Chapter VI, Capitol: Twist The Knife

- Six Feet Under -
The Twenty-Fifth Hunger Games

Training Day Two: Evening

Oscar Duponte, District Three Male

Oscar was not hungry for lunch. At all.

He walked obediently towards the cafeteria, glancing around at the other tributes. In the far distance, he noticed Amryn. Her face was fraught in concern as she chased after the two tributes from District Eleven, particularly the girl who strode farther ahead. Oscar's eyebrows furrowed, confused.

Did Amryn make an alliance with them? He couldn't help but wonder.

The brief feeling of dejection crossed his mind. He had hoped Amryn would've asked him — almost like brothers-in-arms — but that seemed to be a long shot now. Instead, he realised that with the revelation of their gifts and the sudden shift in the atmosphere, his mind had been solely focused on himself and not of one with a plan.

I need to think of something, Oscar continued to fret as he neared the cafeteria. I don't think I can do this alone.

It was unusual; Oscar had always been an introvert, solitary boy.

But now… he didn't think that was the answer.

The hot, succulent smell of roasted veg hit his nostrils as he stepped into the cafeteria. The large, oak table was spread with an assortment of food. The tributes slipped into their seats and Oscar found himself on the other side of Amryn once more.

He gulped his nerves, "Are those your allies?"

Amryn turned to face him, "Oh… yeah, I guess so."

Oscar nodded, his lips pressed into a thin smile, "I'm happy for you."

Amryn's smile teetered somewhere between apologetic and sympathetic, "Thank you, Oscar."

I don't want to be alone…

But can I trust anyone?

Oscar's mind was a foggy, hazy mess. He didn't know what to do. Harlan had helped in some way — as best as his fractured mind was able to — but Oscar had to be the one to put himself out there.

He had tried… really hard… but it just didn't come naturally to him.

His eyes scanned the room longingly. He had spoken to a few of the tributes, albeit in short bursts, sensing that everyone felt rather tame considering their situation. If they were scared, they didn't show it.

He pushed the vegetables on his plate around with a fork. He had no appetite.

You're going to be alone the whole time. All because you were too scared to ask Amryn to be your ally. All because you fear making an attachment to someone in case they leave you—

The fork fell against the plate with a clatter, bouncing onto the floor. Oscar sighed, leaning down to pick it up at the same time as someone else. His head collided with theirs and he moaned, pulling away and cradling his forehead.

"I'm sorry— I was trying to help—"

Oscar rubbed his sore head, "Don't be. I wasn't paying attention."

"I'm so sorry…" He heard the girl apologise again, seeing her through bleary eyes. She scooped up the fork and handed it out to him. "Here… I'll try not to crash my head into yours again."

That's when he finally paid attention to her, the girl on his right — short, dark hair framed her kind face and large, brown eyes. He vaguely recognised her as the girl from District Five, but he didn't know her name.

"Sorry… again."

Oscar's cheeks warmed up, "It's fine, honestly, you don't have to apologise."

The interaction was awkward but something about the girl made Oscar feel… funny. As if the exchange was meant to happen, almost like fate.

Her eyes shifted between his face and his food, "Are you not hungry?"

Oscar blinked, "Oh… not really. I think yesterday put me off."

"Oh, yeah, you're right. I completely forgot about it."

"Really?" Oscar was a little dumbfounded by that, "I guess it has something to do with our… powers."

I sound ridiculous, Oscar berated himself. He didn't know what he was doing and had no clue how to navigate the conversation with a complete stranger that he knew would be dead soon. The morbidity wasn't lost on him.

"I'm Elika," Elika smiled, "You're Oscar, right?"

Oscar's chest pulsated, "Yeah, how did you know?"

"Kozin mentioned that he had spoken to you already."

The blonde, curly-haired boy from yesterday poked his head out from Elika's other side. He grinned toothily, "Oscar, my man! I thought I recognised your voice."

"Kozin?" Oscar blinked, lost. He tried to recall the conversation but it came back to him in fragments. "I think I remember…"

"We were at the survival station," Kozin recalled for him.

Oh! "Oh! Yeah, I do remember," Oscar smiled, realising that Amryn could be listening in the conversation, "Did you learn anything cool from it?"

"I was never really one of those studious people. I've always been a dreamer rather than a bookworm."

Elika smiled between the two boys, as if proud of the connection she made. "Oscar, do you think you could teach us? I'm not really a book person either."

