Breaking Point Sextet IV
Tempest: The 73rd Hunger Games
Chapter Sixteen
Train Rides Pt. 2
Ivy Deonso Virginia –18- -D7- POV
I wake up… this isn't my bed, I'm not – oh. Right. I was Reaped for the Hunger Games. And I was posing for pictures with Caden and then… now I'm here. What's going on? Where is here? I open my eyes. As I look out the window and start to become more acquainted with my surroundings, I realize that I'm on a train. It must be the train to the Capitol. But it's dark outside… I must have been sedated. Why I don't know, but that's the only reason for the groggy feeling and for the time difference that I can't explain. I wonder what time it is. As I sit up out of bed, I notice the clock on the nightstand next to me. It's one-thirty in the morning. Yeesh, it's been a while. I guess I should go to meet my mentor.
I walk into the dining car, where Sophia, with her red hair, blue-eyes, and twenty-two-year-old self sits. She was 17 when she won her Games, four years ago. Across from her sits Caden. Caden, quite the enigma of a boy. He's young, only fifteen, but apparently, he's been training for the Hunger Games so that he can volunteer. But unless he started training with supplies from some other shop, he's only been training for a year. He can't be that well-prepared.
"Ah, Ivy," Sophia says, interrupting my thoughts. "Caden here has asked to be trained separately. If you'd just wait outside for a moment, we'll be done soon."
"Of course," I say, and step back outside the dining car, continuing to ponder Caden. He's only been training for a year, yet he volunteered. Why? Almost no one from Seven ever volunteers. I don't know why he would volunteer for Clay specifically, after all, as far as I'm aware, they don't know each other. And if he volunteered for Clay, why did he ask to be trained separately? Clearly, Clay would have told him to protect me – I guess I'll just have to ask him. A second later, he comes out.
"You can head in, Ivy," he says. He avoids eye contact with me.
"Thanks," I say. "Hey, Caden?"
"Yeah, Ivy?" He looks at me.
"Why'd you volunteer for my fiance?" I ask.
"Because… look, Ivy. Let's get this clear. I don't owe you anything," he says, looking… sad, more than angry. Odd. "I didn't volunteer for your fiance. I volunteered for me. Because there's something I need to do."
"I see," I say. "I was just curious."
"Yeah, well… there you go," he says. "Bye, Ivy."
"Bye, Caden," I say. He walks away, probably off to his room. I walk into the car with Sophia.
"Hello, Ivy," she says. "Please, sit down. Coffee?"
"Yes, please," I say. She pours me a mug and hands it to me.
"Sorry for the drugs," she says, "the Capitol decided it was necessary."
"Of course," I say. "I'm sure there was a good reason."
"Yes, supposedly a high-ranking official believed that increased security was necessary. However, as this high-ranking individual made her decision rather late, we had a slight delay as additional Peacekeepers were transferred to us," Sophia explains.
"Her?" I ask, surprised. "I didn't think the Peacekeepers had women."
"Ah, I apologize," Sophia says, eyeing the Peacekeepers in the room. "The official in question is in the government, not part of the Peacekeeper Corp."
"Ah, that makes sense," I say, seeing her look that tells me not to push it any further.
"Now, Ivy, let's get right to it. What do you think can serve you the best in the Games?" Sophia asks.
"I don't know," I say. "I guess…" I think, racking my brain for possible strengths. "I have good reflexes. I can also generally be friends with people really quickly."
"I see," Sophia says. "What about weaknesses?"
"Well… I pretty much have no other strengths," I say.
"Gotcha," Sophia says. "So, I'm assuming you want allies?"
"Yes," I say. "I had sort of hoped that Caden might have been one of them, but clearly…"
Sophia nods. "I understand. Well, I've reviewed the files of the other Tributes, and I have a few who I think might be good matches for your personality. Right now, I'd say to try to talk to Chleo Afeall from Six, and Alora Bell from Five. But we'll see as I get to know you better. Speaking of that…"
Caden Toson –15- -D7- POV
I wake up, groggy and confused, and manage to stumble my way to the dining car, where the pretty Sophia O'Neill sits.
"What happened?" I ask.
