Chapter Twenty-Two.
Training Day Three, Part One.
Neviya Vavrick, 18 years old;
District Two Female.
"He's not up yet."
Neviya looked over her cereal bowl into the eyes of Tilda, her mentor. Next to her, Roarke's mentor Valerian stirred his porridge absent-mindedly, off in some daydream of his that Neviya had come to realise acted as his escape.
She shrugged her shoulders sadly. "He's not my ally anymore."
"I think it's stupid," Tilda said harshly. "This whole situation is stupid. I've spoken to Ailsa and Savoy and they don't understand why you don't all team up and kill the stupid psycho straight away."
Again, Neviya shrugged her shoulders. "Tell Destan that."
"Yeah well I tried going through his mentor too. It's a bust."
"Then what do you want me to say?" Neviya found her voice getting louder, angrier. "This is the Hunger Games, right? I'm not in some vivid fucking fantasy like Valerian. Does it matter anyway? Only one of us can make it out alive."
She threw the spoon down and ignored the milk droplets that splattered upwards and out onto the table. Neviya looked at Tilda who only gawped back and shook her head, closing her eyes. Calm down, Neviya. Deep breath. It wasn't like Neviya to get angry. Or lose control. Everything she was saying right now was definitely correct. She'd told herself time and time again, even before volunteering and meeting the girls and Roarke. If she wanted to win, which she did because she had no desire to come anywhere close to dying, then everyone, no matter who they were, would have to die.
She'd tried to mix her realistic mindset with the fact that she loved being able to just prance about the place and inject a little life into things. If she could still be grounded in her reality, then why not try to smile a bit? It's why she had loved meeting Roarke so much. Meeting Britta and Linnea. Even seeing some of the other tributes try to make light of the situation despite knowing their dark future.
It was why this whole thing hurt even more. And why she couldn't allow it to cloud her judgement any longer.
"I'm going downstairs," Neviya said, taking a final deep breath and smiling at Tilda. "Thank you for waking me."
"Neviya, I-"
She didn't let her mentor continue her tirade against this entire mess. All she heard was a loud groan as the elevator doors opened and Tilda's voice carry over the ding as she pressed the button. "Valerian you utter waste of space. Wake the fuck up!"
She laughed as the doors closed. It felt good to still be able to laugh.
As the elevator continued downwards, Neviya held onto the railing and admired the beauty of the open glass window, brilliant sunlight glaring through and lighting up the picturesque Capitol courtyard in front of her. There were people milling about, minding their own business, some groups who were probably tourists of the Games favourite hotspots congregating in front of the building. She loved the spotlight and the fact the attention was on her. She was a bit like Britta in that respect. The girl was nuts but fun.
Forget about Roarke. You have your allies now. Your friends.
The doors to the Training Hall opened and the positive thought about her alliance quickly shattered as she heard arguing coming from about ten feet in front of her to the side. The large alliance that had formed yesterday, the alliance Neviya had noted and tried to convince Britta could be a threat to no avail, carefully sidestepped the shitshow that was Linnea and Britta facing off against Destan.
Neviya sighed. When will this all stop?!
She swallowed the lump in her throat and sauntered over to her allies and the greatest shit-stirrer she'd ever had the displeasure to meet. She couldn't help but dislike Destan. Her rational mind wanted to be able to compliment him on taking the initiative but she couldn't allow herself to. She disliked him. Plain and simple.
"What's going on?" Neviya interrupted, speaking over an irritated Britta.
"Oh nothing," Destan grinned. "Couldn't help but bring up the fact that Britta said I looked ever so good in my training outfit the first day. It's even tighter now. What do you think?"
"Fuck you," Britta said, glaring at him.
"Someone's bitter. Had a wet dream over me yet?"
Britta glowered. "More like a nut-mare."
Neviya couldn't help but giggle. "Britta stop," she contained her laughter and tried to return to being serious. "Destan, I mean this as politely as I can muster with the way I'm feeling right now, but would you kindly piss off back to whatever corner you slunk out of. You have a grumpy child to babysit. I can imagine he's not too happy with the show from yesterday"
Destan's annoying, lecherous grin on his face dropped and this time he returned the narrowed eyes and pointed them straight at Britta. "You couldn't just keep your fat mouth shut could you? What did you have to do that for? Getting all these idiots riled up thinking they have a chance against him – I mean – us!"
