We are rushed into the training center, and quickly loaded onto an elevator before we have time to speak. Ludo greets me in my room, and his eyes trace over me a few times, before he looks at the twins and nods. Then, without a word, they all leave. I exhale, highly confused, until Geni throws open the door that connects our rooms. "That was really weird." She smirks, before offering a hand. "It's dinner time." I take it, and she leads me into the dining room, a handsomely decorated place, with furniture of dark wood. I sit next to Geni, and Elizabetta walks in, stares, and stops. "Whoa! Where are the little runts we left back in two?" She chuckles loudly, and sits across from us. "Love the hair, Gen." Geni blushes, and looks at me. "I like it too." I say, and her cheeks become even redder. Thank goodness that the servants brought in the meal, and we could all occupy our mouths. Nexson is nowhere to be found, but Elizabetta says this isn't uncommon. He doesn't spend any time with the tributes after the Chariots. He can't handle it. I can't imagine why.
With dinner finished, we all decide to go to bed early. When I am finally alone, I decide to turn on the television, until I see what they're playing. They've already played through our chariot rides, and torn apart our outfits. Now, they're playing the games in reruns. But I can't hear anything over the pounding in my chest. Because the face staring back at me, with its dark eyes and blood drenched mouth, is someone familiar. Elizabetta looks much smaller. She was obviously very young at the time of her games, because her face is freckled and her hair is pitch black, instead of its current gray-brown. I don't want to watch, but my eyes are glued to her as she moves through the arena. She is drenched, and the white leather uniform glistens in the snow. She holds a club in her hand, and has a vicious look about her. A boy, wearing a pin with a four on it, runs towards her, and she bashes his skull, a sickening crunch echoing through the barren arena. A cannon fires and she looks about her. The commentators tell the audience that there are only two tributes left, and the battle should be interesting. I keep my eyes trained to the screen, but I gather a nauseous feeling in my stomach. Without warning, a boy lands on top of her, having jumped from a tree above. The two wrestle, and, in their scuffle, both the boys knife and Elizabetta's club fall by the wayside. Finally, she rolls to his back, wraps her arm around his neck, and with a nauseating crunch, the boy's eyes roll into his head, and a cannon fires. She is victorious. The image of her, breathing heavily and laying on hands and knees in the snow fades, and as the spectators begin their commentary, I lose whatever it was I just ate, most of which lands in the sink. Suddenly, the woman who I used to worship is a monster, and, I too, have been chosen for this fate, should I survive.
The tightness in my chest prevails as I collapse.
When Geni is slapping my cheeks, I finally come to. The room has a chill about it now, as I realize a wet cloth is wrapped about my head. She smiles, and turns, beckoning for someone. Elizabetta enters, and I cringe for a moment, before deciding not to hate her. We will soon be equals. And now, I understand, that to win, while honorable, leaves you stripped of all humanity you once possessed. I only hope I die quickly, because to survive means to lose yourself utterly.
Training goes without much excitement. I practice menial skills the first day, starting fires, tying snares. It's not until the second day when I learn I am I highly skilled with a spear. I never miss a I mark, surprising everyone, even myself. When I toss the spear, piercing a dummy's gut, I run forward, and rip it out, my eyes locked on to the figure. Who will this be, when the time comes? Someone in this room will be at the end of this spear. And they all seem to know it.
By the time my game maker review comes, I don't have to wait too long. When I'm called, Geni rubs my hand, and I slowly stroll back into the training room. I waste no time setting up a few dummies, some in a circle, with a few scattered about the room. I take a spear, and attach a few extra heads to my belt. I turn to the gamemakers, and they nod for me to proceed. Taking a deep breath, I hear the spear tremble in my hand. And I'm off. By the time I'm finished, the dummies are in stages of dismemberment. Some without heads, most cut off at the waist. They are all clapping, and I leave, proud of my own performance.
I return to my room, and toss myself down on the bed, the sheets flying about me. I'm not sure why I'm so eager to spend my last night in bed, but I quickly strip down to my underwear even though it is fairly early in the night. I dim the lights and stare up to the ceiling, while tiny lights fill it, creating the image of the sky in district 2, and I quickly come to miss our little hovel, and begin to hate myself.
I am awoken by Elizabetta screaming. "A nine and an eleven! The best in the whole group. You two should be so proud! I'm gonna go tell No-" But suddenly, a deep voice echoes quietly. "Don't. He needs his rest." It's then that I realize I haven't eaten, so I call in the avox that has been serving me. "Would you be able to get me some fried grain? And honey?" She nods, and turns go retrieve my order. When the knock comes, I assume it will be her, so I rise and wrap myself in a robe. The eyes are bloodshot, tear drenched. Without a word, I open my arms and Geni curls into them, letting the tears pour. She didn't leave my room that night.