Here we are, with the final training day!
Reviews!
Mystical Pine Forest: I'm glad you liked Denny's POV, Cheyenne's always fun. Thanks for the review!
dreams and desperation: I know, right? It's amazed me how all of mine have previously fallen before the top half… Thanks for the review!
roses burning: If you decide you want to Sponsor Dev, just let me know. Thanks for the review!
TranscendentElvenRanger: Your predictions are quite realistic, I must say, though the Games are about odds. If the strongest always won, the Victor would be a Career. Every time.
Clis2339: I think I may have found the drama you were hoping for. Thanks for the review!
Next chapter will be THE SCORES! I will write the Private Sessions between now and before the scores are up, but I'll post them 3 days after the scores chapter. That way, those who aren't Sponsoring yet won't be as biased from seeing their sessions, but will see their scores, as a normal sponsor would. Make sense?
In TranscendentElvenRanger's Forest of Death: The 54th Hunger Games, my District One female tribute, Atalanta Bliss, is a confirmed survivor of Day 11, with 2 kills. She's made the Top 11, and she has made me so proud!
I swear, this chapter was the hardest one yet. I rewrote some of these four or five times!
Devon Cynthia Rose, Age 17, District 5
District Five Female, Sixth Quarter Quell
As we're released to train, I make a beeline for the knots station, aware of how that's the only station I haven't visited yet, and how little time we have to train today. The other tributes, even the Careers, seem to have realized this, and are moving quickly to their own stations. I catch the boy from Four out of the corner of my eye, but he takes the other side of the table.
"It's your final day." The trainer starts, "What do you feel you need to learn?"
I had been thinking of my answer for this as I was writing this morning, and I answer readily, "Bowline. Mine still seems to slide whenever I tie it to something." He nods understandingly, and I remember how much Five's Head Peacekeeper looked exactly like that when he caught me carrying little Ori around. I shake it off and watch the trainer's demonstration.
He twists the rope around, his fingers getting caught at one point. He laughs, embarrassed, and finishes the knot. He hands it to me, then proceeds to see how Jasper's doing. He appears to be muttering to himself.
"Not with the Careers. Just fine. Nope, he's good. Liability, drag me down. Good with the land though. Weak, no fighting skills. Distraction? No, can't do that." I think for a second as to what might be his problem, and I remember seeing him with the boy from Eight the other day. Eight had a hopeful look in his eyes, or so it seemed.
I've noticed quite a bit about the other tributes, actually. I had thought though their strengths while waiting in line for stations, and they flash across my mind now, as I attempt to retie my stupid bowline.
The girl from One isn't comfortable with something in her alliance, which I expect to be the boy from Twelve. I don't understand why Soot's in the Career alliance, but I do know it isn't good, based on the shared smirks the others share behind his back. Darius is angry at everything, like Thorn from Eleven. But Thorn showed everyone that yesterday.
Finally, my knot isn't slipping, and my shoulders sag in relief. The boy from Four leaves as I untie it, still muttering to himself. As he leaves, I can't help but wonder why he Volunteered, yet isn't in the Career alliance. Volunteers from One, Two and Four usually fall early after refusing to be in the traditional group of ruthless killers. He should hope they ignore him.
I step back from the station, surveying the room again. There are twenty-six children in this room, all of them hoping against hope to just get back home. Each has something to go back to, to fight for. I am exactly like them, and nothing like them.
In the Games, you have to be the last one standing. That's very hard to do when you're a mother that doesn't want to take someone's child away from them.
Cheyenne Bruno, Age 13, District 10
District Ten Female, Sixth Quarter Quell
The test is one of endurance more than speed, and my allies dropped out long ago. Since that point, they had stopped cheering, probably heading to another station. I understand. It's our last day, and we don't want to waste valuable time.
I'm on like my seventh lap, almost a mile if I remember correctly. The trainer said something about the second mile, but my mind is starting to meld my thoughts together. The track is starting to blur. I think I see a figure next to me, but my eyes are only seeing the white line at the end of the stretch. It's so close.