Linnea just sighed dramatically and put her head in her hands. "I'm out guys," she started to walk away. "Girls, when you're done with this child, come and find me."
Neviya didn't blame her for leaving. This entire situation was starting to grate.
Britta rounded on Destan, beaming with pride at yesterday's stunt. Neviya was quite proud of her really. She knew that they would do whatever it took in the bloodbath to take down as many people as possible, it was just part of what they'd signed up for, but the idea that maybe the fear over Chancellor could be taken away from the outer-Districts and a sense of courage might take its place? Neviya thought it was genius coming from a girl she'd always found to be a little dim.
Dim in the most lovely way possible.
"I'm just going to paraphrase what my dear friend Neviya said." Britta smiled. "Piss off."
Neviya noticed Destan's fists clenching and prepared herself for whatever idiotic move he was about to make next when the elevator doors opened again. A bleary-eyed Roarke stumbled his way through, rubbing the tiredness from his expression and smiling sadly over at Neviya. He waved, something that he had a habit of doing instead of speaking to her anymore, but she didn't return the favour.
The pit of sadness in her stomach bloomed again at the sight of him. She could try to cut ties but it was a tie that was stronger than she'd anticipated. Something that had grown from her whole ideology back in Two. Why can't the world just enjoy itself a little bit more?
"Fuck you Britta," Destan shouted. "And fuck you too Neviya. We don't need you. We don't-"
Neviya's sadness in a flash was replaced by sheer rage. Without thinking, her fist connected with Destan's nose and he stumbled backwards, gasping with pain and shock.
As soon as the anger came, it was subdued and she saw Chancellor now stood next to Roarke, the two of them watching the exchange. Chancellor was laughing. Roarke looked horrified.
"Wow…" Britta seemed lost for words.
Her fist unclenched and fell to her side. "I … I …" She had no idea what to say as Destan scampered off to his allies, droplets of blood following him as he went.
"That fucking rocked!" Britta exclaimed, wrapping an arm around Neviya's shoulders.
"Yeah… rocked …" Neviya didn't share Britta's enthusiasm for her actions.
Forget about Destan. Forget about Chancellor. And forget about Roarke.
She had to keep repeating that in her head, over and over, never letting herself forget where she was and why she was here.
It was the only thing keeping her sane.
Bryce Hayfield, 17 years old;
District Seven Male.
Bryce didn't want to admit it to himself, because in doing so he was scared it might vanish instantly, but he couldn't help it. For the first time in a long time he felt happy.
He felt like he was being accepted.
Part of a team.
"You shouldn't hold it like that," Sinta said, bringing her hand round Celestin's waist and moving his fingers deftly over the shaft of the spear. "Like …" she wiggled his fingers slightly upwards and grinned, "…that."
When Sinta unwrapped her arms, Celestin's face went a deep shade of red and he stammered, looking at the spear which meant his fingers instantly slid back down. "I … uh … thanks."
"Don't mention it," Sinta said beaming.
"When did you learn how to hold a spear?" Altia asked, picking her own up from the rack. Bryce didn't mind the girl from Twelve. She was quite closed off but seemed willing to talk to them. Bryce wouldn't have said he was as close to her as he was with Teak and Sinta, but he was willing to give it his best shot. They were an alliance now. They would depend on each other in the Arena.
Sinta threw her spear and clapped her hands cheerfully as it hit the third ring from the centre. She's getting better, Bryce thought, proud of his friend. "I'm no Career but we've been coming back here since the first day. We're getting there, aren't we Bryce and Teak?"
"Hm?"
Teak was distracted by a book he'd borrowed from the wildlife station. He was flicking through pages and would occasionally point out something he took particular interest in. Sinta was always the only one to really reply to something he said. Not because no one cared, but they were all too focused on their own training. Anything to hone their own skills.
"Nothing," Sinta laughed. "Bryce?"
"I – uh … I mean yeah as a team we're getting better," Bryce said. "At spears."
