The Girl Of War

Four

I headed for my second day of training. I spotted Elaine laughing with the careers. What is she doing with them!? I thought. I stumped on over to them.

"Elaine?!" I screeched. She turned and lay a hand on my shoulder.

"Oh, Katherine. Like I'd ever actually ally with you. Because I am not from district eight."I looked at her in shock.

"What do you mean?!"

"I'm from district two."She stood close to Brock. I stopped myself from throwing a punch, instead sighed,

"I'm very disappointed in you, Elaine!"I shouted. I found Cole sitting with a older boy. He was blond and scrawny.

"Hey, Kate. What's the matter?"Cole questioned.

"Turns out that Elaine is actually a career. Oh. My. Gosh." I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry about that. If it's okay with Miles, you could team with us?"He nodded to Miles.

"Sure."Miles replied. I smiled,

"Thanks." Miles was naturally quiet. He turned out to be seventeen years old. I taught him archery, as well as Cole taught him how to use a mace.

"Miles, you should come over for lunch. Twelfth floor." I offered.

"Yes, thanks."He smiled. Then as soon as training was over, we headed to the penthouse. We were served chicken salad with a sour, yellow, sugary drink. This time, Effie, Sahara, and the stylists were all here. I asked for more of the sour substance.

"What is this called?"Miles asked us. I shrugged.

"It's Lemonade. A juice made from lemons, water, and sugar. It's great."Effie answered. We headed back to training and Miles offered to teach me Spear. I nodded and attempt to hit the dummy's torso. I missed. He quickly took my shoulders to put the right position. After that, I'd hit the center every time. I grew to really like Miles as much as I like Cole. That night at dinner, I explained Elaine's betrayal. Effie nodded,"Those careers are quite clever."

"But she seemed so inexperienced. You know?"I said.

"Acting. Very good acting."Sahara added in. I shrugged and ate up the Manicotti. I headed upstairs,"Wait."Cole stopped me as I reached for the door handle. I turned to face him. He stood only inches away due to the narrow hall. I looked up into his blue eyes.

"Yeah?"

"I- um- uh... good luck."He quickly panicked and turned into his room, blushing. I called out as he slammed the door in embarrassment," Good Luck!"

I lay down on the bed and stare out the window. I spotted a small remote on the nightstand that I hadn't noticed yesterday. I saw two buttons only with arrows carved on both. I hit one and I jumped as to see the setting change outside. I viewed a tropical beach, then the arena nice, a peaceful looking meadow, a desert, then the woods. I gasped, my parents! I'd forgotten about them being here. I threw down the remote and sprinted downstairs. The stylists were discussing designs on the couch, so I tip-toed past them to the elevator. I reached the lobby. One peacekeeper to guard, how secure. I snuck out into the night air without being spotted. I felt a hand grip my arm once I was a few blocks away. I turned to see a familiar face of someone I loved. Her braided brown hair, the tall, thin figure. My mom.

I cradled myself in her arms, sobbing.

"Shh, we have to save your father and run away, Katherine."I nodded as she pulled me all the way to President Coins mansion.

"Alright, through the window."She ushered to a wide open window. We silently crawled into a kitchen. She dragged me into a room. My father was tied up, duct tape to the mouth. President Coin was nowhere to be seen. Mother tore off the tape and untied him. First thing he did was cradle me in his arms before mother took us outside. After minutes of walking around the city, a peacekeeper sounded a gun nearby. It hit the shoulder of mother, who kept on moving. Suddenly I woke in a bed, my bed, at the tribute penthouse. This was a dream. I must've blacked out and finding my parents was a dream. Too bad, Effie was standing there. I got ready for my scoring and went to the waiting room. After quite a long time, I heard a robotic voice," Katherine Hawthorne. District Twelve."

I rose from the bench and headed in. I looked around, spotting the bows. I picked up a bow and nocked it with an arrow. I drew back the arrow and went into position. Aiming at the chest, I let go. The arrow hits the target, I hear a few claps and smile to myself. I load a second arrow and hit the wall. I turn to see them laughing, I narrow my eyes and look for a much more challenging target. I spot the hunting station and head into a glassed area. I shut the door in the booth. The game makers can see me just fine through the clean glass. I release a cage of Mockingjays. They go fluttering around trees and near the ceiling I aim. I kill five birds before five minutes. They still don't pay attention. I aim at the glass of juice in a woman's hand. I hit the glass and it shatters, juice splattering her dress. She screeches, stumping out. I laugh in my head and stumped out of the room. That'll teach them what a District Twelver can really do...