"You were sedated. The train was delayed due to increased security, and you weren't to know until you were onboard," she says, in a tone that suggests that I shouldn't ask more. Looking at the Peacekeepers crowding the car with us, I see why.
"Okay then. Uh, hi, Sophia," I say. "Caden Toson." I extend my hand to her. She smiles and stands up, shaking my hand.
"Sophia O'Neill, although you know that," she says. "Pleasure to meet you. Please, sit." I do, and so does she. "Coffee?" She asks. I ponder that. I've never had coffee before, I've always been 'too young', and it's not something there's a lot of in District Seven. But I definitely need it now.
"Yes, please," I say. She smiles and pours me a cup. I take a sip and instantly gag at the taste, barely managing to swallow. Sophia smiles.
"Haven't had coffee before, have you?" She asks.
"No," I say, still trying to repress gagging.
She smiles. "I get it. Well, since you're not used to it yet, I'd suggest downing the entire cup in one go. Has the same effect, less taste though."
"Gotcha," I say, and take a look at the strange black substance in the cup, before downing it all in one gulp. I gag a little, but it all makes it down.
Sophia smiles at me. "Okay. Now that you've gotten properly caffeinated, let's get to it. Why did you volunteer, Caden? You're young, for a volunteer, and, to be honest, you're not nearly as strong as most of the careers. Even the girls."
"I think I'm strong enough," I say. "Besides, I don't plan to do that much fighting. And I volunteered because I need to avenge my friend who died in the last Games."
"Griffin?" Sophia asks.
"Yes," I say. "I need to avenge Griffin. My strategy is to try to get into the careers, but not do much, do as little as I can, until they start to break up towards the end of the Games. Then, I can use my ax, or my tomahawk, if I have one, I can kill the rest of them, and I can win the Games. That's how it'll work. Or, if there's an opportunity where most of them are going to die, like last year with that big fight, then I can slip away then."
"Gotcha," Sophia says. "Well, it sounds like you've thought about this a lot."
"I have," I say. "It's been pretty much all I've thought about for an entire year."
"I see," she says. "I'm assuming you want to train separately from Ivy then?"
"Yes," I say. Then I question myself. I remember the boy grabbing my arm in the square, tears running down his face. Take care of her. Please. Who was he? Why did he want me to take care of Ivy? Whatever. It doesn't matter. I don't know him, I don't owe him anything. I'm here for one thing and one thing only. To avenge Griffin.
"Okay then," Sophia says. "I'll do my best to get you ready for the careers, but remember, they might not accept you."
"I understand," I say.
"You should have a backup plan," she says.
"I do," I say. "In that case, I'll just have to go it alone and hide most of the Games, until the end."
"Good plan," she says. "Now –,"
At that moment, the door to the dining car opens and Ivy walks in.
"Ah, Ivy," Sophia says. "Caden here has asked to be trained separately. If you'd just wait outside for a moment, we'll be done soon."
"Of course," Ivy says, and leaves the car.
"Okay," Sophia says. "So, before she comes in, let's do a quick rundown of who the careers are this year…"
Once our career pack rundown is completed, I leave the car.
"You can head in, Ivy," I say to Ivy, walking away from her and back towards my room.
"Thanks," she says. "Hey, Caden?"
"Yeah, Ivy?" I ask, looking at her.
"Why'd you volunteer for my fiance?" She asks. Oh. So that was who he was. That's why he asked me to protect her. Because he wants her to come back. But I can't do that. I need to win.
"Because… look, Ivy. I don't owe you anything. I didn't volunteer for your fiance. I volunteered for me. Because there's something I need to do."
"I see," she says, seeming put off. "I was just curious."
"Yeah, well, there you go," I say. "Bye Ivy."
"Bye, Caden," she says as I walk away quickly to my room. I enter it and flop down on the bed. I know I need to shower and get ready for the Capitol. But I don't want to. I just want to go back to sleep. And what about Ivy? Her fiance asked me to protect her, and I might have to kill her. And if I do, even if I win the Games and avenge Griffin, am I just leaving another vengeful person behind?
Sequin Stafford –12- -D12- POV
I wake up, groggy. Odd. I look at the clock. It's around five in the morning. I must have been sedated. Okay then. Odd, but I guess it's something to do with why I'm on a train at five in the morning. I walk to the dining car to meet my mentor. A Peacekeeper blocks my path.