His stomach was still uneasy about the whole prospect that they were actually feeling cheerful about their developing skill at holding a weapon. None of them could get over that surely? With every throw, Sinta may have acted as if she was calm and collected about it, but she'd cried last night about how scared she was and Bryce being the only one around, after everything she'd done for him, felt compelled to comfort her.
I don't want her to die. I don't want anyone to die.
Celestin sat down next to Teak after letting his spear fall to the ground with a rattle. His face started to lose its reddish hue and he awkwardly fell into light conversation with Teak about the page he was on. Altia continued to throw spear after spear, chatting occasionally with Sinta who remained nearby to offer some pointers she'd picked up.
Bryce watched them all. His mismatch of allies. Pieces of a puzzle he was delighted at seeing slowly come together. Maybe the Games meant only one of them could survive, but that didn't mean everything had to fall apart the first day. As long as they had each other, they stood a shot at making it as far as they possibly could.
Five minutes went by and Bryce smiled as Sinta walked next to him, quietly leaving Altia to her own devices. He felt her closeness and found comfort in it. He regularly still thought of Zoya and how much she would have gotten along with Sinta. He would have loved to have introduced the two to each other.
"I think we still have room for one more," Sinta said.
Bryce blinked. "What?" One more? He looked at their group. He was content with them because they seemed genuine people, but the number was still … well, large. They weren't exactly targets but … one more?
"She's over there," Sinta said, raising her arm. "Just one more. I think it's meant to happen."
Bryce's eyes followed to where Sinta was pointing and a few stations across from where they were, feet paddling in the pool solemnly, he could see Sheridan Sannah on her own.
"She was kind to us," Bryce said.
It was only two days ago but it felt a lifetime since he'd let anger fuel him on at the sight of Sinta on the ground in the wake of the monster from One. Ever since the girl from Four had stood on that table, he felt a little less scared of him. And now that he had a large group by his side, he couldn't help but feel protected from whatever hell Chancellor had in store.
"Let's go over then," Bryce continued. "We should ask her."
"You go," Sinta said.
Bryce's stomach flipped. "I don't think I can."
"Why not?"
"What if she says no?" Bryce's mind flashed with the possible rejection and he hated the idea of him being the reason why. He wouldn't say it right. What if she stormed off?
Sinta nudged him with her shoulder. "Don't be like that. You're a genuine guy, Bryce. You stood up for me."
"I guess."
Sinta nudged him again. "Go over. If she says no, she says no. It doesn't mean you failed."
Bryce nodded and compelled his legs to carry him over. At first he couldn't move for the nerves that twisted his stomach around and around. But for Sinta's sake and for their own, he knew Sheridan would be an excellent ally. She seemed competent. There was a strength to her that Bryce knew he lacked more than anything.
He sat down quietly next to Sheridan and tried not to flinch at the way she glared up at him. "Mind if I sit?" When she realised who it was, she relaxed a little, scooting over. The water was cool around Bryce's toes as he took his shoes and socks off. He almost felt relaxed.
"Doesn't take a genius to know why you're here, Bryce."
Bryce tried to confidently laugh like Sinta would have but it sounded like a strangled chuckle. He felt his cheeks burn. "Is it difficult, being alone?"
"Here? Oh no absolutely not – I'm loving the idea of fighting for my life. Just me, my sword, I'm sure we'll get along just fine!" Sheridan's voice wasn't angry but Bryce winced all the same. She sighed. "I'm sorry. If I'm honest – and don't you dare tell anyone – I'm scared. It felt like we had forever from the moment we were reaped but now the days are getting shorter and time just flashes by. The Games start soon. Doesn't that terrify you?"
Bryce wanted to be sick. He didn't quite place a hand on Sheridan's shoulder – something told him she wouldn't be receptive to that – but he budged a little closer to her all the same. "It's natural for us to feel petrified at the idea of where we're going. And we can try to cram in as much training as we can but we're just kids … normal kids." He laughed because what else was he supposed to do? If he didn't laugh he'd cry. "At least I hope we're normal. I don't know you very well."
"I'm as normal as they come," Sheridan said, laughing. "I'm actually quite boring. Again – don't tell anyone I said that."
