Hi guys. Been forever since I updated, so sorry. Anyway, here's chapter 14. Things should move more quickly from now on. I don't own THG, nor do I look even remotely like SC. Please comment. Waffles!
After my time is written on the clipboard, Rue ambles over to the archery station. I tell her I might see her around since I'm not meant to go over there, according to Haymitch. I should learn something new, rather than try to intimidate the field. Hmm... nobody's at the fire-lighting station. I head in that direction.
The trainer looks bored, like he doesn't want to be here. The name badge says Victor and I immediately think of Gale's little brother, Vick. He's probably very thin. Gale will be getting less game if I'm not there to help, and while Madge promised to make sure that my sister and cousins had food at school, she said nothing about Gale and his family. Automatically, my finger goes up to rub the heart-shaped birthmark over my right eyebrow, like I always do when I'm stressed or nervous. The trainer correctly interprets it as a scared movement, but assumes that I'm afraid of the station or of him. As if, when I'm about to go fight to the death for a game.
Victor shows me how to build up a long-lasting fire with a structure like a pyramid of wood, a smokey fire, a fire with smoke that's practically as clear as steam, and how to make a carry-around torch. Finally he lets me try to light a fire without matches. It's every bit as hard as it looks and surprisingly frustrating. It takes me a full two and a half hours at the fire station, then I move on to spears, with about an hour and a half before dinner. My first attempts with the spears are so ridiculous that my second attempts are worse because I'm laughing so hard. Finally, after a lot of corrected technique by the trainer, I manage to hit the target. Only the black circle, but still, major improvement from last time. I'm so shocked that I don't even notice the spear being handed to me and it clatters to the floor. I'm saved from embarrassing comments when the gong goes off to signal us for dinner. I crowd into the elevator with Emër, only to be joined by Faye and then her unwilling district partner. She seems to be bossing him around a fair bit. "Press the button, Vincent. Yes, our button! What did you think I meant? We're already at the training centre! And while you're at it, press the other button... Twelve, right? Actually just press all the buttons, we're all in the same elevator. Hurry up! I'm hungry!"
The idea that the boy from 5 isn't very bright is highly reinforced in my mind as the rest of the tributes squash into the elevator. Arafaye makes a face at me and I snort. I know how she feels - Emër doesn't seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed either. Those two should make friends. The elevator ride is slow because we stop every level. Faye has to call Vincent twice before he realises that they're on level 5 and it's time to get out. By the time we reach floor 11, my stomach is grumbling. Rue gives me a little wave as she steps out. We finally reach our floor and I spring out of the lift, eager to eat. The taunting scent of rich, creamy soup fills my nostrils and I all but run to the dining room.
Time for dinner, Mr Wolf.
Sorry, got bored of this chapter so I finished it early. Go ahead and comment!