The next day went by without much to report as far as training goes. I spent my day working with my beloved knives once more. I forced myself away from them for a while to make time for the spears station as well. I ignored the bow and arrow station. It was career 101 to know that weaknesses weren't to be displayed. I couldn't show that I wasn't particularly strong in anything. Careers were supposed to be able to handle any weapon and for the most part I could in a pinch. Of course, even though I am fit and well conditioned, the larger weapons were harder for me since I am not largely built. This was also a bit of a disadvantage when it came to hand to hand combat but I was no push over. I am fast, I'm smart. I will do what I have to in order to survive and become the newest victor of District Two. That is the main thing on my mind as we line up for some mandatory obstacle course that had been set up for us after we had returned from lunch.
I eyed the platforms, ropes, trainers, everything that made up this course as I stood there waiting for those in front of me to go. I would be fourth to go through the course since it went by district and the males generally went first except in the interviews. I watched as Beau made it through in a decent time. He isn't particularly fast but he is solid, even when one of the batons hits him he does not flinch, he does not falter and just continues on. Ruby is next and she is unquestionably faster and more agile. Then comes Mason and he is somewhere between Ruby and Beau as far as speed goes. It is my turn.
I climb up onto the platform where I would begin without hesitation. I readied myself as I waited for my cue to go. When it finally came I was off. The clock started ticking only as I pushed off and into a fast sprint. I leapt over obstacles and ducked under them as I came to them. My muscles burned and I enjoyed the feeling, I had been too complacent since I had arrived here without my morning run and harsh training to keep me busy. I reveled in the feeling of exerting myself as I dodged the batons that were swung at me and made it to the finish line. I took a moment to look at the clock and a cocky grin spread over my lips as I saw that I had the best time yet. I had this in the bag.
The lesser districts came next, none of them aside from four having any training and a lot of them turned out to be laughable. The other careers and I had no qualms about letting them know this with the sound of our laughter filling the room as one of the other tributes was knocked from the platform by one of the batons and landed with a thump. The girl had looked thoroughly embarrassed as she was told that she had to try it again once everyone else had gone. The rest of the 'show' was not really all that entertaining since no one else took any spills and they were mostly unremarkable. The two from District Ten did rather well. The girl had a respectable time albeit slower than us from the career districts but decent for someone of her larger size. Rowen rivaled the careers in his speed and hit count. I found myself once again asking why he wouldn't just join us already.
After that, nothing of interest had really happened. We went back to our normal training. At the end of the day we were dismissed as normal. When I boarded the elevator it was the careers in there with me as well as a few other random tributes who looked a little green at being stuck in the enclosed area with us. I smirked at the thought, they knew that we couldn't harm them yet. They were safe until that starting gong sounded. Yet they still looked terrified. It seemed that the other careers completely ignored them and I caught bits and pieces of their conversation as my focus wavered to the view of the ground below the glass bottomed elevator and the walls moving around us. The things these Capitol people came up with. I could not imagine why they needed something like this instead of just using stairs. Was it so difficult to climb stairs to get where you needed to go? I was sure that it would be more practical even since then those lesser districts that had no muscle mass at all would at least be able to build some before entering the arena. But I wasn't the one who designed these things so it really didn't matter.
The next morning as we made it to the training floor we were allowed to train as usual. The morning would be used for the Gamemakers to watch us all as a group. Then after lunch we would all be called in to the private sessions where we would show them what we were really made of. All through lunch those who surrounded me, my allies, bragged about the scores that they were sure that they would get. Beau even went as far as to say that he was going to get the first twelve in Hunger Games history. I rolled my eyes at him. "We'll see, I bet you don't make over a seven." I challenged him in a joking manner. 'At least I won't be the only career in history to score a two.' I shot him a glare as he had responded. They would all see. 'Play nice, children. We can't have you at each others throats before the games even begin.' It was Ruby speaking up in a mockingly scolding manner. I just rolled my eyes once more as I laughed at her tones. Soon after, lunch was over.
The wait until my turn wasn't a long one. With only three people ahead of me it was only about forty-five minutes until I heard my name being called. Each tribute had ten minutes to show what they wanted to show with five minutes in between to set things back up so no one would have any clues as to what the others had done. I walked into the room and stood tall. "Calixte Emerson, District Two." I saw the gamemakers' on me and the head spoke up. 'Please proceed Miss Emerson.' I nodded and then moved over to the knife station. It was my strongest skill. I spent a good bit of my time here, showing just what I could do before moving on to the spears and finally to the hand to hand combat station where I was pitted against one of the trainers to show what I was capable of. 'Thank you, Miss Emerson. That will be satisfactory.' I nodded and then exited through the door that would lead to the elevators.
