A/N: This chapter is a bit longer than I expected, b/c it covers her training, interview and briefly the first of the games. Enjoy and review!

Chapter Three:

After I've washed off all the makeup, I lie down in bed and switch the lamp on. I take my notebook and pen. I look over what I've written about my fellow tributes, and I see my opinion has not changed about a single one of them.

I turn to a new page and write: Strategy for the Games

Maybe find an ally, but that thought is doubtful. I prefer to work alone. If the Cornucopia's hollow, make a camp there, that's where I'll make my camp, that was I'll be close to the supplies and have easy access to weapons. But first, what am I going to do about the bloodbath? If I get in the Cornucopia then, I know someone will see me and go hunting.

I've got it! Run into whatever area during the bloodbath, make sure at least a few people see me, and let them believe I'm hiding in there. Then, after the anthem is played, I'll sneak back to the Cornucopia! I think this plan may work. I may just be the victor of the 74th Hunger Games!

After I close my notebook, I turn off the lamp and go to sleep. Tomorrow will be spent training. I decide I'll hit the archery station first, then the knife station. Maybe the fire building station, but I don't think I'll need it. Definitely the edible plants station.

I fall asleep thinking about how to go about training.

I'm roused by Farilla in the morning and ushered to breakfast, where I eat a fruit salad, orange juice and a roll. "Now, Bella," she says, "go back to your room and get ready for training, okay?" I nod and walk back to my room.

I walk to the closet, and tap on the pad where you can select your outfit. The angle I'm going for in tonight's interviews, so I'm going to look the part. I select a plain black undershirt, tight shorts that don't quite reach my knees, and a pair of laced-up black leather boots.

In the bathroom, I cover my face with foundation, then apply dark gray eye shadow, and black eyeliner, followed by dark mascara. I intend for people to know that I mean business, and I'm not backing down for anyone.

I'm pretty pleased about the image I'm portraying. So, after I fasten the golden pin that my mother had given me back in District 5, I go to the elevator and meet up with Farilla and Roan, who both look shocked at me. "What?" I snap. "I'm allowed to wear it, and I'm not messing around!"

The already speechless people are stunned even more. They can deal with it. We go down to the Training Center, where all but the District 11 tributes are waiting. I receive looks from the Careers, contemplating looks, as if they want to invite me to ally with them.

I go over to the shooting range where I pick up a bow and arrows. I load the bow, and let fly at the target. I do this several times. And I hit a bulls eye every time. I'm glad the only one who's looking at me is the District 12 girl, and she doesn't look pleased. Something about the look says she's thinking: that's my weapon. I give her a sly little smirk in return, and move on to another station.

The edible plants station is pretty easy. There are a few berries I recognize—blueberries and strawberries, as well as a few herbs that I pick up on, parsley and katniss roots. After I ace this test without flaw, I move on. I decide to get to the knot-tying station after lunch, which is being served now.

While there, I learn how to make a decent loop. Maybe I'll spring a trap that propels my opponent by their ankle. Not a bad idea.

I hit the knife-throwing station, where I find out I could be deadly with a knife. My knife of choice is a lethal number, with a short, thick blade with a very pointy tip. I like this weapon, and I decide to check the Cornucopia for one once I'm in the Arena.

Training is completed for the day, and I think I've left quite an impression on my opponents. I write down what I've learned in my notebook.

Training: Day One

First section I went to is archery. I'm excellent at it, hit a bulls eye five times in a row. I've got to get my hands on one of those bows in the Arena! I'll be at a huge advantage. Try to improve distance over the course of the next few days.

I did well in the edible plants and berries station. I might want to look over the poisonous plants/berries a bit more though. No doubt there will be a few extra things we won't learn about in the Arena.

I'm quite useful with knots. Might want to try setting a few traps, see if I can't pick off a few careers. I will spend more time there tomorrow.

And finally, knife throwing. Knives, knives, knives! I'm going to need them, they'll be useful in means of hunting. And, I've got quite the arm on me, I'm sure I could take out a few people.

Goals for tomorrow: learn more poisonous berries, learn a few more knots. Try out the spear throwing station, defiantly .Maybe practice weight lifting, and defiantly go to the running station.

Carmanda comes and presents my dress to me. It's knee length, made out of a black, shiny material. It's accented with red and blue jems that shine every time I move.

I'm given another pair of heels and a tiara to wear, along with an elegant pair of black wrist-length gloves. I look decent. I am allowed to reapply the makeup I wore earlier. I don't look like dna, I look deadly. And I'm grateful. Looking strong wins you sponsors, not looking frilly and girlish.

I don't pay attention to the first 4 District's interviews. I seat myself on the loveseat they've installed, next to Caesar Flickerman, the ancient host of the interviews. "So, Bella," he begins. "Tell me. How did you feel when your name was picked at the reaping?"

I roll my eyes. "I didn't care. I'm strong and resourceful. I can tell you right now, your looking at the newest victor. I knew I was going to win."

Caesar laughs. "Well, I'm glad you're thinking that way. Is your strategy for the arena worked out?" he questions further.

"Yes, it is!" I snap, angrily. My strategy is no one's business, no one's at all. Only mine and my mentors.

"Well, tell us! What is it?"

