Training Day 2
Harrison Jones, 17, District 11
During the second day of training, I spent more time tribute-watching than practicing. I practiced hand to hand combat, learning how to use a variety of weapons from swords to maces to scythes. While I appreciate the skills I'm gaining, I only chose this station because it's conveniently positioned in the middle of the training room, giving me plenty of view to every other tribute in this room.
From what I've gathered, many have allied already. Most alliances look pretty pathetic. I tried to ally with Seia, but she refused. I was angry at first, what position does she think she's in where she can deny allying with someone like me? She won't stand a chance out there alone and I know she knows it.
It took me longer than I'd like to admit to realize, what do I need her for? I should aim bigger. I only have one shot at this, I should go all out.
I set the sword down and I watch the Career tributes group gather up to talk, like they do every few hours. They've even pulled in some outer tribute. I haven't been able to figure out why. From what I can tell, she doesn't bring anything to the table. I think it's time to play my cards.
I wait for most of the group to disperse before I walk over.
By the time I reach them, the only two left are the pair from Two. The girl, Tatiana, notices me first.
"What do you want?" She asks instinctually. That's when the boy, Franz, turns to look at me as well. I focus my attention on Tatiana, though.
"I want to join you." I say, mustering as much confidence as possible. I'm confident my tone is as I intended, based on Tatiana's reaction. She crosses her arms, and takes me in. Franz turns to Tatiana, but she doesn't reciprocate. Her attention is fully devoted to me.
"You must have a death wish." She says, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder. I laugh.
"Oh, but quite the opposite actually. A death wish would be going into this arena by myself. Or teaming up with…anyone else." I gesture towards the team of young girls that have been glued to the survival stations all day. Even with an alliance on their side, I'm sure I could take all three of them by myself. I'm sure Tatiana feels the same way.
"Funny, but the answer is no." Tatiana starts to walk away from me, but I can't let her. This is my one shot, and she's my best chance at getting what I want.
I grab her shoulder and she jumps around, daggers in her eyes. Franz grabs my wrist tightly and pulls it away from her.
"Don't touch her." He says. I try to pull my hand out of his grasp, but he's strong. I hide the pain.
"It's fine, Franz." She says. With that, he lets me go. By now, we've attracted an audience. I don't care. I need to do this.
"Look. It's no doubt the Career pack is strong this year. But can't you see how pairs are already forming up? Haven't you noticed Jade and Marissa spending every moment with one another? Or Henry's naivety? Do you really trust Taliesin to have your back?" I can't tell what shocked her more, how much I knew about her alliance or how she knows I'm right.
"Tatiana-" Franz starts, but she raises her hand to stop him.
"If we let you in, how do I know you won't just kill us the second the bloodbath is over?" She asks. I hold my head up and smile. I have her where I want her.
"When it comes down to it, do you really trust your own allies wouldn't do the same? Have me on your side, and we'll be able to kill them all before they know what hit them. When the time is right, of course." With my words out there, I can feel they're starting to resonate with Tatiana. Franz, as quiet as he is, is nearly impossible to read, but I get the sense he doesn't hold as much say in this group.
With Tatiana on my side, I have the best chance at getting rid of the strongest competitors in this group. With her trust in me, I feel more confident about this alliance than I did going in.
Yeah, this is better than allying with Seia.
Beckett Amory 13, District 3
Stopping dead in front of the medical room, my heart is pounding. No actually, I probably shouldn't waste time on that. I may not even make it past the bloodbath so what's the point? Oh God no, don't think about the bloodbath, it makes my heart scrunch into a ball of anxiety. I then find myself racing to an obstacle course but there are several tributes already fulling occupying it. Better go somewhere else fast! Finally, I run to the survival station but by the time I'm there people are already heading to lunch. Oh no! Another day wasted! All because I couldn't decide what I should do. I feel my breath beginning to pulsate! No, calm down! Don't get panicked!
