Chapter 5

"Not quite."

"What do you mean?" Clove asked narrowing her eyes.

"I asked her to join the alliance. She said she didn't know." Cato replied rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"And?"

"And nothing."

"Then why were you laughing two seconds ago."

"Don't worry about it. Let just go ok?" Cato said sternly as he started walking away towards the elevator as Clove sighed and followed slowly behind.

On the fourth floor, Faye was banging her head against her bedroom door.

"You know… your not going to be able to open the door that way." Ezio said sarcastically leaning against the doorframe.

"Shut up." Faye snapped sliding down the door to the floor as Ezio followed her led.

"Oh not so friendly I see." he replied cheekily as she glared at him.

"Want to tell me why you're banging your head against the door?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"You were right." She mumbled pinching bridge of her nose.

"About?" he asked tilting his head to the side.

"The alliance." she sighed.

"Oh." he mumbled softly suddenly becoming fascinated with his shoes.

"What did you say?" he asked slowly like he didn't know the answer already.

"I said that I didn't know." she replied staring at her hands.

"I feel like there is more to this but I'm not going to push. What are you going to do?" he asked looking at her as she sighed.

"Your too smart for my liking." she chuckled softly as Ezio smirked.

"Well, it comes with the good looks." he said being cocky as Faye rolled her eyes.

"But seriously, what are you going to do?" he said sternly as she frowned.

"I honestly don't know, I want to say no but…." she began.

"They aren't going to be happy with that." he finished and she nodded.

"Why don't you want to join the alliance?" he questioned

"Because in the end if we are the last tributes… I don't think I'm able to kill them. Like you said before 'You're not going to kill them.' and you're right again." she said using air quotes as he chuckled.

"If you join, I think they will keep you safe seeing that they are your close friends." he reasoned.

"If I do then I fear for the amount of blood that will be on my hands. I might have been born in District Two and trained with the most skilled killers but I don't think I have the power to just turn off my humanity and just walk away feeling nothing." she argued

"This is the Hunger Games, no matter what there will be blood on your hands and you don't have to turn off your humanity." he said

"I know but the games change you. Knowing the Careers they will be hunting down every last tribute until they are the last. I don't want to see the dark side of my friends."

"Wait, it gets darker?" he chuckled as she smiled and playfully pushed him with her shoulder.

"You should take this advantage or at least talk to Finnick." he said softly as she nodded her head. Speaking of the devil…

"There are my two tributes, don't want to know what you two have been doing. Now is time for the private training so who wants to go first?" he asked as both tributes pointed at each other.

"Faye! Thanks for volunteering!" he said clapping his hands as Ezio starting laughing on the floor.

"But but…" she began.

"Meet me down at the training center in five minutes." Finnick said walking away as she groaned.

"Have fun." Ezio sang as she got up and glared at him.

"Do you need help opening your door?" he asked as she used her foot to push him over and then walked into her room.

Faye went to change out of her yoga pants to gym shorts, which will make it easier to move around. As she was leaving to go to the training center, she threw a pillow at Ezio before he could react she was already behind the elevator doors. She was chuckling to herself until the elevator doors opened as someone walked in… the boy from District One. He smirked at Faye as she brushed her bangs to the side not noticing that he just entered the elevator.

"Your from District Four… it's interesting how skilled you are." he said slowly.

"Lets just say, I learned what I needed to know to survive in the games." she said calmly not looking at him.

"Survive? Don't you mean win?" he asked moving closer to her.

"Is there a difference?" she asked sarcastically moving away as he inched closer.

"Aren't you so funny? It will be really fun having you on the alliance." he whispered forced her into a corner as he simply placed a hand on one side of her head.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." she said place her hand on his bicep.

"Why not?" he said tilting his head to the side.

She didn't answer but just started twisting his arm in a very uncomfortable angle until it was behind his back. Then kneed him in the stomach making him fall to the ground.

"Now, you have your answer." she hissed kneeling to his level where he was holding his stomach as the elevator doors open to the training center.

Faye walked over him, making her way out of the elevator as he mumbled…

"Ahh… this is going to be interesting." but Faye didn't hear him.

Walking into the train center, Finnick was setting up mats as Faye pulled on her gloves.

"Can we start?" she asked quickly not realizing how frustrated she sounded.

"Ah s-sure do you want to warm up or stretch first?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"No." she said

"Alright then. Come at me with all you got." he said putting his fist up while Faye did the same.

Making the first move by punching, Finnick deflected as Faye expect. She then used her one of her legs to smoothly swipe his legs from underneath him which work then placed a foot on his chest to keep him down.

"Dead." Faye declared as she removed her foot from his chest.

"Impressive." Finnick answered getting up.

"Your not the first one to notice." she mumbled softy while taking a seat on the matt.

