Chapter 16: The Troubles Ahead

Training Day One

Silver Chase - District One Male

"People who do that sort of thing may reap what they sow, but they also destroy the harvest of those who are around them,"

- Alexander McCall Smith, The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine

WARNING: Lots of swearing with Silver.

"Fuck off," is what I said to my brother, Gold, as I left the District One apartment. I didn't need to see to know that Gold was glaring at me when I slammed the door.

After some arguing with my brother over what I should do and how to survive the Hunger Games - as if he gives a shit about me surviving - I wanted to hightail out away from Gold. My luck that I just had to have Gold as my god damn mentor. Fuck Gold. I don't need him.

Next to the door was Bliss Lustra. My redheaded district partner was crossing her arms, looking at me expectantly with her brow raised. "Family troubles."

"None of your business," I replied icily and walked pasted her. I didn't look back to see her expression. After that, I heard Bliss following behind me. Good. She should. I'm going to be the leader, after all. Very, very soon. I can taste it, the glory. Something that's been on my mind since Gold won. He had his moment four years ago when he won. Now, it's going to be my turn. And there will be blood.

One elevator trip later, Bliss and I were in the Training Room. We both came late since we knew about the Head Instructors' yearly warnings, and neither of us wanted to go through with it. Those are for amateurs who don't know what they're doing. I do.

The rest of the careers are in the lunch area of this giant-ass room. The Twos and Fours are sitting at the table. No doubt waiting for me.

One of the careers, the Asian from Four, looked at Bliss and me and nodded. "Good, everyone's here. Now, we got to get things straight."

Who made her the boss? I thought irritably.

The Four chick had this confident look on her, and I suppose that I'm going to take her down a peg. "First things first, we are going to have to choose the leader of this year's career group," all of us took turns to look at each other, measuring each other's worth. Nobody seemed all that eager beside myself and the Four girl. "Well. Anyone wants to take a shot at it?"

Here's my chance.

"Well then, I'll take it," I grinned at my fellow careers.

There was a pause when I said that. The others looked at me. The tall redhead from Four was uncomfortable, Bliss and the other Asian girl from Two - a noticeably pretty one, compared to Four girl's harsher looks - looked at me curiously.

What pissed me off was the pretty Two boy and Four girl unimpressed stares. The girl had the gall to scoff, "What makes you a leader, One?"

Her tone pissed me off, but I was capable of collecting myself and keep my cool.

"Well, first off, we are going to need to introduce ourselves," I said. Cause that's what good leaders do, I think. Whatever would win them over. "The names Silver Chase. And with me, as the leader, we're going to be a team that Panem will remember."

That should do it.

"Any relation with Gold Chase?" the girl from Two asked. I haven't stopped my scowl this time. Always. That always needs to be brought up, doesn't it?

"Yes," I replied shortly, glaring at the Two girl. She was taken back by it. The rest see that it's not a conversation I'd want to be brought up. Good to see that my point came across.

"I'm Delmara," informed the Four girl as she turned to her district partner. "He's Anet."

"Hello," Anet said shortly. Wasn't sure what to make of him yet, but he seemed more polite than Delmara.

The Twos then introduced themselves, the handsome blonde was Somnus, and the pretty Asian girl was Roxy.

"And what makes you qualified?" Somnus questioned pretentiously.

I didn't like any of the judgment from the group cast, but more importantly, I hated that I didn't have an immediate answer. So I instinctively said, "And why not? I'm the toughest here."

"Hmm," Delmara hummed. "Yeah, we're going to need more than that. How old are you?"

"Sixteen," I answered, giving a dirty look at her. I did not like asking these questions. "Age isn't relevant in the Hunger Games. There were younger winners than any of us."

"That's true," Bliss agreed, looking coy. "But there are many reasons why my district partner here shouldn't be a leader."

The hell is she doing?

"You're not even a chosen career, for one," she said. The others turned, looks of disappointment. And on Delmara, she looked absolutely disgusted.

"That doesn't fucking matter!" I spat.

"It does," Delmara said acidly. "You walk in here, looking like you own the goddamn place, and you didn't even earn the spot. Unlike the rest of us," she turned to Somnus. "You got reaped, not sure if you're an exception. You look like you had training."

