Chapter 2: Practice

Gale Hawthorne never had a positive opinion about the Capitol. Gale's great-aunt, Gita Hawthorne, was chosen as the female tribute from District 12 in the 13th Hunger Games. Gita had placed 6th out of 24. Gale's father had been killed in a mining accident, the same accident that killed Katniss's father. For most of Gale's childhood, he and his family were living on the brink of starvation. When Gale married Katniss, he was able to keep himself and his family well fed. This did not cause Gale to lose his hatred for the Capitol. Gale watched with anger every year as he saw kids from District 12 be picked and later killed in the Games. Most of them never stood a chance.

Now that the Capitol was forcing the districts to send 144 tributes all together to fight in the Games, Gale was even more furious. The Capitol had some nerve. Gale wanted to find Colton Snow and strangle him. Who did he think he was, forcing the citizens of District 12 to send 12 tributes to fight to their inevitable deaths? There was a slight chance that Gale's four youngest boys might get picked. The Capitol would just love to see a child of a District 12 victor participate in the Hunger Games.

Gale knew that with 144 tributes, the odds of any of the tributes winning were so low. Gale also knew the Career pack would be large, assuming all 36 Careers wanted to be in that alliance. But Gale was an astute and shrewd thinker. Gale had strategies in his mind to deal with the wicked schemes of the Capitol.

When Katniss told Gale about the plan she and Haymitch had to help their children, Gale was more than ready to agree. Gale knew that some training would really prepare their children for the worst possible outcome.

Gale had talked to Andrew, Brett, Peetel, and Greg about helping them practice for the Games. The four boys agreed with the plan. The boys walked out to the backyard of their home in the Victor's Village.

"Ok, boys", Gale said. "First I'll teach you how to attack and defend simultaneously with swords."

Gale then held up a spear he would use to demonstrate. Gale gave his oldest son, Gage, a sword. To show his youngest sons, Gale lunged his spear at Gage. Gage immediately blocked the spear and knocked it out of Gale's hands.

"Good job, Gage! This is one of the things you should do when facing a strong career tribute. There will be 36 tributes in the career pack, so be careful. If you can disarm one of them in this manner, that will be one less career to worry about."

Gale then picked up the spear.

"When fighting with an opposing tribute with a spear, use the spear to block any movements they might use against you. Let me show you."

Gale then lunged the spear towards the ground. Gale then moved the spear downwards numerous times.

"Often you'll see a career trying to knock the spear out of your hands. They might just try to stab you right away. But they would definitely like to disarm you so they can kill you when you're helpless. Gage, show them how it's done."

Gage moved his spear the way Gale showed him to.

"All right", Gale said. "Andrew, let's see you try it."

For the next five hours, Gale showed them how to correctly use the spears and swords, how to make snares and fires, and how to deduce which plants were poisonous or not. Though the four boys showed improvement as the day went on, Gale was still hoping with all of his might that none of his children would be picked.

Meanwhile, in the Capitol…

Colton Snow was smiling to himself and humming. He couldn't wait to watch those brats from the outlying districts get exactly what they deserved. Colton then set up a meeting with the head gamemaker, Jasper Crane. Jasper was the son of Seneca Crane. Seneca was the head gamemaker when Katniss Everdeen was victor. Seneca had retired after the 90th Hunger Games.

"So, Jasper, is everything going according to plan? Did you design the arena the way I told you to?"

"Yes, President Snow. There are a lot of lethal and deadly plants and animals in the arena for the 100th Hunger Games. Those tributes will be in for a nasty shock. Even the large career pack."

"Perfect", said Colton. "I want to make their lives as miserable as possible. Those tributes will not have a walk in the park. My grandfather would be so proud of me."