This sets me off, somewhat. "No. I'm not telling you my strategy. I'm not that stupid. My 23 opponents are sitting right there, and if I told, I'd be the first tribute dead guaranteed!" The buzzer signaling the end of my interview goes off. I stalk off.

"And that was Bella Ash, our fierce District 5 girl!" I snort and roll my eyes. I go sit down, and don't pay attention to any of the other interviews. As soon as I can, I'm getting in my bed and falling asleep. Tomorrow I have a lot to do.

I rise on my own accord the next morning, and dress in similar attire as yesterday. I love the boots I'm wearing. After I grab a quick breakfast of toast, I'm down in the training center.

I go to the spear throwing station, and find I'm useful with them. I decide that's enough for them today, and move back to the archery station. I'm throwing at 10 feet within an hour. More distance tomorrow, I tell myself.

At the plants station, I learn of a very poisonous dark berry referred to as "nightlock". I'll make sure to avoid these berries as you can easily die from one bite.

At the weight station, I begin lifting 20 pounds, then 30, then 40. I reach 50 before it's time to move on. At the running station, I practice 100 yard dashes, then 200. Training is now done for the day. I record my progress in my notebook.

Dinner is a great feast tonight. I'm served a heaping plateful of turkey, gravy, potatoes, carrots, and peas. After that comes a beef stew, and for desert is a delectable cheesecake. I look carefully over the notes in my book, and fall asleep watching replays of the interviews.

Farilla's shrill, "up, up, up! Today's your final day!" rouses me, so I grouchily stalk out of my room, and eat the French toast I'm served.

I go back to my room, but decide to change my look for today. I keep my boots, but instead of another black undershirt, I select a shorter black tank top, and substitute the shorts for shorter jean shorts. I quickly dress.

As I'm about to go down, Carmanda finds me. "Bella! Bella!"

"What is it?" I ask.

"Wear this," she says, and she sticks my second tiara in my hair. I smile, hug her and go down. Today we are not training, we're going one by one in front of the Gamemakers.

I get up when I'm called, and race over to the archery station, where I put a bulls eye in each of the 10 targets. I scramble up a tree and throw a knife into another target.

I go over and tie some elaborate knots. After that, I lodge some spears into a dummy. Then, one of the Gamemakers says, "you may go," in a very curt voice. After I get onto my floor, I go into my room and open up my notebook.

Private Session with the Gamemakers:

Went pretty well, I think. No way I'm getting anything less than a 5. First, I shot some arrows, and a knife. Tied some knots and threw some spears. I was less than respectfully dismissed. But whatever, I'm sure it'll be all right in the end.

After dinner, we go into the living area where the training scores will be broadcast on live TV. First one up is Marvel, who pulls a 6. Glimmer's lucky, receiving an 8. Clove gets a 7, Cato a 9. Jackson and Anita both score a lower 5. Hunter pulls a 9 and Susan scores a 6. Then, they're showing a picture of Roan, who's earned a moderate seven. Next, they're showing a picture of me, and flashing my training score.

Eleven. The highest score ever.

They move on to the next district's tributes. Jace gets a 7, and Noelle pulls a solid 8. Noah from 7 gets a 9, and Sarah gets a 7. District 8's tributes, Mark and Jessie, both get 6, and Kale from 9 receives an 8, and his district partner, Lilly, gets a mere 5. The brother and sister from 10, Mason and Margaret, both get a 9. The pair from 11, Thresh and Rue, get high scores: a 10 and an 8. Katniss and Peeta from 12 both pull a 7.

Then, Caesar Flickerman congratulates each tribute, and wishes us luck. He signs off, reminding everyone to turn in tomorrow morning for the first day of the Games. Like they'd have a choice.

I'm feeling grim about tomorrow, when many young children will lose their lives. I hope to be one of the survivors. I go to sleep reviewing my strategy.

In the morning, we stuff our bellies, refusing to leave the table until we're completely satisfied. We get in the hovercraft that takes us to the Arena. It's a short ride, lasting only 15 minutes, then we're lowered to the catacombs.

In my room, a tiny room for final preperations, Carmanda is waiting for me. First, she hands me my outfit—the one I'll be wearing in the Arena. She leaves the room for a moment so I can get dressed.

I strip off the robe I've been wearing. I pull on the shirt-a tight black tank top. Then I put on the shorts—exactly like the ones I wore on the first training day. I'm very happy the boots I'm wearing are the same ones I wore in the Capitol. I can tell they're the same ones because of the very subtle molding to my feet. There's also a long black sweater that I put on.

Then, Carmanda's back in the room. "They've told us that each tribute is allowed one other unique item, other than their district token." I've put the locket on. She hands me my notebook and pen, and motions for me to stuff it under the sweater. It holds there nicely, and it's concealed. "That's not your unique item," she continues. "This is." She pulls out a sleek, shiny black tiara.

She puts the tiara in my braided hair. Then, Carmanda walks me to the tube containing the metal plate that I'll rise up to the Arena in.

She hugs me goodbye and leaves. As she leaves my plate starts to rise.

It's clicking into place in about 20 seconds. The Cornucopia itself is on plain hard land. I see there's a cliff in the distance, and woods on the opposite side of my plate. I decide the obvious would be to run to the woods, but I decide to go over the cliff.

I look at the Cornucopia. There, just 40 yards away from me, lays a golden bow and quiver of arrows.