Chapter 7: How to Survive

What I spend time learning during the next three days could be the difference between life or death.

As I walk into the training center, I hold Ryder's hand tighter than I ever have before. He looks into my eyes and smiles at me, as if to say Hey, it's going to be okay. It still makes me sick that I'm the reason that he's here. Regardless, today will be his time to shine. He is both the physically and mentally strongest person I know, and even though I wish he wasn't here, I'm so thankful I have him to protect me. The head trainer soon starts to speak in quite a commanding voice.

"There is no fighting allowed while training. Those caught fighting will be escorted out for the day," This won't be a problem for me, but I hope Ryder can keep his anger under control today.

"I'm surprised they wouldn't roll in the cameras instead," I hear a masculine voice in a feminine outfit. Reilly gets a few looks from what he said, but we soon get on to the different training sessions.

"Anywhere you want to go?" I as Ryder, figuring he knows better than I do.

"Exactly where you are," He responds and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I laugh a little, happy that he can joke at a time like this.

"Do you mind if we do something that seems kind of fun?" I point to the obstacle course. "No one else is over there so we can get some time to ourselves," He grins back at me, already walking in that direction.

I was right about the obstacle course being somewhat entertaining. I've always been pretty fast and agile, so I didn't have too much trouble completing it. I continued to try different courses, repeating the ones I enjoyed the most. I didn't even realize I had spent an hour and a half there until I glanced at the clock. I look to see if Ryder is behind me and he is not there, which means he probably fell behind on the courses. I look over four of them to my right and observe that he looks like he is about to keel over.

I run to him reach him just in time as he collapses into my arms. He's still conscious, but he looks exhausted and his face is beet red, it takes a bit of an effort because he weighs a good amount more than me, but I carry him to the nearest bench.

"I'm...sorry... I'm just... so tired," Ryder says to me through his heavy breathing, as if this is his fault. I should have known better than to rush the courses, knowing he would follow me. He's never had the best stamina, whereas mine is fairly good. I knew that and I ignored it.

"You're sorry? Ryder, this is all my fault, I'm the one that needs to apologize. I didn't realize how tired you were. You're going to be okay, they have medical staff if you need it," He shakes his head and I'm glad this is nothing too serious. Slowly his breathing returns back to normal. His eyes lock in to mine and he smiles.

"What's the problem? Is there trouble in paradise?" Archer, the District Eleven Male, who is a tall boy with evil green eyes has started an unnecessary conversation.

"There is no problem here except your presence," Says Ryder. Now is really not the time to be making enemies.

"I think you might be mistaken. You see, I love to steal. Necklaces, watches, wallets, you name it and I have stolen it," He looks at me and gives an eerie smile as he looks back to Ryder. "And I'm about to steal your girl," I look at Ryder in both confusion and fear as Archer wraps his arm around me and tries to walk away. I can't handle being separated from Ryder and I am holding back tears.

"Over my dead body," I see Ryder stand up from the bench and know that it is not him. This is the Ryder that does things that are out of control and gets into fights. I can't have him get into this, not now.

"Ryder we need to go," I say to him, unsure if he will listen. I grab his hand and run away.

"I'll be keeping my eye on you!" I hear Ryder scream to Archer as we exit the scene. We go off to a water fountain where no one is nearby.

"No one could ever steal you from me, just so you know. But please don't get angry with anyone, we can't be targeted once we get into the arena," I tell Ryder and kiss him on the cheek.

"Then let's go somewhere away from that idiot. And maybe something not so physical, I'm exhausted," I feel pity as I hear his plea.

"I'm sorry again Ryder. You can always tell me if you are too tired to continue with something. It's important-"

"I love you," I am interrupted by Ryder's voice as he pulls me in for a quick hug. I have messed up on so many different occasions in my life, and he still loves me. I am so thankful he is here.

"I love you too," I say back with a smile. "I'm sorry to change the subject so fast, but would you like to go to identifying edible plants? It seems interesting," He nods as he takes my hand, taking me to the station.

As we worked individually on figuring out which plants were safe and which ones were poisonous, I started to get a bit frustrated. They all looked so similar, and Ryder seemed to be getting them correct with ease. I'm not surprised, sometimes when his family has nothing to eat he has had to do this before. I wish I could've given him food for him as we have a surplus, but my parents never allowed me to. I have a good memory, but for each plant, there is one that is looks similar but is lethal. I've never been the one who didn't understand the task at hand, so I felt a little helpless. There are tears in my eyes as I excuse myself to the trainer and say I will be back in five minutes.

I start to cry quietly once I reach the water fountain I was at with Ryder earlier. I know I'm not going to be able to survive in the games. The only thing I am living for is to protect him but if I can't survive I won't be able to help him in any way. I suddenly feel arms wrap around my waist from behind, and all my worries go away. Almost. I spin around to look Ryder in the eyes.

"Don't worry about the plant thing. You'll never be alone in the arena, 'cause I'll always be there to help you. I promise," I try my best to smile at him when he says this. I start to see some of the other tributes leave the area and I conclude the training session is over for the day.

Is everyone else as afraid of the games as I am?

Hi everyone! I'm so happy to be back and I can't wait to continue this story!

Yours Truly,

CuriousClove