My eyes turn to notice an older boy on the survival station, he's tying some pieces of metal and wood together with some fine string. I guess he's working on some kind of trap. Even though he's crouched down, he still looks like quite a tall guy and well built. He has dirty dark blond hair not too different from mine and a scruffy but gentle looking face. He's the boy from six… isn't he? He seems like he would be a good ally but honestly, I just want a friend at this moment. Someone nice to talk to so that this situation can feel not quite as awful as it is, but I doubt that someone exists. I don't know this guy, he might be really nasty and tell this annoying thirteen year old to get lost. He could. However I'm right at the end of day 2 and running out of options, I don't want to leave it until tomorrow to try to talk to someone otherwise it may never happen. I may not have another opportunity to make an ally or a…friend. I take a deep breath and reactivate my social skills deep inside me. I approach the boy.
"Ex…excuse me … could you please show me what you're doing? I don't have much time left and I haven't learnt anything," I say in a pleading voice.
He glances up at me, distracted from the delicate task he was performing. Hopefully he's not annoyed at me.
His face shifts to a sympathetic smile.
"Of course, come join," he offers.
A feeling of relief vibrates through my chest quickly followed by extreme excitement! I can't contain it and I hop over to where he's crouching, almost crashing into him and destroying what he's been working on!
"Easy," he chuckles, helping to steady me.
"Sorry," I mutter, feeling awkward inside for almost messing up his work.
Then he begins intricately showing me how to build this trap, I'm trying to follow as best I can, but my mind is trying desperately to stay focused and not ponder over our first interaction and what he might be thinking of me? Have I finally met a friend after two whole days of trying? Not only that, he's explaining pretty fast almost like his mind is moving at a million miles an hour. Not too different from my own perhaps. To be truthful I didn't care about the trap, I just wanted to talk to him so that hopefully this will lead to an alliance well maybe not just an alliance. Have I finally found my friend? Either way, the only things I'm able to add the conversation are interjections like.
"Uh huh."
Suddenly, he stops abruptly and turns to me with a smile on his face.
"You weren't listening to a word, were you?"
I freeze. No! he's not going to reject me from a possible alliance now, is he? I only manage to stutter out a few repeated words.
"I…I…I…"
"It's ok," he laughs, his blue eyes are now observing me, like he's intrigued by me for some reason and trying to figure out my motivations.
"How are we expected to pay attention to anything knowing what's gonna happen?" he continues.
His attention then goes back down to his trap.
"In fact, I don't even know what I'm doing to tell you the truth," he says, dropping it down. frustrated.
"I have no idea how to finish it."
"That's because you got the last two steps in the wrong order," another voice suddenly cuts in.
We look up simultaneously to see another boy standing above us. He is also with blond hair, but it is lighter than the boy from 6 and curly. However, he is much shorter, especially for an older boy.
He leans down and corrects the last steps of our trap until it is finally fully functional. The metal bolts clip into place and the trap activates.
"Yippy!" I exclaim, clapping excitedly.
"Thank you," the six boy says.
This new friend looks around at us, smiling.
"I'm Elijah by the way, from district 7."
"Conrad, district 6" the other boy replies.
They both then turn to me.
"Oh, uh district 3… Beckett," I stutter.
"Nice to meet you Beckett," Conrad chuckles.
"You're the bee boy, right? I remember you now."
"Oh… is that what they're calling me?" I mutter, feeling slightly red in the face.
"No no it's a good thing. It makes you unique," Conrad explains with a smile.
I feel my mood lifted ever so slightly by this Conrad. I'm so glad I came to talk to him now, it's the best decision I've made so far.
Conrad's eyes then move back to Elijah, then around at the rest of the room, he's pondering something. It's then the three of us simultaneously realize we are the last people left in the now almost empty training room.
"So… you guys want to form an alliance then? What'd you say?" He offers, standing up to reveal his over 6-foot height.
"Yes!" I blurt out, jumping up in joy. Although my head only just about reaches his chest.
We both turn our attention to Elijah. He nods his head with a cheeky smile.
"Sure, I'll ally with you… you seem like a good guy Conrad."
I notice how he only addresses Conrad and completely ignores me. Probably considering me just a useless thirteen year old. Still, an alliance is an alliance and here we are.
As we begin making our way over to the lunchroom Conrad breaks the silence in an attempt to make small talk.
"So… District 7… what's it like? I've heard there's a lot of trees there," he says.
"Yeah… that's right… trees," Elijah laughs awkwardly.
