Katniss and Clove: Chapter Five
I continue training, almost as one eyed as ever, I say almost, because of course I now have to consider the volunteer situation as well. As time slips by I notice that the competition is thinning, one particular girl appears to know how to play the game.
I think about how pretty she would look if one of my knives glanced her throat. The blood would spurt out with force, her face would take on a surprised look and she would drop to the ground. In a moment or two her skin would become a lovely sort of translucent alabaster with a light sheen. Her long blonde hair would fan out round her face and then the blood would soak into her hair, making her face appear whiter than ever.
I snap back to attention. I have become distracted, aroused. My calloused thumb has been grazing habitually across the blade of one of knives. Luckily I have been staring off into the distance rather than staring at her, that would be creepy. They think I am creepy, perhaps I am, compared to other people.
As I become preoccupied with the volunteer game, I am aware of increased attention from the trainers. It is no surprise to me that I am regarded as the girl thought most capable of this round to achieve success for District Two in the Arena. It was arranged for me to meet Cato, he is the boy singled out to represent District Two.
Apparently his abilities and determination make him stand head and shoulders above the other candidates, he is a huge wall of muscle who wields a sword. They have chosen the pair of us because of our combined skills and abilities mean we cover a wide possible scenarios - both in terms of Tributes and potential arena environment.
All my individual training and preparation has come down to how well I pair with some random boy and all my concern about how to secure my place ends up in me being 'preselected'. From the moment Cato and I meet, it is decided by the powers that be that, barring accident and incident, we will be this year's Tributes. I am not consulted, nor am I surprised. I just feel incredibly lucky and relieved that it has been settled.
That is apparently made clear to the other girls because where they previously avoided me they now ignore me. They are not unhappy with me, they know that I am just as much at mercy of this arrangement as anyone else, everyone else. I am moved to my own quarters and while two or three of the girls remain as possible replacements, should I need replacing, the rest are 'retired'.