； and there was that week of preparation in the Capitol。 Maybe the moon has pleted its cycle。 For some reason； I badly want it to be my moon； the same one I see from the woods around District 12。 That would give me something to cling to in the surreal world of the arena where the authenticity of everything is to be doubted。
Four of us left。
For the first time； I allow myself to truly think about the possibility that I might make it home。 To fame。 To wealth。 To my own house in the Victorˇs Village。 My mother and Prim would live there with me。 No more fear of hunger。 A new kind of freedom。 But then 。 。 。 what？ What would my life be like on a daily basis？ Most of it has been consumed with the acquisition of food。 Take that away and Iˇm not really sure who I am； what my identity is。 The idea scares me some。 I think of Haymitch； with all his money。 What did his life bee？ He lives alone； no wife or children； most of his waking hours drunk。 I donˇt want to end up like that。
¨But you wonˇt be alone；〃 I whisper to myself。 I have my mother and Prim。 Well； for the time being。 And then 。 。 。 I donˇt want to think about then； when Prim has grown up； my mother passed away。 I know Iˇll never marry； never risk bringing a child into the world。 Because if thereˇs one thing being a victor doesnˇt guarantee； itˇs your childrenˇs safety。 My kidsˇ names would go right into the reaping balls with everyone elseˇs。 And I swear Iˇll never let that happen。
The sun eventually rises； its light slipping through the cracks and illuminating Peetaˇs face。 Who will he transform into if we make it home？ This perplexing； good…natured boy who can spin out lies so convincingly the whole of Panem believes him to be hopelessly in love with me； and Iˇll admit it； there are moments when he makes me believe it myself？ At least； weˇll be friends； I think。 Nothing will change the fact that weˇve saved each otherˇs lives in here。 And beyond that； he will always
be the boy with the bread。 Good friends。 Anything beyond that though 。 。 。 and I feel Galeˇs gray eyes watching me watching Peeta； all the way from District 12。
Disfort causes me to move。 I scoot over and shake Peetaˇs shoulder。 His eyes open sleepily and when they focus on me； he pulls me down for a long kiss。
¨Weˇre wasting hunting time；〃 I say when I finally break away。
¨I wouldnˇt call it wasting；〃 he says giving a big stretch as he sits up。 ¨So do we hunt on empty stomachs to give us an edge？〃
¨Not us；〃 I say。 ¨We stuff ourselves to give us staying power。〃
¨Count me in；〃 Peeta says。 But I can see heˇs surprised when I divide the rest of the stew and rice and hand a heaping plate to him。 ¨All this？〃
¨Weˇll earn it back today；〃 I say； and we both plow into our plates。 Even cold； itˇs one of the best things Iˇve ever tasted。 I abandon my fork and scrape up the last dabs of gravy with my finger。 ¨I can feel Effie Trinket shuddering at my manners。〃
¨Hey； Effie； watch this！〃 says Peeta。 He tosses his fork over his shoulder and literally licks his plate clean with his tongue making loud； satisfied sounds。 Then he blows a kiss out to her in general and calls； ¨We miss you； Effie！〃
I cover his mouth with my hand； but Iˇm laughing。 ¨Stop！ Cato could be right outside our cave。〃
He grabs my hand away。 ¨What do I care？ Iˇve got you to protect me now；〃 says Peeta； pulling me to him。
¨e on；〃 I say in exasperation； extricating myself from his grasp but not before he gets in another kiss。
Once weˇre packed up and standing outside our cave； our mood shifts to serious。 Itˇs as though for the last few days； sheltered by the rocks and the rain and Catoˇs preoccupation with Thresh； we were given a respite； a holiday of sorts。 Now； although the day is sunny and warm； we both sense weˇre really back in the Games。 I hand Peeta my knife； since whatever weapons he once had are long gone； and he slips it into his belt。 My last seven arrows of the twelve I sacrificed three in the explosion； two at the feast rattle a bit too loosely in the quiver。 I canˇt afford to lose any more。
¨Heˇll be hunting us by now；〃 says Peeta。 ¨Cato isnˇt one to wait for his prey to wander by。〃
¨If heˇs wounded 〃 I begin。
¨It wonˇt matter；〃 Peeta breaks in。 ¨If he can move； heˇs ing。〃
With all the rain； the stream has overrun its banks by several feet on either side。 We stop there to replenish our water。 I check the snares I set days ago and e up empty。 Not surprising with the weather。 Besides； I havenˇt seen many animals or signs of them in this area。
¨If we want food； we better head back up to my old hunting grounds；〃 I say。
¨Your call。 Just tell me what you need me to do；〃 Peeta says。
