Training Day Three

Ricardus Crawford-Cayne (18) D2M

Romeo's idea was so bizarre that I was tempted to work on it immediately.

It was risky, yes, but risks had to be taken. Neither of us had a fondness for Careers and it seemed as if the girls were stronger this year. Well, they weren't.

The suggestion was simple. I reflected back on the conversation just to reassure myself that I had taken the right decision.

Romeo and I could relate to each other very well. He was never respected, being the loner that he was. And I… I shivered at the thought of everything that had happened to me. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get over it. All the pain, the humiliation.

But that was the reason I was here. And that was also the reason that I accepted Romeo's offer. He had suggested that the two of us leave the Career alliance.

Now, anyone would think it was suicidal. And it was. Four trained tributes would be after us. But when I contemplated on it I realised it was a much safer option. If we stayed around the girls, we would constantly be under the threat of a fight. Because both of us sensed it; a feud was bound to happen. So why not break away?

Not that we planned on telling anyone. No… that would just ruin it all and foil our plans. We would leave during the bloodbath.

"What about Skye?" I had asked.

Romeo had frowned at that. "He's like us," he had replied, "But not quite so much. And anyway, if he joins in it would turn out into two Careers alliances, a separate for both boys and girls. And that wouldn't be a good idea."

I agreed. It wouldn't be a good idea. It was just- Skye and I were too alike. Never appreciated for what we were, being humiliated for something that wasn't our fault. Having no friends, no respect. We were both here to prove ourselves. It actually made me sad that we were both in the same year. Had it not been the case, I would have rooted for him.

Sadly, that was not the case. Only I was getting out, hopefully. I had to show those good-for-nothing bloody rascals that I wasn't a waste of space. I dropped my sword as I lost control over myself. The sound of the sword clashing against the floor startled me for a second. As I bent down to pick up the sword, I saw someone's legs approach me. I looked up to find Dove frowning down at me.

And looking at her expression I knew she meant business.

Dove Savage (18) D1F

Ricardus looked at me with started eyes as he stood up again, the sword clenched tightly in his hand. My eyes travelled to it then back to his face. Now, why would he be startled? Ah, if he was planning something against the alliance.

Romeo might have thought that I didn't notice his strange behaviour. He had tried so hard to persuade me to leave the alliance. A manipulator that he was, he never said anything directly. I wasn't going to fall for his traps so he had given up ultimately and focused on poor Ricardus.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. I smiled at him. Poor boy. I felt really sorry for him. For all the three boys actually. None of them really had a great life or even a happy life. Far from perfect. In any other circumstances I would have supported both Ricardus and Romeo but this was not an ordinary situation. Only one of us was getting out alive and I had to ensure that it was me.

The two of them plotting against my Career alliance was not something I wanted. It was undesirable and it would cause turmoil among the members. But I had to play along. There was no proof on the basis of which we could ask them to leave the alliance and the question of betrayal would never arise. But that wasn't going to happen. And neither was I sure whether the other members of the alliance would accept the truth when I told them or not.

"Come on Ricardus," I said brightly, "Shall we go and meet the new member of our team?"

"New member?" he asked in confusion.

"Well yes," I replied, "We can always use some street skills, you know?"

With that I turned on my heels and joined the rest of my group. I was certain that the new addition to our team would only benefit us. I had witnessed him steal that ring from the boy from Twelve the previous day. Never before had I come across a person who was so stealthy. He was emotional, as Skye was quick to point out, but that could be useful too.

"Ricardus, meet Dane."

The younger boy smiled at us though he appeared tensed. Artemis chuckled. "Relax!" she said, "We're a team now!"

"Yes we are," I added, "And I am hoping to take this team far."

And I would. Even if I had to take my District Partner out of my way.

Dane McAteer (16) D3M

I shook hands with Ricardus who looked at me as if wondering what I was doing here. To be honest, even I was wondering the same thing. It had been quite abrupt.

Artemis had simply walked up to me and patted me on the shoulder, grinning widely. Needless to say, I was startled. "Hey!" she said, "Dove and I loved your trick!"

"Um, trick?" I asked, trying to play innocent. Not that my pale face or fearful eyes let it happen but I tried.

"Aww, don't be like that. You can't fool us. So I was just wondering whether you will like to join our alliance?"

I was dead. If I joined the Careers I was disposable. If I didn't join them they would come after me during the bloodbath. I had to try something that would get me out of both the situation.

"So you found out that I have a habit of stealing," I responded heatedly, "And you still want me around? Why would you do that? I'm a kleptomaniac, how can you trust me?"

"Listen kid," Artemis replied in an equally furious tone, "I'm just asking you whether you want to be with us or not. Choose wisely. I don't have time for-"

"Calm down Artemis," Dove said as she caught up with us. She turned towards me with a kind smile.

"Dane," she said, "Give me one reason why shouldn't trust you. I get it that you can't help stealing things but you do return them. No other person would do that. I think you are completely reliable and so does Artemis. Don't mind her, she's a bit short-tempered, but she doesn't mean anything against you. So let me ask you again, will you like to join us?"

