Author's Note:I can't believe that I'm already to Chapter 6! I guess I never thought I would make it this far, but I'm so happy that I have. I realize that the story is develop
ing somewhat slowly. I'm sorry if it seems slow. In another couple of chapters I will get into the Games and you will all get to meet Sovite! I can't wait! I hope you are all as excited as I am! Have a great day!
Thanks: God1801 and Sophia Lele for reviewing!
Warning: In this chapter, I mention some plants that can be used in survival situations. I don't really go into a description of the plants or their functions. However, DO NOT consume ANY plant unless you know EXACTLY what you are eating. Many are very poisonous and can really hurt you.
Chapter 6
We have been hiking for at least ten hours and we haven't had any water. I don't know if our instructor is lost or if this is endurance training, but we are all getting agitated and tempers are running short.
"This is ridiculous," Scoria whispers in my ear, "I'm positive that the Under Twelve have already found water; and we, the highest trained class, can't even find a stream!"
"I know. I know. But maybe this is planned. The instructor doesn't seem lost," I respond trying to quiet her down before we get in trouble.
"You're right," she says, "but if we don't find water soon, I think I'm going to be sick."
"Me too," I respond. I look around at our surroundings to try to get my mind off of my thirst. We are marching two-by-two up a steep hill. There are pine trees around us and many of the others in our group are using them to help pull themselves up the hill. I take their lead and do the same. I feel the stiff bark under my hands. I can faintly smell the pine tree as I use it for support. It is hard to get a look at the sky because of all the trees, but what I have seen of it show that it is a bright, sunny day.
Scoria and I are towards the end of the line, but we notice that everyone stopped at the top of the hill and waited on the rest of us to get up there. Usually, we don't wait on each other unless instructed to do so. This must mean that we've found water, I think. Scoria must be thinking the same thing because we both start climbing faster.
When we reach the top, our eyes widen as we look down over the other side of the hill. In the valley, is a large river running with sparkling clear water. I want to run down the hill and dive into the river that I know will be cold. But, everyone else at the top is standing at attention. So, Scoria and I do the same. Once everyone is at the top, our instructor begins to talk.
"Well, how is everyone feeling," he asks with a cocky grin. Before we can answer, he begins to speak again. "I can imagine that you are all very thirsty. I can imagine that some of you are even feeling a bit nauseous."
I know what's coming before he even says it.
"I think this is one of the weakest classes I have ever had." His voice turns ice cold. "Had we arrived here an hour earlier, I would have allowed you to all fill up your water bottles. But, because of your laziness, we will camp by the river, but none of you will be allowed to get water from it. Anyone who even tries to get a drop of water will make the hike back home, alone and with no map. Am I understood?"
"Yes sir!" This is the only response we are allowed to give to our instructor, no matter what we really want to say to him. He is the hardest trainer in District Two. His name is Daniel Delks. He is Gerald Delks' son, but he tells everyone to call him "Delks." Delks is the meanest and most hated trainer to have, but he is also the best. I have taken two courses with him and I hated them both; but, I learned the most from him.
"We are going to hike down this hill as fast as we can and set up camp." With this, he turns around and marches down the hill. We all get back into marching formation and follow him as fast as we can. I'm sick over the thought of not having any water, but I try not to think about it. Thinking about it will only make it worse.
When we arrive at the bottom, we split up into teams according to our gender and begin setting up a camp. The boys go out to hunt for some dinner. Tonight, since we aren't allowed to drink anything, we don't need to eat meat or anything that our digestive system would have to work very hard to digest. Because, it takes water to digest our food, and eating certain things could dehydrate us. They will probably bring back some sort plant that helps hydrate your body. The girls split up into another two groups. One begins making fires to keep us warm through the night. The other begins setting up some sort of shelter for the night. I decide to go with the girls to make fires and Scoria goes with the others to build a shelter.
The firemakers split up into groups of two. I end up with a girl that I don't really know, but she seems nice. We go into the forrest and quickly find some wood to use along with some kindling. We also find a good stick to use as a bow drill. We come back to the river bank and kneel down to make a fire. While she makes a notch in one of the pieces of wood, I take my shoestring off to use on the bow. When we have prepared everything, we begin silently working on our fire.
After a little bit, we have our fire started; and it really is a nice fire. While she tends to it, I go and gather enough wood to last the night. When I get back, all the shelters are built and the boys have also returned. I walk over to our campfire and lay the wood down beside it. There have been three shelters built. One for the girls, one for the boys, and the last one is for the instructor. The boys have brought back mainly some plants and a type of moss. When you squeeze the moss, you can drink the water that comes from it. It's not very much, and it doesn't taste very good; but, it's water and we all drink every last drop from our share. Next, we eat some edible plants and then set up a schedule for keeping watch throughout the night.
My watch starts at 3:20 a.m. My partner is, just my luck, Clove. I wanted Scoria, but no. Delks had to sign me up with the most sullen girl in DIstrict Two. She barely speaks to anyone, but Cato. I know this is going to be a long watch shift without someone who I can hold a decent conversation with. So, as we all retire to our shelters, I try to get as much sleep as I can. I'm going to need it tonight just to be able to stay awake.
Slowly, but surely, I drift off into a dreamless sleep.