"Promise," Bryce said.
He could feel the confidence of Sinta's trust filling him up with its warmth and for the last time he moved just an inch closer to where Sheridan sat. She didn't seem to notice. If she did, she didn't care.
"I'll ask only once and respect your answer. Would you like to join us?"
Sheridan paused, her face twisting with unease. "You have a large group, Bryce. Does that not scare you?"
"I think it comes with its pitfalls, but also its strengths. More eyes to see things, more people by your side, more friends."
Sheridan winced at the word and Bryce immediately regretted saying it.
"I don't want friends here, Bryce," Sheridan confessed. "C'mon man. Look where we are. We shouldn't do friends."
"Then just look at us as allies. Allies who will do anything to help you in the Games."
He wasn't sure if he'd done well or ruined it completely. As he stood up to leave her alone, Bryce was flabbergasted by the nod of Sheridan's head and the fact that she stood up to join him.
"I guess, for as long as we possibly can, I'll join you guys," Sheridan said. "You've got a good friend in Sinta, it seems. The girl doesn't stop smiling, but it's … nice." She paused and her face curled up painfully, as if a memory flashed by. "Yeah. She's nice."
Bryce led her over to her group and as introductions were made, he caught Sinta's eye and the nod that followed a smile made his heart blossom.
I did it.
He was feeling as good as could be expected.
For Bryce, that meant the world.
Shual Armenteros, 18 years old;
District Ten Male.
"And you aren't worried at all?" Shual asked Carys.
"Not really, no."
Carys might not have been, but Shual was. "It's the third day. We've only got a few hours left and-"
She laughed kindly, something that Shual noticed Carys had begun to do a lot more around him recently. "If you want an ally, go and get one. I'm sure there's loads of people who would be happy to have you."
The two of them were sat on the tables that were put out for lunch. Both were sweaty from their morning training and even though lunch was still a couple of hours away, they were taking a short break. Shual and Carys knew that neither of them would be allies in the Games but they'd taken a liking to each other.
In small doses, Shual thought as he looked at Carys. She's not exactly my friend but I admire her for what she can do.
"I've spent the past three days just watching everyone that I've forgotten to … well … I feel stupid," Shual confessed. He didn't like it – feeling this type of way. It wasn't like Shual. Never had been. He wasn't the type to allow himself the chance to feel ashamed, or upset, or distracted in any way. He'd always just kept his head down and done the best of what he could to achieve in any opportunity that had presented itself.
That had been his strategy going into this. Stick well back, don't jump into things but knowing the outcome was to find allies, and ensure they were actually capable enough to have a layer of benefit. He didn't mean for his approach to come across so cold and callous, but then again, he hadn't exactly expected everything that had gone on in the past week. Sometimes things needed a little bit of distance in their approach.
Carys on the other hand seemed happy enough to be by herself. He'd watched her with mild amusement at the way she'd tried to fill in every single station that the Capitol had to offer and actually been pleasantly surprised to see her tackle the survivalist stations with equal importance.
There was a brain behind all the curse words after all.
"Who's caught your eye then?" Carys asked, leaning back from where she sat, yawning. "Anyone you've deemed worthy of your presence?"
"Ha, ha," Shual said. "And honestly – I'm not sure. I think my approach to this has been all wrong. Most people now have someone."
"Not everyone," Carys said. "You've got the skeevy looking boy from Nine."
"He does not look skeevy," Shual said.
"Meh," Carys shrugged her shoulders. "He looks like he smells bad. A bit crusty."
"Charming as ever."
Carys laughed. "You could join the Careers? I'm sure the sadist from One would gladly have you as a dartboard to practice on."
Shual thought about what the girl from Four had done yesterday at lunch. He wondered how everyone would take it moving on and what may occur in the Games. He didn't intend on getting into any fights unless absolutely necessary. Anything to keep himself alive.
"And you've also got…" Carys paused, and as if on cue, a belligerent looking tribute – Nikos Rioux - sidled on past the two from Ten, waving with a smirk on his face at Carys.
Her face crumpled in anger and Shual moved closer to her as if by instinct. "Don't," he warned, quietly. "He's not worth it."
