Chapter 6

Tasha's POV

I stood at a new station with two or three other tributes. There was a slender girl maybe a year or two older than me who I recognized as the District 2 female tribute, Shackel I think. The other was the District 11 boy, definitely 16 or 17 years old. I made a mental note to keep an eye on him. The older ones were generally the bigger threats in my mind.

The instructor spent a few minutes explaining what the purpose of this station was, telling us that it was to test our climbing skills over a small obstacle course. I glanced behind him and saw that there was first what looked like a steep rock wall and a glimpse of what seemed to be a set of complicated bars and ropes. The rock wall looked to be the easiest thing though it was very high, at least thirty feet, probably more. That sort of fall would most likely break bones.

"Your time will be recorded if you are interested in attempting to improve your time." the instructor explained, "The floor around all obstacles is padded to prevent serious injury if you fall. That is all, you may begin."

I set off at a sprint, leaping into the air to latch onto the rock wall, digging my fingers into the cracks that I could see as I began scrambling my way up, surprisingly sure-footed and strong. I may have looked small and fragile but I could still climb as well as anyone.

I glanced to the side as I scrambled to the top of the rock wall, clawing my way up and was unsurprised to see the District 2 girl close behind. Of course she would do well, they were a Career district after all.

I felt bad for what I did next but, come on, I wanted to win. So I waited a few moments for the District 2 girl to get up before I planted my foot in her ribs and pushed harshly. Her eyes flashed with shock for a split second as she lost her grip, falling backwards.

But she was as fast as I was and instantly latched onto my ankle. I let out a yell as her weight dragged me down with her, clawing desperately for a handhold and just managing to hook my fingers into a small crevice.

I cried out as my arm snapped tight, carrying my own weight as well as that of the other girl. The rough stone dug into my fingers and I scrambled with my other hand desperately, my jaw clenched tightly against the agony in my shoulder.

Probably dislocated. I surmised in an almost detached way, the tendons in my neck sticking out with the effort of keeping my grip. It hurt more than anything I had ever felt but somehow I kept holding on. Shackel held onto my ankle, her grip strong and tight. It hurt but I barely felt it over the pain in my shoulder. I risked a glance down and felt a pang at the anger in the girl's face. Of course she was angry, I could have gotten her killed when I pushed her.

I closed my eyes, gritting my teeth and a tear slid down my cheek. That was the point of this wasn't it? To turn us into killers and murderers. I hoped they were happy, it had worked.

Kenny's POV

I looked up sharply at the cry of pain and bit back a yell of my own as my eyes found Tasha dangling from the climbing wall, another girl clinging to her ankles. I could see the pain in her face and was instantly on my feet, running at full tilt towards her.

My blood pounded in my ears. Tasha was in danger. I ran towards an the instructor, grabbing him by the collar and screaming in his face, "Do something you bastard!"

The man looked bewildered at the sight of a thirteen-year-old kid yelling in his face and shaking him by the collar and he opened his mouth to say something. I didn't let him finish as I let go, pushing him roughly to the side so he fell to the ground, a dumbfounded look on his face.

I ran towards the climbing wall, launching myself up onto it, driven by pure adrenaline as I scrambled up towards my sister.

"Tasha!" I cried up to her as I pulled myself higher, "Just hold on!" I glanced down for a split second to see a crowd gathering beneath us, pointing and speaking in a jumble of raised voices. A few ran off and I prayed they were getting help.

I was surprised when I looked up again to see the boy from the trap station climbing up alongside me, his face red and sweaty with the effort. I glared at him, wanting to yell at him to get lost but how could I? The girl up there was from his district wasn't she? He had just as much reason as I did to be climbing this wall.

So I surged ahead, putting on a burst of speed. I may have been faster but I was reckless, my vision tunnelled towards my sister.

I grabbed at a handhold and it crumbled in my hand. I was left swinging by one arm, struggling for a foothold.

A hand reached down and I looked up to see it was Cameron's. I glared at him and opened my mouth to snap at him but he cut me off. His voice was surprisingly forceful as he snarled, "Take it!"

I said nothing as I swung my arm up to his, grasping at his wrist as he pulled me up until I could grab another handhold. He began climbing again, ahead of me now. I swore under my breath as I pulled myself up higher, cringing from the pain of my scraped knees and palms. My clothes were torn with the knees stained with blood as I struggled higher, gasping for breath.

I looked up again, hugging close to the wall for support and let out a gasp to see Cameron helping the District 2 girl back onto the cliff. Her face was streaked with dirt and sweat and there was a dusty boot-mark on her shirt as she clung to the rocks.

Tasha was still hanging though I could see the mild amount of relief on her face now that the weight of the other girl had been lifted from her shoulders. She looked as if she had gotten a handhold for her other hand and the pained look on her face had lightened slightly though I could tell she was favouring her left shoulder.

I climbed higher. I was almost there when her slender fingers slipped. She fell backwards with a scream of fear, arms pinwheeling. I screamed with her, reaching out an arm. But it wasn't needed as another hand grabbed hers, pulling her to safety on the top of the cliff.

It was Cameron.

Anger bubbled up in my chest and I knew at that moment that I hated him.

I hated that he had gotten to Tasha first, that he had been the one to catch her when she fell instead of me. I hated that he had caught me when I was in danger. I hated the way he now held Tasha close to him while she cried and sobbed, tears of fear and pain streaming down her pale face.

I hated that he had been the one who I had promised I would be.

So I rested my cheek against the cool rock and cried myself, silent tears streaming down my sweat-streaked face. I had failed Tasha. I hadn't been there to save her when she needed saving.

And if I couldn't protect her here, in the training room, how could I ever hope to protect her in the real games?

((A/N- So sorry this is so late, I've been pretty busy with tons of random crap all going on at the same time and I haven't had too much time to write. But either way, here you go! I'm not too ashamed about the length since it's pretty good there and I got you some excitement too so be happy ;) I know not much really 'happened' but it was kinda character development type stuff you know? Anyways, I hope you all enjoy! Reviews are always appreciated ;) Ta-ta for now!))