Training Day 3

Raft Spence, 15, District 6

When Cassie had announced to the entire training center that she would be facing the games alone, I realized that meant that I was on my own. I had hoped that having a district partner meant that I had a built-in ally, but it had become increasingly clear that wasn't the case. It wasn't that I didn't like talking to people- if fact that was one of the few things I could actually do- but having to choose who I wanted to work with was where the problem began.

My entire life I had never been a particularly decisive person. Back home, my parents owned District 6's railway station, so money had never been much of any issue for me, but despite that, not unlike many of the others in my district, my decisions had always been made for me my parents. They were so overprotective and I had never expected to be reaped, but yet here I was, on training day 3, preparing for the games.

I had spent the last two days learning how to use a dagger. I was determined not to be helpless in that arena and since I was rendered without an ally, I knew learning at least some weaponry skills would be necessary. I'd like to think I had become at least somewhat adept with the dagger, but after watching Janelle use a hammer, whatever I confidence I had was shattered.

Yesterday afternoon, Corinne and Janelle, the girls from 11 and 12 approached me about allying. I agreed immediately and things just naturally fell into place. At first glance, it would appear that none of us stood a chance- three of the younger tributes in the game, Corinne and Janelle being the youngest. But I saw something in them. I saw something in us- potential.

While Corinne couldn't seem to pick up any skills with a weapon, it was clear that she was smart and attentive and seemed to have a good read on most of the tributes. She already had gone around observing everyone's strengths a weaknesses and planning who to avoid during the Bloodbath. Janelle, on the other hand, surprised me. The girl at 13, had been working at the mines with a pick axe since she was 10 years old and the skills easily converted over to a hammer. We were a bit of a rag-tag group and most certainly underdogs, but we were all good, kind-hearted people, willing to work together so at least one of us could survive.

As I heard the bell ring for lunch, I quickly headed for the lunch table, where an array of Capitol food was being served. Taking my seat next to my newfound allies, I couldn't help but smile watching the way their eyes lit up when they saw the food. I hadn't even been a week since I had been away from home, but I already felt I had a wider perspective on life.

For the first time, I truly appreciated what I had.

"Hey, Raft, could you pass me the chicken legs?" Janelle asked me as I watched her inhale two slices of bread.

I hesitantly handed her the plate with the chicken, "You know Janelle, you should probably slow down. You're going to feel sick if you keep eating at this pace, especially right after running that gauntlet."

"I can't help it. I never get to eat this much food. Back home all I ever got was three rationed down meals a day and if I was lucky maybe I got an extra piece of bread. But here? I can actually feel full," she responded, taking a large bite from the chicken leg.

"Seriously, Janelle, I think Raft's right," Corinne chimed in, "You can eat whatever you want, but slow down, girl."

Janelle laughed, and crossed her arms good naturedly, "Fine. But nobody's allowed to touch the cupcake- that's mine."

"I promise I won't eat you cupcake," I chuckled, "Although, I can't make any promises about the lemon bars..."

It wasn't that we were blissfully ignorant or just completely unaware but if this conversation had been heard out of context, no one would have believed we were three children just about to be sent off to our likely deaths. But the happiness and optimism? We needed it.

We needed hope.

Sloane Lovett, 15, District 7

Being here, in the Capitol wasn't easy. It felt like everything bad in my life was a result of the Capitol actions and I just wanted to go back home.

10 years ago, my mother and sister were fighters in the Rebellion. My mother, an underground teacher who taught about the rebellion, was killed in a fire- no doubt started by the Capitol and my sister was hung at the mere age of 15 for treason, the same age I am now. It's likely I would have faced a similar fate, if not for my father and brother being peacekeepers.

As the war came to an end, my father faced the same fate as my sister and my mother- death. In a last ditch effort to keep the Rebellion alive, a group of rebels sneaked into our house and slit my father's throat. I was 5 years old.

Since then my brother took care of me. As a peacekeeper, he made just enough money to support the two of us, until I became old enough to start working myself. I mostly just cut down trees, although with my penchant for starting fires, I had to be careful.

So, if I had been told, right after I had been reaped, that I would be working with the girl from 2 and the girl from 4, two of the most Pro-Capitol districts, it's likely I would have burst out into uncontrollable laughter, but much to my surprise they were the absolute perfect allies.

Neither of them were like their district partners- crazy, Pro-Hunger Games careers with a desire to kill. They were outliers, like me, who didn't really seem to fit into a box either.

Seeing as it was our last day of training, we had spent the morning training together with our respective weaposn of choice and after lunch, began working on a plan for the games. My mentor, Jason Sycamore, had advised me to be careful when it came to trusting them, but at this point I didn't have any other choice. Jason was the first victor of the Hunger Games. Part of why he won was his experience as a Rebellion fighter, back during the Dark Days.

However, nowadays, he just seemed cynical, like his heart wasn't in helping us win. Even Kent, with his ridiculous amount of charm couldn't seem to get Jason to be anything other than a grizzled, old man. At just 26 years of age, Jason was perhaps the oldest soul I had ever met and I decided that if I was able to win, I would refuse to let myself become like him. I would do everything in my power to help my tributes win.

I would never just give up like that.

While Jason frustrated me, I knew I had to remain focused. Leaning in towards Brigid and Azura, so we could talk, I nodded, "Alright, so let's go over our plan, one more time, just to be clear."

"We try to avoid the careers," Brigid began, "And try to get whatever we can from the arena. I'll try to get things for trap making and disguises. Azura and Sloane, you two try to get anything sharp weapons- knives, axes, spears...whatever you can."

"If we get separated, we head North and try to meet up," Azura added, quietly before pausing, "Wait...how do we tell which direction is North, again?"

"Look for the direction the moss the grows on the trees or plants," Brigid and I said at the same time, in unison.

Brigid frowned, "How did you know that?" she asked, in surprise.

"It's a trick we use in district 7, all time. There's trees everywhere so it's pretty easy to get lost. We use it to keep our questions. Although the better question, is how do you know, Miss District 2?"

"I read about it," she explained with a laugh, "Plus, I have a pretty good story about a prank I pulled including moss, although I don't think this is exactly the time for that, so I'll save that one for later," she added.

I smiled, "Alright then, looks like we've got ourselves a plan."

a/n: Sorry this took so long! I sprained my ankle while skiing so I've been a little out of commission. I hope you liked the last training day chapter. I'm really hoping to get to the Bloodbath (or at the least the arena reveal) before my break ends and I head back to Uni. Anyways, questions!:

1. What did you think of Raft?

2. What did you think of Sloane?

3. What do you think of the rising alliances, so far?

- The Careers- Gemma, Valour, Dillon, Kraken, and Atom

- Brigid, Azura, and Sloane

- Darryll and Creed

- Davina, Kent, Tennor, and Lisle

- Aisling and Dakota

- Raft, Janelle, and Corinne

- Pascal, Malikah, Winston, and Khara (more on next chapter)

- Going at it Alone: Cassie, Aisling, and Dakota

Thanks for all your support! - Cass