"He was the intended volunteer," Ruby backed her partner up. "It's just a huge coincidence that he was reaped."

"Lucky me," Somnus grinned, but he didn't sound all that into it.

Delmara nodded at the Twos. She turned to me, "Any wants Silver as our leader. Raise your hand."

Nobody did. And my blood burned as these assholes were disrespecting me.

"There's also something else that most certainly must be mentioned about Silver Chase," my sneaky bitch of a district partner divulged. What could there be- oh shit, no? Can't be. Not now. "Our escort, Jewels the Blue Man. He told me a funny story involving our original volunteer. Something about Silver crippling him right before the Reaping."

And that's that. The ball dropped. The rest of the careers now turned to look at me with contempt.

Delmara spoke up, glaring at me with distrust, "I think I speak for all of us that you're not welcome in the careers. Any objection?" She turned to see, unsurprisingly, that no one wanted to do. Turning to me, "Good. Now get out."

I clenched my fists, glaring at every one of these bastards. "You are all going to regret this."

"We would regret having you in this group far more," Bliss assessed.

I glared at her the most, before finally leaving.

Walking away from the dinner tables, I shook with rage. What am I supposed to do now? What now!? Oh, I know. Revenge. I said they're going to regret not including me, and I meant that. Delmara's going to have her head on a spike and I'll disfigure Bliss. I'm not sure what I'll do with the others, but right now, all my hatred is going to those two bitches.

So blind in my rage, I didn't see the person I'd who I pushed with my elbow.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" the taller boy raged. I blinked, and I didn't have enough time to move away from the boy's unexpected fists from hitting me and making me fall to the floor of the Training room.

"Fuckhead, you got that," the boy with a number 8 sewed to his shirt warned, he also held up my collar. A tall boy with freckles and blonde hair. I remember him from the recaps. He fought when he was reaped. Sure, he lost, but he fought. And he does have some muscles on him.

"...Yeah," I started, then I said suddenly, "You want an alliance?"

The boy lost some anger and looked at me curiously. "Why would I do that?"

"Why not? Better some allies than being alone. Also, I want some kill some people here. What about you? Up for some revenge?" I asked.

The boy turned to look at someone. Remembering that this guy has his troubles with his district partner, I think I can relate. "Yeah," he said to me. "There's someone here I want to kill."

I couldn't help but smirk. Got him. "Names Silver."

After a moment, "... Marron."

And like that, I found my first ally against the careers.

Oh, anti-careers. There's a ring to it.

Moira Balise - District Six Female

"Mom! Dad! Is James alright?! Stop covering my eyes! Is James okay!" I questioned my parents, struggling as my father covered my eyes.

"Damn it, why aren't you sleeping!? Char, don't let her see!" my mother screamed. It's not as if I could have gotten any sleep after I heard my mom cry loudly from upstairs. Pretty sure the neighbors could hear her. But the 'why' is the question? Why were mom and dad not sleeping? Why were they so noisy?

What's on the TV? Was it some romance movie that girls at my school gossip and giggle at?

I'm 90 percent certain that my father wanted to drag me upstairs. And I was insanely curious about what my parents were trying to hide. A quick route here was to bite my father's hand at the best possible moment.

"Ow!" he yelped, and let go of me to shake his hand.

A few steps forward I saw what was on television...

James.

It was my brother.

He was floating. No. No, he didn't do that. He was drifting. Water was all around him. And- and he wasn't moving. He wasn't swimming either, which is what he's supposed to do when there's so much water. Why is he not moving?

My veins turn into ice as I processed it. My oldest, as well as, kindest brother that's unmoving on the screen. He went to the Hunger Games.

Something he told me he might not return from at the Goodbyes. Which means James has died.

I should be more saddened, shouldn't I?

Cause I'm not crying.

I should be, but I'm not. I want to, but I can't. Why am I not crying?

"Why didn't you two use to remote to turn the TV off?" I asked my parents. That's what made the least sense to me, that's what annoyed me the most. If they did that, then I didn't have to see my brother's corpse on the Hunger Games channel and feel so... empty.