Oh…

Oscar hesitated for a second. Elika and Kozin stared at him expectantly and Oscar almost shut down entirely. They were still strangers — doomed strangers, too — but Oscar almost felt compelled to agree purely to not be alone.

It's not like I have lots of people vying for my help, Oscar argued with himself. And it's not like Amryn will answer… and I have to make an effort, otherwise I'll be helplessly alone for the whole time…

"Okay," Oscar let out a deep sigh, "Okay."

A part of him wanted to ask if that meant they were allies — but he knew that helping each other didn't necessarily mean a contract.

"Awesome!" Elika beamed, "We're also been trying to work out our powers and I think we've worked out Kozin's… wanna see?"

Oscar nodded.

Kozin outstretched his hand, "Let's shake on it."

As Oscar reached him, though, an electrical shock made his hand jerk back. His eyes widened in both disbelief and concern as Elika and Kozin laughed heartily.

"I'm so sorry!" Elika calmed down, "It's… weird, right? The whole situation is so bizarre that we almost didn't believe it until he shocked me earlier."

Oscar cradled his shocked hand until his lips finally peeled into a joyous, honest smile. "Yeah… it really is."

Myria Soretti, District Two Female

Myria didn't know why she felt so safe when she was with Geneva.

The statuesque, curly-haired girl was frightening in demeanour. Her eyes were constantly steady, face expressionless, voice cold but precise. She reminded Myria of the important businessmen that her parents entertained in order to flourish their business.

Haughty, eloquent, domineering. A piece of home.

Myria felt Geneva's gaze on the back of her head as she lifted the axe up in her hand. "It's really heavy."

Geneva hummed, "Maybe you've picked the wrong size for yourself."

Myria's eyes briefly crossed the metal racking of axes, varying in sizes, but she was already too committed to look stupid in front of Geneva, of all people.

"I'll make it work…" Myria hummed, chewing on her bottom lip as she stepped up to the mannequin.

The white, stuffed doll stood in the centre of the mat, still. Myria placed all of her focus into her hand as she brought the axe behind her head and swung it forward. The strength behind her was weak, and the axe barely dented through the soft fabric.

She frowned, "It barely did anything…"

"Can I ask you something, Myria?"

The question blindsided her completely but she turned regardless, "Sure?"

"What do you make of the others?"

Myria gulped, "What do you mean?"

"I'll rephrase it: do you think we work well as a team?"

"Can I be honest?"

"Honesty is all I want," Geneva flashed a chilly smile.

"I— I think we have a lot of strong personalities," Myria tiptoed around it, "I don't necessarily think we work, but I don't think we can't, if that makes sense."

Deep in her heart, though, Myria knew that their patchwork alliance would break at the first sign of insubordination. She knew her destiny was to be a guiding light and a follower, rather than a leader, and she accepted it wholeheartedly.

But she also knew that some people craved more than what Limos intended for them.

Geneva nodded, "I respect your honesty."

"Can I ask you something now?"

Geneva held her gaze on Myria as she placed the axe back on the racking, "Do you think we can make it work?"

"We shouldn't talk so freely about it."

Roman had drifted nearby, his ears particularly perking up at the girls' conversation. Geneva noticed immediately and stood up, climbing onto the mat and taking her own axe. Myria sat off to the side, cautiously watching.

"Ah…" Myria caught on, "I'll watch you."

Silently, Geneva approached the mannequin. She raised the axe above her head and brought it down in a singular arc, crashing through the neck of the doll. The cottoned head sprung off, bouncing onto the floor.

Myria looked over her shoulder. Roman had watched the whole thing. Oh no… Myria chuckled as he quickly walked in the opposite direction.

"Did he see?"

"He sure did," Myria smiled as Geneva sat down beside her, "I guess that was your plan?"

"He's a little too slimy to follow a plan. It's best he remembers that there is a pecking order."

Myria couldn't help but admire her so much. She was everything that Myria had wished to be but understood she'd never be.

Limos has better plans for me. Greater plans. Maybe even as a Victor?

Her heart sank slightly. Deep down, she knew that there could be only one Victor, one survivor from Limos' tributes. She also knew that Limos' plan was already set in stone. She had to follow it accordingly and accept Limos' wishes for her…

And that includes dying if I need to.

"I think we need to broaden our horizons, Myria."

Myria looked up from the mat, lost in thought, "What do you mean?"

"Our alliance will break at the first sign of trouble," Geneva's voice was low, cold — she was prepared for the inevitable. "I don't believe we'll make it out of training intact."

