Ahhh two weeks! I'm so sorry guys. I should've gotten this out last weekend but I was lazy and then I got bogged down with so much work during the week so it had to wait until the weekend. I hope you can forgive me with this extra long chapter! The training days are over and now we go into Gamemakers and Interviews which will go by fast and then it's the games! Thanks to those of you who are sticking with me through all of these. If there's one thing I can ask it's that if I can get more reviews. I hate being a nag but reviews really do help me. It'd just be nice to know who out there is still reading my story so if your tribute is in the Games let me know what you think! Anyways thanks everyone for reading and I hope you all enjoy! :)
Training Day 3
Bane Manders POV (D11)
It's the last day. It's our last day to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. Tomorrow we perform for the Gamemakers and that night we have our interviews. The day after that it's the Games. The past few days have gone by in a blur. From train, to chariot, to training. I can barely remember any of it.
It takes me a few moments in the training center to remember what I should be doing. What did I do yesterday? Oh yeah medical stuff! So today I should work on physical combat. I tried swords the other day and couldn't quite get a hang of them. Same with spears and archery. I was pretty good with a knife, probably from having to cut fruits in the field. Obviously I was good at plants and medical stuff but a big guy like me has to be able to defend myself. So today I'll go with hand to hand combat.
The station is occupied by a beefy instructor and a dark haired boy. The instructor is giving the kid some advice when I interrupt. "Hey I'm here for some training," I say.
"Perfect. I was just telling Ulysses here that the only way to train is through practice. Both of you get in the arena and let's see what you can do," the instructor says gruffly. I look at the Ulysses kid. He has a small scar running from his ear to his jawbone that adds a touch of danger to his face but then he gives me a smile and extends his hand, eliminating all signs of intimidation.
"I'm Ulysses and you?" he says to me.
My mother's lessons in politeness lead me to take his hand in mine though I don't return the smile. "Bane," I reply.
"Oh you're the District 11 guy! I'm District 10," he says as we make our way to the wrestling arena. I don't reply.
"So how have your past few days been?" he asks me. Geez this guy!
"Listen, cut the crap. We're here to fight not make friends," I say to him as we take our places.
"Sounds good, I just like to get to know my opponent before I beat him," he says with a smile. I don't smile back.
"Okay guys listen up. We instructors had to work hard to convince the Gamemakers to allow you to wrestle one another. There will be no kicking, biting, punching, or any sort of bloodshed. If we you want to practice that you'll be working with one of us. If we see either one of you show signs of wanting to physically harm the other you will be asked to leave the center for the rest of the day. It will be a single match. You'll go on my say. Take your places," the instructor says.
Ulysses and I prepare ourselves. Out of the corner of my eye I see a small girl with dark black and red hair approach the arena to watch. I take off my shirt revealing the scars on my back. I see Ulysses eyes eyebrows go up when he notices them. Then the instructor yells go.
I charge towards Ulysses, aiming for his waist but he quickly sidesteps out of my way. I turn around and go after him again. Again he tries to sidestep but I'm prepared and as he moves I mange to reach out my legs and trip him to the ground. Unfortunately I also trip myself up in the process. With the both of us on the ground I crawl towards him and place my arms on top of his pinning him down. I'm sure I've won when suddenly he twists his arm breaking my grasp. With his free arm he grabs the back of neck and puts pressure to it forcing my head down and also forcing me to release my grip on his other arms. With both hands free he grabs my waist and flips me over. With me on my stomach he grabs my arms and pins them back with one hand and holds my head down with the other. The instructor counts down the pin and no matter how much I struggle I can't break the grip and pretty soon I've lost.
Ulysses gets off of me and offers me a hand but I refuse it. I storm away from Ulysses and the instructor, grabbing my shirt on the way. I'm about to leave the hand to hand combat section when a voice calls out to me.
"Hey you," a girl's voice says. I turn around and see that it's the dark haired girl who showed up for the match. She's short with wide brown eyes but beneath her innocent exterior I can see intelligence. "Nice match in there," she says with a grin.
