Reading - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, p. 244- 302

In chapter 19, Katniss now knows that Peeta, who’s been wounded, is now her ally.  She thinks about how they are supposed to be “star-crossed lovers” and thinks that Peeta must have been playing that angle all along.  Looking back, Peeta, it turns out, has never been a danger to her.  She follows the river, trying to find Peeta.  She finds him camouflaged in the mud and plants along the river.  He is wounded pretty badly – Cato cut him on his left thigh. He can barely move.  It’s a miracle he’s still alive, actually.  Katniss washes him off, treats his wounds, and feeds him.  Finally, when Peeta’s able to stand, Katniss half-guides, half-carries him to a cave nearby.  Since they are supposed to be madly in love, she kisses him.  She steps outside and a parachute floats down from the sky with a pot of hot broth.  She realizes that Haymitch couldn’t be sending a clearer message: one kiss equals one pot of broth.  If she wants to keep Peeta alive, she has to give the audience something more to care about – romance.

In chapter 20, they manage to survive for a while in the cave.  She tends to his minor wounds and then she unwraps his leg.  It’s much worse.  There’s no more pus, but the swelling has increased and he now has blood poisoning.  Unchecked, it will kill him for sure.  They decide that they are just going to have to outlast the others.  Then, doctors will cure it back at the Capitol once they win.  When Katniss asks if he wants anything, he asks for her to tell him a happy story.  She tells him how she got Prim’s goat.  After her story, there is another announcement.  There will be a feast at the Cornucopia; however, this is no ordinary feast.  The announcer says “Each of you needs something desperately.  Each of you will find that something in a backpack marked with your district number, at the Cornucopia at dawn.  Think hard about refusing to show up.  For some of you, this is your last chance.”  Katniss needs something to heal Peeta’s leg, but as soon as it’s over, Peeta says, “No. You’re not risking your life for me.”  She promises that she won’t go, but she isn’t happy about it.  She goes down to the stream to wash up and get a parachute with sleep syrup.  That vial could knock Peeta out for a full day, and that’s more time than she needs.  She mashes some berries and adds the medicine.  He realizes that is syrup just as he takes the last spoonful.

In chapter 21, Katniss goes down to the feast.  I won’t tell what happens because I don’t want to spoil it.  But she gets the medicine and makes it back to the cave.  She jams the needle into Peeta’s arm.  Then, she falls over, unconscious.

In chapter 22, when Katniss wakes up, there is a thunder storm.  Peeta has bandaged her head wound and helps her get better.  They just focus on eating and staying alive.  She realizes that in order for Haymitch to send them food, she must continue her and Peeta’s romance.  (Note that Peeta does not know about this at all.)  They actually share a real romantic moment, during which they kiss and Katniss feels something stirring inside her chest.  Haymitch then sends them a feast.

All I can say is, “Awww!” That was a really sweet and cute romantic moment.  I really like the relationship that is developing between them.  I also think its clever how Haymitch and Katniss are sort of communicating in a way.  I think Peeta truly loves Katniss though.  I don’t think it’s just an act like she still does.