Artemis gave her a 'are-you-serious? -I-totally-meant-that' look but she ignored her, her eyes boring into mine. I found it impossible to look away. There was nothing I could do now. I couldn't refuse, there was no hope of getting out of this mess.

"Okay," I replied gingerly and the girls beamed at me. We shook hands and Dove went to get Ricardus whereas I went off with Artemis.

I was again thinking on what I could say, what I could do, that these people would themselves ask me to leave. I could have pretended to be a sociopath but Charles was already there and I honestly didn't want to challenge him. I could act as if I was bipolar but again Demetrius ruined everything. I sighed. There was just no way out of this fix.

Now, only the chaos of the bloodbath could help me escape.

Hickory Marie (17) D7F

I knew it was wrong but I had already accepted it.

There was no way that I would escape this mess. These people wanted me dead and they would do so at any cost. All I had to hope for was that the end would come quickly. I did not want to suffer in pain and agony and have the audience and my killer laughing over it.

I stopped, my axe clutched tightly in my hands. Why was I practicing then? Why was I trying so hard when I knew I was doomed? I could not shake off the feeling that the other tributes would annihilate me but I still could not stop trying.

"Relax Marie," I heard Zac say as he casually wrapped his arms round my waist from behind, "Nothing will happen to you."

I smiled. Zac was probably the sweetest person around in this place. When Charles had shown up, the boy had helped Cara get over it. And then he had asked me in that very sweet way of his whether I would like to ally with him or not. I needed allies because I wanted to try my best at getting out, so I had said yes. Now I just liked having Zac around. It made me feel warm inside although I had no idea why.

I turned around to face him and gave him a quick hug which he returned. Squeezing my hand gently, he said in his soft tones, "Keep trying. I'll protect you. That's what friends are for, right?"

Friends… Somehow I could associate that word Zac. He was trying so hard to help me out; he had even taught me the basics of swimming which he had learned from his cousin. I grinned widely at him.

"Thank you Zac…" I muttered, "Thank you so much."

"No need for that," he replied with a smile on his handsome features. He released his arms from around me which I had not realised were still there. I turned red at that and he chuckled.

"Sorry for that," he said, then seriousness took over his voice, "I should go and check on Cara. She's a bit, you know… disturbed."

"Yes you should," I replied and then he took off. I smiled again and then turned to the dummies with my axe, hacking at them with all the strength I had. Whatever the outcome, I had to try.

Demetrius Likorus (18) D5M

Despite all the tension that was in the atmosphere, I could not help but admire my weapon choice, or my adaptability that allowed me to use them.

Two maces were cool. Defend with one, attack with the other. There was a boy from two who did that a few years back but I was sure Outer District tributes were not so talented. Or at least I tried to be sure but how could I decide?

I swung my mace and just them Kimaya approached me. Well, I almost took off her head. She jumped back a mile in fear, her eyes almost popping out of her sockets.

"Don't mind me," I said rather stupidly and she looked at me as if I was an interesting specimen. I didn't know about specimen but I was interesting. I didn't know about that either but I liked to think that I was interesting.

I grinned at her. She was so sweet and helpful and adorable! Cass had made a really good friend; I would give him that. And she was always so nice to me.

"Will you, uh, keep those away for a second?" she asked.

"Oh sure," I replied and put the maces back where they were. She smiled kindly at me.

"Deme, I wanted to speak to you about something," she said, her smile gone, replaced by a worried frown. I knew where it would lead now but I smiled at her encouragingly and nodded at her to continue.

"Deme, only one of us is getting out," she started, "And- and Cass has had a very b-bad childhood. C-can you help m-me to protect him so that he h-has a higher chance of w-winning?"

Kimaya never stuttered and if she was doing so now it meant she never expected me to give her a positive response. I felt hurt. Nobody thought I would provide them assistance. That wasn't right! I was reliable!

"I'll try my best," I replied sourly. She looked at me apologetically. "I know I'm asking for a lot," she said, "But I want Cass to win, Deme. And I will do anything for it."

With that she walked away to where her friend was. It looked as if Cass was asking her what she was talking to me about and she was trying to shrug off the question. My awkward brother was actually quite easy to persuade, especially if it was that Kimaya doing so.

There was no reason for it, but I felt a whole new rage for her. She was trying to show how selfless and great she was. I was certain that when the time would come she would desert Cass. Girls like her always did. And she pretended that nobody could care about my brother more than her. It was annoying. It was so annoying.

And protecting Cass? Why, I would do that of course. Why wouldn't I? he was my brother!

Not that it meant I would not try getting out myself.

It's done. It's done! What do you think of the situations right now? What was the most surprising thing this chapter? And two hundred and two reviews… thank you so much all of you! It is much higher than last time and I never thought that would happen… Thank you.

Now, the alliances. Alas! I can't think of any creative names for them.

Dove/Artemis/Victoria/Skyler/Dane

Romeo/Ricardus

Ainsley/Rosamund

Zachariah/Cara/Marie

Cody/Levi/Tawny

Demetrius/Cassander/Kimaya (Darah)

So these are the alliances, for now at least. Half of my alliances are made in the Arena so…

I hope you enjoyed this and have a very lovely day ahead!