¨Keep an eye out；〃 I say。 ¨Stay on the rocks as much as possible； no sense in leaving him tracks to follow。 And listen for both of us。〃 Itˇs clear； at this point； that the explosion destroyed the hearing in my left ear for good。
Iˇd walk in the water to cover our tracks pletely； but Iˇm not sure Peetaˇs leg could take the current。 Although the drugs have erased the infection； heˇs still pretty weak。 My forehead hurts along the knife cut； but after three days the bleeding has stopped。 I wear a bandage around my head though； just in case physical exertion should bring it back。
As we head up alongside the stream； we pass the place where I found Peeta camouflaged in the weeds and mud。 One good thing； between the downpour and the flooded banks； all signs of his hiding place have been wiped out。 That means that； if need be； we can e back to our cave。 Otherwise； I wouldnˇt risk it with Cato after us。
The boulders diminish to rocks that eventually turn to pebbles； and then； to my relief； weˇre back on pine needles and the gentle incline of the forest floor。 For the first time； I realize we have a problem。 Navigating the rocky terrain with a bad leg well； youˇre naturally going to make some noise。 But even on the smooth bed of needles； Peeta is loud。 And I mean loud loud； as if heˇs stomping his feet or something。 I turn and look at him。
¨What？〃 he asks。
¨Youˇve got to move more quietly；〃 I say。 ¨Forget about Cato； youˇre chasing off every rabbit in a ten…mile radius。〃
¨Really？〃 he says。 ¨Sorry； I didnˇt know。〃
So； we start up again and heˇs a tiny bit better； but even with only one working ear； heˇs making me jump。
¨Can you take your boots off？〃 I suggest。
¨Here？〃 he asks in disbelief； as if Iˇd asked him to walk barefoot on hot coals or something。 I have to remind myself that heˇs still not used to the woods； that itˇs the scary； forbidden place beyond the fences of District 12。 I think of Gale； with his velvet tread。 Itˇs eerie how little sound he makes； even when the leaves have fallen and itˇs a challenge to move at all without chasing off the game。 I feel certain heˇs laughing back home。
¨Yes；〃 I say patiently。 ¨I will； too。 That way weˇll both be quieter。〃 Like I was making any noise。 So we both strip off our boots and socks and； while thereˇs some improvement； I could swear heˇs making an effort to snap every branch we encounter。
Needless to say； although it takes several hours to reach my old camp with Rue； Iˇve shot nothing。 If the stream would settle down； fish might be an option； but the current is still too strong。 As we stop to rest and drink water； I try to work out a solution。 Ideally； Iˇd dump Peeta now with some simple rootgathering chore and go hunt； but then heˇd be left with only a knife to defend himself against Catoˇs spears and superior strength。 So what Iˇd really like is to try and conceal him somewhere safe； then go hunt； and e back and collect him。 But I have a feeling his ego isnˇt going to go for that suggestion。
¨Katniss；〃 he says。 ¨We need to split up。 I know Iˇm chasing away the game。〃
¨Only because your legˇs hurt；〃 I say generously； because really； you can tell thatˇs only a small part of the problem。
¨I know；〃 he says。 ¨So； why donˇt you go on？ Show me some plants to gather and that way weˇll both be useful。〃
¨Not if Cato es and kills you。〃 I tried to say it in a nice way； but it still sounds like I think heˇs a weakling。
Surprisingly； he just laughs。 ¨Look； I can handle Cato。 I fought him before； didnˇt I？〃
Yeah； and that turned out great。 You ended up dying in a mud bank。 Thatˇs what I want to say； but I canˇt。 He did save my life by taking on Cato after all。 I try another tactic。 ¨What if you climbed up in a tree and acted as a lookout while I hunted？〃 I say； trying to make it sound like very important work。
¨What if you show me whatˇs edible around here and go get us some meat？〃 he says； mimicking my tone。 ¨Just donˇt go far； in case you need help。〃
I sigh and show him some roots to dig。 We do need food； no question。 One apple； two rolls； and a blob of cheese the size of a plum wonˇt last long。 Iˇll just go a short distance and hope Cato is a long way off。
I teach him a bird whistle not a melody like Rueˇs but a simple two…note whistle which we can use to municate that weˇre all right。 Fortunately； heˇs good at this。 Leaving him with the pack； I head off。
I feel like Iˇm eleven again； tethered not to the safety of the fence but to Peeta； allowing myself twenty； maybe thirty yards of hunting space。 Away from him though； the woods e alive with animal sounds。 Reassured by his periodic whistles； I allow myself to drift farther away； and soon have two rabbits and a fat squirrel to show for it。 I decide itˇs enough。 I can set snares and maybe get some fish。 With Peetaˇs roots； this will be enough for now。