"Careers?" he asked sitting down next to her.

"Yeah, they want me to be part of their alliance." she answered softly.

"I'm not surprised since half of them are your friends." Finnick said as Faye shrugged.

"The thing is I don't know if I want to be part of this alliance. Ezio thinks it's a good advantage plus he thinks Cato and Clove can protect me until the very end." she explained bring her knees to her chest.

"Why don't you want to join?" he asked curiously. She hesitated at first for some odd reason.

"I don't think I will be able to kill them." she answered slowly.

"You know the Career Alliance usually consist of tributes from District One, Two, and Four." he replied truthful.

"Have they asked Ezio?" he asked slowly as Faye shook her head 'no'.

"You sure the reason why you don't want to join is because of him?" he asked raising an eyebrow. It did come to mind but Faye never actually took the time to think about it. Now maybe that might be the reason she why she is cautious to join.

"I thought about that. Its just… he has been an amazing friend and I don't want to see him get killed. Also he is one of my friends boyfriend." Faye replied sighing as she rubbed her temples.

"That really must hurt but at this point do whatever it takes to go home. This is about you, I know it sounds selfish but if you want to go home… you have to want it badly enough to kill for it." Finnick said intently and Faye understood as she sighed and nodded her head.

"Alright, lets get back to training." Finnick said getting up then turned to give Faye a hand.

"Why? I beat you." she said taking his hand as he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah I let you win." he said and it was Faye's turned to roll her eyes.

Faye and Finnick trained for the next hour or so where he helped her polish up any of her skills. Honestly she was a little rusty on some parts because Finnick was able to beat her down. Once she was covered in sweat that was when Ezio came down for his private training.

"See you worked hard." Ezio said smirking before he knew it Faye stomped on his foot hard making him groan in pain. She smirked and walked out of the room.

"You walked into that one buddy." Finnick said chuckling as Ezio sighed.

"Has she talked to about the alliance?" Ezio asked suddenly getting serious.

"Yes. I think you and I both know what her choice is." Finnick said eyeing Ezio while Ezio, himself held a straight face hiding his true emotions.

Dinner that night was the same as the night before but the happiest and laughter can only last for so long. Afterwards, Faye went to her bed and instantly fell asleep after getting out of the shower then finally jumping into bed. Having a very stressful day really give Faye a dreamless night, which was a good thing because the next morning someone had to shake her to wake her up.

"Faye, its time to get up." Serenity said softly as Faye moaned for five more minutes.

"No, no, no you need to get ready for another day of training." Serenity argued and Faye sighed as she began to sit up but then…

"FINNICK, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU DON'T THROW A BUCKET OF COLD WATER AT SOMEONE WHEN THEY ARE SLEEPING!" Ezio yelled and then came laughter probably from Finnick.

Faye's eyes were wide as she looked at Serenity who was shaking her head yet smiling at the same time. At this point Faye didn't want to go back to sleep if that was how she might be woken up to. She jumped out of bed and ran straight into the bathroom beginning her morning routine. After, she put on her training clothes, shoved her gloves into the back of her pockets and went to eat breakfast.

Once, Faye sat down she noticed Ezio's hair was still wet and tried not to laugh.

"Oh you don't start too." Ezio snapped as Faye just shoved food in her mouth to contain her laughter.

"If you just get up the moment I warned you then you wouldn't be wet." Finnick reasoned as Ezio just glared at him.

"That was not necessary!" Ezio snapped again as Finnick shrugged.

"Lets just go to training and maybe you will dry off when you practice making a fire." Faye said as she got up from the table and Ezio sighed following behind.

The tributes entered the elevator as the silence washed over them. None of them knew what to say but as the day of the games gets closer, the harder it was for them to look each other in the eyes. Even though yesterday seem perfectly fine but it didn't change the fact of why they were here.

"So you're going to take the advantage." Ezio said not actually asking but clarifying as Faye looked straight at the door.

"Yes." she said simply not meeting his gaze.

"It looks like this is it then." he said softly as Faye nodded.

"Yeah, I guess it is." she mumbled biting her lips nervously.

"Look, Faye -" he started but interrupted as the elevator doors opened.

"We're here." Faye announced leaving the elevator quickly as Ezio sighed.

In the training room…

"Guys I'm tell you we need her on the alliance." Marvel said seriously. After telling the other Careers what happened in the elevator with Faye they laughed not because they didn't believe it but that Faye beat up Marvel giving him a bruise on his stomach. Well, Clove and Cato laughed but Glimmer said that it was rude.

"Marvel, basically walked into it by trying to charm Faye… the boy deserved what was coming." Clove argued as Glimmer glared at her.

"I don't care it wasn't necessary." Glimmer snapped crossing her arms in frustration. She won't say it out loud but Glimmer wasn't fawn of Faye joining the alliance.

