2th Chapter - Show me what you can do

Since we get off the train, time goes by in a heartbeat. We suddenly find ourselves in our rooms, and I finally have the chance of layin on the bed, fasten my look on emptyness and to sink in anguish. Usually I'm not the panic attack kind of girl, my character is a little cold instead, but thinking that something irreparable might happen to Andrew or that the Games could mark him permanently will cause me a heart attack in the next few minutes.

I only have twenty minutes before dinner downstairs. And I don't really feel like dressing up as I am going to a Gala. I've lived a pale nightmare's imitation until now. But when I'll go down those stairs, I'll start discussing about skills and strategies for turning myself into a serial killer; everything will get concrete and incredibly close.

I'd better start to assimilate the next events as soon as possible.

I sigh in resignation and get ready to go down, repeating myself that I'm going in the arena with the aim of protecting my brother.

Everyone's talking about this and that when I arrive, while Ethan's showing Andrew some strange maps.

oh, here's our Katniss 2.0 Trimphet receives me thinking to be funny. I nod at her and take my place.

are you hungry, dear?

no, thanks Trimphet it's obvious they can eat, they're used to this, but are we? Almost none of us is. And certainly my stomach didn't climb the top of my thoughts, in this situation.

what's up, Ethan?

nothing in particular, I was just trying to ease the tension.. but it's time to get down to business, shall we? I think so, and it scares the hell away from me.

let's go, then he starts walking around.

so, Keira, what can you do? I smirk and look him in the eyes.

as you know, my District is not inclined to the Hunger Games

true. Bot this is not a good reason to get in the arena already defeated, don't you think? I tap my hands on my knees.

well, I'm nimble, quiet and I can decently use a sword or a dagger discussing about this stuff in front of Andrew is quite horrifying even thought he seems not to pay attention to me.

good, so those ones are the thing you'll point at first in the Cornucopia, ok?

sure, but I don't know why I'm pretty convinced that the others won't spread out a Red Carpet for me, so how do I deal with all of them?

you'll have to learn hand-to-hand fight, I guess. But above all, be quick and invisible. Betee and Wiress could be helpful for that. That's why I suggested them as allies. that's not a bad idea, all things considered.

what about Andrew? I lower my tone, Ethan seems a little worried

you'd better send him in the wood, or whatever it is, away from the Cornucopia, tell him to hide.

oh, I guess he's used to it, he was a genius in hide and seek I remind with a smile. Memories start to come over as smooth images you can't catch.

it shouldn't be a problem, then

perhaps not. But the biggest danger he met in District 6 were the deers. I comment sarcastically. According to me Ethan hasn't caught how serious the problem is yet. It's nearly impossibile for someone as inexperienced as me to look after a child in The Hunger Games.

tomorrow you'll have to prove your skills at training and to look for allies meanwhile, you think you can do it? for Andrew? Of course.

I'll do my best

as soon as we've taken this weight of our mind, we can focus on Caesar's interview, because I'm pretty sure that we'll have to work a little on your public relations. he adds with half smile. Actually I could have some issues with sponsors and audience, perhaps after all I'm not as different from Katniss as I thought. But she didn't have a child in the arena to look after, anyway.

let's go to sleep now, tomorrow will be an intense day I escort Andrew to his room and try to comfort him.

goodnight honey, everything will be ok tomorrow, don't worry before opening the door, he turns back at me with the same empty look he's had for days.

may I sleep with you Keira? he sounds like this is the last chance he has. I don't want him to think so, I don't want to fool him either that we'll live happily ever after, but this is not going to start tonight.

sure, darling

We lay on the bed, and he falls asleep before me, even because of my hand cuddling his hair lime mom would. Who knows what she's doing right now, probably she's hanging by a thread. I'd do anything to have the chance to tell her that one of us is coming back, and she will get the joy of seeing her little boy safe and sound. Obviously all of this stuff is in my head, I still don't know what I'll do, but I'm fooling myself, myself.

The mornign after is a frenetic race to arrive to training in time. Actually, it's a useless race, 'cause Ethan is already downstairs and he seems annoied and disconcerned, and I don't think it will get any better.

goodmorning, Ethan I try to remedy with a smile. Andrew shakes his head and sets ouf before us.

your best, Keira. I know you can do this

thank you, but I don't make promises in the early morning I joke.

I noticed. But try at least not to tear no one to pieces, save it for another time

As we get in, Andrew skips somewhere else towards some ropes. I take a look around and it's like going back to ancient Rome, where people fight with swords giving animal sounds. I immediately locate the ones in Ethan's list: Johanna, who's destroying a plastic man, Gloss and Cashmere, tearing apart everything in front of their eyes, Peeta with some iron accessories, Katniss and Mags busy with bow and arrows and Beetee and Wires, focused on some weird experiments. Andrew goes after Katniss, interested on baits and feathers. As long as he's far from Enobaria & Co. I'm fine with that. No one seems to notice us so much, which is good, so I don't see them licking their lips in hunger.