My feet pound against the track as I pick up my speed. Something sounds like a chuckle, but that doesn't make sense. THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! I can feel my heart, steady yet racing my feet. Every jolt through my leg shocks my upper body, and I slowly stop as I reach the line. My breathe takes a moment to steady, then I collapse.
My body is screaming with exhaustion as I lie there, eyes closed. I feel steps on the track around me, and I feel blind and vulnerable, despite how safe I should be. Perhaps the trainer is checking up on me. I vaguely hear someone speak, and I lift my hand and wave it weakly, chuckling softly at my own exhaustion.
A hand roughly grabs mine, lifting me up to my feet. But I wasn't ready, and my momentum carries me, landing me on my stomach. I groan, opening my eyes as I roll over. My right hand burns from the friction against the track. I stare accusingly at the boy from Two as he laughs, his District Partner behind him.
"It was only half a lap, Ten." He smirks wickedly. "I didn't realize my presence would terrify you so much!" He laughs again, and I recall the figure running alongside me. He thinks I was afraid. I wasn't though, just tired.
I open my mouth to speak, using my uninjured hand to stand, but he shoves me back down, my head striking the ground painfully. He looks concerned, and says, "You really should rest. That's quite the fall you took a moment ago."
"I'm… fine." I mutter defiantly, still glaring up at them. I attempt to sit up again, my burned hand holding my pounding head. I'm in pain, and this kid is loving it. Then again, his sister's a Victor, so what did I expect, honestly?
I crawl back as the malicious grin spread across his face yet again. Will I die in the Arena like this? Tired, hopeless? He begins to step forward, when another figure suddenly steps between us. I scramble back a little quicker, grateful for the reprieve.
When I finally stand, I catch sight of strawberry blonde hair, and I see the girl from Eight facing down-or rather, up- the boy from Two. Both look angry, though I'm sure for very different reasons.
"You're not supposed to fight with other tributes!" Tulle shouts at the Twos. I can't help but admire her bravery, but I'm sure it's going to get her killed. I don't want to be part of it, even if she helped me out.
As I step off the track, I here the girl from Two, Cassia, call after me.
"District Ten is always a bloodbath, girl! Don't worry, you can rest in a couple days!"
Mason Lepodolite, Age 18, District 2
District Two Male, Sixth Quarter Quell
"You know what, Eight? I hope your pedestal is right next to mine, because there's not enough room in that Arena for that big mouth of yours. You'll be the first on the kill list for this year's Victor, just you wait!" She's still glaring at me, but she's shut up for once. I smirk as I see the flicker of fear in her eyes. I love seeing that look in others.
I turn my back on her, ready to head back to the training area. Cassia stands beside me, trying to hold back a laugh.
"What?" I demand, and the smile finally breaks out across her face.
"You just got yelled at by a girl, after beating up on a smaller girl. You turning soft, Macy?" She asks tauntingly.
I don't turn to look at her, but I snarl, "I'm not in the mood right now, Cassia. I'm going to go back to swords." She laughs as I head to the station, and I'm relieved to see her heading back to her stupid knives. I can't help but wish she hadn't come with me to the track, like the others.
To my dismay, Malaya is already waiting in line, with my sword. The sword that's perfectly balanced, double edged, the bottom half serrated on one side. I grumble as I find myself a new one, reluctantly waiting in line behind the girl from One. She tries to speak to me, and I ignore her. I think she notices, because she pulls one of my killer's strings.
"So, you still haven't told me. Why the heck is the boy from Twelve in the Alliance?" I groan in frustration. Doesn't she understand that I want to rip everything apart right now? I sigh, angry at myself for giving in.
"It was Mera's idea." I say, uncaring, "Something about betrayal and putting on a show in the beginning? I don't know, but she promises it'll be good. Apparently she's told Cassia all her plans, but they won't tell me because I might get carried away." I air-quote the last bit, and Malaya recoils. Whether from revulsion or being left out, I'm unsure. I can't read her expression.