'So, how did it go, princess?' My brother was there as soon as I left the elevator. Everyone else was in the sitting room, I could see them from where I stood. "Brock, are you underestimating me again? You should know how it went." I elbowed my brother in the ribs as I walked passed him and heard a grunt then he was following me. Oh, so that is how it is going to be? I will remember that when it comes to your sponsorship money. I raised a brow at him in a look of disbelief even as a grin spread over my lips.
That would be a valid threat if Cali were actually your tribute to control funds to blockhead. I laughed outright as Tawny spoke up against my brother. I was beginning to like her and not just because I respected her as a victor. "See, so I have nothing to worry about big brother. And your little bargaining chip just went right out the window." I see my brother shooting Tawny a glare and she shoots him a sickeningly sweet smile back. 'Thanks a lot you overbearing harpy. Couldn't you have just gone with it?' At the question from my brother the other victor just shrugged. 'I probably could have but you know I enjoy calling you out as much as possible. It is the highlight of my day when I can make you look like the brainless pansy that you really are.' This led to a scuffle between the two of them as I plopped down on the couch beside Mason.
"I think my money is on Tawny." I spoke in a conspirative manner to my district partner who actually did chuckle a bit. 'I don't know. She may be a bit of a beast but I think Brock might be able to take her.' I held out my hand to him to shake, "You're on." He shook it, closing my small but calloused hand in his own much larger one. Then we sat back to watch the amusing situation that was still playing out.
After a few broken trinkets that had been sitting on the coffee table and a chair being flipped over the two of them had called it a draw. Both were out of breath and such at this point and I just laughed. Wilhelm took this time to enter and looked appalled at the state of the room. What in the name of all things Capitol is going on here!? I snickered at his question and I here Mason beside me snort as he fights to hold back his own laughter as well. 'Oh, nothing for you to worry yourself over. Just giving our tributes a bit of a demonstration in hand to hand.' Tawny spoke with that overly innocent smile on her face as she batted her long eyelashes at the ridiculously colored escort. That isn't a problem is it pooky? I nearly bust out laughing right there as Wilhelm looked a bit flustered.
'No, no problem at all! We will just get an avox in here to clean things up. Oh, and dinner is ready.' Then he hurriedly excused himself back into the dining room just as I was unable to hold back my laughter any more. 'And that, Cali, is how you deal with people like Wilhelm. Or most men in most situations.' I laughed at this. We were then ushered into the dining room where Wilhelm was still looking a bit flustered but had gained back some of his composure. So, how did our lovely tributes do in their private sessions? I do hope that you showed better manners with them than your normal tactlessness?' The last statement was directed at me and I thought of flipping him the bird but decided better of it.
"Of course, I was the perfect image of manners. Couldn't reflect poorly on my district after all." I decided to play nice just to get the conversation over with. 'I blew them out of the water. Without a doubt. I was the best one through those doors, I know that much for sure.' Mason spoke up to further change the subject and I kicked him under the table. "Conceited much?" His eyebrows knit as he looked over to me. 'What? It's the truth.' I rolled my eyes once more before speaking up. "Of course we both did well. I expect a ten or eleven at least." My district partner nodded in agreement, expecting to get about the same himself.
Later we were all surrounding the television in the sitting area. I had been surprised to see that everything had been cleaned up and the room looked pristine once more as we entered it after dinner. The television then flickered on soon after we had found our seats and we watched as the scores began to show. Ruby scored a nine along with Beau scoring the same. Mason and I both scored tens. The tributes from three were far less promising scoring a four and three. Four came onto the screen and Bay had scored a nine as well, his district partner pulled an eight. That was still respectable. None of the others were even worth paying attention to. Though, I was slightly shocked when the District Eight girl who had fallen from the platforms during the agility training scored a seven. No one else scored above that until they reached District Ten.
Molly's face took the screen and a number eight was plastered there with her image. Then she faded and Rowen took the screen. A solid ten was below his face. How could someone who spoke so badly of these games and such score the same as I did? I wasn't sure but I knew he would be an even bigger target now if he didn't join us. The others would see him as a threat. And this solidified it even more to be that he was a danger, trying to get in my head the way that he did. Mason and I were congratulated and I excused myself, heading to the roof once more as was the new norm for me in the evenings.
There was no one up there once again. For this I was glad. That gave me time to think on my own and to just enjoy the outdoors. Though, within a minute or so of entering the garden I felt someone grab me. Their strong hands held me as I froze momentarily. In my ear I could hear the familiar voice of someone who was supposed to be my ally. 'Had to go and score higher than me, didn't you Two? Don't you know how bad that makes Rube and me look?' This was ridiculous and I had definitely not pegged the formerly charming District One boy to be so violently jealous of my out scoring him. 'I'm going to make you pay for it, you can mark my words on that.' I had enough. I used my foot to stomp on his foot and then when he loosened his grip at the pain I slipped away enough to grab one of his arms and twist it behind him and upwards. It only took a split second before he was on his knees and let out a yelp of pain and surprise as I yanked on his arm even further.
