The train never stopped. I just never left. I never went to training. Not for the past 4 months. My habit of skipping became more than a habit. Today was July 1st. I haven't seen Klairet since March. I lost commitment. She never came to visit, or that I know of.
I stopped paying for the academy, but I still have my spot. I train in my backyard. I made room, my neighbor cut down some trees and made room in both our backyards. His name is Darryl, he's 46 years old. He has been keeping me company for a while. He has been teaching me how to throw knives better, and how to use a crossbow. He's very talented. I never noticed him personally until recently.
Darryl trained for theses games since he was 7, he told me. But when he was going to volunteer when he was 18 his best friend took his place, betraying Darryl. Darryl trained to be a peacekeeper for years, and was one for 16 years in district 7. He hated it, he told me. Once he managed to gather enough money he quit right away.
Darryl never found love, he had 3 dogs. and that was it. He told me I was his first he had a conversation in a long time. His family died when he was younger like me. Besides for his brother, he was older than him and let Darryl alone to fend for himself at a young age.
I had lunch and dinner at his or my house most of the time. He smoked, not many people smoked anymore because you couldn't buy any, but were I lived there was a small store where you could buy some. As well for alcoholic beverages.
He called me a tall child, though I'm quite short. He also let me smoke, only once. I told him everything about me and my life.
I could share everything with him. Darryl was like a father figure I never had. I told him about my father and he was proud of me. He didn't care that I killed him me, he was proud I got over my biggest fear. But once a biggest fear runs out another takes its place. And for me. It's telling Cato my feelings. No thank you.
We hunted together, ate together, talked together, practice together, everything.
Today, July 1st 7:30 pm on the train for the first time together going to get ice cream.
"You should work at the academy" I brought up
"Why do you think that?" He asked
"I don't know, you're just very talented in many weapons." I said
"What weapons?" He questioned
"Bow and arrow, spears, axes, hatchets, machetes, knives, and best of all crossbows" I stated
"I mean I guess" he laughed
"You guess?!" I joked
"Why did you even drop out?" He questioned me
"It was stupid" I sighed
"Yeah, why need the academy when you got me" he teased
"Yep" I laughed back
Our conversation went on all the way until we got to the ice cream store.
"Excited for the reaping in three days?" Darryl asked
"Too bad I'm 11, and my 12th birthday is 21 days after" I rolled my eyes as we walked into the store
"Aw man, I was going to maybe buy you maybe a dress, but I guess I can buy you a month worth of ice cream if that'll replace well" Darryl teased