That was seven years ago in the 165th Hunger Games. No one else remembers James but me and my family.

Now here I am. In the 172nd Hunger Games. Had the Capitol purposely chosen me for drama purposes? Did someone have a grudge against me? Was it all just unexpected improbabilities? Perhaps it doesn't matter.

What matters is that I'm here. And I'm not going to end up like James.

"Hello there, would you like to pray to Vailsha?"

That unexpected question got me out of my semi-concentrated, semi-melancholy state as I was currently in the herb training station - currently memorizing the useful poisons and healing herbs.

"What?"

I don't think I heard that right.

A boy, one from Three if his patch on his shoulder was any indication, smiled serenely. "I ask you, poor soul - if you wish to know of Vailsha before your upcoming death?"

There are so many ways to interpret that. Most of them offensive. I scowled, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Was this kid threatening her? It was so weird too, but nope. Tiredly, the Three boy put his hand to his face. "I think you're confused. I'm not wishing you any harm. I only choose to save you of your ignorance before your death in these Games. My goddess, Vailsha, is someone you should be aware of in the afterlife."

It's been a difficult time for me, from James death to the present day. For once, I don't know how to think about that. This... religion? Do people still have those? Apparently so. That's so weird. I learned about Pre-Panem superstition before, back when people used to live in huts and bang each other with rocks, but never thought about or believed in any higher power. The only power is the Capitol.

"What makes you think I'm going to die in these Games?" I replied to this misguided young boy (discounting the fact he's only a year younger than me).

He shakes his head. "Just because you think you'll survive this trial doesn't mean you won't die one day."

That's true, but I intend to live for a very long time. "I'm not interested in your religion," I said, going back to my herbs. This conversation is unwanted, so very unwanted. I'm not interested in talking to anyone. "Go bother someone else."

The Three boy - Dorian, I think, tried to remember's everyone name from the Reapings reviews - gave me a look I can't decipher and finally walked away.

And this entire day of training, I checked in the memory test station - learning about the elements and bugs was easy enough. Later, I went back to the herbs. I worked on the flammable types of leaves and objects, something that could do me some good. Even if I already know most of it. A couple of other tributes were with me, but didn't attempt any dull conversations.

There was a male tribute from Five who stopped by, but neither of us spared one other anything but a courtesy glance. Afterward him, Jaeden, my district partner, sat in the same station. I'm not worried about him bringing up a conversation; I made it clear to him I'm not interested. It would appear that he's trying to figure out how herbs or painting works, but he left after ten minutes. I suppose that he's not very bright.

The twins from Ten also came to try out the station. "Hello," the skinny pale girl greeted.

I closed my eyes in annoyance, What about me screams 'I'm a pleasant person so let's talk?' Fortunately, the twin brother put his hands on her shoulder and whispered to her. This stops the Ten girl from preceding to speak to me. The Ten gave me a warning glare - which I find more in place in the current environment. There's an 80 percent chance that he's the responsible one while his sister is the naive cheerful one.

Later on, my opinion on the girl from Ten improved somewhat. She's seemed to know a few things about the medical herbs and is the only one here to take this station as seriously as me. There's also the fact that she has a brother on her side - something that makes me envious. It makes me wonder what would happen if James had me on his side?

The two left, and they unintentionally emotionally burdened me. In any case, the two aren't rebels. They have a 1/24 chance of surviving like everyone else.

Now, as for me, I don't want allies. I find my social skills lacking as well as my trust. Three days aren't enough for me to make a concrete alliance with anyone. There's a higher than 50 percent chance that I would survive by myself. It's better this way. No attachments or someone with a moral compass dragging me down.

Soon after, the Four boy sat close to me.

He was playing around, skimming over the important plants and leaves like the neanderthal that he is. Does he think himself better than me?

"You know, my brother died in the Hunger Games," I started, surprising myself and the career. It was quiet, my voice, but audible for the Four boy to hear. "He was in the 165th Hunger Games."

The tall redheaded career didn't quite know what to say, he was silently staring at me. No doubt intimidating me, so I continued. "I don't usually start conversations. It's unlike me. But you know who won those games - two tributes from Four: Misty Seasand and Kay Storm. A sinking island arena, perfect for swimmers. It was almost as if they were guaranteed to win." I turned to him. "What do you think?"

