Isaac Foster, 15

District 5 Male

To ally or not to ally? It was the question that had been rattling around in my head since Aspen asked me to work with her yesterday. My mentor Ed was supportive, saying that skilled allies close to me in age could be very beneficial. But Aspen reminded me so much of Skylar…

Last night I dreamed of my girlfriend. At first we were sharing happy memories, like our first kiss and fun dates we'd been on. And then they switched to scenes of her death. I was there, but unable to save her as she was skewered on a spear. I woke up with a scream in my throat.

What would Skylar want me to do? What would my mom want me to do? They'd want me to be safe, but in the Hunger Games, that wasn't always a possibility. But would an alliance be safer than going alone?

My instinct said 'yes'. I made up my mind right as the elevator doors opened. I let Anastasia out before stepping into the large gymnasium. Most of the tributes were already there, spread throughout all the different stations. Anastasia left my side almost instantly and I started scanning the room for Aspen or Birch.

I spotted Aspen throwing hatchets on the far side of the gym, so I made my way over to her. I cleared my throat to get her attention and she turned to me, briefly startled, before a smile spread across her face.

"Hi Isaac!" she said cheerfully. I waved half-heartedly. Aspen's genuine kindness and enthusiasm hit me hard, and not in a good way. But I had to stay strong. That was what Skylar would have wanted.

"Hey," I said. "I talked to my mentor Ed and I'd like to accept your offer to be allies."

"Oh! That's great!" Aspen exclaimed. "Come on, let's go tell Birch!" So before I could say anything, she rushed me over the traps and snares station, where Birch was absorbed in tying a knot.

"Birch!" she said excitedly. "Isaac wants to join our alliance!"

"Oh, that's good," Birch said, standing up and turning to face us. He held out his hand to me and I shook it.

Something about Birch's expression and demeanor was off-putting. He seemed cold and harsh, and I had a feeling he was the type of person to stop at nothing to get what he wanted. I couldn't blame him for that - I was that person too - but I didn't completely trust him.

"So, do you guys have plans for your private sessions?" I asked. After lunch, everyone would be demonstrating their skills in front of the Gamemakers and I had to admit that I was nervous.

"I'm going to throw hatchets," Aspen said. "I practiced a lot back at home and I think it's my strongest skill." I nodded, and then we both glanced at Birch.

"I haven't decided yet," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll probably just wing it. What about you Isaac?"

"I think I'm going to throw knives or do some survival stuff," I told them. Aspen nodded approvingly.

"Good plan. Try to fit in both, if you can. A versatile skill set will get you a better score."

I nodded in agreement before glancing over at the first-aid station.

"Well, I think I'm going to work on a few more things, but I'll meet up with you at lunch?"

"Sounds like a plan," Birch said, a strained smile on his face. I nodded goodbye and walked away, shuddering at the feeling of Birch's gaze on my back.

Robyn Seiwald, 15

District 3 Female

I fiddled with the silver moon charm on my necklace as the elderly trainer went over the techniques of purifying water. I had no way of guessing what the arena would be and I wanted to be prepared for anything and everything. And dying of dehydration sounded absolutely awful.

He was describing a mineral called maifan stone, which absorbed harmful heavy metals naturally found in water. He showed me what the mineral looked like before moving on to boiling and different filtration methods. I listened as best I could, but the sound of the girls from 10 and 12 talking caught my attention.

Keeping my eyes on the trainer, I listened to Brielle's words.

"...could help each other out in the arena," she was saying. Marjoram was chewing on her bottom lip in thought.

"I saw you at the edible plants station," Brielle continued. "You were good. And I can handle a knife. Together, we'd have food and weaponry covered."

"Okay," Marjoram said. "I think that would be a good idea." Brielle smiled and held out a hand, which Marjoram shook.

"Or, if absolutely necessary, drink running water that is as far upstream as possible. Got all that?"

I turned my attention back to the trainer. I'd only heard about half of what he said, but the nerves in my gut and the racing thoughts in my head stopped me from asking him to repeat himself.

If I was being completely honest with myself, I would admit that I was terrified. I'd spent so much of my life putting up a calm, confident facade that I was able to bury the dark thoughts of self-doubt. But the Hunger Games was bringing them all back to the surface.

What if I wasn't good enough? My parents certainly seemed to believe I wasn't. Ela was the only person who truly cared for me, and in all likelihood I would never see her again. The thought left a hollow ache in my chest.

Back in District 3, all I wanted was to improve. In my social status, in my work, and in my own skills. I was dedicated and crafty, but it was never enough. Ela's familiar words of comfort suddenly came to me.

'Robyn, you are your own worst enemy'.

"I know," I whispered, knowing Ela would never hear me.

At some point I had wandered away from the water purification station. I was near the bathrooms now, so I went inside to splash some water on my face. I desperately needed to clear my head and I was hoping the cold water would trigger a restart.

It didn't work as well as I'd hoped, but I was able to remind myself that I had to make a plan for my private session. I was leaning toward making a bomb of some kind, but now I wasn't sure if I wanted to reveal that much about my skill set. A high score would paint a target on my back. I didn't plan on running from the bloodbath so I had to keep a low profile and stay off the Careers' hit list.

