I'm supposed to be studying for a test, but I just had to type this up. I know that it isn't my best, but it was fun. I think that the rest of the story will follow the original plot at times, but be different at others. Anyways, hope you like it. Review please. :)
Cato:
"Glimmer seems intent on joining the alliance. Marvel too." Clove smirks. She knows that I don't particularly like the tributes from District 1 this year. "And she probably won't protest if you just happen to show interest in her looks either."
The elevator continues upwards. The glinting of the Capitol's buildings can be seen through the glass walls.
I growl a response. I plan to be the leader of the Career alliance this year. Clove will definitely be part of the group, but I'm not sure about Glimmer or Marvel. I haven't met District 4 yet, but hopefully they meet my standards. Only the best will be chosen. I am still debating whether Marvel is good enough with weapons to join, when we enter the training center. Most of the others have already arrived.
"Marvel is decent with the spear." Clove remarks quietly. She always knows what I'm thinking. Well, almost always. Masks are too easy to wear, especially in the Hunger Games, where betrayal is common.
"Fine. But he could be a problem if Glimmer is killed in the arena." Marvel clearly is too attached to his district partner, although she acts as if he doesn't exist at times. If only she would just make him happy and flirt with him instead of me. I have no time for weak things like love. I'm here to win.
"Your choice…if they're not with us, they're against us." Clove's eyes flash as she walks towards agility station. I join her, and we dodge flying weapons in silence.
As the last rubber-tipped arrow passes near my arm, the head training instructor claps her hands loudly. She is holding a clipboard, and is checking off names anxiously.
All the tributes finish what they are doing and gather around the instructor. I see Marvel exchange knowing glances with Clove, and narrow my eyes as she nods at Glimmer. The instructor claps her hands for silence again, and the sound echoes in the already quiet room. This is obviously her first year. I smirk and nudge Clove.
"Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark?" The woman flicks her eyes around the circle of tributes. She then looks up at the head Game maker, Seneca Crane, who wears a disapproving frown as he paces in a balcony over the room. She'll probably lose her job if District 12 doesn't show up soon.
But there is the sound of doors banging open, and the pair from 12 barge in, breathless. Noticing the stares, they try to quietly join the group of tributes.
"Today you will all be practicing hand to hand combat with a partner." The instructor looks immensely relieved at the arrival, and her voice is more confident. I nudge Clove again, and she smiles darkly, happy at a chance to wrestle with me. "Your partners have already been chosen, so don't make arrangements yet." Shoot. With my luck, I'll be with Glimmer…and Marvel would never let me hear the end of it if I hurt her.
"Clove and Rue. Thresh and Marvel." The instructor continues down her list, finishing with, "Glimmer and Katniss. Cato and Peeta."
Good. The girl from 12 can't do much damage. I wouldn't put it past Marvel to protest if Glimmer received a single scratch, but on the other hand, I doubt that he would come out with anything less than a scratch…the boy from 11 guarantees an interesting fight. Wish that I'd gotten him as a partner instead of the nervous looking boy from 12.
A large mat is placed where the instructor had been standing, clearly onlookers are welcome. I cross my arms, ready for a show.
Katniss:
I suck in a breath. Cato looks smug, and shoots a look of amusement towards us. Peeta looks very nervous, and I can imagine why. "Don't worry, you can take him." I tell him reassuringly.
"Yeah, good luck with Glimmer too." Peeta still looks miserable, although slightly less, and I regret planting false hope in him.
Clove and Rue go first. I involuntarily wince as Clove pins Rue down in a matter of seconds. The younger girl tries to push her opponent off, but Clove just holds her there until the instructor blows her whistle. Rue immediately flees, and goes to hide behind a stone pillar nearby.
Thresh and Marvel both put up a good fight, even landing several punches on each other. After a few minutes, Thresh has the upper hand and is practically sitting on the other boy's chest. A whistle is blown as Thresh draws back his fist, looking ready to knock Marvel out. Marvel scurries towards Glimmer, cheeks red, and chest heaving for air. Thresh walks towards the pillar where Rue had disappeared and leads her out with gentle hands.
The tributes from non-Career districts like mine just scramble around for a while, often ending with both individuals lightly swatting at each other, too tired to even care anymore. But the matches involving District 4 are decent, and I see Cato paying extra attention to them.
Finally it is my turn, Glimmer walks onto the mat, and smiles so much that you would think that she'd already won. Before I'm even on the mat, she launches herself at me, and I feel nails scratching at my arms. I'm unprepared, and we roll onto the hard ground, both desperately trying to be the one on top. Glimmer pulls at my hair, and digs her nails deeper into my skin.