He opened his mouth, and says, "S-s-sorr-ry."

I stared at him, and now, I realized something silly. He was scared of me. He was nervous being around me. I gapped, "Was that a stutter?"

In reply, he gulped and didn't say anything.

Snow must be laughing in his grave, what kind of career is he? On the outside, he's looking stoic and intimidating, but if one looks carefully, he's careful of me and is more uncomfortable here than I am.

I haven't realized this, but I should have. I'm quite intelligent and observant, but I let my petty prejudged against Four get in the way. This leaves the question: How would he interpret my words? Oh, I think, giggly. I can make this work.

"Don't worry, Four," I say. Grabbing a match from my area, I moved a little to his section of the table - I see the leaves that he left. He leaned back. "I promise not to hurt you. Much."

Lifting the match and moved to the leaves, I took a three large step back while the Four boy looked confused. Soon after, a blast of fire appeared and burned his arms and parts of his face.

He quickly managed to put the fire away, but that didn't stop the wary look in his eyes. Moving to a different station, I felt a little bit of pride and thought of my next steps. Maybe making an enemy of Four would certainly lower my chances of winning, but it might not. I could play an angle of revenge against the District Four tributes.

And something else. Something explosive.

A forty percent chance of success. It's risky, but what is life without a little risk?

Kalvin Kanstine - District Nine Male

I threw a spear, landing nowhere near to the red center of the board.

There are other stations out there, but nothing here fits me. Not the herb station, not the memory station, not the pool, and I'm certain I'm not cut out for any of the weapons stations. I have no experience with weapons at all. Nope, nada. None. And I doubt I'll be getting any better by the time Hunger Games come my way.

Looking at my surroundings, I see a few tributes going up and at it. There was a Three boy walking around, annoying people. The twins from Ten were near me, taking turns stabbing into a dummy. The others in the weapons station were the Five tributes - with the girl from Five showing some real promise with her sword skills.

While the girl from Five was impressive, the careers are better. The girls from Two and Four were here not too long ago. Their male counterparts were also here an hour ago. They were going to practice with every weapon here. Swords, maces, bows, whips, those star thingies, other stuff. I've concluded that they practice with each weapon as a scare tactic to intimidate everyone.

And honestly, it worked. That hottie from Two, she took care of that dummy with ease, beheading it. The girl from Four, the one with a sharp look on her, wrestled with a trainer and she took him down after ten moves. The careers are effectively telling us other tributes they were on another level. I always knew that. Course, it's one thing to know about it and another to see it in person.

If I ever fought a career dead on, I would be killed. Good thing I'm not that stupid.

After all, I am planning on making it out of this. Not that it's going to be easy, but... I got to try at least. I volunteered, saving my brother, making a great first impression in front of Panem, and I have to find a way to keep this momentum I have.

Some other group was moving past and I saw Daisy walking alongside the crippled boy from Seven. Talking and laughing, pretending that they weren't sheep meant for the slaughter. Snow dam you Daisy, you idiot, I thought. She wants to help the dead weight. Because of freaking course, she does. She's going to get killed!

I grimaced at that. I shouldn't care. But the time we spent after we left District Nine left an impression on me.

"You know you're going to die, right?" I asked Daisy. We were in the dining cart. Paprika Riverbreath, our mentor, went out to the next cart. Most likely crying after hearing Daisy's wish. "I mean, I get you're small, but what you want is stupid. You're going to die."

"Maybe," Daisy says. She had a sad smile on her. "But I stand by what I said - I'm not going to kill anyone. I'm not going to let anyone die around me either."

Snorting, I said, "Good luck telling the careers that. You think they're just going to stop because you told them so."

"You don't know if you don't try," Daisy shot back.

"I don't have to try. I know what you're saying is a stupid idea. Playing hero is going to get you killed - don't you know that?"