Myria pushed down the nerves from Geneva's grave tone, "What do you suggest?"

Geneva gazed across the room and Myria followed the stare. It landed on the girl from earlier in the day — the one whose punch shattered a dozen mannequins into powder puffs.

"Her?"

"Her," Geneva nodded, "You heard what Roman said: she's a threat. It would make more sense to get her on side than against us."

Myria's only concern was the fact that adding a complete stranger into their broken alliance would do more harm than good. But… she loyally trusted Geneva's decision with every cell in her body. Limos demanded as much.

Myria's shoulders tightened, "When?"

"Not yet," Geneva answered, "But it needs to be you."

Me? Myria was lucky that the alliance was formed by their mentors because, in any other scenario, Myria wouldn't have had the courage to do it herself.

"Okay," Myria replied obediently, "You'll just have to tell me when."

"I shall," Geneva stood up again, "We should talk with the others."

"About this?"

"Just leave it with me."

The two girls walked across the room, purposefully tracking down each member of their alliance. Roman was still loitering nearby like a bad smell. Sanjay and Ludwin were glued at the hips. Cosette was in the far corner, as far from everyone else as possible.

The six gathered in the middle, drawing the attention of most of the other tributes.

"Any luck?" Geneva asked, breaking the silence.

There was no answer. From behind her, Myria lowered her head in disappointment.

"I see…"

"So, we still only know the girl from District Twelve?" Roman asked, "Sounds like your plan was a miss, Geneva."

Geneva didn't rise to his bait, "Does anyone know their gift yet?"

And, unsurprisingly, nobody answered. It was bound to happen. Even if they know… why say anything? Everybody is out for themselves. Selfish people not thinking for the team.

Would I do the same?

"We only have one more day," Geneva cautioned, "It'd be wise to find out something before it puts us at a disadvantage."

"We're already at a clear advantage, don't you think?" Sanjay spoke up, "It wouldn't be horrendous if we didn't know about the other tributes."

Myria couldn't deny the flourish of annoyance in her chest. Why is he so actively against us? She couldn't understand it, but she also knew it wasn't her place to understand Sanjay's questionable loyalty, either.

"It shouldn't stop us from learning about ourselves."

The silence between the six was tense. Myria cowered behind Geneva's shadow.

"Otherwise…" Geneva took a pause, "Otherwise we'll have to question the integrity of this alliance."

Thiago Doherty, District Five Male

He had never felt so alone.

Thiago was despondent as he stood at one of the stalls, staring out into the abyss. All around him, the other tributes were finding their feet, building bridges and forming alliances to greater their own chances.

Thiago knew he needed to do that. He knew he had to form… something… with someone…

The thought made him physically sick.

He missed Elika, in a weird way. Ever since she had met Kozin and they had spent time together, she was constantly distracted and focused on that. Thiago suddenly felt like a spare, unneeded part.

I can't let myself get so down.

But he also wanted to be realistic as best as he could.

Attempting to distract himself, Thiago walked along the stalls until he eventually found a large, metal canister that took up way too much space. The silent man in front of it met Thiago's eye.

"Try it."

Thiago paled, "Uh— I'm not sure…"

In another life, it felt like, Thiago would've jumped at the chance to explore the unknown. He was reckless like that — throwing himself into dangers — but with the sickness, the superpowers, the fear that lingered at the darkened edge of his mind… practicality was reigning over it.

"Try it."

"Hey, I'll try it."

Thiago turned at the voice. Two tributes were near him — the pair from District Ten — with the boy right up front. His jaw was clenched, eyes steely, but he didn't look scared. Thiago couldn't help but admire that.

"Rafe, do you think that's a good idea?"

Rafe shrugged, "What do I have to lose?"

Once more, Thiago was a spare part, watching in on an alliance. He shyly stepped back as the boy stepped forward.

"What does it do?" Rafe asked the man who didn't respond. He shrugged, "Okay, well, strap me up then."

The door opened with a hiss, gentle steam rolling out from the inside. Rafe stepped into the tube-like interior and waited as the door was shut. Thiago watched with bated breath as the silent man turned it on.

The machine rumbled as steam filled the small, square window, and Rafe was lost.

"Do you know what it does?" The girl asked Thiago, looking at him.

Thiago shrunk, "No…"

"Rafe? Rafe, can you hear me?"

There was no response.