"Well, that sounds like… fun." She says, though her eyes are closed, her usual smirk a small frown. Nope, still can't tell.
"Anyway." I say awkwardly, having temporarily forgotten my anger, "What do you thinkm of the other tributes? Anybody you gonna go for in the Bloodbath?"
"No." She says, "Besides, even if I did, you'd take them out before I had a chance just to spite me. How about you?" Now I know something's wrong, but I ignore it.
"Definitely the girl from Eight. She's been getting on my nerves." I go on to explain to her what happened at the track, between me and the girls from Eight and Ten. "Next would be her." I nod to Ten, and Malaya looks at her dispassionately.
"You know what? I'm just going to go do something else." She looks around in disgust, and I think I catch her glaring at Mera. She racks my sword, and departs, heading to the shelters station, where the boy from Six and the pair from Eleven are.
I snatch my sword from the rack, pondering over the conversation I just had with my ally. Something has to be wrong, right? The way she was acting was weird.
I shrug as the trainer motions for me to join him on the mat. I hope they put my sword in the Arena.
Kenzi Williams, Age 16, District 7
District Seven Female, Sixth Quarter Quell
I have been surprisingly lucky thus far. I already have an ally, though she really should view me as an enemy after what happened to her after the chariot rides. It's also surprised me how easily the pranks Lia and I pulled on others in the District back home can be converted into lethal traps. When I was Reaped, I never even considered that I might be good at something.
The Capitol seemed to like my first impression, though. I've seen myself slamming that silly pie into Lumeo's face dozens of times on the T.V. on Floor Seven, and Oak says that I got a few Sponsors because of that act alone. I'm still not sure though.
The Arena is a place of death, one that I will meet firsthand in a couple days. The only thing that could save my life are my traps.
I sigh as I trip the wire and watch the dummy flip over, hanging by its leg. Which person in this room will die like this? Alone, starving, dying slowly as their brain eventually suffers a stroke from too much blood.
Infiniti gives me a thumbs-up as she watches my swift fingers untie the rope around the dummy's ankle. It's strange, going through this with someone else. I miss Lia, the jokes we'd play on each other. My parents, who were annoying yet told me how much they appreciated me anyway. I even miss the air-headed Capitolites who made me wear ridiculous costumes and would bug me for hours. Life was simpler then.
It isn't lost on me that in a year, one of us will come back, the others forgotten forever. I could be one of those forgotten, and that terrifies me. How could I honestly beat the Careers? They're stronger, faster, and more skillful. Even most of the other tributes, most of which are younger than me, seem to have a better chance of surviving. And if I got the chance to kill any of them, would I?
I follow Infiniti back to the edible plants station, which she's been making us frequent. She's determined, I can tell, but I can't help but wonder what she's so worried about.
"I swear, Kenz, I can get it all right this time! I got ninety-eight earlier, I'm so close!" I know she's referring to the plants test, which she's done very well on. She's never even seen most of the stuff here, though I can identify most just from living in Seven. I think that makes her more intent on getting it all right.
As the test screen lights up in front of us, her fingers begin to fly across the keyboard, and she pays no attention when the boy from Eight walks up behind her, waiting patiently. He's been here a lot too, as well as traps. But he doesn't have an ally, as far as I know.
My stomach turns as I look at the boy. He's two years younger than me, and ten times more innocent. The odds are stacked against him, from his age to his District. There's no way this isn't a Career year, the fourth in a row.
Stop that! I scold myself, You're in these Games too! You can't give up yet! But how can I? It's not like I can throw an axe like Logan or even the girl from Eight. I should be able to, but it was never a requirement for me. I never thought I'd need it. And now, it's screwing me over.
No, there has to be a way to win.