"I have a tree! In my apiary!" I add, catching up to them.
Conrad looks to me with a little bit of confusion on his face.
"An apiary in District 3?"
"Indeed! You'll find I'm full of surprises," I reply.
Conrad and Elijah stare at each other briefly before laughing at what I said. Wow who knew that I could be comedian?
It's Strange to think I may be facing these people in the arena in a few days but for now I'm just enjoying the company.
Electra "El" Shielle, 14, District 3
I spar with the trainer at the sword station, trying to both keep my balance and not get hit with the wooden sword. It's the first time there hasn't been a Career occupying the station, so I'm taking the opportunity while it lasts. It's not that I'm afraid of being near them, I'm not, they have just been training in pairs and taking up space. Probably on purpose.
It turns out, I'm not very adept with this weapon. It's too heavy, and I struggle to hold it up. I'm fast, but with the extra weight holding me down, the trainer has "killed" me at least three times. I think she's starting to feel bad.
"Thank you. I'm going to try another station." I tell her, handing her back the sparring sword. I look around at the rest of my options. Careers are spread out around wrestling, spears, and even a few at some of the shelter making stations. The rest of the tributes are spread out around them, a handful are paired up but the majority of them are still running solo. I spot Darrah over at the axe throwing station. I consider joining her, but something else catches my eye.
I jump over towards the obstacle course and climb to the top. I take a breath in and start traversing the ropes, ladders, and platforms. With each jump, I feel weightless as I fly through the air. I land each jump without risking a fall and by the time I reach the end, I feel like I'm just getting started.
"Congratulations, you beat the record holder!" The obstacle course trainer says to me. I didn't even realize there was a record holder. But I feel good about it.
I notice a few eyes have fallen on me, so I quickly move to another station. Not really paying attention to where I end up, I find myself at a survival station with two other tributes. I don't recognize them right away, and I feel a little uncomfortable when I realize one of them has their eyes glued on me. I recognize her as the twelve year old from District Ten. Her name escapes me.
I step away and focus my attention on the station I've ended up at, which appears to be plant identification. I breeze through it, earning myself a nearly perfect score on identifying edible plants from the poisonous ones, only struggling with the more rare plants. The trainer mentioned he was surprised I did so well considering I'm not from, say, Eleven or Ten. I just shrug.
"Hey, El." Darrah comes up behind me, out of breath from her training.
"Hey." I say. I realize the twelve year old is still staring at us, so I stare at her back, trying to figure out what she wants. Darrah notices.
"Hey. Can we help you?" Darrah asks, more polite than I would have been. The girl shrugs.
"Nothing." She says, quickly breaking eye contact and going back to…whatever she was doing. Darrah looks over at me, and I shake my head. I grab her arm to pull her to another station, but she does what I dreaded she would do.
"Would you want to join us? In an alliance, I mean." Darrah asks. I do my best to hide my displeasure, but I know my face gives it away. Both Darrah and the girl don't look at me, though. So I'm sure they don't notice.
The girl looks back up at Darrah, then over to me.
"Sure." She says with a bit of hesitancy.
Great. What have I gotten myself into?
After lunch, I spend the rest of training alone at the knife throwing station. So far, this is the only weapon I seem to have any adeptness in. At least I have something.
Darrah and our new ally, who's name I've learned is Adelina, have been practicing shelter building together. I don't know what Darrah sees in this girl. I feel like when we're in the arena, I won't be able to keep my eye off her, otherwise I'll end up with a knife in my back.
I wonder if Darrah thought the same thing about me.
The head trainer announces it's the end of training and I watch as most of the tributes make their way towards the elevators. I hang back, waiting for Darrah and Adelina to pass. When they do, I follow behind them.
"Tomorrow, we can hit the weapons one last time. I'm sure there's something we're all good at." Darrah turns to look at me. "You seemed pretty comfortable with the knives.
I nod, but don't say anything. Darrah turns back around and the three of us wait in line for the elevators to gather us all.
After a short time, an elevator opens. Two boys get in, and Adelina follows. Darrah is about to join them, but I manage to grab her arm and pull her into the next elevator, where it's just the two of us.
"Hey!" Darrah says, pulling her arm away from me. The elevator doors shut us in and I hit the button marked "3".