She's just trying to mock me. I try and turn away but she grabs my arm with stronger fingers than I was expecting. "Hey it was just a joke! Lighten up. Honestly who needs hand to hand combat? I suck at it too," she says. I turn around to face her, wondering why she's talking to me. "Listen, I've been watching you over the past few days and I think we could benefit by working together. You seem smart and like you know how to play the Games. I like that. You think you wanna work with me and my District partner?"
I narrow my eyes at her. "I don't think so," I say but she just smiles.
"Untrusting, I like that. I'm the same way. We don't need to trust each other. We just need to work together. Are you in or out?" she says. I look at her with eyes still narrowed but ultimately I know what to do.
"Fine," I reply.
Finch Grindel POV (D12)
I try and think like Lakota as I stalk my prey. She's always so sneaky about everything. I'm not. But today I have a plan.
I've been suspicious of this guy since the first day. Lakota just thinks he's depressed and doesn't care about the Games but if he was depressed why would he keep showing up each day? That's why as Lakota goes to the hand to hand station I follow the District 8 boy to the weapons side of the arena.
I learned the boy's name is Laurence but he prefers Laury. Other than that there isn't much to him. He's been bad at everything but I just find it hard to believe. He has to be good at something!
He's hiding something, I know it. So while he goes to the swords section I go to the knives section. The instructor tries to teach me things but I ignore her and keep my eyes on Laury.
He picks up a long sword and approaches a dummy. His swings are clumsy and unbalanced. He nearly falls to the floor from his horrible swings. But as he slashes his arms seems to stutter a bit. Almost as though he were holding back. After the instructor leaves to talk to someone else I pick up a throwing knife.
I could get in so much trouble for what I'm about to do right now but if there's one thing I've learned from Lakota it's that information is more important than anything. So I quickly look around to make sure no one is looking. I'm not too good at throwing knives but from this distance I should be okay. I aim for a spot left of him but within range that it could be dangerous and then I throw.
Unfortunately my aim is way off and the knife flies towards Laury's stomach. Fortunately my suspicions are right and when he notices the knife he quickly swings around with his sword, blocking the knife. He's a more talented person than he's letting on.
I quickly rush over to Laury, glad that none of the instructors noticed my throw. Laury picks up the knife and glares at me as I run over. "Hey man! I'm so sorry about that. The knife just sort of slipped. Lucky you're so handy with that sword," I say as I take the knife.
Laury looks down at his sword and laughs nervously. "Heh actually I'm horrible! Just a lucky swing I guess. You be more careful with those knives though," he responds. I nod back and then run back to the knives station to put the knife back. Then I rush over to Lakota, to tell her the news.
She's still by the hand to hand station talking with a tall dark looking boy. "Fine," he says in a deep voice.
Lakota claps her hands together. "Great! Well even though we don't trust each other we should at least know each other's names. I'm Lakota," she says.
"Bane," the boy answers.
"Ahh and perfect timing!" Lakota says as I she sees me. "This is Finch, he's my partner," she says. I wave at Bane and he just shrugs. "Oh and one more thing, sorry Bane you probably won't like this. Hey you!" she calls out to a dark haired boy walking away from the fighting arena. He looks up and then walks towards us.
"Hey," he says calmly. Bane scowls.
"Hey," Lakota says. "Good job in there. I'll get right to the chase. The three of us are forming an alliance and I want you in it. What do you say?" she says to the boy. Lakota sure is making a lot of decisions right now.
"Well I'm down with it, as long as he is," hey says gesturing towards Bane. Bane glares at him but just shrugs in the end.
"Good, I'm Lakota, this is Finch, and you of course already know Bane," she says.
"I'm Ulysses, so is this our alliance?" Ulysses asks. Lakota's eyes drift back towards the hand to hand station.
"Not quite…" she says.
Skylar Ross POV (D10)
The instructor is quick but I'm quicker. I dart around her getting jabs in where I can and blocking when I see a hit coming. By the end of the match I'm sweaty but satisfied with my abilities. The instructor congratulates me but I just nod in return.
That's all I've really done the past few days. Nod and move on. I don't talk. I don't smile. I don't acknowledge people. I just focus on what I'm doing. And so far it's worked pretty well. I've managed to keep myself distracted from certain things, like my family, or Jarad, or the Games and no one has given me any problems. Well except for that girl from District 7. I guess looking back it was a little mean of me but she had it coming. Her parents and their stupid rules are what caused so many of my relatives to die.
