Chapter 7: Training Day Two

Marlon Ives (District 7) POV:

Marlon had taken on an interesting role in the Training Center. He would have never placed himself in this role: the role of a "watcher". He found it difficult to train because he was struggling with his breathing once again. He couldn't remember the last time he had been able to breathe easily. All his life his mother had tried different remedies to ease his breathing: stream baths, teas, anything she thought would help. Oh course, they had no money to go to a doctor. They had saved money so Marlon could have tests done, but the reapings occurred shortly after the money was raised.

And now Marlon was here. In the Capitol. Watching. The first day of training, he had tried to follow his mentor's advice. Darryl Gammill was one of the oldest victors. He won the 2nd Annual Hunger Games when he was 18. The morning before they went to the Training Center he told Marlon, "When I came to the Hunger Games, I knew nothing. But I worked hard in training, I gave 100% every single second I was in the center. That is what you need to do." Marlon had tried to follow his advice, but halfway through the first day he had gotten light-headed and fainted. From that point on he had decided to simply watch.

When Darryl heard what had happened, he had promptly turned his attention from Marlon to his district partner, Reynalda. Marlon saw them talking together all the time. Whenever he walked over to them, they stopped their conversation and silently stared at him. Even their escort seemed to think Reynalda had a better chance. Marlon didn't doubt it, Reynalda was tough. She seemed strong and unbreakable, albeit a little strange at times. Even so, Marlon felt more alone than he had ever felt before.

Marjan Wynn (District 3) POV:

The first day of training had been hard. The hardest part was watching Tyrus withdraw into himself. Marjan was having to take the leader role. She had to be the strong one. At night, she cried herself to sleep, but during the day she tried to be courageous. Yesterday she and Tyrus had stuck to the survival stations. They had been taught edible and posionous plants, how to build fires, and how to make shelters. Unfortunately, Marjan had been so focused on encouraging Tyrus that she had not paid that much attention. Hopefully today she could focus on both.

While they sat at the camoflauge station Marjan looked around the room. The alliance from Districts 1, 2, and 4 spent their time with weapons. The young alliance went from station to station together trying their hand at everything. The rest of the tributes moved from station to station alone, except for the boy who fainted yesterday. He sat on the side of the Training Center not even trying. Everything that was going on was rather overwhelming.

"Tyrus, let's go do something that we're good at." Marjan stood up, pulling Tyrus along with her. She led him over to the spears. "We use these for fishing every day! Let's put our skills to good use!" For the rest of the day, they worked with the trainer fighting with a spear. Marjan was happy to see some life out of Tyrus; he adapted easily to fighting instead of fishing. "See, Tyrus? We are strong. We can do this." She felt a small flicker of hope.

Oriana Riley (District 4) POV:

Oriana loved all of the options in the training center. Her specialty was knives: whether it was throwing or fighting she always succeeded. Yesterday she had spent the entire day throwing all the different knives; learning how to work with the new materials. Today she was practicing hand-to-hand with one of the trainers. Every time she paused, she could feel Garnet (the district one tribute) watching her. It was a little distracting, but she tried to push it out of her mind and focus on her task at hand.

Garnet Lathan (District 1) POV:

Without a doubt, the Hunger Games was the ultimate competition. It was a test of strength, smarts, and social skills. Garnet knew he was number one in two of those tasks hands down. The one he was not so sure of was social skills. All day yesterday he had attempted to win Oriana over, but thus far he had not made any progress. He watched her fighting with the trainer. She was good. Better than he had suspected, which only made it more important to succeed in his plan.

He walked over where Oriana was fighting. She was just finishing and when she stopped for a moment, he walked closer. "You're good. But have you thought about training in something other than knives? I was thinking of taking a look at the survival stations, but I would like a partner. What do you say?"

Oriana Riley (District 4) POV:

Oriana could not believe her eyes and ears. Garnet was wanting to learn survival skills? She thought the plan for their alliance was to gain control of all the supplies so they didn't have to learn survival skills. Yet, there was some truth to his words. Anything could (and likely would happen). You never knew when some survival skills might come in handy. Oriana refused to encourage Garnet's "infatuation", but he would make a good partner.

Precious Wilson (District 1) POV:

Precious couldn't figure out what Garnet was up to. Thus far he had seemed to enjoy flirting with her, but only when they were alone. Whenever they were with their "allies" he focused his attention on Oriana. Why that was, she couldn't imagine.

As they rode the elevator back to their floor, Precious leaned up against Garnet. "So what's up with you and the District 4 girl? Studying survival skills?! What's up with that?"

"Would you believe me if I said I spend time with her because I enjoy her company?"

"Honestly, no! I thought you and I were an item. You want to trade our history for a fling with a girl who you are planning to kill? I promise to watch your back, to be your girl; if you get rid of this girl." Precious pushed away from Garnet, her eyes flashing. The elevator doors opened, and she stalked to her room. That would teach him! It was time to play hard to get.

A/N: Here you go, another chapter! Next will be the private sessions, the tribute scores, and then the interviews. I am thinking of briefly featuring each tribute in the interviews, and I would love to have some question suggestions. Please review or PM me with the questions you want the tributes to answer!