I open my mouth to speak, but the Peacekeeper holds up his hand. He sighs. "Look, girl, before you go in, I should tell you something, the same thing I told your partner. I've been on this train for the past three years, and every time, Miss Goodall verbally or physically assaults her Tributes. I would recommend you keep clear of there. If you're hungry, request food on your tablet, and it'll be brought to you. Once you get to the Capitol, I'd recommend seeking out another mentor. Athena Feere, Kayne Lytch, and Sophia O'Neill are always popular choices."
"Oh," I say, a little caught off guard, but not that surprised. Ginger had always seemed a little… odd. "I'll do that then. Thank you."
"No problem," the Peacekeeper says. "Just don't want you to get hurt." He pauses. "Before… you know."
I nod. I know. I walk back to my room and order some food on my tablet, before going to look at what attire, and, more importantly, wigs, the Capitol has provided me with. I've studied the Games a decent bit, I'll be fine. I do indeed find a drawer with wigs and settle on a bright red one for my arrival to the Capitol. Yes, I think as I look into the mirror, this should be perfect.
Erwin Reiss-Ferrer –15- -D8- POV
I woke up around three-thirty, groggy from the sedative, and meet a Peacekeeper in the hallway who told me about Ginger. It's fine. I don't need her advice anyway. I've been training for this long, I should be fine. Right?
Daphne Lockehart –15- -D9- POV
I wake up, groggy. Where am I? This doesn't feel like my – oh, right. The Hunger Games, the Capitol – and Imogen. Imogen. And that kiss, and – and I'm on my way to the Hunger Games. And I won't ever be able to see her again – and, wait, this isn't how it's supposed to go. I guess I should go find George, huh?
I find George Nemesis, my twenty-eight-year-old, dark-skinned, brown-eyed, and brown-haired mentor, who won his Games at the age of Twelve, sitting in the dining car, conversing with Osman.
"Hello, Daphne," George says. "Osman, I think our conversation was just about over. You want to head out for a minute so that I can talk to Daphne?"
"Of course," Osman says. "Pleasure to meet you, Daphne." He stands up and goes to shake my hand. I shake his.
"Pleasure to meet you, Osman," I say.
"Oss, please," he says.
"Pleasure to meet you, Oss," I say.
"The pleasure is mine," he smiles. "Well, I'll be leaving you and George to it." He leaves the room.
"Good morning, Daphne," George says. "I apologize for the sedatives, it was a Capitol measure, something about increased security causing a delay. As you might guess, Osman wishes to be trained separately. Now, what Games-related strengths do you think you have?"
"Uh… I don't know," I say. "I guess I'm fast. And I'm small. I could probably hide well. Um… I'm good at those stupid find the hidden object puzzles or the ones where you have to memorize a pattern if that'd be helpful?"
George smiles. "I think we can find a use for those skills. Let's see… I'd recommend you use throwing knives and a dagger. Weapons that complement speed and don't require much strength. I'd also recommend allies."
"I was already planning on that," I say truthfully.
"Good," he says. "I'll put together a list of possible candidates for you later."
"Wonderful," I say. "Uh, anything else?"
"No," he says. "Feel free to do whatever you want before we arrive at the Capitol, although I'd recommend showering and changing into one of the… more Capitol-like outfits."
"Of course," I say, rising from my seat. "Thank you."
"My pleasure, Daphne," George says.
Osman "Oss" Chürer –15- -D9- POV
I wake up and manage to find my way to the dining car on the dimly lit train.
"Good morning, Osman," George says. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, you?" I ask.
"Good," he says. "Oh, and you were sedated. Increased security, the trains were late."
"Gotcha," I say, sitting down.
"So, first question, do you want to train with Daphne or separately from her?" George asks.
"Separately," I say immediately.
"Okay," George says. "Would you like any allies?"
"Not really," I say. "I'd prefer to go it alone."
"Okay," George says. "If that's your choice. Next, what do you think you'd be good at in the Games?"
"I'm not really sure," I say. "I'm a farmhand, so I'm good at doing a lot of physical, repetitive, boring work without losing focus."
"Okay then," George says. "I would say a sword for you, maybe a bow if you can get one. You have the strength, and you can easily master the techniques if you're used to working on the farm, doing a lot of things in quick succession over and over again."
