Kai Morgan, District 4 Male: Training Day 1
As soon as I woke up I threw on my training gear and booked it to the training center. I wanted to be there early to scope out the competition. The only people there were the pair from Three, the girl from Nine, the two from Eight and the boy from Twelve. None looked alliable except the boy from Eight and he seemed to be having a deep conversation with his district partner and the girl from Nine.
I sat down at the biggest empty table, but not before filling my plate with tons of Capital breakfast foods. I quickly grabbed a fork off the counter and started to dig into the new food. As I ate my brain slowly wandered off.
Could I recruit the boy from Eight? He was strong enough and could fit easily into the pack. Would he want to? Of course he would, it's the careers after all. I'm surprised no one has asked to join yet. There's always an outsider who joins the career pack, and it'll be him. We'll save him from his petty outliner alliance.
"Hey," a girl says sitting next to me, bringing me away from my thoughts. It was the pretty girl from One, definitely another career.
"Oh, I didn't see you there."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"You didn't scare me just… nevermind,"
"Oh, alright." Angel says.
"I need to go talk to the boy from Eight."
"Why?"
"Have you seen the size of that dude."
"I guess."
"You're not being serious, right?"
"Honesty, Kai, the career pack should only be careers."
"Come on, look at him." I say.
"He's already in an alliance."
"Let me just ask him,"
"Fine, but if you get rejected it's not my fault."
"It's not rejection if I'm asking him to join an alliance."
"Whatever." She sighs, grabbing her fork and digging into her muffin.
"Hey." The girl from Nine says as I walk towards them.
"Hey," I reply before turning to face the boy. "Can I talk to you?"
"Sure." We walk over to an empty booth seat and sit down.
"Do you want to join the careers?"
He looked conflicted for a minute before a fiery look filled his eyes. "No."
"What?" I gasp.
"I don't want to join you guys." He says getting to his feet and walking back to his alliance. I stood there, dumbfounded, in his dust.
"What?" I murmured to myself as I turned around to head back to my table. Liz, from District Two, had joined Angel and they were laughing, presumably at me.
"Didn't go too well, did it?" Angel asks when I sit down with them.
"Shut up."
"Kai's feeling rejected."
"No," I quickly counter.
"Suuuuure." Liz chuckles.
"Guys I'm serious, that hurt."
"I warned you but no, you didn't listen."
"Anyone else you want to ask to join?" Angel mocks.
"No," I mumble.
"You sure?" Liz asks as Onyx and Misty join us. Onyx's eyes look dull and almost bored but it makes sense because he was reaped. I don't even know why he wanted to join the Careers, I mean he was reaped from an odd district.
"Hurry up and eat so we can go and practice."
"Wow, slow down turbo, I just sat down." Misty laughs.
"I'm just so excited to hold a spear again." I say.
"Aren't we all, actually what is everyone's favorite weapon?" Angel asks, "mine's a cutlass or maybe even a rapier."
"Wait I feel like I'm brain farting right now, what's a rapier?"
"It's a type of sword. A thin and light one."
"Oh, that makes sense." Liz laughs. "An axe for me."
"Ooh that's nice." I say, "what about you?" The boy from One looks up, startled that I was talking to him.
"Um, sword."
"Awesome." I say.
"I thrive with a spear."
"Same," I reply holding up my hand to give my district partner a hi-five. She turns it away and lays her hands on the table.
"So, let's talk business."
"Like a plan?"
"Yeah, for the bloodbath."
"I mean why not?" I laugh.
"Kai." Misty rolls her eyes at me.
"What?"
"We need to take this seriously."
"Fine, what's the plan?" I sigh.
"Obviously we'll have the cornucopia so no need to grab supplies-"
"What makes you get to call all the shots?" Liz asks, getting to her feet.
"Calm down. Misty. Liz."
"Stop it. Kai, you're too soft for this." Misty says pushing her chair out of the way so she can stand up and face Liz.
"I'm not soft." I say glaring at my district partner.
"Kai, you're the kind of guy that would do anything for his brother. Right?"
"How did you know I have a brother."
"You always brought her to the training center."
"Oh, right." I say and almost smile at the thought of Dylan. "Wait. I'm still mad at you."
"But it's not like you to be mad, that's why you're soft. It's not a bad thing and sometimes I wish I was softer." Misty explains.
"Whatever." I mumble.
"Now Liz."
"Yes?" Liz replies as Misty turns back to face her.
"Why were you questioning my authority?" I look over at Misty then at Liz. The tension almost burned my eyes so I looked away. The pair from One sat in silence giving each other looks that told they were enjoying the fight.
"What gives you authority over me?"
"I'm older and have better leadership skills."
"Says who?" Liz argues.
"Says me."
"That's not credible enough."
"Well. If you don't like that I'm in charge you can just leave."
"I will, I need to go find Allegro anyway."
"I forgot about him. Is he a career?" I ask as Liz turns to leave.
