Athena Dell, 15
District 3 Female
Today is the day of the private sessions. I've been trying to avoid the other tributes during the training, not wanting to draw attention to myself. Nobody has approached me yet, but I've noticed alliances forming already.
I place the nock of the arrow into the bowstring, and pull back, aiming as close to the target as I can see. It hits a bit off, and despite three days of practice, I still can't seem to use the weapon properly.
I groan in frustration, and upon seeing the girl from District 1 approach the display of bows, I leave the section. Her aim is perfect, and I would be embarrassed for her to see my misfire. I walk around the training center, and catch Alec speaking with some younger looking boy at the plants section. He sees me, and I nod, but speed-walk away.
I have nothing against my district partner, I just really don't think allying with anyone is for the best of my advantage. I haven't caught anyone's eye either.
Nobody is at the rock-climbing wall, so I decide to give it a try. One of the few things I'm actually good at. Me and Ella used to climb the tree in her backyard as little kids and laugh about all sorts of things. The thought double-crossing my mind causes a bit of pain for me, so I brush it off and begin to climb.
I attach myself to the harness, and a trainer turns on the machine which pulls me off the ground slightly. Hoping to distract myself from my thoughts, I climb fast, sweat eventually pouring down my face. When I was reaped, all hope faded away, knowing my chances of winning are slim. It was only when training began that I started to carefully plan out my moves for the games. Ella would have wanted me to win, to have the chance to survive when she never did.
I climb as high as the ceiling, feeling a rush of wind at the top. Ella is rooting for me, and I can feel it. I used to think dying would be the only way to see my best friend again, if an afterlife truly exists, but if I can win, I can fight against the Capitol and make sure the Hunger Games finally end once and for all. Then nobody else has to lose their friend the way I did. No parent has to lose their child. No child has to lose their sibling. And maybe we can all be treated equally too in the districts.
Barbara "Barb" Gutierrez, 16
District 10 Female
So far, things have been going well for me. Well besides the fact that I was reaped, I never saw that coming because I never have to take any tesserae out. I fidget with the small rope in my hands, and am startled back to reality by the snap of somebody's fingers.
"Hey! You listening?" Mazie snaps.
Our five-person alliance sits together on the benches of one of the waiting rooms. Mazie wanted to talk to us about something, but I forgot what it was about.
"Sorry." I grin. "What were you saying?"
"Do I have to explain myself again?" Mazie sighs.
"She was just talking about our plans for once we enter the arena." Aaron says.
"Go ahead, I'm still listening!"
I look over at Tay and Quincy. In our group, they are the more quiet ones, usually just nodding their heads in agreement at whatever Mazie says. Tay is brushing her dark locks with her hands, and Quincy leans against the wall with his arms crossed.
"-we all need to stick together." I hear Mazie say.
"Isn't it a bit risky for us all to run toward the cornucopia?" Aaron points out.
"Wait, we're all going to the cornucopia?" I ask, my mouth starting to drop.
"Yes, if you plan on staying apart of this alliance, that is." Mazie says. "We're going to keep close to one another and fight anyone off who tries to steal from us."
I don't like the sound of this idea at all. Yesterday, my mentor Tawnee told me that running toward the cornucopia is highly risky and highly likely to end in my death. But I want to stay with my alliance!
"Barb, just stay by my side, alright?" Aaron nudges my shoulder.
I nod, although I'm a bit worried about this plan, Aaron has been great to me these past few days and I trust him. He almost reminds me of my little brother Tony, an older version of him I guess. Kind and funny.
"The careers aren't the only ones to worry about." Quincy says suddenly. "Asa is with that huge group led by the kids from District 5."
"What even is your deal with Asa?" Mazie asks.
"In our district, her family is pretty well known because they are aligned with the Capitol. I've heard word that they torture innocent people who they call rebels."
Mazie scoffs. "Cowards. I still don't understand how those of district blood can side with the Capitol. They take everything from us. No surprise your district partner joined forces with the mayor's daughter from District 5. I wouldn't mind slicing her with my sickle."
I shudder at Mazie's words. I don't know why she hates the Capitol so much! It's a lovely city, and the people here seem friendly, but I don't say anything. Maybe it's a bit unfair that they force kids to kill each other every year…
Alberta Lee, 17
District 5 Female
I crack my knuckles, throwing a few more knives into the red target like I did back on the first day of training. Asa is on the other side of the targets, throwing axes, and Namid is showing Lily how to start a fire. Asa is really strong, and Lily seems sweet. If I want to get rid of Mazie's alliance, this alliance I've created could possibly work very well.
Namid is a good guy. He'll be nice to have around to help me get the job done in the arena. Looking at him reminds me a bit too much of Pyre. They both have the same gorgeous brown eyes. But Pyre was a narcissistic and abusive cheater. Namid always opens the door for me and tells me whatever I want to hear. Boys can't be trusted, but I can make him trust me.
But I'm loyal to nobody but myself. If I want to be Panem's best victor, I need to put on a good show and have something to interest the audience. I think back to the sedative I injected into the rat yesterday. If I can get my hands on that somehow during the games, I'll have a lot of fun with the other tributes!
After lunch, the private sessions begin and I plan on going all out. If I want to attract sponsors, I have to get a good score first, and even if that puts a target on my back, at least I have a whole army of people willing to protect me. Maybe Namid at least, I can't tell with the others.
I turn to see Fonio walking toward me. The boy from District 9 is a bit whiny, but he's surprisingly well-built and I could easily find a way to turn him against Mazie.
"Y…You're pretty good at th…that." Fonio says, stuttering.
I laugh. "Nervous that I'm so good?"
He looks down. "H-honestly I'm a bit… S-scared."
"What's the matter?"
"I miss my mama. I-I'm a bit nervous about the s-sessions today." Fonio's face begins to fill with tears, and I roll my eyes.
"I don't miss my mother. In fact I'm happy she's dead." I say.
Fonio gasps, and I laugh again. "So that's what you came here to talk about? Man up. Big boys don't cry. We're entering the Hunger Games!"
He takes a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his tears. I rip it from his hands and throw it into a trashcan nearby.
"Stop fucking crying!" I scream at him. "Don't you know how fortunate you are to have this opportunity? Man the fuck up! This is the Hunger Games!" Soon I realize other tributes are staring at me, and I quickly stop myself.
"No, you're probably right." Fonio mopes.
I whisper into his ear. "Big boys don't cry. Big boys kill. Would you kill for me?"
Fonio nods his head, and I gently pat his back.
Another chapter done, and now training is finished and we can look forward to the private sessions next! This chapter was a bit short but I didn't have much more interactions planned. Nonetheless I really enjoyed it and I am loving the drama that is coming from these tributes :) As always send reviews and let me know how you are enjoying this chapter!
Questions:
1) Whose POV was your favorite this chapter?
2) Do you think Athena will succeed with her plan and be a possible victor?
3) Is Mazie making a good choice by having all of her alliance members run toward the cornucopia?
4) What do you think Alberta is planning in the arena with her alliance?
5) Which tribute do you think will score the highest in the private sessions?
Alliances:
The Careers: Elizabeth (1), Midas (1), Selene (2), Cain (2), Anemone (4), Finbar (4)
Mazie's Gang: Tay (8), Mazie (9), Barb (10), Aaron (10), Quincy (11)
Alberta's Army: Alberta (5), Namid (5), Lily (7), Fonio (9), Asa (11)
Innocents: Alec (3), Robbie (8)
District 12 (extra alliance): Blayke (12), Vaughn (12)
Loners: Athena (3), Regina (6), Thomas (6), Caspum (7)
-xo, cassy