As we enter the library, I find it filled with more people than usual. As I start skimming the shelves, someone catches my eye.
"Kaitlynn!" I say. She looks up from the book in her hand and waves at me. She has on the same sad smile I've seen a lot of today. I walk over to her and look at the book she has in her hand. On the cover, it reads Survivor's Guide to the Wilderness: Edible Plants.
"Where'd you find that?" I ask her.
"Over on those shelves," she says, pointing behind me, "But you better hurry, everyone's trying to get their hands on some since we got the letters. There were only about ten copies of this one. If you can't get one you can borrow it sometime ok?" she says. I smile and thank her as she goes to check out her books.
I walk over to the shelves she pointed to and begin grabbing useful looking books. I find one on building your own fires and another called Surviving With What the Earth Gives You, and then I find a copy of the book Kaitlynn had. Last one too.
I go over to Daniel and dad who have both found some useful books as well. Daniel found some on knot tying, camouflaging, and hunting. Dad has two about weaponry and one on workouts. We decide we have enough and go to check-out.
"Good luck kids," the librarian says as we start to walk out. I thank her and we leave to go home.
When we arrive home, mother has all of our plans ready. She has given us each 2 hours a day to work on different areas. First, I will do cardio with mother, then strength with dad, then I have 2 hours to read the books.
After all the training, mother will prepare our food which she based on our weight, height, age, and amount of exercise we do. Then we have the rest of the day to practice with a different weapon each day. I decide I want to work with knives first when we start tomorrow.
The next three months are brutal. Mother and father become more like drill sergeants than parents. Every waking minute is spent doing something related to these games. Whether its doing push-ups, running, being asked questions about what we would do in a certain situation, or information just being drilled into our heads, we can't get a break. I'm grateful though, my body and mind have never been stronger or healthier.
We finish the training schedule mother planned a week before the lottery is to be held. Mother and father also want to give us a test that will test what we have learnt over the past three months. There will be written parts as well as physical tests. If we don't pass it, they are going to make us train extra hard until June 1st., but I think we all have it down pat.
I have definitely noticed the muscle we all gained, the extra pounds we shed. We can all run a full mile in 4 minutes and have become something of a wiz with fire and hunting. We all learned how to set snares, throw knives, axes, swords, shoot guns, a bow and arrow, and even some hand-to-hand combat techniques. Kaitlynn even came and trained with us a few times, and she shared her knowledge on edible plants, which sadly we all lacked to pay attention to the first few weeks of training.
For the first time, a flicker of hope came up that if one of us had to go in, we could make it. Then, I remember that we might have to face 98 other tributes, who have probably been training as well. My hope dies thinking of all the other kids. Some could have been already well prepared and are just going to add on. Some are just going to be naturally stronger or more cunning. It takes more than brute strength to win, you have to have brains too, which a lot of kids are already well more advanced than myself in.
The only thing I can really hope for is sheer luck.
"Annelise, it's time to get up," my dad informs me from the other side of my door. Ever since training started I have felt more energetic, so waking up in the mornings isn't as horrible as it used to be. I'm not really a morning person.
I get up out of bed and open the door. "I'm just going to take a quick shower then I'll be down." He nods and walks down the hall while I grab clothes to change into.
While in the shower, I run through everything I've learned these three months. Its a lot of information to think about, but I know everything I should. I get out of the shower and change quickly, pulling my wet hair into my usual ponytail and securing it with a black headband.
Downstairs in the dining room, mother has our breakfast prepared. Getting used to the controlled portions and health foods was a hard task at first, but I soon adjusted and now I'm glad I did. We eat in silence, and by the calculating looks on Becca and Daniel's faces, I know they're mentally preparing as well. When we're done, dad comes in with a stack of paper and some pencils. Time for the written portion of the tests.
"You guys will do great, good luck. Just remember everything we've done and think about each question thoroughly," he recommends.
He hands us the papers and we begin. The first 20 questions are a snap, and I fly through them. The next 15 are a little more difficult, but I think I did pretty well. Daniel and Becca share a relieved look so they must have done well also.
After we finish the written test, we do the physical tests. First is hand-to-hand combat. Father takes turns with us. Daniel and I take him down easily, but Becca has to try twice before she gets him down.
After that we do weapons. I find I'm pretty good with a sword. Daniel is a wiz with knives and Becca can take down anything from at least 40 yards away with a spear.
Then, we do knot tying, fire starting, edible plants, setting snares, and tree climbing. Becca is like a squirrel, climbing to the thinnest of branches quickly. Daniel and I can climb, but not as high due to our weight. I can start a fire in under 15 minutes, and Daniel and Becca take at least 30 to start it. Daniel can set snares with his eyes closed. Becca and I are pretty nifty with snares as well, but its clear that Daniel dominates that area. Daniel, Becca and I all fly through the edible plants without a hitch. We all are timed on our 2 mile run. All three of us zoom through in 8 minutes.
By the time its all over, I feel worn out. I sit down to catch my breath and let my aching muscles relax. Normally its all so easy, but we haven't done everything at once before. Daniel and Becca join me and we all end up laying on our backs in the grass, staring up at the sky.
"Well kiddos, I can safely say you passed this part," dad says, "Your mother should be done grading your written tests soon. I'll tell you guys what you need improvement on- if any- and what your strategy should be if you're chosen." He winces slightly at the thought of one of us being picked.
I sigh. My thoughts drift away as I remember a time, not too long ago at all, when we were a peaceful country. But then, in 2015, new laws were put in place. Everyone was furious, saying it took away our rights as Americans. Shortly after, in 2017, groups from different states started talks of rebellion. Two years later, the uprisings started in every state.
The government responded back, executing all the rebels. Now they are trying to keep us under control by forcing 100 teens to fight each other. Well, message received. No one has even said the word rebellion since then. I just wonder if these games will ever stop and what will happen many years from now. I hope the people who come after us can live in peace.
Just then, mom comes out of the house with the papers in hand, breaking me from my thoughts. She reminds me of a school teacher, the way she carries the papers and the pen stuck behind her ear.
"Well done! You all passed with flying colors!" she appraises. She beams at us and hands dad the papers to show him. I feel giddy with excitement that I did well and that spark of always short-lived hope comes back. I feel more confident now though, knowing my parents have confidence in us as well.