Tribute: Knife Thrower

Chapter 2

On the train I go to the dining cart with Cato, where both of our mentors await us. I am going to be trained by Lyme and Cato is being trained by Brutus.

"I think we are going to have another District 2 Victor this year." says Lyme, eying me.

I look over at Cato who apparently is a pissing idiot because even though Lyme is looking right at me he has the biggest grin on his face as if she just said he was going to win.

"She is talking about me you idiot!" I whisper in Cato's ear.

"Oh." he says looking down at his feet disappointedly.

It was then that I decided to diagnose Cato Hadely with Idiotism.

"Do either of you have a talent?" asks Brutus.

Cato flexes his arms and shows off his muscles, he is really pissing me off right now. Apparently he is also pissing off Brutus because he flexes his muscles and says,"You call that strength? This won me the Hunger Games!" he eyes Cato's muscles and continues,"That won't get you through the bloodbath."

"What about you Clover?" asks Lyme.

I grab a knife off the table which Brutus had been using to cut his steak and then throw it. It soars through the air at Lyme, but before I threw it I made sure that it would land just and inch away from her face, and it does.

"My name isn't Clover. It is Clove." I say through gritted teeth.

"We've got a feisty one." says Brutus, "Nice to meet you Clove not Clover. I am Brutus, I will be Cato's mentor and Lyme, who you just threw that knife at, will be your mentor."

"I know who you are, I've gone to training school my whole life and learned about every Victor, but it is nice to meet you nonetheless." I say.

Our conversation is interrupted when Vickie calls from the next car, "They are showing the reapings!" she shouts in her Capitol accent.

We all rush in and crowd around the TV to see who the competition is.

From District 1 there is a boy named Marvel, who looks nice enough, and a girl named Glimmer, who I hate as soon as I lay eyes on her, but most likely I will have to pair up with them in the arena since they are also careers.

Next they show me at the reaping volunteering, and even the whole fight between the other girl and I, and I have to admit that I am proud of the punches I threw. Then they show Cato volunteering and the end of the District 2 reaping.

I don't even really pay attention to any of the other Tributes, they will be easy enough to kill, until they reach District 11.

A little girl is drawn, she must not be more than 12 years old and she looks scared out of her wits, she is screaming and crying and is pulled away before she can say goodbye to her family. Next a boy is drawn, he is big and muscular and could probably break your neck like he was snapping a twig. I wanted him as an ally. I know he isn't a Career, but he could be very useful in a fight.

Next they move onto 12. Another little girl is drawn, Primrose I believe her name was, and then someone volunteers.

I gasp. A volunteer? From 12?!? There hasn't been a volunteer in 12 for almost 60 years, and no one in 12 has won since the 2nd Quarter Quell.

The volunteer's name is Katniss Everdeen, she is Primrose's sister. She looks small and meek, but something about her tells me that she is a threat and to beware of her. Next a boy named Peeta is drawn, there isn't much to him, most likely he will die in the bloodbath or of natural causes.

"That's what we're up against?" I say smirking,"I could kill them in my sleep."

They laugh at this, and when they do I realize that it isn't funny. Twenty three of us will never see our families again and one of us will gain fame and glory. Is a game really when you send children to go kill each other? Of course I don't say this outloud, but I think it and I think that I might be among the twenty three who don't make it.

No. I will be the one left standing. I will be the Victor. All I have to do is stab twenty three people in the back with my knives.

"We'll talk about strategies tomorrow, you two get some rest." says Lyme.

I head to my assigned car where I am to sleep, and Cato heads to his which is right next to mine.

"Goodnight." I say to Cato.

"Goodnight." he says.

Slowly he approaches me and touches my arm. I can feel his hot breath against my face. Then he leans in and our lips are touching. I have never kissed anyone, it is a new experience for me that lasts about two seconds before I pull away.

"See you tomorrow." I say, blushing.

"See you tomorrow." he says. 

And that is it. I just had my first kiss, and it was with Cato Hadeley, the boy I am supposed to kill.