"I know," Carys took a deep breath. "I'm learning, don't you worry."
"Good."
She stood up, stretch her arms with a yawn, and sighed deeply. "Honestly the girl from Three, Albie, and her ally seemed pretty impressive. Much more your kind of people. On the same wavelength. In the actual moment of my little, uh disagreement, she annoyed me, but looking back, I'm glad she stood between me and that thug."
Shual's mind whirled.
"Just a thought," Carys said, striding away. "See you later!"
Albie and Armina. Hm.
He stood up and let his eyes scan around the room. Carys had told him about Albie and Armina and what they'd done. Or more what Albie had done. It hadn't surprised Shual when Carys had told him about her encounter with Nikos because every-time he'd seen the boy from Three, he'd been beating the living snot out of anything lifeless he could get his hands on.
Carys seemed to be getting better at taming those rough edges. Nikos seemed to be unfurling them even more.
His feet seemed to be carrying him forwards without much thought behind them. His eyes hovered over every station in his nearby vicinity and as he continued around the hall, after three minutes, he saw the two girls in question sitting side by side, sifting through berries and different herbs.
Good, Shual's mind immediately thought. They don't just value what a weapon can do.
Shual knew his brain was really his greatest asset. It was good to see other tributes honing more realistic skills.
He watched them from afar. Even though he knew time was ticking away, he couldn't get over the initial fear of that hurdle he had to jump. Something always kept him back. Something ticking in the back of his mind about the uncertainty of his choices.
He saw Armina nudge Albie's shoulder and her head tilted backwards.
Uh … oops …
Both girls turned around in unison and he was surprised to see them both smiling. Not exactly beaming with happiness. But pleasant nonetheless.
"Can we help you?" Albie said. "There's enough room if you want to sit."
Shual felt embarrassed and immediately told himself off for feeling so silly. He nodded his head with his own smile and moved closer, sitting down next to Albie and looking at the pile Armina had in front of her.
"Don't eat those," Armina's lips twitched uncomfortably, pointing to a small blue one in front of her. "I found out the hard way." Her stomach made a rumble and Albie laughed lightly. "Not again…"
She rushed off and Shual couldn't help but laugh alongside Albie.
"Is there not some sort of guide?" Shual asked.
"We have a trainer," Albie said, pointing to someone who stood off in the distance, clearly avoiding them. "And there's some books with interesting pictures. But it's not that hard to grasp really. Armina got a little bit impatient for lunch I think."
"They do look good," Shual commented.
"They do, don't they?"
He was astounded at how comfortable he suddenly felt. This was the first person he'd spoken to that wasn't Carys. He'd been so involved in his own observant strategy – to make sure he made the right decision – that he had allowed himself to remain completely distant from every single tribute.
He'd seen the drama from some other tributes, mostly the Careers, and actively stayed away from it. He'd seen alliances coming together made up of smiles and loyalty and had thought how silly it all was.
He was thinking in a way he thought was intelligent, but maybe he had to let loose just a little? Perhaps every step he was taking didn't have to be so perfect that the destination became impossible to reach.
"I'm Shual," he said. "District Ten."
"Oh I know, but it's nice to meet you. Albie from Three and my charming friend with the upset stomach is Armina from Eight," Albie said. "Can I ask why you were watching us?"
Again, that flicker of embarrassment which he quickly smothered. "There's only a few hours left and I feel like I haven't actually done anything with my time here. Nothing that's really mattered."
Albie nodded. "I get that. I try to be smart about things too. Sometimes way too smart. And then you get so in your head that you can't actually see the way out of it and the thing you wanted to achieve gets even further away."
It felt strange how easily Albie put that into words. He saw something in her that he saw in himself. It made Shual feel comforted.
"Would you-"
"Do you think-"
Both started speaking at the same time. Albie laughed, Shual gestured with his hand for Albie to continue, and she shook her head. "You go."
He cleared his throat.
"Have you got room for one more?"
Albie nodded. "I'm sure Armina won't mind a bit. You seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders, Shual. I think it's a great idea."
Is it?