A few seconds — what felt like hours — passed as the door eventually opened and Rafe stepped out, skin red and blotchy from the steam. He blinked a few times as he stared at the two tributes in front of him.

"Rafe? Are you okay?"

Thiago just watched, nerves spiked.

"I'm fine," Rafe smiled, "It's just a steam room. I saw… some weird stuff… but it didn't hurt me, Niobe."

Rafe, Niobe. Thiago made a mental note. He had to start his planning from somewhere. Maybe it helped to learn the names of the other tributes just in case.

"You should try it," Rafe said to Niobe, "It's great for your pores. I feel like I've just had a hot massage."

Niobe laughed awkwardly, "I'll pass."

Thiago, do it! Talk! Be brave and bold and—

"I'm Thiago."

The words spilled from his mouth before he really thought it through. He held his posture, staring at Rafe and Niobe and waiting for something terrible to happen, as if it should.

"Cool," Rafe nodded, face expressionless, "I'm Rafe. This is Niobe."

Niobe smiled sweetly, "What district are you from, Thiago?"

"Five," Thiago's throat was tight but he forced the words out.

"Oh, Elika's district partner?" Rafe asked, "We've spoken to her briefly. She seems… nice, if not scatterbrained."

Scatterbrained? It's not what I'd use to describe her. "Oh. Yeah, I am."

"Are you alone, Thiago?" Niobe's smile was sympathetic.

Thiago suddenly felt so incredibly pathetic. He was brave and rash! Why did he suddenly feel so meek?

"I am, yeah," Thiago answered honestly, "I've been a little too distracted to really meet up with people and make alliances and stuff."

Rafe and Niobe lingered, sharing a glance. The pair of them seemed like completely different people but their time together had made them relate to each other more. Thiago could see it: from Rafe's flicker of his eyebrows to Niobe's expression softening.

"We're not an alliance, but—" Niobe smiled, "—you can always stick with us, if you want? Until you have a plan or find out what you want to do. I'm sure it's really overwhelming to be alone during all of this."

Take it, stupid!

"Uh—" Thiago choked on his own words, "Sure?"

"Don't sound too confident there, bud," Rafe snorted, "The offer is there if you want it."

"Wait— so you two aren't allies?"

The question was clearly an awkward one as Rafe and Niobe shared a sad, knowing look that told Thiago all he needed to know about their situation.

"It's complicated," Niobe smiled sadly, "It's just better to learn together than stress alone. Who knows what'll happen?"

Thiago understood that. His eyes scanned the room until they fell on Elika and her ally, Kozin, both joined by another strange, unfamiliar face that made Thiago feel even more ousted by the only person he felt like he knew.

I have to think about myself! Thiago reignited the fire inside of him. I have to banish the sad, scared boy and be myself again.

"Yeah… yeah!" Thiago boosted himself up, "I'll stick with you guys. What's the worst that could happen?"

Sakura Ishari, District Twelve Female

Sakura could feel every eye was on her as she walked across the mat, plucking stray pieces of sterile cotton from her black training suit. In the deepest crook of her mind, she revelled in the attention and smiled.

"Rack me up another one, boss man!"

The silent woman on the edge of the mat pressed a button. The floor opened like teeth, taking away the damaged mannequin and replacing it with another.

Sakura knew she should be doing more than just beating the ever-living shit out of the mannequins, but something about it felt… rejuvenating, as if she was reclaiming control of her life.

She walked up to the mannequin and stared at it intensely.

"You're going to die, you stupid piece of fabric," Sakura smiled, bringing her arm back.

A powerful surge rippled through her body, sending shockwaves up through her arm until it reached her fingertips. She felt so incredibly powerful as she sent her fist crashing into the doll's chest, caving it in completely.

"I'm so badass!"

She breathed heavily, adrenaline rushing through her veins. She could see a few stray pairs of eyes looking in her direction once more. Frightened, curious, amazed expressions.

Sakura knew she was a force to be reckoned with.

And they really see these gifts as a problem? Ha! This just made me go from the bottom of the pile to the top dog in seconds. They all need to watch out for me.

The reality of the situation wasn't lost on Sakura as much as it was ignored. She knew that everyone else had to die for her own survival — Sakura was also used to having to push through dire situations to find the right, glorious outcome.

She didn't want to be a killer… but her survival was her only, paramount concern.

"Rack it up again!"

As she motioned to go again, she realised that a singular girl had drifted upfront. She shuffled awkwardly on her feet, as if trying to get Sakura's attention.