"I don't know," she grunts before stalking off out the door.
"Well, she's crazy."
"Maybe you are a little too." Angel mummers.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. I didn't say anything."
"Sure, I'm going to let that one slide, but don't do it again." Misty scolds as if Angel's a child.
"Alright." Angel says not completely sure how to respond to a girl younger than her bossing her around.
"Now back to the bloodbath."
Tyree Sternberg, District 6 Male: Training Day 1
I look over at Vienna and give her a look that she knows too well. The trainer had been going on and on for about an hour now about the technique of knife throwing. His words just kinda melt into the sounds of the busy training center. After all, most of the tributes had finished breakfast and headed out to try their luck at a station.
Vienna and I had watched the reapings three times, looking for threats or possible allies. There were a lot more threats than the allies but it was alright. The Hunger Games always have lots of big threats.
"Tyree." Vienna says waving a hand in front of my face. I look towards her and the angry trainer with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
"I was saying that it was time to practice the motion but it seems like we have to go over the basics again because you were not paying attention.
"No, no. It's quite alright, I picked most of it."
"Sure." He mutters under his breath, "I don't get paid enough for this,"
"Thank you, um, sir."
"Just grab a knife like your friend." He sighs pointing at Vienna who was taking no notice of us and positioning her knife back. She sent it flying through the air, right into the left arm of the dummy.
"Not bad for your first throw." The trainer says, "aim for this side of the chest cavity this time."
"Alright," she sighs, grabbing another knife off the counter as I stand and watch.
"What are you doing boy? Grab a knife."
"But I-"
"No, buts." He interrupts, fiercy pointing at the pile of knives on the counter next to Vienna.
"Fine." I say, taking my place next to my best friend.
"Throw your knife, then I have to go check on the pair from Three. They're getting way too close to hitting each other with their swords."
"Alright," I mumble taking my stance, "I don't see why we have to practice throwing knives."
"Just try it." Vienna mutters, letting go of her second knife. This one sails right into the right side of the dummy's chest.
"Nice." The trainer compliments. "Your turn."
"Fine," I sigh letting go of my knife. It strikes the backboard behind the plastic dummy and bounces off.
"Well, at least one of you can throw." The trainer remarks before walking over to the pair from three. Jocylin and Gage looked like great allies but Vienna disagreed. She said that neither would survive for very long. I tried to reason with her that we'd die soon if we didn't find allies but she won't hear it.
"Hey, he does mean it." Vienna comforts.
"I don't care about his opinion, I just don't understand why we can't go over and talk to Jocylin and Gage."
"Because… you know they're bloodbaths."
"How can you be sure? They look like us."
"Weaker. They're weaker."
"But there's strength in numbers."
"Tyree. I don't want any more allies. I don't want to watch them die. I can't." She says sinking to her knees.
"It's alright Vienna. Hey, we'll make it through this." I say bending down to comfort her.
"No, one of us has to die, and that's if we're lucky."
"Together or not at all."
"Together." She mumbles.
"We can do this." I say, but tears still well up in her eyes.
"We're gonna die." She gasps between sobs. I look around at everyone, they are all staring right at us.
"Vienna, hey, it's going to be fine."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because we're together."
"Together's not enough."
"But it is Vienna"
"It's the Hunger Games for crying out loud."
"But come on, we can do this. Together or not at all."
"I guess together."
"See that's the spirit," I say wrapping my arms around her. "We'll be fine."
"As long as I have you, I'm fine," she lets go of me and brushes away her tears.
"Well that was a lot of emotion," a boy from the back calls. I remembered him as the boy from Two. This year because of the Quell, the academy had not selected volunteers and left the role open. This boy literally ran to the podium.
"Shut up!" Vienna shouts and trainers start to usher tributes back to their stations.
"I wasn't lying, we will win together or not at all."
"But can't there only be one victor?"
"We will find a way we can both win. We will find one."
"What?"
"We can both win."
"What that's never happened before. That's like rigging the system."
"But it's not." I counter.
"It feels like it."
"Come on, have a little faith in me,"
"I mean," she says, "I do but how are you planning to have two victors anyway?"
"I have a plan."
Celosia 'Cel' Spring, District 11 Female: Training day 1
"Why can't I light this fire!" Sydney exclaims, throwing down his flint and machete.
"Syd, calm down just scrape more magnesium into your fire bed." I say picking up his flint and handing in to him.
"I've tried that!"
"Put more, always put more than you think is enough."
"What makes you an expert with fire?"
"Just watch." I say, taking my own flint and macete. I scrape a good amount for magnesium before sliding my machete across the shiny flint. My dry pine needles, dead grass and kindling instantly catch on fire. I put on some more kindling before adding a few small logs.
"Show off." He replies picking back up his machete.
"Nah, I just had to show you my skills."
"That's showing off."
"No." I counter.
"Well, do you think Sage and Elizabeth are done with knot tying?"