Capitol's gamemakers look us up and down from above but they seem abosolutely not interested. We're just a part of their game.

I come closer to the swords and dagger's showcase and I see weapons I didn't even know existed. I train for a while with a simple sword, but since we have time I'd better chose something else, I might even find out more efficient and easy to handle weapons.

A trident occurs to me, and it seems the cartoon's one as much as it shines and I weight it in my hands.

.. don't even think about it .. a voice bejhind my back makes me start. I don't make a move at first but straight after I turn around confidently and I recognize the "angel " boy Ethan warned me about.

excuse me?

private property he comes closer, confident and distant as if he's been used to it forever.

oh really? Since when?

since when I'm Finnick Odair I click my hand making steps towards him, with the trident in hand.

Is this a nice way to introduce yourself o are you just full of yourself? I'd say he's impressed for a second but he doesn't show it any longer. The same smirk appears on his face.

it's the kindest way I know to tell you that this is not for you, and you could only get hurt. So I'd suggest you to give that to someone more qualified who knows what to do with that he winks at me and tries to take the trident from my hands, I sure as hell move.

ehi 007, do you really think that winning the Hunger Games and having a pretty face mean being a part of the divine sphere? he seems he felt the blow again, and people around us start to watch with curiosity.

I don't certainly need to be a god to prove you that you and that trident are unsuited, honey here, this nicknames are the proof of how superior he feels. Really nice guy -.-

oh and for the record, we're all 007 here, we're all have killing licence, you will to.. he interrupts for a second and comes a little closer until my ear.

if I let you survive.. he finishes in a smirk. Ok, now it's too much. They're all potential killer in here, but at least they mind their own business, he thinks he's the dark side superhero instead. He has to climb down. I hold the trident and go after him, but someone tugs at my sleeve.

what do you want to do? Peeta is watching me with worried eyes.

I want to take him down a peg or two, that idiot is unbearable

I understand you, but you have to get in line and wait..

not a chance! I take my arm back and I get next to him while he's working on a rope.

ehi Barbie, why don't you show me how to use it I challenge him, giving him another trident. He narrows his eyes and sneers. I expected that.

it's forbidden here to massacre people, I'm sorry, you'll have to wait the Games I look at him nastly, without saying anything.

you know, if I didn't know who you are, I'd say you're scared I provoke him on purpose. He raises his eyes to the skie and puffs.

it's the oldest strategy in the world, sweetheart no,not again. I really start hating this guy, but if I told him I'd just give him satisfaction so I mind my business

strategies are for convincing people to do something they're afraid of

don't you really have nothing better to do? Learning how to survive, for example nervosism raises his arrogance, I can only image how he's going to be in the arena.

to train with a semi-god should be the easiest way to learn.. I mocke him, hearing laughter from behind.

as you wish, darling, but don't say I'm not a gentleman and I didn't warn you he grabs the trident and gets ready.

fine, I'll confine myself to saying that you warned me , honey maybe "insulting" him in return is the only way to stand his ground.

The moment after his smirky smile it's just a screech of iron and silver, blades crusching and dodging. I have to admit he deserved the fame he has, he's smart and also he's phisically stronger than me, perhaps I didn't have a brilliant idea when I challenged him in what he's so good at, but sometimes my brain stops thinking for no reason. Anyway, while I focus on getting away from that blade which would have hurt me for sure, I manage to rip his training suit and scratch him. He must not like it, because he starts kicking so hard. Fight doesn't last for long at this point, but makes me angry the most is that his ego will expand like wildfire. He gets me stuck on the ground, while I'm trying to shake him off and stand up, in vain.

fine, Odair, I'll give this to you, perhaps you became full of yourself for a valid reason after all, now get the hell out of the way!

I'll skip the fact that this defeat rankles so much with you because, as I told you, I'm a gentleman. But if I were you, I'd extremely careful and I'd watch my back I flare up immediately, thinking he might involve Andrew.

stay away from my brother, or that shining trident will really be the last thing you'll ever see I hiss unwillingly.

if you keep going on this path, I'm definitely safe

you'd be surprised

alright, Xena. Why don't you start looking for a babysitter for your little brother? You know, you did hurt me and I didn't quite like that

oh.. much ado about nothing, you're still pretty forthwith I regret what I said, I'm exposing myself. So in front of his satisfied expression I change the subject.

Was that a threat anyway?

no, just another gentleman warning. But let me be clearer, as soon as we'll be in there, you are going to be the first one I'll lavish attentions on he says soflty, articulating the words to be sure I got them. And I did. Now I'll just have to deal with them.

He caresses my cheek gently, and that is the last straw, I punch his jaw istinctively, hurting myself, too. Before he could react, the others get in the way to stop us, and to prevent me from having some bruises.

And thank godness Ethan told me this was the best chance to get allies.