"That sounds good," I say. "Anything else?"
"Not really," he says.
"Mind if I just stay here for a bit then?" I ask. "I'm hungry."
"Not at all," he says. And so we sit, eat, and make small talk until Daphne comes into the car.
Lena Larsen –17- -D10- POV
I wake up on the train, tired and out of focus. Why am I on a train? Oh, right, to the Capitol. The Hunger Games. I vaguely remember a Peacekeeper slipping a needle into my neck. But why? I hadn't acted violent, I hadn't done anything that would require sedation – wait a second. It's the middle of the night. Or maybe it's the early morning, it doesn't really matter. Either way, the trains don't normally run at this time of day. Maybe that has something to do with why I'm sedated. The Capitol probably didn't want me sitting around, maybe even trying to escape, while I waited for the train. Interesting. Well, I guess I'd better go meet Kayne, presuming he's awake. I enter the dining car to find Kayne Lytch indeed sitting there.
"Hello, Lena," Kayne says. "Please, sit down. Coffee, tea? Something the Capitol calls an 'energy drink'?"
"Uh, no thank you," I say. "So, you're my mentor?" I ask him.
"Yup," he says. "I know I may seem young, but trust me… once you're a Victor, age doesn't really matter."
I nod. I guess I can see that. I watched Kayne, and although he seemed young in his Games, I also saw him mature. And it's been a couple of years since then. "Aren't you engaged now?" I ask.
"I am, in fact," he says. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," I say.
"Thank you," he says. Then, after a brief pause, "Okay, so let's get started. I think everyone can tell that you're not a big fan of the Games. Currently, you're not going to be very popular in the Capitol. You need to turn that around if you have any hopes of getting Sponsors. That will be in your interview portion though, and your chariot ride. Make sure you smile during the chariot ride, look like you want to be there. I know you don't, none of us do, but you have to act it, to play the part. You think you can do that, Lena?"
"I think I can try," I say.
"Good," he says. "Glad to hear it. Next, let's move on to training. That's what's coming up right after the chariot rides. What do you think you're good at, Games-wise?"
"Well, I'm not bad at unarmed hand-to-hand combat," I say. "I'm pretty strong, pretty fast, and I can climb things."
"Those are all good," Kayne says. "Although climbing might be more useful in a normal year." I nod, I can see that there probably won't be much to climb this year. "So, don't do any of those things in training. Focus on learning how to use weapons and learning survival skills, okay?"
"Okay," I say. "Show what I'm weakest at?"
"Exactly," Kayne says. "Make the careers and all the others underestimate you. Next question, do you want allies?"
"Maybe," I say. "I'm not sure."
"Okay," he says. "Do you want Kieron as an ally?"
"No," I say quickly. I probably don't want any allies, but never say never. Certainly not Kieron though.
"Okay," he says. "I guess that's about it. Feel free to stay until Kieron comes, and we can watch the other Reapings together, try to figure out the biggest threats." I nod.
And so we watch the Reapings together until Kieron comes for his training with Kayne.
Kieron "Roni" Woodward –18- -D10- POV
After waking up disorientated on the train, I went to go and find Kayne. I see him sitting in the dining car with Lena.
"Ah, Kieron," Kayne says. "Good to see you. Please, come in, take a seat. Lena, we can talk more later, okay?"
"Okay," Lena says. She shoots me a hard look before leaving the car. Interesting. I wonder what that's about. She is scary.
I sit down in the seat she had vacated, and look at Kayne. "Nice to meet you, Kayne," I say. I offer my hand, and we shake.
"Nice to meet you as well, Kieron," he says.
"Please, call me Roni," I say.
"Roni," he says. "Would you like anything to wake up? Coffee, tea, this thing called an 'energy drink'?"
"No, I'm good, thank you," I say.
"Well then," he says. "I guess we'll get to it. Why did you volunteer, Roni?"
"I volunteered because I couldn't stand the thought of that poor thirteen-year-old kid dying in the Games. Especially not at the hands of someone like Lena," I say.
"I see," Kayne says. "What's your life like at home?"
"I have a big family, my parents are divorced though. And the girl I sort of like sort of likes me back," I say.