Daisy quieted after that. Hopefully, she's mulling over the fact that she wants to protect and help people over survival is the most outrageous and stupid idea ever thought of entering the Hunger Games. "Yeah, you and Paprika said so. And you're probably right. No, you are right," Daisy looked at me. "But that doesn't mean I have to change who I am. I choose this. I choose to save a life, and I have no regrets about that. And I'm not going to have more regrets when I choose to save another life."

"Why?"

"Why did you choose to save your brother?" she shot back.

"That's different," I said, annoyed she brought up Max. "He's my brother. I care about him."

Well, that's not the only reason I volunteered. Getting some glory is another. Have always been trying to get a little cry for attention, now I'm going to be in front of the whole country.

"And I care about everyone," Daisy said softly, I opened my mouth, but she hastened to say, "Except Snow. Sometimes it's too late to save monsters. I know that much, but some people need help... and I can't stop myself from helping."

I stared at my district partner and fellow volunteer. Wondering how a person can think as she can. "You're fucking unbelievable."

"Language," she chastised.

Well, least she knows that there are exceptions, but still, she's... stupidly altruistic. No concern for her safety. I have no doubt she's going die, and I wish it didn't bother me as much as it should. She's as nice as the stories I've heard from some others. I always thought people in the CCF should just do their own, but well Daisy... well, she made me gain some amount of respect for what they're trying to do in District Nine.

The younger girl was nice, didn't treat me badly despite me mocking her beliefs, and actually laughed at my jokes. It was hard resisting some amount of sentiment for her. I see now sitting next to Daisy and the Seven kid was the girl from Seven. Looks like Daisy's got a whole group already. Good for her.

I looked away. Now, I'm focusing on my target, I got a spear ready and aimed for the red spot.

Throwing it with all my might, I... managed to get the spot! Talk about luck!

"That was a good throw," a voice next to me said.

Two tributes came up to me. Both of them blonde, taller than me, and I know these two guys are from One and Eight. Why is the One guy here? Guess something went wrong with him and the careers.

"The name's Silver," One greeted with a grin, then he pointed at Eight with his thumb. "He's Marron. We are currently looking for people to recruit for our alliance."

Meaning that they are interested in recruiting me. It's possible they were expecting me to be skilled.

"Names' Kalvin. Just so you know, that was a lucky shot. I'm not skilled or anything," I said honestly.

Marron grunted, but he smiled, "In that case, you'd be a good human shield."

Rude.

It doesn't help that Silver laughed at that. He didn't look concerned at my glare and kept his own bullshit attitude, "It was a good joke. But anyway, how about you'd join us? We could always use another guy?"

"What would happen if I refuse?"

"In that case, I guess we know who we're gunning for first," replied Silver, leaving it clear who they meant.

Laughing the implied threat off, I said nervously, "You guys sure you want to do that. Pretty sure I'm a bit of wasted effort."

Silver was laughing himself and looked at Marron, "The balls on this guy." He looked back at me. "Yeah, maybe, we are the Anti-careers here. Don't you think that maybe it would be in your favor to join up with us? Sponsors do love the underdogs."

That was a fair point. Paprika did say sponsors help a lot (not that she had any in her Games). Whatever, it's clear that these two dirtbags are trying to use me, not even hiding that from me. It makes them more reliable in my eyes, they're not pretending to be friends. And really, friends are the last thing I need in these Games.

There's also something else, while they think I'm some servant, they won't be aware I'm the one that's going to use them.

"Alright, I'm in," I nodded and shook hands with Silver. He had a tight grip.

"Just remember who's in charge," he pleasantly warned. "Now, I've also been eyeing the Fives for a while. And well, I know the guy is related to a Victor. And from what we're seeing, the girl can hold her own."

"I wouldn't mind having a girl in the group," Marron decided. And while I also don't want a sausage party, I don't like the way he was leering at the girl from Five.

If the Five's joined up with us, it would bring us some extra sponsors. Also, I could use some others in the group to counterbalance against Marron and Silver. I don't need either of these guys breathing down my neck every step of the way.

The Anti-career's moved towards the Fives. The boy from the Five stopped swinging his sword at the scratched dummy and looked at us approaching him and his district partner.

"So, what do the three stooges want?" The girl taunted, but I get the feeling she already knew. Also, rather insulted. Marron seems to have taken that worse, seeing that he's turned a bit red. Thankfully, Silver spoke first, putting a hand on Marron's shoulder.

