Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games, only my characters like Akia and Zaine.
A/N: Another update, and I think I'm updating rather quickly! ^^ So most of Akia's past is revealed and we learn a Career has a temper problem. Fun times :P
Thanks to LadyDunla, as per usual, and Guest! It really motivates me reading your reviews!
To all my other readers, thank you, and if you enjoy the chapter, feel free to leave a review, PM me, follow and favourite!
-R
I'm sat cross-legged on the sofa, taking a bite out of a piece of pizza, tomato sauce smudging on one side of my lips. Annie is lying on the floor, her limbs splayed out as she sinks into the soft fluffy rug covering the hard marble floor.
"I'd never been here before." she says, her voice a million miles away. I'm not surprised, Tributes and their mentors don't make it a habit, visiting other floors.
"It's nice," she comments.
"Mmhm," I manage with a mouthful of pizza. God, this Capitol food is sometimes to die for... Haha, punny. I mentally give myself props for that terrible pun.
Minutes later, Zaine enters the silence-filled room, flicking his red hair out of his eyes. I wonder if fringes get annoying during the Games. But, God are they cute! I wonder if my stylist would let me have one... I'm still pondering over my appearance when Annie clears her throat, clearly feeling awkward. My eyes widen and I realise they haven't been introduced yet.
"Err, Annie, this is Zaine. Zaine, this is Annie," I use my arms to gesticulate violently from one to the other, "She's going to be our mentor."
Zaine gives me a look that says 'Are you stupid or what? Of course I know this woman.' I glare at him back. Annie doesn't waste any time.
"Any skills?" The question isn't directed at me – she already knows me enough.
Zaine becomes uncomfortable under her gaze, fidgeting slightly. "I'm quite strong but no where near the level of Noah – ah, the District 2 Tribute." He wrinkles his nose. "I found that out the hard way.
"As for weapons, I want to try practising with the sword. Knives are quite small and I'm not the most dexterous person on the planet... And I'll try spears, but my hand-eye coordination is lacking, as I mentioned with the knives situation."
Annie nods. "You should also try with body combat and blunt weapons. Blunt force trauma can kill as easily as a knife can. And if you aren't strong enough, it should at least give them a nasty headache which give you valuable seconds to get away."
I stare at the woman standing in front of us, wondering where my Annie went. At my surprised expression she quickly mutters something only I'm supposed to hear.
"Finnick wasn't expecting to get out. He knew I'd be mentoring after he died so he began teaching me how to. I was pretty unstable at first, but I've learnt to hold it in." She makes a face. "Of course, at the time, I didn't know his intention."
Zaine is too busy pondering Annie's word to listen, so I smile and say, "You've done well."
My fingers find the elevator button and I press it, hoping it isn't too loud – it's late and I don't want to wake anyone up. I missed quite a bit of training today, and I want to make up for it. Without everyone watching me; judging me.
The lights are dimmer in the elevator than in the morning and it feels like a sign. I clamber aboard and ride the elevator down, contemplating whether to go to the Ground Floor instead and see if I have any fans. I can do that tomorrow if I so wish, so I head straight down to the Training Room. The lights are off again but when I walk inside they turn on. Definitely either heat or motion sensor then. I don't know if I'm allowed to be down here for extra Training, but I do have an excuse if anyone asks. Not that I care if anyone tries to give me punishment; isn't it punishment enough being in the Games?
A sound startles me, and I yelp, jumping up on the spot. I've never been a particularly good person with being scared. Too many years of being sneaked up upon made me extra jumpy. There is a sudden deep laughter, loud, but soothing and not booming. I frown into the empty Training room. Was someone playing a prank on me? I catch sight of a bright blue in the trees and my eyes narrow.
What is it with that tree?
"I can see you, y'know?" There's an embarrassed cough and the figure pokes his head out. Noah. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was a stalker.
So much for peaceful training, I think dryly. He must see the distaste in my expression because his immediately hardens.
"I don't want you here, either, just so you know."
I roll my eyes. "I'd be worried if you did. What are you even doing up there?"
"Cato... I mean the 74th Hunger Games District 2-"
I cut him off, snapping, "I know who he is. The brutal murderer from 2. The one who almost won." My tone of voice darkens and I smile, "I was so happy when he died, screaming in pain."
He starts to climb back down then, livid. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he's charging at me. Why is it that Careers always have such a temper? Or is it something else, maybe they were related...?
I'm thrown against the wall so hard I get dizzy. I remember what Annie said earlier.
