The First Annual Hunger Games

by Callidora Medea

Following the Dark Days, the President of Panem announces the beginning of the Hunger Games. District 4 girl, Cass, District 1 girl, Silver, and District 7 girl, Oak, are all thrown into the turmoil that is the first Hunger Games, and must choose their alliances; decisions that can mean life or death in the arena. All intend to win. But there can be only one victor.

14. Chapter 14- Training: Day 2

Thank you everyone for reading my story and following it! I am having so much fun writing it, and I hope you're having just as much fun reading it. Don't forget to review! :)

Chapter 14. – Silver Bellcreek

It's the second day of training and I excel at archery. The unfriendly District 8 girl is also really, really good, but she won't talk to anyone. I actually have not one, but several allies going into the games; the District 1 and 2s have banded together, as well as Beade. Curia, the District 2 girl, is very good with the knives; Lar, the boy, is a bit shyer but is good with hand to hand combat, as is Glow. We'll make a good group. There are a couple other groups of alliances, I've noticed; the District 4 and 11 girls are constantly together, and the District 5 girl and the District 6 boy have a shaky alliance. Everyone else is alone.

I raise the bow and release the arrow, sending it almost into the center of the target. "Nice one, 1," says Curia, coming up behind me. She's holding a lethal looking knife. She holds it up to the light. "Nice, huh?" I nod and she throws it, hitting the bullseye with a quiver. "Nice," I say. She gives me a sly grin. "Thanks, 1. Come on, it's lunch time."

We claim our table and sit down, today's meal being a spicy chilli that is extremely good. "Look at those two. We'll get them first," Glow says, putting a spoonful in his mouth. Curia laughs. "Are we talking about the weaks from 3 or the weaks from 12?" "Both, of course. We'll get them both." The District 12 tributes turn nervously to look at us, despite being at separate tables. I grin at them. Beade says, "What stations do you all want to go to this afternoon?" I turn to Lar and shrug. "I dunno," I say. "Well, who's going to come with me to the obstacle course?" Nobody else says anything so I speak up. "I'll come with you Beade." Curia says, "I'm going to throw more knives." She gets up and stomps over to the knife throwing station.

"Are you ready, Silver?" Beade asks. "Absolutely," I reply. "GO!" I leap from my place on the starting stand and grab the rope hanging there. I swing out, landing on another stand, and from there I climb up a climbing wall, drop over the other side, crawl under a low rock wall, jump over hurdles, climb another rope up to a platform, and climb down the bars to the ground again. I'm breathing heavy as I sit down and watch Beade come down the bars. She collapses next to me. "Good. Job," I say, trying to catch my breath. "You. Too," she says back.

That night I sit on the side of my bed and look out at the Capitol, lit up with its colorful lights. "It's pretty, isn't it?" I whip my head around to see Glow standing in the doorway. "Oh. Hi Glow. What's up?" "Can't sleep. We only have one more day of training you know, and that's a half day." I turn to face him fully. "Don't tell me that you're getting nervous, Glow. Not after your bravado up until now." He shrugs. "I'm not nervous, I'm more apprehensive, that's all. I don't want to make a fool of myself, that's all." "You'll be fine, Glow. Don't stress about it." He gives a half smile. "Thanks Silver. Enjoy watching the happenings down below." He starts to walk out. "Oh, and Silver?" "Yeah?" "Good luck tomorrow." Then he leaves.