"Why did you invite her into our alliance?" I get straight to the point as the elevator begins to rise. Darrah hits the number "7".
"Why not? The more help we can get, the better we'll be." She throws her braided hair over her shoulder.
"Do you seriously trust her not to betray us at her first opportunity?" I ask, remembering the way she looked at us when we met her for the first time. Those weren't friendly eyes. Darrah shakes her head.
"She needs us more than we need her. If you got to know her, you'd understand." The elevator door opens and Darrah places her arm on the wall to stop the door from closing. She gestures for me to leave.
As the doors shut behind me and the elevator takes Darrah to her own floor, her words linger in my mind. What have I gotten myself into?
Heather Monroe, 16, District 5
The lunchroom is scattered around today with the careers and a couple of others bunched together in the middle. While most of the other outliers are dotted around on the outside. The girl from 2 with the bright, striking eyes catches mine again, sitting with the other careers and chatting away. I don't know what it is but something about her rings a bell.
Before I'm able to contemplate it any further my awkward new ally sits down opposite me, blocking my view of her. His grey eyes are immediately downturned to the food he's steadily chewing on. Yesterday I told him a lie. I said I'd learned how to use the knives in five minutes when in fact I'd been practicing at home for many years before I was allowed to use a gun. It would have been more impressive if I could learn knife throwing that quickly, I guess that's what was going through my mind, so I lied, and I've just been taught to lie at any given situation. So it seems to just be a natural reaction to me.
The crescent moon shaped necklace poking out from under his neckline suddenly catches my attention. It is very nice, especially given his standards but I don't tell him that of course. I notice his eyes wonder onto mine staring at his necklace.
"You like it?" He asks, while glancing back down at it.
"It's not bad," I shrug, while finishing my last mouthful.
"Where'd you get it from?"
His eyes move back up to mine.
"My… my mom gave it to me."
That's a little endearing I have to admit but all I'm able to give him a dismissive scoff.
"You think your mommy's gonna save you?" I mock.
This causes him to let out a sudden, expected giggle. Well, maybe not so unexpected for Charon.
"Considering that she's dead I wouldn't think so," he answers bluntly.
So deceased mom… well he have that in common at least. However, I noticed his eyes were as emotionally dead as mine would have been when discussing my mom.
"Mine too," I say, making sure to keep any emotion out of my voice.
He just sighs impatiently and leans back on his chair.
"Don't get soft on me now Heather… that's not why I allied with you."
Wow someone telling me not to be soft? That's something I'd never thought would happen to me.
"Me soft? Good one," I snicker, returning my attention to my food.
He continues to observe me, munching silently on his lunch. This guy would have fit in really well in the family. Shame I'm probably going to have to end up slitting his throat by the time this is all over.
He takes a final gulp to swallow his food.
"What about your daddy? Think he's gonna save you?" He ponders.
After saying this his eyes change to a kind of mischievous and victorious look. How does he know about my dad?
"How do you know about him," I demand to know.
He shrugs.
"Broke into the Capitol archive room… read everyone's files," he replies casually.
Clever… clever, this guy is very clever. I need to watch my back.
"I had to know who I'm gonna be up against in the arena. I hope you don't mind," he continues, taking a sip from his water.
I'm struggling to restrain myself from giving him a left hook across the jaw. More worryingly is the fact that he's one step ahead of me already. You need to be better Heather! Show restraint, that's what your father always taught you. I feel a deep breath vibrate through me and manage to keep my composure.
"If you know what's good for you then don't mention him again."
He just chuckles again under his wolfish grin.
"Don't worry I'm not interested in him, but I am interested in you. I even admire you for what it's worth."
In the silence that follows for the first time in the conversation we find ourselves reaching a moment of understanding. No backhanded compliments, no plain insults, no lies, just a silent mutual understanding. Looks like we're finally getting somewhere. Maybe this alliance isn't doomed to betrayal the moment the gong rings after all?
Whatever the case, I find the silence relaxing. All this talking is exhausted me at this point.