I step out of the arena and grab a glass of water while a small red head steps into the fighting arena. She has short red hair and big brown eyes and hardly looks like she can do damage but then when she starts fighting I realize how well she is at controlling her body and using her size. She fights like she's been fighting boys her entire life and she quickly takes out the instructor. Impressive and scary at the same time. The less people who are skilled the better.
I go to step away from the arena when I see Ulysses along with some other people walking towards me.
Over the past few days I've mostly avoided Ulysses. He's a nice guy but he has an agenda of his own and so do I so I'm surprised that now he is trying to approach me and with a bunch of other people too.
"Hey Skylar!" he says to me. "Lakota here has something she'd like to talk to you about."
A girl, about my size, steps forward. She has a smile on her face but it isn't warm and welcoming. It's like a smile a snake might give you before he sinks his fangs into your neck. "Hey Skylar. I've been watching you the past few days."
I narrow my eyes slightly. I don't like the idea of someone watching me. Not when I've been trying so hard to stay unnoticed.
"You're a really talented girl. The four of us have started an alliance and we want you in it. You'd be the last member to join," she says. I stay silent. I already know my answer but I want to see what else she can give.
When she realizes I'm not going to respond she talks up again, "Come on Skylar, we all need to work together to take out the careers. They are strong and they won't go down easy. We're going to need your help to make sure they aren't competition anymore."
"But what about after? When they aren't competitors? What will happen to the "alliance". Let's face it, working together never works out well and I'm not interested. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to decline," I reply calmly. Lakota's smile fades away from her face.
"If you say no now there's no coming back. You'll be out of our minds Skylar," she tells me. I just turn away with a smile on my face.
Being out of your minds is where I want to be.
Quinlan Darrow (D6)
These past few training days have been nice. Like working in the factory again. I focus on my task and get it done. Then at the end, if I've done my job well, I'll see some sort of pay off. I started with weapons and found that I was pretty handy with a sword. Then, I moved on to some more survival type skills and learned how to build a pretty good shelter and fire. I also tried hand to hand combat which was the easiest by far. It tends to be difficult to bring down a big brute of a guy who stands almost seven feet tall.
It's definitely been nice being able to work like this. The only annoying part is all the stares. It's either jealousy, fear, or admiration. I wish they would stop staring and just talk to me if they had something to say but so far no one's said a word.
Not that it matters particularly. Alone or allied it doesn't matter. I'm going to win these Games either way. But still if they aren't going to talk to me at least stop staring.
Like this one girl right now. Her eyes keep darting to me behind a sheet of long dark hair. Just say something to me already!
To my surprise she actually does step towards me, and then another one, and another until she's only a few feet away and I notice that she's smiling and her nose is crinkled displaying a perfect dash of freckles.
"Hi!" the girl says brightly. She's wearing the usual training outfit, black pants and a tshirt, but she's cut off a good portion of her pants displaying long attractive legs. I wonder why.
"Hi," I say cautiously. I wasn't expecting anyone to come and talk to me.
"My name is Tyla and well I've seen you around the past few days and you seem like a strong guy, obviously," she says with a shy laugh. When I don't respond she continues. "Well anyways, I'm working with some of the younger kids and we could use some help. I've seen the way people stare at you and they're all terrified. I thought maybe you could help us."
I look behind her to the two young ones at knot tying station. The blonde boy is helping a strawberry blonde tie a simple slip knot but she can't seem to get it. The girl keeps giggling but the boy's face clearly shows frustration. Neither one would reach my chest standing up.
Tyla looks at me with hopeful eyes. She reminds me of my mom, who used to visit hospitals delivering flowers, that is before she wound up in the hospital herself. And the little girl reminds me of Evlin, who can't tell a slip knot from a noose. But these games aren't about the girl who reminds me of my dead mom or the little one who reminds me of Evlin. It's about my real little sister and winning for her.
"I'm sorry I can't do that. I need to win and I'm afraid I can't do that with you. Good luck," I say before turning around. I don't look back to see her disappointed expression. Instead I focus on another girl looking at me and walking my way.
