I am stared at the whole time in training. It doesn't help that my hand's in a cast. I know I look weak. I am weak.

I pick up a knife and try to throw it with one hand, but it lands on the ground halfway from the target. I hear snickers behind me and I start to grow angry. I grab another knife and swing it hard. It lodges itself at the edge of the target. If my knife had been a centimeter away, it wouldn't have even hit the target. I hear more snickers behind me. I fume and grab a knife. I throw my arm backward and let go of the knife. It flies across the room and buries itself dead in the center of the target. The snickers stop, but I don't. I grab another knife and throw it hard again. It hits the center of the target. I grab three knives and three targets light up and turn around. I throw the three knives at the same time and each of them buries into a separate, dead center. I reach over for another knife, but find that I've used them all. I turn around and trudge away from the knife station and to the sword station. I pick up a sword and start swinging at the dummies. I cut the head off of one and stab another one in the stomach. After I'm done with the sword, I head over to the obstacle course. I jump onto the long pedestal and start jumping from pedestal to pedestal. The adults of the Training Center swing foam swords at me, but I avoid them stealthily. Just as I complete the course a belle rings, signalling that training day is over.

As I walk away, I see that everyone is staring at me; even Mike. I ignore them and head to my room. I'm heading to the shower just as there's a knock on my door. I swing it open and see that Mike is staring at me.

"Hi," I say.

"What the heck was that?!" he exclaims.

"What?" I say, confused.

"You just tore up nearly everything in the Training Center as if it was no big deal!" mike exclaims.

"That's what I thought I was supposed to do," I say, growing angry that he was yelling at me. "Train."

"You're acting like you actually want to do this!" Mike exclaims. "Like you're actually going to kill kids!"

"I don't want to!" I say. "But if I ever want to go back home I'm going to have to! I'm the only one who seems to understand that!"

"There's a difference between wanting to win and wanting to kill," Mike says.

I open my mouth to say something, but I'm at a loss for words. They finally come to me, but they sound childish.

"I just want to go home," I say.

"We all do," Mike says. "If we stick together, maybe we can do so."

"Are you saying that you want to team up during the games?" I ask.

"Well... yeah, I guess I am," Mike says. "Allies, you know?"

"Is that even allowed?" I ask.

"They can't really stop us," Mike says. "Once we're in the games, I guess we can partner up. You know, like it's an actual game."

"Fine," I say. "But what if we're the last two left?"

"We'll figure that out when it comes." he says. "So, allies?"

He extends his hand toward me. I look at it for a few moments, but then nod and shake his hand.

"Allies."