I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I'm sorry that I took a really long break from writing this, but I'm working on it still. Please read and review (: Criticism is greatly appreciated. ~Jess
Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own the Hunger Games, but I do own my OCs!
~Julie~
"Hey there. I am Saphira and this is Emmett. We are from District 1." A tall, slim girl with blonde curls and light blue eyes smiled at me. The blonde boy next to her nodded in my direction. "Hi. Julie. District 4." I mumbled, focusing on the net that is half-completed in my hands. "Where is your partner?" Saphira tilted her head to the side. "What, is he my pet? Am I suppose to know where he is every second of the day." I snapped. "Someone has a temper." She clucked her tongue. "Look, if we are a team, you need to work out whatever is going on between the two of you." A girl with light brown hair and dark brown eyes strolled over. She had a warrior stance. "Kara, District 2. I can use any weapon in this room, but I prefer swords." She flipped her shining hair over her shoulder. A strong guy came up behind her with a battle ax in his large hands. "Craigan." He nodded at me and the District 1 tributes. "Its nice that you assume we are the "Careers" and all. You four can and you can have my partner. I am not part of your group." I spoke flatly and turned away from them. "Hey. Its either allies or enemies." Saphira paused. "And you don't want us as enemies." Kara finished her thoughts. I spun around. "Say we are an alliance. We kill everyone else and it is six of us left. Who is going to win? Huh? Only one district can win! Will it be Kian and I? I don't think so. Saphira and Emmett? Maybe. Kara and Craigan? Who knows. All I know, is that I am not forming an alliance to turn on each other like animals when we are the only ones left. I guess we're enemies then." I shrugged and walked away, glaring at the floor.
~Lily~
"Why did you leave it up to me?" Reph mumbled, walking up from behind me again. "We are a team." I whispered. "Now we are a team? You need to make up your mind." He shook his head and walked away. "Wait." I choked out. "What?" He stopped and looked over at me. "Did you tell him no?" I questioned. "I said yes. We can be in an alliance." Reph shrugged and turned back around. Great. "Hey." A girl's voice came from next to me. "Uh, hi?" I smiled at the small girl next to me. "I'm Ashlyn from District 10. I'm great with animals and Tyson is skilled with swords." She smiled brightly. "I'm Lily from District 11. Reph is somewhere around here." I gave her another awkward smile. "So, are you guys willing to be in an alliance? We need to get the Careers out of the way as soon as possible." She smirked. "So after the Careers are done, the alliance is over?" I questioned. "Yup." She stuck her tiny hand out. "Deal." I nodded and shook her hand. "Great. See you when the gong sounds. Run the way your back is facing after grabbing the nearest thing. Tyson and I will follow." Ashlyn gave me a small wave and wandered over to her partner. In the blink of an eye, peacekeepers filled the room. Ashlyn's eyes widened as she nudged Tyson and pointed at the camouflage station.
~Ashlyn~
I nudged Tyson and pointed at the camouflage station. Peacekeepers surrounded Reph and the boy tribute from 2. The Career had punched Reph square in the jaw. He spit out blood as a peacekeeper grabbed his arm and yanked him away. Two peacekeepers dragged the Career away as he yelled something at Reph. The girl tribute from District 2 narrowed her eyes at Reph and spit on the floor in front of him. Attractive. Lily's eyes were twice the normal size and completely round. I walked over to her with Tyson on my heels. "What did your partner do?" I blurted. "I have no clue." She shook her head and looked over at me, obviously in shock. "Maybe we need to reconsider this." Tyson muttered. "Well its obvious the Career is the idiot. HE punched Reph." I defended Lily's partner. "Yeah. I'm going to see if I can find him. See you guys when the gong sounds." Lily sighed and wandered off. "I hope he is alright." I shook my head. "Ashlyn, look at me." Tyson grabbed my chin and made me look into his eyes. "What?" I questioned. "They are not our friends. They are our enemies. Once that gong sounds, we are all fighting for our lives. There is no option. We have to win, or we won't ever see District 10 or our families again. You need to remember that." He whispered and kissed my forehead. "Ty, I don't care. When the time comes, I'll figure it out. Until that gong rings, I am going to try and enjoy what I have left to live. If I die in that arena, then it was meant