Annie POV

I awake the next morning on my own, and take the chance to enjoy a few peaceful moments to myself before I'm forced to be a tribute. Last night had been fun, sun in an otherwise utterly gray sky. We had all chattered excitedly over our success in the carriages, and watched the tape a few times while teasing each other and playing games. It truly gave me some hope, and for that I'm glad. I know Dorien is proud of himself, too; and even that gives me a little perk. The best was seeing Finnick smiling, though, him not carrying the frown that's been signature since I got reaped. A sick feeling of dread ultimately replaces my happiness, though, as I realize what's today. Training. When people form alliances and size each other up. We didn't really discuss alliances apart from Finnick insisting that I try to make my way into the Career alliance. He told me it'd guarantee my survival for the first few days, which were some of the most crucial - the days when you figured out if you could survive in the arena, when you formed a plan. I really don't want to take his advice – in most Hunger Games, Career alliances turned against each other and it became bloody. Eventually, when they finished picking off the easiest tributes, they turned to the weakest in their alliance. I already know they'd hardly consider Dorien and I to be valuable members – I've considered attempting to act tough and emotionless like the typical Career; but if they recruited me and I insisted that Dorien join as well, they'd certainly refuse. Dorien and I will have to survive on our own.

I step out of my room and make way to the small dining room we eat in. Finnick and Dorien are already there, laughing and teasing each other. As I sit down, I sigh. "Any more tips for training today?" I ask Finnick. "You two should probably stay apart. Frequent stations that teach skills you don't have – so both of you can share and help each other," He smiled tentatively. "Don't act scared. Act strong, confident – no matter what other people think of you. Again - try still to get into the Career alliance – they'll immediately seek you out because of you District," Our escort also has advice. "Stick around the weapon stations. You don't have to do anything, just look stuck-up and like you know what you're doing. Follow around the other Careers. Brag. Show-off. Get them to notice you! They tend to stick around those like them, those whom have…. Well, big-heads if you want to put it that way." Mags has similar advice to Finnick's, she suggests we not stand out to much and learn how to do things we don't know how to. We're especially warned to get an eyeful of the poisonous roots and berries station, and learn what's good to eat and what will kill us before we hit the ground.

I hope that breakfast will last forever, but eventually we have to clean up our plates, leave the table, and get dressed. Our escort gives us simple outfits, comfortable and flexible for anything we want to try out. We're given a few minutes to wash up and then it's time to go down. Dorien and I are allowed to go down on our own and we wait in the lobby for a bit until all the tributes are down, and then we all file into the training room. The instructor pins our district numbers to the back of our shirts, and as she gives directions we're all given a chance to size our competition up. The District 1 pair is beautiful, each with silky blonde hair and both sleek and lean, traces of muscle imprinted in their arms and legs. Both have expressions of contempt on their faces. The District 2 pair is massive. Both are stocky and enormous muscles bulge out from the sleeves of their shirt. The rest of the tributes don't stand out to me as a threat. Most are like me – no sign of anything that will help them in the arena, all looking like they sincerely hope they'll get lucky in the arena. The only thing I do notice is that Dorien is most definitely the youngest tribute in the arena. As much as I look at the others, none seem younger than 15. I had hoped that there'd at least be one other young competitor to make him feel less alone, less like an underdog. But I'm out of luck.

I catch many different gazes thrown at me. Some are of shock, I guess because of the fact that I'm in district 4 and not particularly impressive. Others are of curiosity and interest, again because of my district or the fact that I'm standing close to Dorien, in an almost protective stance. I've decided to make my own plan. I'm not joining the Careers – even if they wanted us. They're cruel, and I certainly don't want to act like I'm happy about anyone they kill's death. Dorien and I will probably be reduced to the most terrible tasks, and when it comes to it we could be dead from our alliance members. Neither of us would want to stick around for whatever event would drive us all apart – and it'd be very difficult to ditch the alliance without ending up with a knife stuck in our backs. I want to make Finnick, my Mother, my community proud. I know if my position was switched I'd admire someone who died sticking it out and trying their hardest. Not someone who joined the blood thirsty Careers, laughing over their success and taking lives like they're worth less than dirt. I could try to form another alliance, but I've seen far too many of those where they betrayed each other and a tribute another trusted wholly turned out to be eager to win, whatever the cost. I'm not about to trust someone I don't know – especially when it's obvious they want to get home just as much as I do.

As the instructor finishes explaining things, we're let out on our own. I nod to Dorien and he heads over to the camouflage station while I go to the plant information booth. The Careers immediately walk to the Weapons area, and show off their spear and archery skills all the while casting smirks and murderous glances at whatever poor tribute they see first. The person at my station is kind, they explain to me the plants I may experience, and gives me a full understanding of what things are probably poisonous. I spend an hour there, carefully examining all different sorts of edible and non-edible plants. I'm so absorbed in the book I was given I jump when someone swiftly taps me on the shoulder. All four Careers are standing there, all smirking at my jump. I manage not to blush and stand my ground, coolly letting out a "Yes?" to the blonde district 1 girl who poked me. "Uhmm," She studies her finger nails and glances at me in distaste. "Our group is rather small this year. Would you like to join? We could always use someone whom has a, err, knowledge of things that could help us." She shoots a fake smile at me and coldly points at the plant book I'm holding. "You're District 4, too. We wanted to suggest membership to a higher district before we went to the lower districts." She drawled, sneering at a few tributes nearby. "Besides, your partner is the scrawniest thing I've ever seen. No way are we asking him." I blinked innocently at them all, holding in the punch I desperately wanted to throw at the district 1 girl. "Uhmm, no, thanks." I let out a giggle before moving away from the station, leaving their mouths open in shock and me number one on their hit list.

Finnick POV

I clench my teeth and frown at Annie. It's almost the third session of training, and after that the private training with the Game-makers will happen. We haven't even discussed what Annie and Dorien will do with that, but that's the least of my worries. After the first training session, I had expected Annie to explain how she was a part of the Careers, therefore taking a large weight of my chest and giving her an almost sure survival the first few days. Instead, she had told me that she hadn't joined. She had rejected the invitation she had been given. Our conversation had been heated and we still were in a somewhat bad state with each other – our shouts still stood out clear in my mind.

"Annie?" I held my breath and gazed at her. "Finnick…. I didn't join." It took me a minute to process this. "But, why? They're horrible, but they'll help you." She glared at me. "Human life is worthless to them, Finnick! You may be okay with that, but I'm not!" I didn't even pause as I shot back. "You'd think that your life, Mags and I's happiness, and your mother's sanity would mean more to you than some random tributes!" Tears began to spill down her face. "If I'm going to die, may as well die as myself, not a disgusting murderer who tore apart families! Not that you'd know, huh, Finnick?" She got up, and before leaving the room, coldly turned back. "Without me, you'll be fine."

She hasn't spoken to me since. So I'm surprised when she catches my gaze and motions towards her room. I get up with her, leaving Dorien, Mags and our escort still at the table.

"Finnick, I'm sorry," She glances at me sadly. "It's easy to forget others have been through the same thing I have. The hopelessness can be overwhelming – knowing my life, all my hopes and dreams could be erased in less than a week. That everyone could forget about me.. another unspoken tribute lost to the Capitol's ways," She sighed. "If I must be lost for people to come closer to realizing how morbid this whole thing is, how much children suffer, then I want to go as myself. Not as someone turned brutal and sadistic for these Games."