"I see," Kayne says. "So you truly volunteered just to protect this kid you don't know?"
"Yes," I say.
"Okay then," he says. "Well, that's… very noble of you. So, you think you can win?"
"I do," I say. "I'm strong, I learn fast, I can intimidate people quickly."
"Good," Kayne says. "You'll need to learn fast, there's a lot to learn. I'd recommend a sword for you, maybe. You could use a bow too. You can try to intimidate the younger kids, that won't be hard, but most people are older this year. And of course, you'd never manage to intimidate the careers, and if you did, they'd just come after you sooner."
"I see," I say.
"So, do you want allies?" he asks.
"Yes," I say. "Just not Lena."
"Of course," he says. "She wanted to train separately as well. Well, let's go over the other Reapings, try to find some good allies for you."
"Sounds good," I say.
Clementine Fairtree –17- -D11- POV
I wake up, tired on the train, trying to remember what happened. Then it all comes back to me in a flash. I try to resist crying, but I do. I hadn't cried after I had been Reaped, I needed to cry at some point. I may never see Bryn again. Or Amaranth. Or anyone I love. Ever again. I may never even get married, and… yeah. This sucks. So I cry for a while, letting it all out. Then I remember that the only way to get home is to win the Games. If I ever want to see Amaranth again, if I ever want to see Bryn again, I need to win the Games. The freakin' Hunger Games. As a girl from District Eleven. Well, Athena did it, at my age too. I can do it if I work hard enough. Speaking of Athena, I guess I should go meet her.
I walk into the dining car where Athena is. She laughs, then looks up at me.
"Honey, I have to go. Clementine's here. Get some sleep, it's good for you," Athena says.
"Okay, okay, I will. You too," a voice says from the device in front of her. "I love you, 'Thena."
"Love you too, Alix," she says. "Bye." She taps the device once, it lights up once more, and a tone plays before she turns it off again and turns to face me. "Hello, Clementine," she says. "Please, sit down. We have coffee if you want, but I imagine that you're pretty used to sleep deprivation what with Amaranth and all."
"I'll take some coffee, please," I say as I sit down across from her. "Yeah, I am, actually – wait. How do you know about Amaranth?"
Athena smiles. "It's all in your file, Clementine. Congratulations on the engagement, by the way. Sorry about this whole thing."
"Uh, yeah, thanks," I say. "I'm a little surprised you know all that."
"Would you also be surprised to know that I know that your parents kicked you out when you were sixteen because you were pregnant?" Athena asks.
"Not really," I say. "A little bit, but a lot of people know that."
"You know," Athena says, "you remind me of me when I was Reaped. I had been kicked out, I was engaged, I didn't have a baby, but I had two younger sisters that needed taking care of." Okay, great, but why is this – "I tell you this because I want you to know that I do really want you to come back, okay, Clementine?"
"Okay, Athena," I say. "Thanks."
"Happy to help," she says. "So, what do you think you'll be good at in the Games?"
"Well, I'm fairly strong, I guess," I say. "I can climb things really well, and I'm not that slow."
"I see," Athena says. "That's all good. Definitely a sword, you could pull off a bow, or maybe a spear. We'll have to see how your aim is. What else?"
"I'm decent at puzzles, I guess," I say. "I don't really know."
"Okay, what about weaknesses?" Athena asks.
"Well, I have arachnophobia," I say. "Oh, and I have allergies."
"Well," Athena smiles, "I don't think that allergies will be that much of a problem this year."
"Fair point," I say.
"Okay, good," Athena says. "You seem like you have pretty good odds. You want allies?"
"Sure," I say. "Seems like it's generally better to have them than not."
"I agree," Athena says. "Okay then, let's watch the Reapings until Archer wakes up."
I nod. "Sounds good. Oh, and can I maybe not be Archer's ally? He seems a bit… unstable."
Athena nods. "Of course.
Archer Brighthorn –17- -D11- POV
I wake up and quickly remember that the Peacekeepers sedated me in the square because I tried to resist. Tried, and failed. I'm sort of surprised they didn't just kill me. That might have been easier. Now, if I want to survive, I have to fight for it. Time to meet Athena, I guess.
When I get to the dining car, Athena and the other girl… what's her name again? C something – Clementine, that's it! Anyway, Clementine and Athena are just talking.