"I don't know, but why did they choose that? We split up once and they chose knot tying?"
"Calm down," he says, "Cel, it's just one station."
"I guess."
"Come on, let's go."
"Alright." I sigh, putting sand on my fire and leaving it to smolder.
"Cel," Sage calls once they see us walking toward them.
"Hey Sage."
"Do you like this?" they ask, holding up a long rope full of difficult knots.
"That's actually really cool." I say admiring the rope. "I thought knot tying was a waste of time but wow. This is insane."
"Thanks," Sage says as their face turns red.
"Well, I failed." Elizabeth replies holding up her rope. It was all messed up and strands were going this way and that. " I mean I definitely like weapons better."
"That's what makes us the perfect group. I know my way around the land, Celosia's the master of fire and knows everything about plants, Sage has got all the brains in the world and probably won the test, which will give us sponsors, and Elizabeth has the strength and isn't afraid to kill." Sydney says.
"True, very different but we all fit together,"
"We've got this thing. One of us will win." Elizabeth replies, "that sounded a little too cocky. Forget I said that."
"Can do." I say pretending to wipe my memory by wiping my forehead.
"I also wouldn't bank on me winning the test."
"But you're the smartest of the entire bunch."
"It was a test of your greatest fear. Fear isn't something I'm good with."
"Nonsense." Elizabeth counters.
"You did fine."
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see but for now what's the next station?"
"Weapons!"
"Fine. Let's go Liz."
"Don't call me Liz."
"Oh, I forgot that the girl from Two's name is Liz as well."
"Do you think it's short for Elizabeth and you were both reaped?" Sydney asks, "that'd be cool."
"I mean, it's very unlikely but maybe." Sage replies as we follow Elizabeth over to the axe station. "And she volunteered."
"True."
"Ready for some amazing axing?" Elizabeth.
"Show us how it's done."
"Like this." Elizabeth says holding up her weapon. She aims it at the target about ten feet in front of us. The axe sails through the air and lands pretty dang close to the center.
"Wow," I gasp.
"That's why I volunteered. That and the fact that my mom was being a you know what."
"Well, that's why we have you on our team." Sage says.
"I mean we're gonna do great."
"I don't think I'm doing this right," Sydney says and we all turn to look at the small boy. In his right arm he gripped an axe but the other was flailing this way and that.
"No Syd." Elizabeth replies, grabbing his arm. She holds him so he can gain his balance and I swear I see something in his eyes.
"Hey Sage, let's go check out the camouflage station."
"Alright… why? We just got here."
"It's more of Elizabeth's thing."
"Whatever," they sigh.
"Come on, slowpoke."
"What did you really want?" they ask when we're out of earshot.
"I think and I'm probably wrong but I think Syd has a thing for Elizabeth."
"What?"
"Yeah, did you see the look in his eyes?"
"No but…"
"But what?"
"Well, it just ruins our plans."
"What?" I ask, "what plans?"
"I mean It'll ruin our alliance"
"Well, I think it's cute."
"I think you're cute for thinking this alliance will last after feelings come out."
"But,"
"Cel, you've got to face the truth."
"No. It won't 'ruin' our alliance."
"Whatever, just promise that we'll have each other's backs, no matter what," Sage says looking me in the eyes, "please."
"Of course. District Eleven tributes have to stick together, even if it gets hard."
"I promise." Sage says holding up their pinky. I held out mine and gave them my word.
Sage has been the best district partner and I don't think I could kill them. I've grown close to them and wouldn't let myself do it. It kills me even thinking about killing Sage, but I know that one of us will have to die for the other to live, I just don't think I could be the one to do it.
I think I've brought light to all the alliances that are happening but here's an official list (most of these names will make sense in future chapters):
District 3 all the way: Gage and Jocylin
The cazs: Sunna, Ciara, Zach and Anne
Together or not at all: Vienna and Tyree
Who run the world? Careers. Who run the world?: Angel, Onyx, Misty and Kai
The kiddos that will rule: Sage, Elizabeth, Sydney and Celosia
Friends 'till the end: Lily and Abram
Not in an alliance (yet): Kinnik, Keir, Sasha, James, Liz and Allegro
A/N: Sorry for the wait but what do you think? This chapter was pretty fun to write and thank you guys for understanding that I really needed to catch up on reviews.
With that saying I hope that you're enjoying this story, It takes up a lot of my time but I really like it. And guess what? I've FINALLY decided on a victor and changed everyone's placements around, anyone can win. Tell me in the reviews who you think can win.
Oh and it's a good time for a check-in! PM (or leave it in your review) me the word ASH. It's just random but I want to see who's still reading. Also, thank you to Matts0688 for always reviewing and not missing a chapter. Reviews are what make me want to write more. TheUnchartedHollow also reviews, just not as often, I thank you too!
Other than that I have nothing else to say… I need to stop rambling and go to bed.
Bye for now,
Marie