This girl's outfit is tight and black showing off a generous amount of cleavage and skin. Her hair is long and dark and her eyes show the same kind of darkness.
"Hi," she says with a voice like honey. "I've been watching you." Apparently a lot of girls have been watching me. "I'm from District 1 and we careers could use someone like you. You interested?"
I look behind her to the group of muscular teens. They're all tall and strong and mean looking. I'm not particularly interested in partnering with a bunch of bloodthirsty lunatics but then again careers usually mean a hearty supply of food and weapons. And besides I could always just leave them.
"Yeah I'm in," I reply. The girls face breaks into a smile and she grabs my hand and pulls me towards her alliance.
"Great, I'm Starlight, I have a feeling you'll fit right in with us," she tells me. I glance behind and see Tyla staring at me as I walk towards the careers.
I really wish people wouldn't stare sometimes.
Helena Jackson POV (D6)
I stand awkwardly in the middle of the training room next to Kennedy and West. West is talking to Kennedy and Kennedy is laughing at everything he says so mostly I'm by myself. Jage and Lexi haven't showed up yet and I really wish they would. Being alone with Kennedy can be difficult but it's difficult having to listen to her banter with West as well.
But enough of thinking like that. Mom would say it was mean to think such rude thoughts about people and to be honest it isn't that bad. Kennedy is very peppy but she's also very sincere and nice. She told me the other day that I'm her closest friend here and that if there's one thing she's happy about the Games it's that she got to meet me. It made me happy to hear that. She also told me that she's sorry for being so loud sometimes, that it's how she deals with being scared all the time. I told her I understood but it doesn't make it any less annoying when she laughs so obnoxiously, like now for instance because West just said something hilarious apparently.
I'm saved when I see Jage and Lexi enter through the doors together. I catch bits of their conversation.
"You should tell him now you know," Jage says to her. "You won't have a chance in the Games."
"I'm not going to tell him anything because there's nothing to tell. He's him and I'm me and that's all there is Jage," Lexi replies.
"Okay, all I'm saying is that if there's more you'll regret not telling him when the Games start," Jage says as he throws his hands up defensively.
"We'll talk about this later Jage, let's train," Lexi says ending the conversation.
Jage smiles at me as he gets closer. "Hey there Helena! How's life treating you lately?" he asks me. I give him a small smile.
"Well you know the sun is shining, the sky is a clear blue. And I'm inside training myself to kill people," I reply. Jage has been the only one able to get me to smile and relax here. It's just a talent of his. He's so carefree and joyful that it's contagious.
"Sounds excellent! Well let's get training. I say, since it's our last day, we should focus on the thing we like best. A little bit of a break maybe?" he suggests.
Lexi frowns. "I don't know, I wasn't so good at plant identification and I wanted to give that more practice. You're free to go back to swords or something though Jage. I know you really enjoyed that," she says. Jage's smile falters for a moment but then Kennedy comes to us from her conversation with West.
"Hey guys! West just told me the funniest joke about a factory worker, a miner, and a peacekeeper who all visit the Capitol together and the… hey Jage you don't look so good," she says. Jage snaps his head up and returns a smile to his face.
"Oh hey Ken! No I'm fine just thinking about something. Well I'm gonna go to plant identification with Lexi. Why don't we meet back up around lunch time?" he says.
"Yeah sounds good! I really wanted to give knives another shot. How does that sound Helena?" Kennedy asks me.
I turn to face her. "Yeah sounds good," I say as she grabs my arms and drags me back to the station. I stare after Jage as he and Lexi walk towards the plant section not too far away. I wonder why he decided to go do plants with her. I know for a fact he hates that section because the day we worked on it together he kept complaining about how boring it was.
I watch the two of them as Kennedy throws her knives and then I notice why Jage followed her. He pays more attention to her when he should be focusing on his plants and when he is asked to identify one he gets it wrong which makes Lexi laugh and him blush. He keeps reaching his arm to the other side of the mat to reach plants so he can maybe brush up against Lexi and apologize. When he says something and it makes her laugh and smile he smiles as well.