"That doesn't matter Glim, but what matter is that we get her on our team." Marvel said ending the argument.

"You want her on the alliance so you can get in her pants." Glimmer spat as Cato clenched his hands into a fist.

"That's not true!" Marvel cried as Glimmer shook her head in disbelief.

"That's not going to happen because if he tries again she will probably beat him to a pulp. Trust me, Faye is really skilled its best to have her on our side then against." Clove said looking at Cato to back her up.

"Clove is right, having Faye with us will give us the upper hand advantage in the games." Cato said sternly as Glimmer sigh in frustration.

"It seems like you're the only person who doesn't want her on the alliance." Clove said directing her statement to Glimmer who glared at her.

"Well, I'm concerned about her district partner because of the relationship they have. What if she can't kill him or what if she tries to get him on the alliance? I can tell he is far from useful or skilled." Glimmer reasoned and she was right.

Clove and Cato looked at each other as the door to the training room opened. Then came in Faye and then moments later Ezio, they didn't seem too happy.

"I don't think that will be a problem." Marvel said noticing some tension between the tributes from District Four.

Making to the training center on time, Faye and Ezio exchanged a looked before going their separate ways. Going the station she didn't go yesterday, Faye made her way to the rope tying and snares. Spending most of her time tying knots and making snare she decided that she did her best and moved on. Leaving the station, Faye felt eyes on her so she scanned the room and landed in the Careers who were staring at her. Clove gestured for Faye to come over and Faye walked over to them slowly.

"Have you made your decision?" Clove asked softly as Faye nodded.

"Yes, I will join your alliance." Faye answered as Clove smiled and hugged Faye. Cato smiled at the sight in front of him as Faye locked eyes with him for a moment.

"Why didn't you hugged me when I joined?!" Marvel exclaimed as Clove pulled away to glare at him.

"Long story." Cato said as Glimmer eyed the three of them.

"Come on, Marvel lets go train." Glimmer said pushing him forward as he started grumbling.

"I am Marvel and that Glimmer by the way." Marvel shouted over his shoulder and Faye nodded.

"I'm assuming, you guys haven't told them." Faye said slowly.

"Better they don't know beside Glimmer isn't excited about this so if she knows she might kill you." Clove said looking at Cato who hasn't said a word yet.

"Fine by me. But what does this mean for my district partner?" Faye asked as Clove and Cato exchanged a look. Clove understood and looked at Faye…

"Cato will explain the rest but come train with us." Clove said starting to leave as Faye gave her a confusing look. She turned to Cato who held an emotionless expression then she started chewing lightly on her lips out of nervousness.

"You're not going to like what you hear." Cato said in a low voice almost of a whisper.

"I never do." Faye said shaking her head as she began to walk away.

"Faye, you don't understand." Cato said pulling her back and into a private area of the room.

"Then make me understand. What am I getting myself into?" she asked sternly shaking his hand off.

"Glimmer isn't happy with you joining and your district partner serves as another reason why you shouldn't be on the alliance if you can't kill him. I'm not saying your going to but if that is the case then odds are not in your favor." Cato said calmly as Faye pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Odds were never in my favor you should know that by now. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about that but if I have to do it then so be it." Faye said starting to have a better view on things.

"Good. Right now focus on what you need to do to get ready. Before we go into the games we need to talk." he said staring at her as she nodded.

Faye started to walk away as Cato surprisingly pulled her once more into an embrace. His shoulder touching her nose while her arms were pressed firmly between their chests. She didn't struggle just stood there frozen as ice again as she inhale his scent that she missed greatly.

"I missed you." he whispered into her ear softly as she closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his collarbone lightly.

"I missed you too." she replied softly burying her head into his chest as he pressed his cheek against the side of her head.

Cato never wanted to let her go as he held her tightly against him and Faye wished she could stay in his arms forever. She missed the feeling of his warmth as he missed being around her. It seemed like ages before they pulled apart but they eventually did.

Tributes continued their training for the rest of the day, using every second they had to learning anything they might need to help them. Also, knowing that tomorrow they will have the morning to train before noon to show the Gamemakers what they are capable of doing. After that they prepare for the interviews and then the actually games.

"So tomorrow we train together once more before noon and we will meet again around the interview time to discuss game plan." Clove announced as everyone else nodded who were on the alliance.

Like yesterday, Faye had her private training with Finnick and discuss everything what happen with the Careers. He only advised her to be careful of what she is doing and she took everything he said into consideration. As the nighttime came around and Faye was in her room, she felt the pressure of the games on her shoulders. Lying in bed staring at the ceiling waiting for sleep to come, wishing that all this were just a nightmare. Something snapped her back to reality… someone was knocking on her door.