As I travel the short distance back； I realize we havenˇt exchanged signals in a while。 When my whistle receives no response； I run。 In no time； I find the pack； a neat pile of roots beside it。 The sheet of plastic has been laid on the ground where the sun can reach the single layer of berries that covers it。 But where is he？
¨Peeta！〃 I call out in a panic。 ¨Peeta！〃 I turn to the rustle of brush and almost send an arrow through him。 Fortunately； I pull my bow at the last second and it sticks in an oak trunk to his left。 He jumps back； flinging a handful of berries into the foliage。
My fear es out as anger。 ¨What are you doing？ Youˇre supposed to be here； not running around in the woods！〃
¨I found some berries down by the stream；〃 he says； clearly confused by my outburst。
¨I whistled。 Why didnˇt you whistle back？〃 I snap at him。
¨I didnˇt hear。 The waterˇs too loud； I guess；〃 he says。 He crosses and puts his hands on my shoulders。 Thatˇs when I feel that Iˇm trembling。
¨I thought Cato killed you！〃 I almost shout。
¨No； Iˇm fine。〃 Peeta wraps his arms around me； but I donˇt respond。 ¨Katniss？〃
I push away； trying to sort out my feelings。 ¨If two people agree on a signal； they stay in range。 Because if one of them doesnˇt answer； theyˇre in trouble； all right？〃
¨All right！〃 he says。
¨All right。 Because thatˇs what happened with Rue； and I watched her die！〃 I say。 I turn away from him； go to the pack and open a fresh bottle of water； although I still have some in mine。 But Iˇm not ready to forgive him。 I notice the food。 The rolls and apples are untouched； but someoneˇs definitely picked away part of the cheese。 ¨And you ate without me！〃 I really donˇt care； I just want something else to be mad about。
¨What？ No； I didnˇt；〃 Peeta says。
¨Oh； and I suppose the apples ate the cheese；〃 I say。
¨I donˇt know what ate the cheese；〃 Peeta says slowly and distinctly； as if trying not to lose his temper； ¨but it wasnˇt me。 Iˇve been down by the stream collecting berries。 Would you care for some？〃
I would actually； but I donˇt want to relent too soon。 I do walk over and look at them。 Iˇve never seen this type before。 No； I have。 But not in the arena。 These arenˇt Rueˇs berries； although they resemble them。 Nor do they match any I learned about in training。 I lean down and scoop up a few； rolling them between my fingers。
My fatherˇs voice es back to me。 ¨Not these； Katniss。 Never these。 Theyˇre nightlock。 Youˇll be dead before they reach your stomach。〃
Just then； the cannon fires。 I whip around； expecting Peeta to collapse to the ground； but he only raises his eyebrows。 The hovercraft appears a hundred yards or so away。 Whatˇs left of Foxfaceˇs emaciated body is lifted into the air。 I can see the red glint of her hair in the sunlight。
I should have known the moment I saw the missing cheese。 。 。 。
Peeta has me by the arm； pushing me toward a tree。 ¨Climb。 Heˇll be here in a second。 Weˇll stand a better chance fighting him from above。〃
I stop him； suddenly calm。 ¨No； Peeta； sheˇs your kill； not Catoˇs。〃
¨What？ I havenˇt even seen her since the first day；〃 he says。 ¨How could I have killed her？〃
In answer； I hold out the berries。
24
It takes a while to explain the situation to Peeta。 How Foxface stole the food from the supply pile before I blew it up； how she tried to take enough to stay alive but not enough that anyone would notice it； how she wouldnˇt question the safety of berries we were preparing to eat ourselves。
¨I wonder how she found us；〃 says Peeta。 ¨My fault； I guess； if Iˇm as loud as you say。〃
We were about as hard to follow as a herd of cattle； but I try to be kind。 ¨And sheˇs very clever； Peeta。 Well； she was。 Until you outfoxed her。〃
¨Not on purpose。 Doesnˇt seem fair somehow。 I mean； we would have both been dead； too； if she hadnˇt eaten the berries first。〃 He checks himself。 ¨No； of course； we wouldnˇt。 You recognized them； didnˇt you？〃
I give a nod。 ¨We call them nightlock。〃
¨Even the name sounds deadly；〃 he says。 ¨Iˇm sorry； Katniss。 I really thought they were the same ones youˇd gathered。〃
¨Donˇt apologize。 It just means weˇre one step closer to home； right？〃 I ask。
¨Iˇll get rid of the rest；〃 Peeta says。 He gathers up the sheet of blue plastic； careful to trap the berries inside； and goes to toss them into the woods。
¨Wait！〃 I cry。 I find the leather pouch that belonged to the boy from District 1 and fill it with a few handfuls of berries from the plastic。 ¨If they fooled Foxface； maybe they can fool Cato as well。 If heˇs chasing us or something； we can act like we accidentally drop the pouch and if he eats them 〃
¨Then hello District Twelve；〃 says Peeta。
¨Thatˇs it；〃 I say； securing
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