Shual's mind immediately went to that question and he snuffed it out. He didn't want to think like that for the time being. When the Games started – sure. But for now, he allowed himself the chance to feel at ease for once.
"Fantastic," he said.
Armina joined them soon after and seemed perfectly content with Shual allying with them.
Maybe Carys hadn't felt worried about no allies, but Shual honestly had. It had been getting to him more than he'd cared to admit.
Now he felt at comfort.
His mind told him not to, but he did anyway.
Things were finally starting to fall into place.
Carys Lavell, 16 years old;
District Ten Female.
Truthfully, she was worried.
Very worried.
She was enjoying getting to know Shual as much as he would allow her in, but she hadn't wanted to admit that to him. It was hard – yes he was from Ten, but he was also someone that she had to remind herself every day was in the way of her getting home alive.
Across the room she could see Nikos hulking around and swinging a club at a dummy. She'd gotten so angry at him but also after the altercation, she'd felt ashamed.
Was that how other people saw her? She'd found her anger as a way of channelling her pain. It made it easier than actually admitting to herself there was something wrong. But she didn't want to be alone in the Games. Not really.
There was only so much she could do by herself.
"Back again?"
Carys nodded at the trainer who gestured to the dummies that he'd had to sort out. He didn't seem to mind that Carys enjoyed knocking around them all as opposed to just one. He seemed quite content with the company if anything.
As did Carys. Though she didn't want to admit that.
Her fists connected with the fabric and she felt all her emotions coming through the punches and kicks. It rattled around on its stand and as Carys felt comfortable in her strength, she did her best to distance herself from the fact that it wouldn't be dummies she'd be attacking in the Arena. Yes – the boy from Three, Nikos, had made her want to smack him round the face. No – that did not mean she wanted to actually kill him.
"I'd hate to be on the receiving end of that," the trainer joked as Carys took a step back, swiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "You've got a mean punch."
She jumped on the spot, left foot then right foot, feeling the adrenaline pumping through her body. "I know it's a bit chaotic. But I've tried finessing it and I don't think I'm that sort of girl. Dainty little slaps ain't for me."
"And they don't have to be."
Carys gritted her teeth and nodded, resuming her relentless attack against the dummies. She didn't really have much skill to what she did and had tried the past three days to pick up new ones. It was tough, though. Where actual thought and care had to go into the use of some of these weapons, Carys found that she struggled with that. Punching away and hoping for the best had always been more her style.
"Seems you have a visitor."
Carys barely registered what the trainer had said when she brought her fist round and lifted her leg up ready to kick the dummy. When a face popped up next to her, her heart leapt into her throat and she stumbled backwards, foolishly toppling to the ground.
"What the fuck!" she glared at the girl in front of her, whose mouth formed a perfect circle and she hurriedly moved forwards, extending a hand. "Do you want a concussion?"
"I'm so sorry."
She extended her hand but Carys was too stubborn to accept it. She patted herself down and awkwardly fumbled up to her feet. The girl was a little bit shorter than her, eyes bright and cheeks now burnt red with what Carys assumed was embarrassment.
Think about what Shual said. What Hale would always say. She thought of her brother and rather be angry at the girl, she took a deep breath and focused back in on the intruder.
"You got a name?"
She smiled. "Maisley. District Six." She had a bubbly sort of voice. Grating. But Carys couldn't get over the fact she looked like a deer caught in headlights. Innocent. Like Hale. It made her anger at being embarrassed start to ebb away. "And you?"
"District Ten."
"Your name's District Ten?" Maisley giggled.
"Carys," she stumbled out. "Carys Lavell. From Ten – I'm from District Ten."
Carys had no idea why she was acting like an idiot. Maisley continued to smile up at her and whilst Carys wanted to be suspicious of anyone just randomly walking over to her, Maisley's demeanour made it hard to have any ill-will against the girl.
"You on your own?" Carys blurted out. "I just meant – well it's near the end of training, is all." She shrugged her shoulders, trying to act casual. "Not that there's anything wrong with being on your own."
"I didn't say there was," Maisley said.
"Good. Glad we established that."
Maisley laughed and Carys found her lips stating to curl into the makings of a grin.
"And no," Maisley said. "I'm not on my own."