I emerged from the bathroom and got a drink of water before heading over to the traps and snares station again. Even if I was aiming for a lower score, I still had to show off something.

Crash Derosches, 18

District 4 Tribute

It was nearing lunchtime and my stomach was growling. I had spent most of the morning lifting weights and my body needed to replenish. So I was hanging out near the cafeteria, waiting for the bell to ring.

Lotus and Taffeta were talking nearby. After Becky and I talked to Aurelius, Taffeta changed targets. Now she was practically slavering over Don, but he seemed to be loving the attention. And I didn't like Don enough to give him any advice about her behavior… although I doubted he didn't know what she was doing.

The Career Pack this year didn't seem to have too much drama. Lotus and I were chill, and so was Aurelius. Becky was a bit of a bully but she knew we had to work together. Artemis kept to herself. And Don seemed content with flirting with Taffeta and barking orders.

"Hey Lotus!" I called, suddenly in need of something to do. Zey and Taffeta glanced over at me. "I'll bet you I can pick up you and Taffeta at the same time!"

"Hah!" Lotus scoffed. "With those twigs? You'd be lucky to get one of us off the ground." Zey narrowed zeir eyes at me, but I could see the smile zey were trying to hide.

"What do you get if you win?" Taffeta asked, coming over to me. I thought for a second.

"I get dibs on the comfiest sleeping bag in the arena."

"Fine by me," Lotus said. "And if I win, you have to give me a foot massage every night."

"Ooh, that's better," I laughed. "Alright then, it's a deal!" I held out my hand and zey shook it.

I stretched my neck and shook out my arms before squatting down and wrapping an arm around Lotus's legs. I lifted zem up slightly before doing the same to Taffeta. Slowly, muscles straining, I stood up to my full height. Almost every eye in the training center was on me now and I winked at the boy from 7, who was scowling.

Aurelius suddenly let out a whoop and began to clap. Taffeta laughed and joined in. Several outer district tributes did too, like the girls from 7 and 12. I carefully set my allies down before bowing, which led to more applause.

Suddenly Birch was rushing forward. He came right up to me and snarled in my face.

"You think you're so great," he hissed. "Well, you're not. None of you are!" he shouted, gesturing to my allies.

"You are traitors! You abandoned the districts during the First Rebellion and have done nothing but ruin us since! You enjoy the Games. You take part in their sick schemes. The Capitol starves people! They ignore illnesses and disease outbreaks. They whip and execute district citizens over the smallest of misdemeanors!"

"Someday, a rebellion will rise. And you will all be remembered as the ones who supported the enemy. The ones who fought against democracy and human rights. You are monsters!"

He finished his speech by shoving me with both hands. I stumbled back, too stunned to do anything else. Two trainers rushed forward and each grabbed one of Birch's arms. He growled at them but allowed himself to be dragged towards the elevator.

"You will never escape what you have done!" he yelled as the doors closed.

For a moment, everything was silent. And then the head trainer stepped forward and clapped his hands loudly.

"Alright then! Time for lunch! Please proceed to the lunch line in an orderly fashion." Still shocked, everyone did as he asked, stifling forming a line. I grabbed Lotus's arm and pulled zem aside.

"What are we doing?" I whispered. Zey frowned.

"Getting in line for lunch?"

"No. What are we doing by volunteering?"

"We're testing our strength and bringing honor to District 4."

"That's what the Academy trainers say," I pointed out. Lotus sighed.

"Crash, I honestly don't know why we made this choice. It was probably stupid of us. But we do stupid things all the time and we're here now, for better or worse. I would die for you, and I know you would die for me. So let's just make the most of our situation and kick some ass in the arena!"

I smiled.

"How are you so good at cheering me up?"

"It's a natural talent," zey said. "Now come on. Let's get some lunch. You must be starving after all that weightlifting."

I followed zem into the lunch line, but Birch's words were firmly planted in my head. Was this a mistake?

Hi everyone! Here it is! The last day of training. I had a bit of writer's block with this chapter, so I hope it's not too clunky to read. I've actually written the Private Sessions already, since I was avoiding this chapter, but I won't spam you with updates. And Christmas is coming up, so I'll try not to post too much during that period. But anyways, please let me know what you thought of this chapter and please leave a review! I always appreciate hearing your feedback :)

Questions

1) Whose POV was your favorite? Why?

2) Is Isaac right to be wary of Birch?

3) Will Crash get out of xeir head and get xeir game face on in time?

4) Which alliance would you join, if any?

Alliances

The Careers: Becky, Aurelius, Artemis, Donquixote, Crash, Lotus, Taffeta

Unnamed: Kairos, Leona, Jay

Honoring The Lost: Isaac, Aspen, Birch

Deranged & Confused: Calceus, Freya

The Power Couple (and Saigon): Mac, Brady, Saigon

Also Unnamed: Brielle, Marjoram

Loners: Robyn, Anastasia, Andy, Arawn

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!

- Fiona