Chapter 5: Training

Sage's POV

Iris and I walk into the Training Center, just nearly on time. Most of the other Districts are there except 12 and 4. The other's stare at us and Gray narrows his eyes, fists clenching. Iris holds her head up high as we walk over.

"I don't think you made a good impression on Gray," I murmur to her.

"I'm not supposed to," She argues, "One of us is going to end up dead."

I flinch at that because I hate thinking about our fate. That only one person can survive out of the 24 that are here. But I refuse to show my fear; I have to look tough against my competitors.

The people from District 12 and 4 come and soon our instructor, Aria, walks over. She has green hair, oddly enough, and hard blue eyes. Her hands are behind her back as she strides over, taking all of us in. She starts explaining everything about how everything works before she sends us off.

Iris automatically goes over to the swords and knives, trying to work on her aim. The others usually go over to the stations that best fit them. I think about going over to the bow and arrow station, but I think better of it. Instead I go over to the explosives center.

I hesitate as I look at all the explosives and the instructor explains what they are and their powers. I take it all in, knowing that I need to know this. Then he let's us off on our own to look at the explosives.

I lean in towards one, measuring it and trying to figure out which explosive it is when I hear a voice behind me, "Be careful of that one."

I jump and turn around, coming face to face with one of the District Three tributes, Sky. He smiles shyly at me and I give him a tense nod. He has light blond hair with pale skin and his hands are tucked behind his back.

"We've seen some of these in the factories in District Three," He explains, coming up next to me and handling the explosive, "When it's turned on, the slightest movement will set it off."

I shiver as I think about someone getting caught in that.

Sky turns to me and says, "No worries, though, as long as you know how to find them, you're good."

"And how do you know how to find them?" I ask, my eyes narrowing and my voice a bit distrusting.

He just shrugs and says, "They'll be buried under the ground, so usually you need to look for a bulge in the ground."

"Oh," I murmur, and then hesitate before saying, "Why are you telling me this?"

"I don't think you see a lot of these in District 11," He says with a bit of a smirk, "and you looked pretty confused. But," He looks at me and says, "You can make it even by helping me identify those plants over there." He nods over to the Plant Station.

I narrow my eyes, knowing that I'll ace it, but I shrug and say, "Fine, but that's it."

"Of course," He says with that same slight, crooked smile.

I lead him over to it and the instructor starts explaining the different types of herbs and plants and then how to identify between poisonous and safe. I sigh and stop listening after a while, easily able to identify each and every one of them. Sky struggles, obviously not good with recognizing the difference between Holly berries and Raspberries.

"How do you do it?" He finally asks me with frustration in his tone, "I can't tell the difference."

"Sometimes it's not just looking it at them, but feeling them," I say and pick up the Holly berry and the Raspberry. "If you squeeze the Raspberry, you'll find it to be hollow, but the Holly berry will not. Also, if you find a lot of birds around the berries, it'll probably be Holly berries. They prefer them over Raspberries since they are more common."

"Good," The instructor nods to me, "They teach you well in District 11."

"It's the Plantations," I say with a shrug.

After that Sky and I both leave. I decide to go over to the bow and arrows. I see that Iris has moved on and is now at the Traps and Snares Station. Her forehead is creased in concentration as she tries to tie some ropes together to make a snare. But I shake my head and turn back to my own station.

I grab the bow that looks and feels least similar to the one at home. I have to make myself adjust to different types so that I won't have trouble in the arena. I lift it up, seeing that it's much lighter than my own. I grab an arrow and hook it in. I reach back and close my right eye and pull back. I pause for a second before letting it go. It lands just above the center.

"Damn," I mutter before switching the bow with another one.

I go on like that until they tell us it's time for dinner. I set it down and walk over to Iris who looks exhausted.

"How was your training?" I ask her as we enter the cafeteria.

She shrugs and says, "Could be better. I could see that Gray kept assessing me, I really wanted to throw my knife at him."

"Ignore him," I wave my hand dismissively, "he'll be dead before the first day."

Iris just looks at me because we both know it isn't true. Gray will be a career, no doubt, which means he'll get a head start before us. I just swallow my fear as I get my food and force it down.

As we eat, I hear footsteps get louder. I expect it to be Gray or another career, but instead I see the two tributes from District Six. I don't know their names, but I just nod to them as the girl sets her tray down beside Iris and the boy sets his beside mine. The girl has semi-long dark brown hair and green eyes. She has pale skin. The boy has dirty blond hair that comes down to his eyebrows. His eyes are brown and he has a bit darker skin than the girl.

"Hi," The girl says, "I'm Nyla and this is Peter."

Peter nods to us.

"I'm Sage," I introduce myself, "And this is Iris."

"We know who you are," Peter says, "a lot of people are talking about how young you two are. I'm surprised in District 11, really."

Iris narrows her eyes while I just shrug and murmur, "It was just bad luck. Our District is so big that people just chose randomly."

Nyla nods, her eyes sympathetic, as she said, "If I ever go back, I don't think it'll feel the same. I mean," She pushes her food around with her fork, "I can't help but feel betrayed. It'll never feel the same to me again. I'll just look at people and wonder if they were the ones who choose me to go in here."

"I feel the same," Iris murmurs, "I think everyone does."

After that we occasionally talk as we eat and eventually we go up to our rooms. Once we're on the eleventh floor, I sigh and let my muscles relax. Before I can say anything Iris is already gone in her room. I just shake my head and walk into my own.

I collapse on the bed and it was only seconds after that I hear a knock. I groan and get back to my feet and shuffle over. I open the door and I'm surprised when I see Iris standing there.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" She asks, shuffling her feet.

"No, of course not, come in," I step back and she walks in.

"What's up?" I ask as we both sit down on my bed.

"Nothing really," She looks at her hands, "I just felt like I needed some company. I'm not used to being so alone."

I nod as my sympathy for her and for myself comes over me, "I know how you feel. I shared a bedroom with my sister and parents."

"I only shared it with my three siblings," She murmurs with a shrug, "My father usually never slept in the room, he always slept in the main room. I guess he was afraid that someone might barge in a kill us." She tries to laugh, but it falters.

I just rest my hand on her shoulder. She glances at my hand and I pull it back quickly, shocked by my own actions.

"S-sorry," I stammer, my gaze at the ground.

"It's alright," She sighs, "if we weren't preparing for my deaths, I would feel glad that you're trying to help. But…" Her voice drifts off, unable to say the rest.

"I know," I lean back, "I can barely sleep anymore. I just keep worrying about what will happen."

Iris nods and whispers, "I feel the same way."

Silence hangs in between us until Iris stands up and says, "I better go into my room."

I nod and stand up also.

"Thank you, Sage," She says, her voice quiet and her gaze away from mine. She just barely touches me as she brushes past, but it's enough to send a shiver through my body.

"Goodnight," I murmur as she walks out.

She turns to look at me, pausing before saying, "Good night," and closing the door.