I am not used to the blistering heat, but I love this fresh smell of grass. The Capitol smells so cloying and artificial. I turn to Lucas behind me. 'Come on!' I shout. We can get past 12 if we run hard enough, and they won't be able to track us in the woods. Then we will be at District 13. The Capitol can't touch us then. They won't start a war for two teenagers.
I pause to breathe, and let Lucas catch up with me. The fear in his face is clear. We haven't ever been told how they treat traitors, but I know that it is bad. Especially for Lucas. His life is at stake. He hobbles on, trying to cover his injury. I reach my arm round his waist and let him lean on me. 'Thanks,' he breathes.
I smile. But what comes next is unexpected. 'Go without me.' He sighs. 'I'll go to 12, try and fit in somehow. I can get a message to Beetee in Three, get him to hack the system and get me in.'
'Why?' I am close to shouting. 'We can get to Thirteen. We'll be properly safe there. You'll never be safe here!'
'Better than being dead,' he mumbles.
'What?!'
'About half an hour ago, I saw a hovercraft. A Capitol one.'
I breathe deeply, and slowly. Then I see something. A movement in the forest.