I looked around the Training Center, trying to figure out what to do. I saw that many Careers were trying The Gauntlet. I noticed that they had really stepped it up this year, having more trainers with clubs than before. I approached Matthew and Madison, who were at the knots station.
"I wanna try that."I told them. They looked at me then back at The Gauntlet.
"Are you crazy?"Matthew asked.
"Even the Careers can't get through that this year. That makes it almost impossible."Madison pointed out.
"I think you can do it."a voice said from behind. I turned around. It was a girl. She had blonde hair and green eyes. I recognized her from the shelter staton. She was the girl from District 7.
"You're nimble and quick. I think you could be the first one to make it."she said. I looked back at The Gauntlet.
"I'll do it if you do it too."I told her. She smiled and we walked to The Gauntlet. Had she noticed the same pattern I had?
"You ready?"a trainer said. I nodded and she started The Gauntlet. I took off, following my pattern. Up, down, medium, low, high. I jumped over a club when a trainer tried to hit me. I ran for the finish, keeping to my pattern. It changed when the operator noticed that it was a bit too easy. But, I adapted quickly. I rolled into the finish, dodging a club. I pushed the button and looked at my time. 30.9 seconds. I smiled and Orchid clapped. She had been watching me.
"Not too shabby Olivia. Not too shabby."she said, walking away. I had just impressed a Career. I moved out of the way as I watched the girl from District 7. She made it but didn't beat my time.
"Man. You beat me by five seconds. Damn it."she said as I helped her up. I chuckled.
"I'm Savannah Gold."she introduced herself with an outstretched hand.
"Olivia Lockhart."I said, shaking her hand.
"Savannah."her boy counterpart said, coming up. She rolled her eyes. The boy was the exact opposite of her with black hair and brown eyes.
"John."she said bluntly. This was supposed to be her boyfriend? She didn't seem to like him very much.
"Remember what our mentor said? We're supposed to remain low to the ground. That little stunt you did will get us noticed by the Careers for sure."John said in a hushed voice. He looked me up and down and smiled.
"And who is this beauty?"he said. I grimaced. I could see like she didn't like him.
"Leave her alone John. Come on Olivia. Let's go train."Savannah said, lacing her arm through mine as we went to the knives station.
"What a creep."she said, picking up a knife. She examined it and threw it at a dummy. It bounced off.
"Why are you with him?"I asked. I picked up a smaller knife and threw it. It stuck in the dummy but not in a lethal point. Just in the leg.
"A bit low. Aim higher."a trainer told me. I nodded and picked up the same size knife.
"The games have really messed him up. He thinks he has to sleep with every girl he meets before he enters the games." Savannah explained, attempting another knife. It again bounced off.
"That's weird."I said, throwing it again. It stuck in the dummys stomach.
"What the fuck am I doing wrong?!"Savannah said after four more knives bounced off.
"Hold it by the handle first of all and throw it lighter."I said, showing her. She tried it and it actually stuck in the dummy.
"Oh my God. I did it."she said, jumping up and down a little. I shook my head and left her to it. I met with Madison at the slingshot station.
"You're pretty good at this."I said when she had knocked down a bunch of bottles. She smiled.
"Thanks. I don't know how this is gonna help me though. It seems like a pointless talent."she said.
"I don't think it's that pointless. Who knows. It might save your life one day."I said. I looked around, unable to find Titus.
"Have you seen Titus?"I asked, looking around.
"I think him and Matthew are at the hand to hand combat station."she said. I walked over there and watched. For some reason, the boys thought they should fight shirtless. I watched as they swapped jabs and blows. The instructor would show them new moves and they would try it out. I watched, a bit interested. When they came down for water, I wanted to try it out.
"Jab. Block."the instructor said as I punched his hands.
"Good job. Do you wanna practice with a girl?"he asked.
"I'll take her."Spikelet said, already getting into the ring. I sighed. Of course. A Career. I stepped into the ring.
"Spikelet, you have to go easy. She just learned the basics."the trainer said. She nodded but she looked like she was going to kill me. She had a cheeky grin as I practiced my jab and block on her. She chuckled.
"You punch like a girl. This is how you punch."she said, practicing her jab on me. She has one hell of a right hook.
"Hey baby. You alright?"Titus asked when I came to. I groaned and he kissed my forehead.
"You put up quite a fight."Madison said, applying ice to my head. I don't even remember fighting back.
"You gave her a black eye. Not too shabby kiddo."Savannah said punching my shoulder. I smiled. At least I was a fighter.