On the second day, while we’re taking a shot at spear throwing, he whispers to me, “I think we have a shadow.” I throw my spear, which I’m not too bad at actually, if I don’t have to throw too far, and see the little girl from District 11 standing back a bit, watching us. She’s the twelve-year-old, the one who reminded me so of Prim in stature. Up close she looks about ten. She has bright, dark, eyes and satiny brown skin and stands tilted up on her toes with her arms slightly extended to her sides, as if ready to take wing at the slightest sound. It’s impossible not to think of a bird. I pick up another spear while Peeta throws,     “I think her name’s Rue”, he says softly.

Let the games begin