Earlier he was telling Lexi she should tell someone the way she feels but by the looks of it Jage should take his own advice and tell Lexi how he feels about her.
Kirstin Abbot POV (D2)
The last day of training is over and I'm quite pleased with what I've managed to get done. The instructors praised my knife ability and my spear throwing skills. I managed to learn more about plants and medical skills so I should be able to handle myself well with that aspect and as for the alliance?
Well I suppose it's going well. Zane mostly sticks to himself, working on his own, muttering about Mia half the day. Starlight has been going around to every boy above the age of 14 flashing smiles and flipping her hair, with varying success. She managed to snag Quinlan today which was interesting. He's a pretty quiet dude but he's absolutely huge. What he lacks in experience he makes up for with intimidation and size. Fawn and Skylar are a bit odd. Fawn is sort of a part of our alliance but she doesn't interact with us too much. She mostly sticks to herself. I've been friendly to her but she does little more than return my kindness with an airy smile that I'm quite suspicious of. Skylar avoids me which I don't blame him for considering the drama with him, Fawn and Starlight. He probably doesn't want another girl in the mix.
So where does that leave me? I guess I'm the glue that holds us together. Haha how corny but it's sort of true. I keep Zane connected to all of us and I try to talk to everyone in our alliance at least once during the day. If it weren't for me, and maybe Star, we wouldn't have talked once over the past few days. Now the training days are over and I hope the little work I've managed to get done with everyone is enough to keep us strong in the Games. Well at least enough to keep us strong until I win of course.
"Well everybody," I say as we gather round as the training center closes. "I guess we'll see each other in the arena. Good luck!" I say as everyone scatters.
Zane waits up for me for a moment. "You coming?" he asks. I look up and see that two of the youngest tributes are walking towards the door. It makes me sick to my stomach.
"Umm you go ahead. I gotta take care of something," I bend over to make it seem like I'm tying my shoe but Zane doesn't even look. He just goes.
Kids are the worst. They shouldn't be in the Games. The Games are for people like me, who now what they're doing and know how not to get killed. Kids should be at home with their parents. I know this thinking isn't good for a career but I can't help it! I have two younger siblings at home. Besides it's not like I need to kill everybody. They'll probably be killed by another tribute. I try not to think about how even that thought makes me sick to my stomach.
Once the coast is clear I leave the training room. I'm the last to go and the halls are empty. I turn the corner and see Star pushed up against the wall hidden in shadows.
"Hey Star, what's u-" I try to say before she gags me and pulls me into the shadows next to her. She puts her fingers to her lips to tell me to be quiet before peeking around the corner. I can distantly hear voices.
"Mia, you know I'd do anything for you," the deep voice belongs to Zane.
"I know Zane, that's why I'm asking you to do this for me," a sweet silky voice replies. It must belong to Mia, that blonde girl from District 1.
"Anything, I'll do anything," Zane replies with a passionate voice I haven't heard him use before.
"I need you to watch after my brother. He means everything to me and I don't know what I'd do without him. Please Zane just keep him from getting too hurt," she says with pleading in her voice.
"Of course Mia I'll do it. I'll make sure he's always safe," Zane replies.
"Oh Zane thank you so much," Mia replies. I hear a slight puckering noise that I recognize as a light kiss. "Don't tell anyone about our little agreement. It could mean trouble for the both of us."
"I would never get you in trouble Mia, never," Zane says.
"You're so sweet Zane. I'll see you around," she says before walking away. Then the heavy footsteps of Zane go by.
Star is silent. Once I'm sure the coast is clear I ask her. "So uh what just happened?" I ask cluelessly.
Her voice shakes as she replies. "I'll tell you what just happened. My mentor just got the ultimate protection for her little brother without even thinking about me! That stupid bitch lied to me! She never wanted me to win at all. And I believed her."
"Oh wow… well umm you know she's probably still gonna help you out," I try to say to make her feel better but she's not even listening.
"And Zane, he just agreed. He talked to her like she was some kind of goddess. He's just a pathetic dog, doing anything she wants," she says, her eyes unfocused on the wall. Then she just walks away, forgetting about me completely. I wait until she's gone before going back to my own room. Something tells me it's not going to be so easy keeping our alliance together.