"We are the Anti-career alliance," the boy with a 1 stamped on his uniform said, doing the same polite but cold smile. "We are looking for some fighters in the group. You two interested?"

"Oh, sure, let me think this through," the girl said. She put her hand on her chin, putting on a faux impression that she's thinking. "How about no."

And now Silver looks at her angrily. She just puts on an uncaring expression when both Silver and Marron glare at her. Kinda like it, no lie. And well, I can't blame her for not joining these two bullies. I did it cause I know what I'm getting into, and hopefully, it'll pay off.

"Zyra, maybe we should join these guys?" her district partner asked. Five boy was interested, at least.

The Five girl - Zyra, that's her name - looked at him in disappointment. "Seriously Volt, we can do better this a gang of thugs. They look like they belong in a District Six back-alley drug deal."

"Uncalled for," I say easily. I'm not offended as the other two. It was even kinda funny."

"Don't care."

Zyra wasn't even looking at me, but again, not very offended. Just waiting to see how this goes. Volt then brings up, "But they're the anti-careers. Imagine the sponsors and the fame they would get."

The younger kid looked hopeful and certain, but she was more cynical, "And a target on our backs. Careers would be gunning for them."

Volt hesitated there, but only for a second, "So? The careers will be looking for everyone anyway. May as well join the team responsible for bringing them down," he then smirked cockily, "Plus, I already got a plan to take them down."

Well, that got our interest.

"What would that be?" I questioned.

"Not to brag, but I'm a bit of an inventor," the boy from Five totally bragged. "I can make a little electric trap set. Paralyze them and stuff."

Silver grinned along, "And if you join the anti-careers, you'll get the sponsors to get the items you need to make this trap."

It's clear that Volt is going to join now because of the conversation. Problem is, there's still Zyra who doesn't want anything to do with us. The girl from Five asked Volt, "You sure about this, Volt? I mean, pretty sure the One guy got kicked out of the careers," and she sneered at Marron. "And I certainly remember your temper tantrum at the Reapings."

"I'm sure," Volt says with certainty. "Guessing you're not joining. I like to think my plan doesn't sound bad."

"It's not the idea, it's ambitious, sure, but not bad. More concerned with the group," Zyra glared at the rest of us. "I'll get going then. Good luck Volt."

And then, she went to some other station. Not that it mattered anymore. This little group was growing, and now we got a gadgeteer. And well, having Volt around would even things out if the two jocks here decided to go against me.

"Screw that skank," Silver insulted.

"Uppity bitch," Marron followed, glaring at her.

Silver faced Volt, who didn't look appreciative of their comments. "Well, who needs her, your plan is going to get us far. Also, I should tell you I'm the leader. Remember that. And don't betray me. Else I'll kill you. Got that?"

Volt nodded, "Got it."

That pacified Marron and Silver. Trying to show this group wasn't filled with assholes, I put my hand up for the newest member of the alliance, "The name's Kalvin. Let me just say, I'm very glad you're here. We need all the help we can get."

"Glad to be of help," he said and shook my hand. Was he regretting this decision? If he was, it's too late now.

This alliance isn't perfect, I'll be the first to admit that. But at least this group is eager to win.

By any means necessary.

A/N: OMG, I'm sorry for my very late chapter. I have no excuse. No excuse at all. I can only hope I can get one review from someone. I wonder if anyone even remembers this SYOT or not? Probably not.

-/Alliances/-

Careers: Bliss Lustra(D1F), Roxy Flint(D2F), Somnus Marbrand(D2M), Delmara Lum(D4F), Anet Bennet(D5M)

Anti-careers: Silver Chase(D1M), Volt Nightingale(D5M), Marron Deinan(D8M), Kalvin Kanstine(D9M)

The Ten Twins: Doe Adler(D10F), Buck Adler(D10M)

Helpful and Cheerful: Taliah Marik(D7F), Aspen Wolfe(D7M), Daisy Grove(D9F)

The Elevens: Calliope Germaine(D11F), Cristian Moldovan(D11M)

Loners: And eight other tributes without alliances so far