to be. Spending the rest of our time out of the arena dwelling on who I'll kill first and how I might be dead soon isn't something I want to do. I'll be in my room getting ready for dinner if you need me." I shook my head from his hands, kissed his cheek, and strolled out of the training room and down the hallway. "Where do you think you're going?" A peacekeeper turned the corner and almost plowed me down. "To my room to prepare for dinner. I am done training for today." I smiled and scooted pass him. "You need an escort kid. Let's go." He grabbed my wrist and yanked me back towards the training room. "Can't you escort me? It's down the hall." I rolled my eyes. "No." He snapped and lead me to a group of peacekeepers. "Bring her to her room." He spoke in disgust like I had a disease. I huffed as he practically threw me on the floor. "Listen you-" I steadied myself and was ready to lunge on him. "Easy Ash." Ty was at my side in a matter of seconds and he placed a sturdy hand on my shoulder. "Would you be so kind in escorting us to our rooms? We are done training for today." Ty smiled at the group of men. "Sure, let's go." The shortest peacekeeper shrugged. They formed a circle around us and lead us to our rooms. "The cameras are watching." A peacekeeper warned and followed the group back down the hall. "Some of them act like they have sticks up their butts." I shook my head. "I know." Ty gave me a slight smile. "Thank-you." I looked up at him and hugged him tightly. "You're my girl. I can't let you get tortured for standing up for yourself." He gave me a light kiss on my lips before disappearing into his room with a soft "See you at dinner." Tears filled my eyes as I smiled. I was glad we are here together to protect one another, but at the same time, I wish we aren't. I sighed and shut my door behind me.
~Julie~
I could feel the glares of the Careers burning a hole in my back. I wanted to turn around and punch Saphira straight in the jaw like Craigan did to that District 11 tribute. The girl tribute went around me and headed towards the Careers. I listened in quietly. "Why did your partner punch mine in the jaw? He wasn't doing anything!" The girl snapped at Kara. Kara towered over her. "Craigan wanted the station to himself and your little friend wouldn't leave." She smirked. "He had no right!" The girl snapped again. "He had every right. Now I suggest you walk away and leave me alone otherwise Craigan will not only gun for your partner, but gun for you as well." Kara spoke venom-coated words. The girl tribute looked like she was going to snap. I sighed and walked over to her. I grabbed her wrist and yanked her away. "Are you trying to get yourself killed before you get into the arena?" I snapped at her. "No! I just wanted to know why the heck that guy would punch Reph." She huffed. "Look, Craigan and Kara would rip you and Reph apart with their bare hands if it were allowed right now. You're lucky Craigan is on probation and that Kara didn't rip your head off. They don't like being questioned and they are violent. Get over it and go see how your partner is doing." I grumbled and shoved her towards the hallway. I turned back towards the spear, itching the throw it right into Kara's over-confident face.
~Lily~
I rubbed my wrist as I followed peacekeepers down the hallway. They shoved me into a room and shut the door. It was poorly lit and I squinted my eyes to see in front of me. "Reph?" I questioned, my voice just above a whisper. "Lily? What are you doing here?" He choked out. "I came to make sure you were okay." I replied and sat on the end of the bed. "Why?" He questioned. "We're a team no matter what. I may not understand why you were happy to be called at the Reaping and I don't think I ever will. I shouldn't be mad a you for it though. I do have a tiny confession though." My voice was soft and cautious, unsure of what to say and how to say what I need to. "Maybe I'll try to explain it to you one day." He gave me a slight smiled and sat up. "So, what do you need to say?" He questioned and scooted closer. "Well, I told the District 10 tributes we would be in an alliance with them until all the Careers are dead." I spoke quickly. "You- what? Why would you do that?" He shook his head. "Ashlyn just walked up to me and asked. Strength in numbers Reph. Once the Careers are gone, we have a better shot at winning and seeing District 11 again." I shrugged. "Yeah, but that is also more people who will know our weaknesses and strengths." Reph sighed. "But we will know their secrets too!" I retorted. "Can we talk about this tomorrow? We need sleep now." He grumbled. "Fine." I muttered, slamming the door behind me as I exited.