The Sixty-Eighth Hunger Games

Chapter 7- ADDIE

During the next three days of training, it goes much the same as the first day. The Gamekeepers show up halfway through the second day and watch us from above. They never pay much attention to James and I, which I can see as being both a good or a bad sign: if they ignore us, there's less of a chance we'll be killed by them, but if they score us low, we'll probably get fewer sponsors.

Regardless of what they think, we visit at least half the stations, practicing hand to hand combat, learning how to weave a hammock (which I pick up very quickly), and learning many other skills that I hope will be useful later. Nick joins us for some, and we discover that he's practically a squirrel, based on how nimble he is as he completes the courses. James excels at the edible plant station, neither of us are much good at the medical station, and we both hone our swimming skills, though neither need much work.

One day at lunch, he told me about how he started playing soccer.

"When I was eight, right after Finnick got back home, he had this idea because I was bored all the time in that big house. I dunno how he did it, but he convinced Jax to give him this old busted-up net. It stank like crazy at first," James says, laughing. "Really bad. Anyway. He got one of his friends to help him out and they built me the goal to practice on. Orion- that's his friend- used to play soccer for Section 1, so Finnick asked him to teach me. He was really, really good. Like, crazy good."

"I get the point," I say, nudging his shoulder. I jump on the opportunity to ask a question that's been bothering me since I went with Finnick on that fishing trip. "So wait- why do you guys live in Seven if you have the huge mansion in One?"

"Finnick didn't like it," James says. "Neither did I. It was creepy and big."

Because Finnick didn't like it. He's not the type to not like the house itself, I really doubt he'd care what it looks like. I'm thinking it's probably because of what the house symbolizes. Finnick told me that he had entered the Games because he'd essentially been brainwashed to think they were good and because he needed the money, but I'm willing to bet that changed after his experience. I think Finnick realized how bad they were, and the house reminded him of all the people he killed. I wouldn't want the reminder either.

When I ask James how Finnick felt about the Games, he says that Finnick despises being a mentor. "He hates the Games. Every year, he's like 'Ugh, I have to go to the Capitol for their stupid show.'" He waves his hands in the air, mimicking his brother.

"Yeah, I could see that," I say, laughing at his imitation.

Later in the afternoon, we stand outside the gym waiting for the Gamemakers to let us in for our private sessions. All the tributes sit in chairs around the room, and I'm jittery, waiting for my name to be called. The girl from One, whose name is Raina, has already come out looking triumphant. Right now, the other tribute is in the room, and I can barely imagine what stunts he must be pulling. I pick at my fingernails until they hurt and the next tribute is called.

Four tributes later, they finally call my name. "Adira Ravenclaw."

"Good luck," James whispers. "Don't forget what Finnick said."

Finnick has told me to show off my knife-throwing skills first, because that's what will be seen as the most exciting. Then, I'm supposed to go onto knotting and weaving, and then swimming. My goal is to demonstrate as many skills as I can in the short amount of time. I am given twenty-five minutes, though I've heard that they are planning on changing it to fifteen next year.

So, as I walk into the room with my head held high, I head straight for the knife-throwing area. As I pick up a knife, pretending to examine it as if I know what I'm doing, I glance up at the Gamekeepers in their observatory room. Most have their eyes on me. Taking a deep breath, I throw my first knife. It hits the dummy right in the center of its chest.