The tone of story is set off nicely by the opening paragraphs.
Some time later, Lois and Clark sat before a small fire on the edge of the burned area near the river. The area still reeked of smoke, making it unlikely that either of the two remaining Careers would smell the fire and come looking for them.
The weather had grown colder even as the sun had risen higher in the sky, a sure sign that the Gamemakers were trying to bring the Games to an end. It was the ninth day since the 66th Annual Hunger Games had begun, and the Capitol was eager for the conclusion.
Clark is miserable with guilt over Lysander's death and Lois is slowly suffering from starvation. He also blames himself for not listening carefully to the careers as they planned their counterattack against them. Frankly, I am surprised as well...
He had listened for the Careers constantly, allowing himself and Lois to slip away whenever they came near. The problem was that he hadn’t listened to them. He hadn’t heard them make their plans to trap them in the Cornucopia.
How could he not hear them? Was he so busy worrying about other things that the career's conversations did not reach him?
Starting awake, Lois snapped at Clark, “Clark, I’m fine! You don’t need to keep fussing over me!” as he shook her awake for the third time since they’d returned to the cave.
Clark crossed his arms and looked back at Lois stubbornly. “You hit your head pretty hard earlier. I think you might have a concussion.” At least it isn’t a skull fracture, he thought — he’d used his X-ray vision to check.
Gingerly, Lois touched the lump on the back of her head, then wrapped herself more tightly in the blanket. “Maybe I do. In fact, I probably do. I did get knocked out. But it doesn’t help when you keep waking me up every five minutes!”
“Actually, it’s about every hour, judging from the position of the stars.”
“Clark! How can you be so sure? Those aren’t real stars! Leave … me … alone. I just need some sleep.”
OK. They are in a very serious and dangerous situation. But I can easily see Lois and Clark in the newsroom late one night bickering with each other after a botched break-in! Love it!
Clark thought back to the previous evening, when Lysander’s picture had been projected as the latest tribute to be killed. He shuddered at the memory, thinking about what Lysander’s family and friends in District 2 must be feeling. He wondered if Lysander’s mysterious Capitol father mourned the loss of his son — or if he even cared.
The identity of Lysander's father has been on my mind. Will there be retribution against Clark?
Mrs. M makes a very good point; if they do survive together how will they *be* together? They are in different districts and have vastly different backgrounds. Most of all, Rachel is waiting for Clark to come home.
Next Saturday we find out just what that 'feast' is all about....
