They've been constructing this huge building right outside my house. To be honest, I have no idea what it is. One day, I saw them carrying weapons inside with them.

Not just guns… Spears, swords, knives, bows, scythes, maces… Whatever's going on, it must be pretty big…

Cassia told me that it's going to be a Training Center. And that's a bit of a scary thought to me.

Anyways, they call a meeting to the Town Square one day about a week after the silver idiot came to the District, and we get to see finally what the building is. It's enormous, looking to have some kind of dorms or something upstairs.

"Citizens of District 2!" the mayor says. Cassia puts her arms around my neck from behind as a kind of warning, I guess, and Valentina stands near us with Trevor. Little Nick stirs and makes whining noises of protest at first but Valentina is able to quiet the little boy.

"As you've noticed, we've been constructing Academies all over the District."

So it's Academies… Maybe I'll actually get some decent education around here.

"The purpose of these Academies is to prepare our teenagers for the Hunger Games."

Of course. Some of the people yell out exclamations of protest and others look furious but stay quiet.

"The Academies will not train our children into bloodthirsty killers, but instead educate them on self-defense. District 2 is the District of weapons and masonry, and we have decided it would be a shame if our tributes were not skilled in using these weapons."

His eyes float over and I feel like he's staring me in the face. Yes, I feel like he's referencing Elijah in this whole stupid speech.

"The Academies are there for the purpose of acquainting our District's children with various weapons and plants. That will give District Two a bit of a head-start over our opponents, bringing home more of our children. We understand that District One is doing something similar, but don't know all of the details at this time. The Academies are all equipped with a set of dorm rooms. These rooms will be given first to District 2's orphans, who bravely survived being kidnapped by the Capitol during the revolution."

Then we all hear the most terrifying noise ever.

Priscilla shrieks.

The already-silent Town Square goes dead-silent, the only noise is Priscilla emptying her lungs of all air and busting her vocal chords. I haven't heard a noise that terrible since Elijah died and I wailed like that. It's horrifying, hearing the blood-curdling scream of a twelve-year-old. You can just tell that she's been through too many terrible things to count.

Priscilla finally goes quiet, running from the Square with her head buried in her hands. The meeting was never declared mandatory so nobody follows her.

The Mayor tries to keep talking like nothing happened, but it's even hard for him. "The other dorms will go to whoever wants or needs them." He looks like he has more to say but he concludes his speech early, "This is how District 2 prepares for our future. If your child is reaped, ensure that they have the knowledge to survive by sending them to the Academy." Then he gives a nod and almost immediately, everyone whispers to their loved ones quietly.

"How can they do this?" Valentina whispers. Trevor shakes his head sadly.

But it's what Cassia whispers that gets me.

"You can't be like Elijah, Nate. You're going to the Academy."

That hurts.

That really hurts.

Cassia can tell it hurts me the second it came out of her mouth.

"Nate, wait…"

But I'm the second to yell and run from the Square.

I run as fast as I can, looking to go somewhere far away.

And- OUCH!- I collide with another guy. A big guy. A strong guy.

Fuck.

It's Brandt Manson.

His sister Paulina went into the Arena with Elijah. She was going to kill him, so he killed her.

"McIalwain," Brandt greets.

"Manson," I sneer.

One thing about Brandt is that he's very calm. Another is that he's very unemotional. And he won't even do as much as the slightest smile at you. Even his voice is monotone. Which is why I don't like talking to him. His sister's such a bitch and I can never tell if he's being genuine or mocking me.

"Where are you off to?"

"Not here!" I shout with an eye-roll.

"Priscilla went that way," he says matter-of-factly.

"Yeah yeah, I'm proud of her," I mutter sarcastically, "Now get out of my way."

Brandt rolls his eyes, "Running's not gonna get you anywhere."

"I don't really care," I inform him.

"I don't really care if you're listening."

I stomp away from him and crash in the mud-pit behind my house. I love it because it's legal, miserable, and solitary.

I hate Brandt Manson. And his sister.

I hate Platinum Krietzer.

I hate Dill Archer and anyone who is even remotely related to him.

I hate any Capitolite.

I hate the Academies.

I hate the Hunger Games.

I hate Ashley. I hate Priscilla, too.

And most of all, I hate myself.

I hate the Academies because I can't help thinking this is them saying that they're embarrassed by Elijah. And I guess Paulina, too, but mostly Elijah.

He made it to the final 5, and she died, what, 5th!?

The first school-day for the Academy by our house is that Monday. And, Cassia is forcing me to go.

I don't want to go. I don't need training!

But I trudge on to school anyways.

I enter the building and the first thing I see is a pair of green eyes looking at me.

Just freaking wonderful.

The next thing I see is a pair of sad chocolate-brown eyes. Priscilla walks over to me and hesitantly takes my hand. I don't fight her. She holds on to my arm and leans up against me as we meet our teacher.

And, let's just say that I had no idea Trevor was any good at using a sword.

Our first day of school is spent with swords. Brandt looks like he's found his paradise in swords, and I'll admit that I like them a lot, too. Trevor spends a good amount of time around me, helping me hold the weapon and showing me the best way to swing.

Brandt looks just as good as I am at the end of the day without any help. It really makes me wonder what kind of sick torture goes on around the Mansons.

When I see Priscilla walking upstairs to the dorms, I can't help but notice how incredibly miserable she looks. It's obvious that she doesn't want to be here, but has no choice. And the chances of anyone adopting her are next to nothing now.

I can't think about Priscilla… I have stuff to be learning myself. If I want to go into the Arena, I want to be ready. Plus, now, I could have Platinum's head off in one clean stroke of a sword. And that thought is both wonderful and terrifying at the same time.