"Hey, Athena, Clementine," I say.
"Hello, Archer!" Athena says cheerily. "Please, come in, sit down. Clementine, we'll talk later. It was a pleasure to meet you."
"You too, Athena," Clementine says as she stands up. "Archer," she says as she walks past me.
I smile at her and then sit down across from Athena. "Hello, Athena," I say.
"Hello, Archer," she says. "How are you?"
"I'm okay, pretty annoyed I have to go off to the Hunger Games," I say. "How about you?"
"I understand," she says. "And I'm as fine as I can be right now. So, Archer, let's get to it. First off, please don't attack any more Peacekeepers. We want the public to like you, not hate you. You need Sponsors, or at the very least to be popular with the audience to win the Games. If everyone in the Capitol hates you, you'll die sooner or later. You need to work on that in your Chariot Ride and your interview, okay? Especially the interview."
"Okay," I say.
"Next, what are you good at?" She asks. "You look strong, I know you've fought Peacekeepers and bullies before, anything else related to the Games you'd be good at?"
"I don't know," I say. "I can wrestle, that's about it."
"Okay," she says. "That's good. Anything else?"
"Not really," I say.
"Okay, what about things you're bad at?" she asks.
"Well, I've never been a very fast runner, and I can't climb to save my life," I say.
"I see," Athena says. "Well, you shouldn't need to worry that much about climbing this year. Running might be an issue though, but we don't have time to work on that. Just, run away from the Bloodbath like your life depends on it, okay? Because it does."
"I understand," I say. "I will."
"Good," she says. "Now, I think I bigger weapon would be good for you. Maybe a scythe, but a sword or an ax could work well too."
"I see," I say.
"Now, last question, do you want allies?" She asks.
"I'd prefer some," I say.
"Okay, well, let's look through the other Tributes and see who might be a good fit for you," she says.
Bethia Mayfield –13- -D12- POV
I wake up, tired, on the train. Odd. Must have been sedated. That's not nice of them. I guess I should go – meet Haymitch? I don't know, that old fool doesn't seem like he'll be much help. I guess I can try though. I make my way to the dining car, where Effie Trinket sits, looking very prim and proper.
"Hello, Bethia," Effie says in her ever so affected Capitol way. "I'm afraid that Haymitch has not yet woken up. He apparently decided that the slight delay in the train was cause to take a long nap."
"I see," I say. "Well, I guess I can go back –,"
"Nonsense, dear. Sit down and eat something, you look like you're starving," Effie says. "And while I'm not your mentor, I can tell you a few of the things I've learned from watching Haymitch."
"Oh, what are those?" I ask as I sit down.
"Firstly, you need to look beautiful and be nice and approachable if you want Sponsors. Second, that someone as young and weak as you will need allies. Third, Haymitch would recommend that you stick to throwing knives and daggers, as you're much too weak to use a sword or a bow."
"I see," I say, taking a scone from a plate and carefully taking a bite from it. "What else would Haymitch say?"
Foley Descend Ward –15- -D12- POV
I walk into the dining car after getting up and remembering where I am (and how much my life sucks), to find Bethia and Effie chatting politely.
"Please, sit down," Effie tells me. "I and Bethia were just discussing her strategy, we can talk about yours as well. Unless either of you has a problem with that?"
I look at Effie, then at Bethia. Bethia looks young and weak, but I can't say much. Worst case, I can always change my mind. "I don't," I say, looking to Bethia.
"Me neither," Bethia says.
"Wonderful!" Effie trills. "Then, please, sit. Now, as I was saying…"
A/N: Okay, so, that's the train rides done! Next is the chariot rides, and then training! What did you all think of this chapter (even if it was a big split and took a while!)? Any predictions for what alliances will form during training or who will win?
Also, the results of the poll are in. We'll be skipping Katniss' games to go right to the Quarter Quell after these Games. That puts our series outline as:
1) Heat (70th Games)
2) Shine (71st Games)
3) Paradise (72nd Games)
4) Tempest (73rd Games)
5) Love (75th Games)
6) TBA (?)
The nice thing about this is that I don't have to rename the series, as it'll still be a sextet! See you all in the Capitol! – JStar14H