(Chapter 20: James)

"Atlas rouses me from sleep, his voice gentle yet persistent. He beckons me to breakfast, and I reluctantly obey. As the door closes behind him, leaving me alone in the quiet room, I drag myself out of bed. The morning light filters through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the floor.

With heavy steps, I make my way to the bathroom. The shock of cold water wakes me up, and I emerge feeling slightly more alive. After a quick towelling off and a change of clothes from the wardrobe, I glance at my reflection in the mirror, running a hand through my hair in a futile attempt to tame it.

In the dining room, Calista nods in greeting as I enter, already engrossed in her breakfast. She wastes no time in laying out the day's training plan, then explains how later we might organise some individual training. Since I'm so hungry, I grab some food – pancakes, waffles, cheese, fruit, toasties – and eat in silence, my mind already racing ahead to the day's events.

After breakfast, I meet Lilly and Sylvia at the elevator, the anticipation palpable as we descend to the training rooms. The air crackles with energy as we join the other tributes, their faces a mix of determination and nerves.

Brett, a sturdy figure with a commanding presence, breaks through the tension as he outlines the day's schedule – standard training with access to coaches and equipment, but strictly no fighting with other tributes. Socialising, however, is encouraged. As he dismisses us, I feel a flutter of excitement mingled with apprehension.

While most of the other Careers head straight for the bulky, dangerous-looking weapons, I decide to focus on honing my dagger throwing skills. I'm fairly good at it, but back at home I've always been known for my skills with a sword. However, most Career tributes have been trained to be able to sufficiently use almost any weapon, so I'm sure many other tributes can use a sword. At the station, I'm greeted by a trainer with an athletic build, olive skin and dark waist-length hair braided.

"Are you familiar with throwing daggers or knives?" she asks, her voice soft yet authoritative.

"Yeah." I reply, and she smiles and walks over to some other tributes.

I select a dagger and take aim at the target. The satisfying thud as it hits the bullseye fills me with a sense of accomplishment, but my attention is soon drawn to the figure beside me.

Elora Yarrow stands nearby, her golden hair gleaming in the artificial light. I offer her a playful tap on the shoulder, since I'm bored and I've got nothing better to do. Plus, I would like to see her reaction towards me.

"Hello." I say, grinning.

She startles, almost dropping a knife in the process, and whips her head around to face me.

"You scared me," she scowls, but her sour expression falters, replaced by a hint of recognition and curiosity in her grey eyes. She returns to studying the knives and daggers.

"Good at throwing daggers?" I ask, trying to strike up a conversation. It's amusing me, and I'm fairly bored.

"Nah, not really. I'd like to be though. I used to see my brother do it all the time. He was pretty good at it," she answers without turning around.

I lean casually on the knife stand. "That's cool. I could teach you, if you like."

Elora looks at me in suspicion and disbelief. "I'm sure you'd rather not waste your time. Why don't you go run off with your Career buddies? How about that girl of yours?"

I frown. "I'm not with Lilly. She's just kidding."

"Ok, so she lied about being pregnant with your child?" Elora said, smirking.

"Yes," I said, not seeing why it would be hard to believe.

Elora sighed, and gazed longingly at the target to her right. "Alright, sure. Teach me to throw a knife."

I grin and thrust my hand out, willing for her to shake it. "I'm James."

Reluctantly, Elora slips her hand into mine, and shakes it. "Elora," she says, but, unbeknownst to her, I already know her name.

I grin as I grab a dagger off the stand. "Watch and learn."