I woke up on Training Day 1 feeling energetic. Ok, so my plan was this. I would use Jewel to get into the Career pack. At the same time, I would form a legitimate alliance with a few others. Then, when the Career pack was down to three or four, I would kill as many of them in their sleep as I could, then run away and meet up with my other alliance. It was as good as anything I had seen used in the Games before.

Once we got to the Training Room, I scurried over to the spear-throwing station, while Melissa stood gawking at the huge area with all the weaponry, and survival stations. The reason I went for the spear-throwing station was because the whole Career pack was chatting over there. I said hi to Jewel. "Last night was fun," I said loudly. She nodded smiling. Jewel gave me a hug and introduced me to the group. "Guys, this is Skye Locksmith. District 6," Jewel declared gesturing to me. I waved awkwardly.

The guy from 2, Ray, was the first to laugh. "Ha! Some loser from 6?! What is this Jewel? This kid's probably got no skills!" he scoffed at me. I shook my head, then pointed to him. "That's where you're wrong 2," I retorted. Then before he could respond, I pushed the pack out of the way. Then I swiped a spear. Back home, I would throw sticks into the sacks of railroad parts for fun. Eventually I started drawing targets on the bags while others weren't watching. After a while, all the kids my age joined in, and we would play that game almost every week. I actually got really good. So, my skills actually aren't that bad.

I aimed at the target with the spear clutched in my hand. "Heh, don't miss," Ray fake-coughed. I turned and whispered back, "I won't." Then I did something insane. I threw the spear while I still looked at Ray. Not even focusing on the target, I heard my spear thud into the board. Unbelievably, I turned around and saw a miracle. The spear stuck about a centimeter away from the blue bullseye.

Ray's mouth dropped open. Jewel clapped excessively, Casey whistled, Art's eyebrows raised, and Fred muttered, "Woah, kid." I would say that the shot was about 60 percent luck, 40 percent skill. Then, just for good measure, I threw a couple of spears that also stuck surprisingly close to the center. "Is that enough proof for you guys? He's Career material!" Jewel blurted to the others.

"I don't know Jewel," Art looked me up and down. Fred raised his hands palms facing me, "That's proof enough for me. We need a sixth man anyways." Ray shook his head. "Alright, alright. Skye's in..." he finished. A squeal of joy erupted from Jewel. She hugged me tight, then whispered in my ear, "You're amazing." A chill went down my spine.

That was the first day. I was officially a "Career." Art still wasn't sure, and Ray was reluctant, but I was in. Then Day 2 came, and I knew I needed to find my real alliance.

We reached the Training Room early. I convinced Melissa to come early because I wanted to avoid the Careers. At least for a little while. There were only a handful of tributes there when we arrived. I spotted a girl. Heather. From District 3. I approached her. She sat at a table tying knots. I sat across from her. Heather turned red and sank further in her chair. "Nice knot," I said trying to be friendly. She didn't respond. I quickly began tying one, to avoid more conversation. I was pretty good at it though, because I had at one time been in charge of tying the knots on the bags of railroad materials back in 6. Before I could keep trying to talk to Heather, a figure appeared next to me. I looked up to see Pete Mount. The huge kid from 11. He held two swords.

"Wanna spar?" Pete asked, wearing a toothy grin. My heart stopped. Did I want to have a go with Pete Mount? No. But what if I could make him my ally? I could be decent with a sword after all. Back home, we eventually started fighting with the sticks after we threw them. I got decent at it. So I stood up and faced Pete. "Okay. Get ready to lose." I smiled at him.

Pete was good. Real good. But I wasn't too bad myself. Turns out I'm better with a sword than my original guess. He won the first match. I won the second. We were sweating, cracking jokes, laughing. It was weird. This Pete guy, who looked like a ruthless killer was pretty fun to hang out with. But after a while I noticed the Careers on the other side of the room. I said bye to Pete. "That was great fun. You're pretty good Skye," he complimented. I knew it. Pete would be my ally. He had to be.

Day 3 arrived. I kept showing off my skills and stuff. But then I went to lunch and sat with Pete. The Careers were too busy messing with the guy from 8 to notice me. Surprisingly, Pete was sitting and laughing with some other guy I didn't recognize. Then it hit me. It was Gregory Thatcher from District 10.

"Hey," I greeted Pete. "Hi. This is Greg. He's my ally," he returned. It was surprising to me how open Pete was about these things. "Hey, I'm Skye-" "Locksmith. I know. The angel from 6. Whatever," Greg waved at me sarcastically. It was kind of rude, but I shook it off. "So guys, look, I don't have much time, but I need to ask you something Pete," I rushed. "What?" Pete replied, but it was obvious he knew what I would say. "Can I join your alliance?"

"Yeah, sure Skye. You're cool," Pete answered nonchalantly. "Woah, woah, woah. I don't even know this guy," Greg protested. "Well I do. He's cool. But, hey, aren't you in with those...Careers?" Pete continued sincerely. Then I told Pete and Greg my plan. All of it.

Pete was ALL for it. Greg had to get sweet talked, but it was arranged.

The rest of the Training Week was fairly uneventful. I hung out with the Careers most of the time. Jewel just couldn't get enough of me! Casey kind of started to fall for me. Fred clearly thought I was the coolest guy on earth. He followed me around and agreed with me about almost anything. Ray and I got a little closer, and he definitely started to accept me. Art was the only one still not sure about me. I couldn't get him to jump on board.

I also checked in with my alliance every once in a while. Greg started to like me more and I got used to him as well. Which was good. Pete was really nice. He kind of lead the alliance, Pete did. He was strong, authoritative, and kept us out of fights. Then, before I knew it, Training Week ended.

I lay in bed again that last night of Training Week thinking about the next day. We would be scored tomorrow. 1 being the worst, and 12 being the best. It was called Individual Assessment. I was a little nervous, but I knew I was skilled enough to do great. The Games started in 3 days. Pretty close.

Then memories of my family waved over me. Little Jesse. What was he thinking right now?How did my mother feel? Where was my dad? I nearly cried thinking about them. But eventually sleep greeted me without any dreams.