"You look pretty alone to me."
Maisley pointed in the direction of two boys that were busy talking at a station nearby. She noticed how one of them – the kid from Eleven – was busy looking over at Maisley and then quickly would snap back to his ally's attention. The other one, what's-his-face from Eight seemed quite content with whatever it was they were getting on with.
"Cute," Carys said.
"Castor and Ponche. They've been fantastic, honestly. But I just felt like we were – I'm not sure how to word it really – were missing something?"
Carys felt the worries of not finding an ally begin to eat away at her again and if she were anyone else, she might have immediately jumped at the girl and begged to be in her alliance. Anything to not be alone. But she was Carys and Carys found it very hard to do that. Her eyebrow raised instead as the girl continued to ramble on and on about her alliance.
As Maisley finished relaying her meeting with the boys, she took a deep breath and gestured to Carys. "And that's where you come in. We could always do with someone who looks like they know a little bit about fighting."
Carys looked over at the dummy that had been high-kicked into another. "No idea what gives you that impression."
"Do you know a lot then? About it?"
"Not really. Make a fist, extend your arm, hope it connects. That's the best way of doing it."
Maisley laughed again and Carys found her barriers beginning to shake. She was just a young girl – scared no doubt of their situation. Making the most of whatever time she had left. And despite all that, she could still smile and laugh. Usually it would irritate her to no end people being silly with their emotions, but there was a genuineness to Maisley. Carys couldn't point it out exactly.
"Well you make it look a lot harder than that," Maisley said. "Also – well I told the boys as well that I could get us sponsors through my father. That's what sort of got them on my side. I mean look at me. Who would ally with the youngest one here?"
"I don't think that's really fair," Carys said.
Maisley paled. "What?"
"No – not about your father or anything. I mean it's not fair no one would ally with you because you're the youngest. Age might be important in some things but you could surprise us. You might have something in you that none of us have."
"I doubt that," Maisley laughed. "But I'm happy to give my all for whoever is with me in that Arena. And I'd like to think they would do the same for me."
Carys couldn't help but smile at Maisley as her eyes drifted over the large clock that hung on the wall.
Ten minutes until lunch.
A few hours until training was over.
She had to make a decision and it didn't look like there were many options. She couldn't get past seeing her brother in Maisley, and something about that both scared her and drew her to the girl.
Why the fuck not? Let's go for it!
"Count me in," Carys said. "If that's what you're asking me."
Maisley clapped her hands and smiled. "Awesome. Let's go and meet the boys."
Carys found herself being led away by the youngest tribute in the whole Games. She didn't mind that. She was learning bits about herself that she hadn't always wanted to confess to but was starting to understand could not always be there if she wanted a chance at winning.
Those walls had to start to crumble, just a little at least.
This was the best way of starting to become someone that might actually survive this thing.
It astounded Carys she was actually confessing to something needing to be changed about her, but she was willing to give it a go.
At this point, she was willing to try anything.
Don't hate me guys for updating literally the next day. I'm honestly worried that the UK might open schools soon and if I have to go back into work, who knows what will happen with this story. I've genuinely fallen in love with it and I know if I get to the Games, even if I have to go back to work, it WILL finish. So sorry for the daily update but that's my reasoning.
Some more confirmed alliances! (in fact – I know you'll hear from Nikos next chapter, but I'm sure you can all guess he won't be finding anyone.) So here's the whole list of alliances below and they're also on the blog!
#1: Chancellor, Roarke, Destan
#2: Linnea, Neviya, Britta
#3: Teak, Celestin, Sinta, Bryce, Sheridan, Altia
#4: Maisley, Castor, Carys, Ponche
#5: Albie, Armina, Shual
#6: Henley, Iva, Damon
Loners: Nikos, Spelt
There is also another poll on my profile asking for your favourite alliance so please go ahead and vote on that!
For anyone interested, we have five more chapters of the Capitol left! One more training, one Gamemaker sessions, two interview chapters, and the launch chapter. The launch chapter won't have POVs – if you read the launch chapters in my last couple of SYOTs, you'll have a bit of a better idea what I'll do for them!
Long A/N over. Love you all!