Lunch is over so we all slowly return to our apartment. Another day of training gone, another day closer to the main event. I may not be a career, but I've trained my whole life for this in a way or at least my father trained me my whole life. He taught me how to be ruthless, cunning, lie and bully your way to achieve anything. That's why I'm going to win and when I return to take charge of the Monroe family, nothing will get in my way. I will be the greatest and most feared Godfather in history. A Godfather and a victor of the hunger games. Nobody will ever lay a finger on me. I will be the most powerful person in District 5.
Upon arriving at district fives apartment, I make sure to completely ignore Kalen and everyone else to remain 100% focused.
Ricky James, 17, District 9
I stand in the archery station, as far away from the rest of the tributes as possible. They all disgust me, especially the females. This year's Career females might be the worst group I've seen in my seventeen years of life.
I shoot an arrow and it just misses the target. I slam the bow on the ground, causing many eyes to fall onto me. Crap. That's not what I wanted.
Regaining my confidence, I reload the bow. I inhale as I pull the bowstring back, trying to remember everything I've learned. While it doesn't feel like much, I exhale and release the string. The arrow lodges itself in the red. I throw my fist in the air in triumph. That's when I hear a slow clap behind me.
I turn and see two of the disgusting Career women staring at me, the ones from Four and One.
"Nice shot!" The idiot from One says. The other one laughs, and they both break into laughter. I feel my face getting red. Before I know it, it's not two Careers standing in front of me, it's Veronica and Tammie.
I load the bow again and without hesitation, I shoot the arrow towards the women. They're quick, and manage to duck. Their eyes snap to where the arrow landed, clattering somewhere on the opposite side of the room. They quickly snap their attention back towards me, very angry.
"You little-" The girl from One starts to advance towards me, her fists clenched. I go to reach for another arrow, but suddenly my bow is ripped from my grasp and someone grabs my arm at the same time as a trainer jumps in between the girl and me.
"You seriously couldn't follow our one rule?" One of the trainers scolds me as he places the bow back in the rack and drags me away. I turn around and see the trainer trying to talk those maggots down. I can't stop the smirk from forming.
I'm pulled back to my situation when the trainer throws me towards the elevator.
"You're dismissed. Don't come back." The trainer says, standing between me and the training center. I back up slowly and press the button on the elevator. Within seconds, it appears and I board it.
As the elevator doors shut behind me, I turn my head. Through the glass, I can see a trainer talking to the two dumb Careers. They both have their arms crossed and they look irritated, like the trainer is scolding them.
I turn my head to face straight ahead, hit the button marked "9", and hold my head up high as it takes me up to my floor. I don't care about training. I don't care about any of this dumb training, socializing, practicing, whatever it is they want me to do, I don't want to do it. I want to get as far away from everyone as possible. I want to live my own life. I want to continue standing up for myself, something I never learned how to do.
What little time I have left, I'm determined to make something of it.
The elevator doors open and I waste no time grabbing a bite to eat off of the endless buffet. As I take a seat on the couch with a cupcake in my hand, I hear footsteps approaching me. I don't have to turn to know it's our mentor, Brynn Ackers.
"Why aren't you down there?" Her aging voice barely projects enough for me to understand her.
"I got kicked out." I say, picking up the remote to turn on the television in front of me. I take a bite of cupcake as Brynn tries to figure out what to do about me.
"You're an idiot." She says, leaving the room without another word. I'm glad she's gone. I don't need a woman like her trying to tell me what to do. I'll manage just fine on my own.
Taliesin Ulysses, 18, District 4
There is a dead silence around the dinner table of District 4s apartment this evening. The mentors are sat on one side, steadily making their way through the chefs delight of tonight. Rico seems to be off in his own world as usual. He's just leaning on his elbow, not really giving a damn and sterring his plate with his fork. However, I never needed him anyway nor any mentor. I learnt everything I needed to know from the streets back at home. My gang, led by my brother Caspian taught me everything about survival in this dog-eat-dog world.
Gone are the days of smuggling and distributing weapons, drugs and alcohol… now I'm here. But my family is still there, in that life. The only way to get them out is to win this game. This game of chess. More blood will be shed by my hand before I get there, and they will finally be free. That is the reason I'm doing this right?