"Do you want a go?" Sakura took the bait with a smile, "I don't mind sharing if you have something worth watching."

"Oh… I don't know what gift I have…"

"You're that girl from the large alliance, aren't you?" Sakura acknowledged, "The one that's always hiding behind the mean-looking one."

The girl's cheeks reddened, "I don't hide behind her…"

"Uh huh, sure," Sakura smirked, "What brings you over here then?"

The girl didn't immediately answer. Her eyes shifted nervously around her before they settled back on Sakura. "I just wanted to see for myself… up close… to learn how you knew your power so quickly."

Shallow confidence blossomed inside of Sakura. She was the first to find her gift and make it known. The first to really put it into practise. Whilst she didn't know the semantics of it, she knew that each punch only filled her with a rush that nothing could compare to.

And that rush made her honestly believe she could do anything.

"I just knew," Sakura couldn't help but sound a little cocky, "It's nothing more than that."

The girl nodded, "And you just knew it had to do with your punches?"

"Sure, why not? We can go with that," Sakura laughed, "What's your name, anyway? You never introduced yourself."

"I'm Myria."

Sakura smiled genuinely, "That's a pretty name. I'm Sakura. But I guess you can call me… the badass."

Myria chuckled, "So you keep saying, yeah."

"What's your real reason then? I'm not stupid. I know you're scoping me out. Your mean-looking leader makes it a little too obvious when she constantly stares at me."

Myria's hesitation opened up a whole avenue of possibilities, all of which Sakura saw in a blink of an eye. They were either scoping her out as a threat. Or, even better, as an ally. The latter seemed the most logical.

"What's in it for me?" Sakura asked before Myria could even give her an answer.

Myria was taken aback, "Excuse me?"

"If you were worried about me as a threat, you wouldn't so brazenly approach me… which makes me believe that your ulterior motives are for your own gain instead," Sakura smiled brazenly, unabashed by her apparent confidence, "So… again… what's in it for me?"

Myria's lips peeled into a smile, "You're rather astute, too."

"That's not an answer to my question," Sakura continued, all the while smiling, "What's in it for me, Myria?"

"Come and find out."

With that word, Myria walked away, leaving Sakura both confused and intrigued. She waited a few moments before hopping down from the mat.

"Hold the mannequin for me, I'll be right back!"

She jogged across the room to where Myria met back up with her mean-looking, mob boss leader.

"I've brought Sakura to you, Geneva."

What a good little sidekick, Sakura smirked. She held her gaze on the frosty, collected eyes of the taller, imposing girl.

"Geneva? That's a pretty name."

Geneva's lips were pressed into a thin line, "You have a rather beneficial ability, it would seem."

"It sure is. Makes me all kinds of threatening, don't you think?"

"I do," Geneva nodded, "I can assume Myria had spoken to you about the offer?"

"She was very vague," Sakura responded. The rush of adrenaline that spiked in her chest was a huge giveaway — she was loving every morsel of power that her new gift gave her.

Geneva nodded, "It's not a complete offer… yet. I'm planning ahead."

That only tickled Sakura's curiosity more. "Do I get to know?"

"Only if you accept," Geneva smiled but there was no joy in it.

Sakura hadn't placed any thoughts into an alliance. Only half a day ago, she realised the potential of her gifts and any lingering doubts of being alone seemed to vanish. Now, with an offer on the table, there were endless possibilities.

And I could benefit from them… if I could trust them.

Sakura knew she had to keep them at arm's lengths, at the very least.

"I'll consider it."

"I'd act fast, if I was you. The invitation expires tomorrow evening."

Sakura grinned toothily, a rush of excitement searing through her veins, as if she was dealing with the devil herself… and maybe she was. "I won't make you wait a minute longer, boss lady."

w w w. sixfeetunderhg. blogspot. c o m.

Questions!

Who do we like the most here outta these four?

Now that every tribute has been featured a second time, has any of your opinions on them changed?

This chapter marks the halfway point through the Capitol, but also, the second POV for every tribute going. We only have six more chapters to go before we hit the arena and I cannot believe it. I'm very excited to kill some kids.

Every tribute will get a third (yes, you heard it — a third POV) before we kill them off.

Please remember that things unspoken or unknown are part of the plot. We still have a way to go and I'm making sure I fit as much in as I physically can. All will be revealed in the second half of the Capitol.

As always, thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, and messaged me about the story. I really appreciate people checking in on their characters.

~Corey.