Chapter 4
When I wake up the next morning, I keep my eyes closed. For a few seconds I lie there and pretend that I'm at home. Lying in my own bed. In a few seconds Father will come in and tell me to get up for fishing. I'm waiting for the knock and it comes. But it's not Fathers rough, deep voice telling me to get up but Wendy's high pitched chirp. I swing out of bed and find a set of clothes lying on the floor. Loose olive green combat trousers and a tight fitting, long sleeve top, made out of a thin, high tech material. I pull on my outfit and go and splash water on my face in the adjoining bathroom. I go into the breakfast room to find, another feast before me. Hot and cold meats and every form of eggs. I pile my plate high, I had heard about the quantities of food they have in the Capitol but even this, is more than I imagined.
This it I think, I need to impress them. To show them that I'm one of them. I throw one of the three knives I'm holding in my right hand. As soon as its left my hand I'm searching for the next. I take it up and throw and the target towards the knife. I throw the remaining knife with my left hand at the last dummy on the left. Examining my work, I've done well, two of the throws were strong, kill shots the third is dead centre in the chest. I look round to see nods of appreciation coming from three of the careers. Sofia is looking at me with contempt, Mandeline is working with a large axe. She takes the head of one dummy and then launches it at another a few feet away, the blade sticks in the dummy's neck.
I spend the rest of the day with careers. Going to various stations, I hate to admit it but I do occasionally find myself having fun. I make sure to remember those who excel at fighting. Most are just the normal bunch of scared, unskilled children but there are plenty who look like they know what they are doing. I already know that Mandeline is good with an axe. Nick is exceptional with a sword. Hanna is also good with a broad sword and can also throw knives but not as well as me. Morgan is pretty lethal with any weapon in his hand. Sofia is good with a bow and her knife skills are fair. The girl from 8 seems pretty good with a sword as well.
At the need of the day I go back to level 4 and tell Mags what i did. I find her sitting in my room. And get into bed and tell her everything. She is pleased with my work and we both feel confident that careers have accepted me.
"Now that you're in, ease up a little," Mags instructs me. "You won't be able to stay with Careers for too long and you don't want them thinking you're the one to kill,"
"Which I am," I joke, but Mags looks at me dead serious and says.
"Dam straight," I feel Mags generally believes in me and on this comfort I fall fast asleep.