"Touch me again and I will not hesitate to slit your throat, break your neck, or whatever I have to do in order to teach you a lesson. Got it Cupcake?" He nodded his head and that is how we were standing when someone else exited the door that led to the roof. I released Beau's arm now, knowing it was against the rules for tributes to fight before the games and not wanting to be lectured by the unknown person who I could hear approaching. Beau then hurried back to his feet and we both turned to see none other than District Ten looking a little shocked. "Get out of here, One. And try to follow your district partner's advice to play nice, hmmm? Next time I may not be so forgiving." With a final glare in my direction the District One boy grudgingly left the roof. I could feel the familiar prick at my skin as I had the feeling of being watched.
'What was that all about?' Ten spoke up and I shrugged in a nonchalant manner before moving over to the edge of the roof. I leaned against the ledge and looked out over the Capitol. The people appeared much like multi-colored ants below me. Within a few seconds Ten was by my side and his warmth flooded me even as the cool breeze whipped around us. 'Did he hurt you?' I laughed gently at this. Why would he care. "I'm onto your tricks, Ten." Then I turned from where I had been looking out over the Capitol to face the boy who stood beside me. 'What are you talking about?' I shook my head and my eyes never left his as I spoke. I hoped to intimidate him into telling me the truth even as I spoke. "This. All of this is some little game that you are playing in order to make me question myself. You want me to be weak and unable to kill so that I will be an easier target." I hear him sigh, 'Is that really what you think this is all about?'
I nod my head, of course that has to be what this is all about. Then I feel his hand gently run across my cheek. It is a gesture that I am not used to. I do not allow physical contact aside from with my brother and very rarely anyone else. I pull back as if he had burned me. "Stop that!" Something that looks almost like hurt mixed with shock comes over his face. 'Sorry, I just, I cut him off. "You just what, Ten?" I looked away from him now and back out to the Capitol then I speak before he has a chance to explain. "I better get back to the apartment. My brother will be looking for me soo." I knew I had another hour or so before he would actually come looking for me but I didn't tell him that.
As I went to move away I felt his strong hand close around my wrist and stop me from leaving. After what had just went down my adrenaline was still pumping and I was ready to fight him. Though, he just pulled me close to him and wrapped his arms around me. The gesture didn't seem to be one of violent intent, though. It almost seemed like he was meaning to comfort me or something. No one had hugged me to comfort me since I was seven. It felt nice, though. 'Not everyone is out to get you Angel Face.' His words were softly spoken while his chin was rested against the top of my head and I actually allowed him to keep me like this for a moment. "But they are. These are the Hunger Games and there can only be one winner. Everyone is the enemy. No one can really be trusted. That was only proven to me even more tonight."
What was that about anyway?' He is still holding me tight to him but one hand is rubbing gentle circles across my back. I know I should pull away. I shouldn't be letting him get to me. Though, I still find myself answering him. "He was pissed I got a better training score than him. Said he would make me pay for it." I shrugged slightly even as I was kept close with my head resting against his strong chest. I hear something resembling a growl coming from him and I tilt my head up to see a darkness in his green eyes that I had never seen before as he tightened his grip on me slightly. Don't let that tool form your opinion of everyone. He won't lay a finger on you. The sure yet hostile edge to his voice sent a slight shiver through me. I am used to anger, threatening, the talk of killing. What I'm not used to is that almost possessiveness that he seemed to have taken up at hearing the threats made to me personally. I just nod against his chest.
'When the career alliance is close to splitting I want you to run. I want you to find me. I will find you. I'll keep you safe. He won't do anything until the playing field has less competition or if he can separate you from the others. Can you trust your district partner?' I looked up to him with confusion now. I couldn't do this. This wasn't right. I pulled away. "I have more reason to trust him than I have to trust you. Two always sticks together until the end to assure one of us goes home to bring honor to our district." I now stood an arm's length away from him and I stared into his eyes, trying to read them. Good. Stay close to him at all times until the split then haul ass out of there. I shake my head and run my fingers through my hair, anything to keep myself grounded so I can think. What are you going to do if we make it down to the last two, hmmm? Just let me kill you?" His solemn nod catches me off guard. 'If it comes down to that then that is exactly what I will do.' "If it comes down to that?" He nods once more and I just shake my head.
"I don't need your protection. But why would you even think to provide it?" That was what had me stumped. Why would he want to keep Beau from killing me when I was just as capable of taking him out as any of the other careers were? Once again he was pulling me towards him in an embrace. 'Because you're worth saving. And I think you can make a difference.' Then kissed my forehead gently before releasing me from his hold. See you at the interviews Angel Face. I was left standing there in a shocked state as he disappeared through the door back into the building.
A/n: So, what does everyone think? What do you like about the story, what can be improved upon? I would LOVE to hear what you guys think of the story. This is my first ever fanfic or first time really writing anything, so any feed back would be greatly appreciated. And I will include any replies to reviews in the notes as well.
