the hunger games-飢餓遊戲(英文版)

第21部分 (第2/7頁)

　signs　of　dawn　approaching。　Iˇm　beginning　to　think　we　�　meaning　the　person　whose　death　Iˇm　now　devising　and　me　�　we　might　actually　have　gone　unnoticed。　Then　I　hear　it。　Several　pairs　of　feet　breaking　into　a　run。　The　fire　starter　must　have　dozed　off。　Theyˇre　on　her　before　she　can　escape。　I　know　itˇs　a　girl　now；　I　can　tell　by　the　pleading；　the　agonized　scream　that　follows。　Then　thereˇs　laughter　and　congratulations　from　several　voices。　Someone　cries　out；　¨Twelve　down　and　eleven　to　go！〃　which　gets　a　round　of　appreciative　hoots。

So　theyˇre　fighting　in　a　pack。　Iˇm　not　really　surprised。　Often　alliances　are　formed　in　the　early　stages　of　the　Games。　The　strong　band　together　to　hunt　down　the　weak　then；　when　the　tension　bees　too　great；　begin　to　turn　on　one　another。　I　donˇt　have　to　wonder　too　hard　who　has　made　this　alliance。　Itˇll　be　the　remaining　Career　Tributes　from　Districts　1；　2；　and　4。　Two　boys　and　three　girls。　The　ones　who　lunched　together。

For　a　moment；　I　hear　them　checking　the　girl　for　supplies。　I　can　tell　by　their　ments　theyˇve　found　nothing　good。　I　wonder　if　the　victim　is　Rue　but　quickly　dismiss　the　thought。　Sheˇs　much　too　bright　to　be　building　a　fire　like　that。

¨Better　clear　out　so　they　can　get　the　body　before　it　starts　stinking。〃　Iˇm　almost　certain　thatˇs　the　brutish　boy　from　District　2。　There　are　murmurs　of　assent　and　then；　to　my　horror；　I　hear　the　pack　heading　toward　me。　They　do　not　know　Iˇm　here。　How　could　they？　And　Iˇm　well　concealed　in　the　clump　of　trees。　At　least　while　the　sun　stays　down。　Then　my　black　sleeping　bag　will　turn　from　camouflage　to　trouble。　If　they　just　keep　moving；　they　will　pass　me　and　be　gone　in　a　minute。

But　the　Careers　stop　in　the　clearing　about　ten　yards　from　my　tree。　They　have　flashlights；　torches。　I　can　see　an　arm　here