Determined not to be beaten, I kick out and try to wiggle around until the grip on my arms have loosened. My opponent lets go for an instant, and I jump on the chance. I quickly leap on her, ignoring her attempts to pull out clumps of my hair, which has come undone from its braid. I hold Glimmer down for a few seconds, and when I begin to think that I can't go on any longer, the shrill sound of the whistle ends the match.
We both stand up with as much dignity as we can muster. I wish that Glimmer had waited for me to actually get on the mat before attacking…tomorrow I will definitely have bruises from my limbs slamming on the hard floor. I quickly tie my hair into a makeshift ponytail, finger-combing my tangled hair and clenching my teeth as an entire strand of hair comes out. Glimmer used her nails for much of the match, but strangely, I only have a few scratches.
The blonde girl is also fiddling with her hair and checking for any scratches. As if she even has any. I didn't even use my nails much, although I was perfectly capable of it.
Marvel is frowning at Glimmer's complaints about her arms hurting, and he sends a look of hostility towards me. Honestly, I should be the one sending dirty looks towards them. I rub my arms again.
"Hey, are you okay?" Peeta asks, eyeing the crescent shaped impressions on my arms. I nod.
"Well, it's my turn now. Wish me luck." He continues. I nod again and turn and see Cato snickering with Clove, probably about Glimmer and me.
"Next, Cato and Peeta!" The instructor calls over the complaining of Glimmer and Marvel. Peeta wipes his palms on his training uniform, and steps onto the mat. Cato takes longer, cracking his knuckles and neck before joining Peeta.
C'mon Peeta…show him that he can't always win. Come on already…
Peeta dashes towards Cato, apparently hoping to surprise the muscular blonde. But Cato is ready. The match, like Cloves, lasts only a few seconds. Cato has Peeta in a headlock before he has a chance to strike. The whistle blows, and Peeta rises shakily as Cato strides off the mat.
The other Careers immediately start congratulating the leader of their future alliance. Glimmer's squeal can be heard above the others.
"That was amazing! You're totally going to win this year." I look at Peeta in confusion. There is no jealousy or sadness in the statement, apparently the Careers believe that Cato will be the only one coming out of the arena.
Cato:
I smirk, it had been too easy. The boy should've expected my next action. If you hurtle towards someone like that, they'll obviously fight back. I accept the congratulations from the others. I feel eyes upon my back, and I lift my eyes to the balcony where Seneca Crane sits. But it is empty. The eyes are coming from the pair from District 12, the girl's eyes are stormy as she looks at me. I turn back towards Clove, Glimmer, and Marvel, unconcerned.
Three short blasts from a whistle restores control in the room, as well as announcing the time. It is time for lunch.
The underfed tributes from the poorer districts quickly hustle towards the lunch hall, a fancy room with obsidian tables and a marble floor. The Careers look towards me expectantly, and I savor the moment.
"Let's eat!" I hoot, leading the group into the hall. Steaming trays of food sit on silver carts spread around the room. I waste no time, and quickly load my plate with food. I choose the center table to sit at, and grin as the others join me.
There is movement that I pick up out of the corner of my eye, and I see the District 12 girl and boy walk in the lunch hall. Katniss and Peeta are they're names, although I don't call them that. It seems too personal to call or even learn the names of the other tributes, when I will kill them in the not far-off future.
Katniss:
The food is still hot, but many trays have been nearly emptied by the wave of Careers that had washed over the carts. I only fill my plate with a loaf of bread, some meat, and greens. On the train, I got sick when I stuffed myself with the rich food. Although I have gotten used to it since I've arrived, I'm not too hungry.
Peeta also doesn't take much food, and walks towards a free table in the corner, intent on keeping as far from the Careers as possible. I am about to follow when I remember Haymitch's words from last night.
"The Careers? They're trained to kill. But if you are part of the alliance, you have a better chance of survival. For the first few days at least. When the tension's too great, they'll start turning on each other."
I turn on my heels and carry my plate towards the center table. With each step, I feel Peeta's questioning gaze on my back. He must be wondering why I would want to sit with the Careers. I decide to tell him later.
As I approach the table, more people turn to stare. Little Rue, from District 11, fixes her dark eyes on mine, confused at why I would want to eat with killing machines.
"Can I sit with you?" I ask. The words are aimed towards Cato, but Clove answers.
"Hmm…let's see…" She looks at her comrades and flashes a smug smile as their faces show what she is thinking. "No." There are snickers from Marvil and Glimmer, as well as the pair from 4.
"No, let her sit." Cato's loud voice drowns them all out. They stare at him in disbelief, before going back to their food with grumbles.
I pull up a chair from an unused table nearby, and scoot into a spot between Cato and Clove, who growls under her breath and sends me a dark look. But Cato let me sit, and that's what matters. I hold back a triumphant smile.