Early the next morning, Brutus comes knocking at my door.
"What time is it?" I groan. It is way too early to be awake.
"It's time to go over training," my mentor responds. How is he functioning? "I figured we should work out your strategy before breakfast." By "before breakfast" I assume he means "before Clove and Enobaria wake up." I can't muster the energy to argue with him, and a little strategy sounds like a good idea.
"Fine. What's the plan?" I ask, stretching as I try to wake up. I've never been much of a morning person.
"Today, the most important thing you need do is establish yourself among your fellow careers," Brutus explains, laying out his plan. "They have to fear you even more than the other tributes. You've got to become the leader of the career alliance. That way, they won't dare cross you."
"How am I supposed to do that?" From what I could see yesterday, I don't think the others would just roll over and let me take charge.
"Well, obviously, you need to show them what you can do. That reminds me, what are you good at?" Brutus questions me. Now that I think about it, he hasn't asked me about my skills yet. I would have thought it would be the first thing he wanted to know, but I guess it's good to wait until nobody else is around.
"I can handle pretty much any weapon. I'm really good with spears, but swords are my specialty. I also excel at hand-to-hand."
Brutus nods slowly, thinking over my answers. I'm not sure, but I think he looks impressed. "You look strong enough. You may actually have a shot at this thing. But it's not all about fighting; it's also about your attitude. Act like a leader, and take charge."
His praise gives me an ego boost, but the second part unnerves me. How am I supposed to take charge of a bunch of highly trained killers. Sure, I could fight them. Easily. But lead them? That is entirely new territory.
"I don't' know how to act like a leader," I tell Brutus honestly. After all, I've usually been the one taking orders from my father, and directing others was never a lesson. Obedience was. "I'm much better at following instructions than giving them," I explain when Brutus doesn't answer. He doesn't look too pleased. Never would I have thought that this, of all things, would be my weakness. My father's voice replays in my head: weakness is for the other twenty-three. Not for you. I wonder what he would be saying right now. On second thought, I doubt I'd like to know.If I can just figure out how to do this, then I really would have no weak spots.
I feel a ghost of a smile form on my lips as I think of victory. For a moment, I indulge in thoughts of winning. But first things first: getting to the top of the alliance. My mentor still hasn't responded, and I can't help but feel like I've already disappointed him. That can't happen. "So," I continue, slightly louder than before. "How am I going to convince for other trained careers to listen to me?"
"The trick is not to let them see what you're doing. For today, start out by suggesting which stations to visit. It wouldn't hurt to show off a little, either. As for the other tributes, they should fear you more than any other tribute, especially the other careers. Everyone, from tributes to sponsors, need to know you're on top of things." I take a deep breath. Sounds easy enough.
"Got it," I say.
Brutus checks his watch. "You better get ready for breakfast. The others will be expecting us soon." With that, he gets up and leaves my room, with me still mulling over his new instructions.
Lazily, I get out of bed and take a quick shower. There is on outfit waiting for me in the front of my closet. This must be what I am supposed to wear to training. Quickly, I pull on the soft black pants and t-shirt and then hurry down to breakfast.
"Oh, look who finally decided to join us!" Clove calls out sarcastically as I entered the dinning room.
Ignoring her, I load my plate with food and take my seat beside her, across from Brutus. I automatically shovel food into my mouth and make no effort at conversation.
"What's wrong, Cato? Still asleep?" Clove teases in a bright voice.
"Yes!" I growl, and she smirks.
As breakfast goes on, I notice Clove drops out of the conversation. I'm not sure, but she seems kind of nervous, although I have no idea why. Today we start training - she should be as excited as I am. I mean, she's been training for this her whole life, just like me, hasn't she?
Suddenly, Enobaria speaks up. "Training starts soon. You guys should starts heading down there. It'll give you guys a chance too meet the others." I guess it would be good to meet our allies before the others show up, but I can feel Clove tense beside me.
Atilius stands up quickly. I had almost forgot he was here. I guess I've gotten pretty good at tuning him out. "Alright, I'll bring them downstairs to the training center," he announces, already half way to the elevator.
"No," Brutus orders. "Let them go on their own. They aren't little children who need to be babysat."
Atilius deflates a little, but decides against arguing. Instead, he walks us to the elevator and gives us detailed instructions on how to get to the training center. As soon as we step into the elevator, Clove begins to fidget.
"What is up with you?" I ask after the doors shut.
"Nothing," she responds quickly, and very unconvincingly.
"We both know you're lying. And you have until we reach the training center to tell me what it is," I tell her. Normally I would just drop it, but now I'm genuinely curious.
Clove hesitates, considering whether or not to trust me. Considering the circumstances, I guess some hesitation is appropriate.
"Come on," I continue. "Who else are you going to talk to?"
I wait patiently for her decision. She takes a deep breath, then seems to make up her mind.
"It's just that…well," she pauses. "I guess I'm just a little nervous about meeting the others."
"The rest of our alliance?" I ask, slightly confused, and she nods. "Why? The alliance is already set, like every year."
"It's not that. I just don't know what to expect," Clove explains. "I mean, I don't even know them, and I'm supposed to trust them with my life. They're just as likely to spear me than help me."
"Not if your knife hits them first," I quip. This makes her smile a little. Clove doesn't necessarily sound afraid of the actual tributes. It's more the idea of having to trust them that doesn't sit right with her, which makes sense. We've all been trained to look out for ourselves and kill everyone else.
"I work better alone, anyway. I'm not really a team player," she tells me while tossing her hair over her shoulder. She shoots me a cocky grin. This isn't good. I need to keep her in this alliance, where I can keep an eye on her.
"Would you rather have your biggest threats as a tentative ally, who could turn out to be very useful, or a full out enemy hunting you down?" I question her.
She thinks this over for a second. "I guess you're right," she sighs, giving in. "Thanks Cato."
Clove gives me one of her brightest smiles, one that reaches her eyes. I'm taken aback by how genuine it seems. She looks relieved, and happy. And for a split second, so am I. But then I force myself to remember that she will be dead in a couple of weeks, and that any form of friendship will only cause trouble for me later.
So I turn away from Clove and her smile, just as the elevator doors open to reveal the training center. I can see district one already waiting, looking longingly towards the weapon stations. They are careers, like us. Trained to kill. I follow their gaze and immediately notice an area dedicated to sword fighting. I'm sure that's where Brutus would want me to take the careers first. Nobody would dare mess with me after they saw me in action.
The pair from one catch sight of us and wave us over. Here goes nothing, I think, and walk over, with Clove trailing close behind me.