Jasper Blue, Age 16, District 4
District Four Male, Sixth Quarter Quell
Henry is just stepping up to the plants test as I walk over, past the girls from Three and Seven. He notices me only as I take his arm, preventing him from pressing the start button. He looks up at me, panicked, and then relaxes slightly when he sees it's me.
"Um, hey, Blue." He starts hesitantly, "What's up?" He glances to where I'm still holding him, and I quickly release.
I raise my hands apologetically, and say, "Sorry, um… You got a minute?" I curse myself inwardly. This shouldn't be this hard, I made up my mind this morning.
"Well, I do now." He cracks a smile, and I let a deep breath out. I haven't screwed up yet.
"So, I uh, I've been thinking about your proposal for an alliance the other day." Thinking about is a slight understatement. I've been watching this kid since he first came to me, talking to him enough so as to not get his hopes up, of course, but I've taken great note of his skills. In my limited training back in Four, it was all weapons-based, none of this survival crap. Most tributes from our District don't even need it, because we're usually with the Careers. But I'm not.
"And…?" He presses, his smile growing wider.
"I'm going to have to accept." I blurt, and he starts laughing slightly. I realize that my behavior was probably strange, and I understand how it must have looked to him. I crack a smile, and Henry looks up at me, holding his hand out.
I reach out to take it as the lunch bell rings.
Instead of shaking, I grab his wrist and tug him in the direction of the cafeteria, whose door is already wide open. He pulls himself from my grasp, running ahead of me. I take on the challenge, and race after him.
I'm only a few seconds behind him as he enters the lunch room, but I find my path blocked by Mera and the Careers. The Twos are on either side of her, the boy from One off to the right. The girl from One and the boy from Twelve are nowhere in sight, and I assume they're in line already.
"Where're you going so fast, Jasper?" The boy from Two asks.
I take a deep breath, looking up at Mera. Her face is apologetic, and I figure she's going to apologize for her allies' actions later. But for now, I'm on my own. I'm fine though.
"Just heading to lunch." I incline my head slightly, looking up at the boy, man, really. It's people like him that haunt children's dreams, but I'm not afraid of him. "Like you should be. What do you want, Two?"
He looks at me curiously, then snickers. "Couldn't help but notice your chasing after Eight. Was he bothering you?" He speaks as though talking to a small child, and I roll my eyes. "I could gun for him when the gong rings. Then maybe I can be the first to get a full set." His District partner giggles, and I think I understand what he means. I'll have to warn Henry. Later, though, maybe after they had all gone in for their Private Sessions.
"Sure, whatever. Can I go now?" I try to push past him, and he flings himself to the floor.
"What was that for?" He shrieks, holding his arm, as though injured. "Aw, man, what the heck did I do to you?" He moans, and I can't help but glare down at him. What an idiot.
On the other side of him, I see most of the other tributes watching, including Henry. He raises his hands like what the heck? And I just shrug. Then I see the girl from One walking towards us.
"What is going on here?" She asks, sounding bored. Her District Partner steps forward.
"This punk shoved him." He calls, loud enough for the trainers to here. She looks down at him.
"Well, he better toughen up." She turns and walks back to where she was sitting, throwing a glance over her shoulder.
I'm pretty sure she winks at me.
Aran Quade, Age 17, District 6
District Six Male, Sixth Quarter Quell
Things settled down considerably once the boy from Two realized that what he did was stupid. Slowly he got up, grumbling as he waited behind the other Careers, who were between him and the boy from Four. I couldn't help but think it strange that he's not with them.
Lunch is just about over now, and the door to the cafeteria is closed, leaving only the iron door next to it open. The boy from One is standing next to it, watching the clock tick on, probably ready to show off to the Gamemakers.
The Private Sessions, more often than not, determine who will actually survive the Games. Nearly every Victor got a score over a seven, though there are a handful who did worse than that. I mean, there's even one that got a flat-out zero.
I tell myself this, knowing that, in reality, my best option is to not mess up. According to Kiara, I got a few Sponsors lined up from my Reaping, as she was apparently able to convince them that I was just excited to get to the stage, not trying to run away.