Kate is glaring at me with her usual piercing brown eyes, she intently crunches a tomato while never breaking eye contact. She's been onto me since the moment she first saw me, she suspects me of the murders I know it. But she's got no evidence! Nothing and she knows that. I can see it in her eyes right now. Nobody will ever have any evidence, I made sure of it.
Marissa is sat silently next to me. She has hit it off pretty well with Jade in training but seems to be avoiding me. It must have been something Kate said to her. I don't mind however; my list of allies is growing. Serenity, Henry and I've got my eye on another. It's the boy from District 6. Conrad. I like his… well I don't know what it is about him but I'm just envisaging him as my new Corsair. Corsair… Conrad … there's a ring to it for sure. Together we can have some fun at crossing off everyone else, we'll leave Serenity until last and then just like Corsair I will hang him and claim final victory. I told Henry he is my number two but he's more like a tool really. I want Conrad to be my real number two and Serenity will be three. I can't play her like I can Henry but that's what makes it all the more fun.
Kates staring continues until I playfully raise one eyebrow at her. Just to let her know there aint shit she can do to me. I know who she is, what she is. I watched her games. She was only thirteen but brutal and extraordinarily ruthless. She killed the District 1 girl with a nail gun. One of the greatest finales in the history of the hunger games. I know exactly what she is because she's a killer just like me. That's why she's onto me because a killer can spot another killer from a mile away.
Then, the door bursts open with our escort, Glamour. She is clutching an official documentary in her hand, she quickly slams it down on the table.
"Everyone, big news from back home."
The silence continues. This has to be what I think it's about right? They found Corsairs note, well my note but that parts a secret…
If they had found any reason to incriminate me then her demeanor towards me would be completely different but I take a slight gulp all the same. A natural reaction I would deem. My eyes flicker to Kates causing her eyes to move off me. She caught wind of that gulp, shit. You need to be more careful Tali.
She reads.
"A further investigation was called on the death scene of previous victim Corsair Black. A suicide note was found confessing to the murders that matched his handwriting. He has gone from a prime suspect to guilty. The case is closed."
Suddenly I find everyone at the tables eyes are pinned on me. I'm the one that knew him after all.
"He… he was your friend right?" Marissa chimes.
I turn to her and finish sucking some sauce off my finger.
"More than that," I reply, then I push myself up off my chair.
"I need a moment on my own… you understand right?" I request, doing my best to sound upset when in reality all I can feel is victory that my scheme fooled everyone.
"Of course," Glamour agrees.
As I leave to go into my room, Kate is still watching me. I can't help but give her a slight smirk. Knowing that she knows, and I know she knows, and she knows I know. It's just a fun little game we're playing. After pushing my door shut, I collapse on my bed grinning to my ceiling profusely at what this all means. Not only will I win but I will be the greatest and most fantastically remembered victor in history and everyone will have played their part perfectly…
Flashback
It was the night we claimed our second victim, Triton. I had just slashed the boys throat, he lay bleeding to death, grasping at my feet. Unable to make any coherent sounds, just gurgles escaping his bleeding throat.
"What have I done?" Corsair exclaimed, clenching his hair.
"What am I doing?"
I turned to him, placing my hand on his cheek and rubbing it gently.
"Remember Corsair, what you do today will go down in history. We will be remembered. Our story will outlive us both."
"Even me? With the part I have to play?" He asked, I was going to be the victor after all. Not him.
"Oh don't worry… you have a very important part to play…" I smiled but he couldn't see the hidden scheme under my soothing face.
He returned a comforted feeling to me before he exited the room to get the boat ready for dumping the body. Someone grasped at my foot from below, I turned back to the still dying Triton below me and casually finished him off with a knife to the heart.
End of Flashback
Of course, the part Corsair ended up playing may have been different to what he had imagined but I never lied. I will make sure he's remembered for his role in this theater.
A lot of big drama on todays training day as well as new alliances! Beckett has finally found an ally in Conrad as well as Elijah. Adelina has allied with El and Darrah, Heather and Charon have both lied to each other now (yup the necklace) but they seemed to have reached some understanding. Also Ricky tried to attack some careers…oops. Hope you enjoy!
Sections written by nautics: Beckett, Heather, Taliesin
Sections written by Team Shadow: Harrison, El, Ricky