"Blunt force trauma can kill as easily as a knife can. And if you aren't strong enough, it should at least give them a nasty headache which give you valuable seconds to get away."
Is this what she meant? Only I knew Noah would not be running away now. His hands are around my throat, pushing me up and lifting me inches off of the ground.
I can't breathe.
I. Can't. Breathe.
Flashes of memories I'd previously kept under wraps come back and I scream, using the rest of the oxygen in my lungs. Now there's nothing. And there's no-one to save me. I wonder if Zaine's sleeping cosily now, under the warm covers of his bed. Zaine. How will he cope without me? Probably fine. One less person to kill. I let my eyes shut slowly, a wave of calm drowning my mind's erratic thoughts. I'm still floating, held up by this strange and psychotic boy, but it no longer feels painful.
Allen.
I want to say his name one last time.
My lips won't open so I can't.
Is this how he died as well? Filled with regent?
Allen.
"Akia!" Allen scolds me. I giggle as I reach for another biscuit on the tray.
"Akia!" he says again, struggling to keep his face angry. He can't stay angry at me for long – I learnt that a while back and, boy, do I use it to my advantage.
"Yes, dear brother?" I bat my eyelashes at him as I pop the second biscuit in my mouth. I groan at the taste. Heavenly.
"They're for Kara!"
I snort, "She isn't right for you."
He rolls his eyes again, probably thinking, Not this again.
"But it's true!" I'm his annoying 10 year-old sister. How can I think his girlfriend's any good? And he's only seventeen, not like they'll be together forever like he claims. "I'm perfect for you!"
It's his turn to snort, "Just like you thought Cousin Firr and Cousin Vix were just perfect for each other?"
I blush deep red. They were brother and sister, but when I was younger I had been convinced that they should get married – they were both pretty, I just couldn't understand why them being siblings made it not possible.
"NOT IN THAT WAY! You're horrible, Allen!" I cry out, smacking his arm.
"Not as horrible as you!" he counters, putting the cookies in some sort of bag, "When you get a boyfriend, I am going to drive him away with a crowbar!"
I pale at that threat. "Fine, go see Kara or whatever, but just remember that you're making dinner tonight!"
"It's the Reapings today, Akia, did you forget? That's why I'm making these cookies – to cheer Kara up."
"I didn't forget!" I huff, "But I'm not even entered so why should I care? Come back soon afterwards to make dinner! I want a feast tonight!"
He chuckles and ruffles my hair.
"Promise?" I say, holding my pinkie finger out. He takes it with his own.
"Fine, I promise. I'll buy a chicken or something on my way back. I'll get it for cheaper because of the Reaping anyway."
He gives me a quick kiss and slips through the door, cookies in hand.
That girl Kara better appreciate them. I grumble internally.
I wait for Allen to return.
But he doesn't that night.
At Kara's, I think sourly.
The girl I hate shows up on my doorstep the next day, her eyes red and puffy.
I ask her when Allen's going to come home, presuming he stayed the night at hers.
She hands me the bag of cookies he made when she says what I wanted to hear the least.
"Allen was Reaped."
I lean over the toilet, my body wanting to throw up, but it can't. I haven't eaten anything since Allen promised me a feast.
I watch him on his chariot, brimming with pride and fear.
I watch his training score flash on the screen. 9. Didn't know he had it in him.
I watch him in his interviews and he talks about me. I start crying.
I watch him enter the Arena, watch the countdown fall to zero and then join the Careers.
I watch him take his first kill but I can't hate him. No matter what happens, I could never hate him.
I watch him reach the top five, then top two.
I watch him fight against the District 4 female who starts to cry.
I watch him pause for a second at her tears.
I watch a dark smile spread on her face when she sees him pause, too.
I watch a spear pierce his chest.
I scream so loudly that I can't hear the cannon.
Then they come for me.
They come for me and I'm still screaming, my voice hoarse and used.
A/N: Well... That was an emotional ending... So yeah, that is most of Akia's past and why she has evil voices in her head telling her to kill the District 4 Tributes. And the District 4 Victor. Next chapter, a whole lot more is revealed about what happened to her after she was taken by 'they' and God, is the next chapter long for me.
So, review if you want it up extra early (like tomorrow! Or tonight if you review really quickly!)
Two quick questions:
What do you think of Noah after this incident? I can't really answer this question because I'm incredibly biased, but which couple do you like the most Akia x Zaine, Akia x Noah or Akia x another Tribute? Leave your answers in the awesome reviews, my awesome readers! ^^
-R