The boy from One disappears, the door falling behind him. I wonder what he will do.
But what will I do? I've worked a little with swords the last few days, I suppose, and I'm not too bad with traps, but I'm nowhere near Career-level.
"Malaya Garnet."
I watch as Malaya, the girl from One, vanishes behind the door. She's always been slightly interesting to me, not totally with all that the Careers are doing, but still definitely a Career. I think that, when the Career Alliance breaks, it will be because of her.
As I sit, knowing that my turn isn't for a while, my thoughts begin to wander. I think back to Reyna, the only family I really have left. At only nine, I'll probably be a distant memory to her when she passes her final Reaping, like our father already is to her. I can't remember out mother's face, I was only eight at the time of her passing. Is she excited to see me soon? Is she confident that I can win?
"Cordin Bolt."
I look to the door, expecting to watch another tribute walk out, but nobody moves. The voice calls out again, "Cordin Bolt, District Three. Please report for individual assessment." But still, all is still, a few tributes whispering to one another.
"I wonder where he is." Jetta says next to me. I opt to ignore her, however, but she's used to it by now.
The Gamemakers still wait the whole fifteen minutes before calling Cordin's District Partner, and I envy the expression of "good luck" given by the girl from Seven. They've been allies, probably since after the chariot parade. They've been hanging out all of training.
I think about my choice to not go in with an ally. It could get me killed, but, ultimately, it could be the very thing that keeps me alive. I've thought strongly the last couple days on who I might try to team up with, but I'm really not fond of my options. They all are either ready to kill me at the drop of a pin, or remind me of Reyna, who I could never watch die.
"Aran Quade."
I take a deep breath, standing slowly. Without looking back, I pass by the trainer, who bows slightly as I step back into the training room.
All I can hope for is a seven.
Here are the submitters who are Sponsors thus far. If I have your name down wrong, please let me know: (Remember. You can change who it is up until the Private Sessions, in two chapters. Once I post the Sessions, you will no longer be able to choose who you want to Sponsor. You've been warned.)
ElvenRangerRysel: 149 (Aran Quade, District Six Male)
Mystical Pine Forest: 140 (Cheyenne Bruno, District Ten Female)
dreams and desperation: 136 (Cassia Lyra Maurise, District Two Female)
Jaybird8101: 118 (Rebelle Sunflower Rine, District Thirteen Female)
Clis2339: 92 (Henry Reynoso, District 8 Male)
JaymanRepublic: 83 (Logan Woodson, District Seven Male)
faceless eater aka slendergirl: 73
caitiebug007: 77 (Devon Cynthia Rose, District Five Female)
HufflePuffleJay: 68
The Fangirl in Pink Jeans: 72 (Infiniti Reagan, District Three Female)
Rina-The-Fangirl: 64
MeganCK: 56
Wolfie McCoy: 56
Here are the submitters, who have points, but haven't confirmed whether they want to Sponsor or not:
roses burning: 82
Jotunheim Storm: 59
InfiniteDespair: 56
CreativeAJL: 53
grimbutnotalways: 53
Alliances!:
Queens and a Pawn (124 points): Marcus (1), Malaya (1), Mason (2), Cassia (2) (124), Esmeralda (4), and Soot (12).
Reluctance (56 points) : Infiniti (3) (56), and Kenzi (7).
Brains and Brawn (84): Blue (4), and Henry (8) (84).
Sacrificial Lambs (127 points): Denny (10), Cheyenne (10) (127), and Keola (12).
Children of Amber: Thorn (11), and Willow (11).
Questions!:
Which do you think would be worse? Last place or second overall?
Which Alliance do you think will shatter first?
Any new alliance/sponsor thoughts?
What kind of scores do you think certain tributes will get?
Which POV was your fav?
Least fav?
How may Victors have you gotten out of SYOT's? (Zero for me)
How many of your tributes have fallen? (Five at this point)
Bye y'all,
John