𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞- 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨

☘︎1☘︎

Sweat dripped down my face as I jogged along the riverbank next to the woods. On this particular summer day, the sun was beating down and I felt dizzy. I had drunk all my water in the first half hour, now living through the consequences. The bells from the square rang out, telling it to be 8. Good, only 1 hour before the selection. The training centre is only 15 minutes away from my house, so I have plenty of time to get ready. As i near the dusty roads, I see a group of little ones practicing with wooden swords in the grass. It won't be long before they want to stab with real swords. To me, swords are useless. Why would you choose a close-range weapon when yoj could get easily killed by an arrow or a knife hurtiling at you in the games. I remember one year, this incredibly skilled sword fighter in our district called Athena, was killed straight away at the cornucopia just because a measly little boy threw an axe right into her head. Such a stupid way to die.

My house is in the slum of district 2, also known as the druggies territory as almost everyone here has some sort of addiction. It also isn't supprising that the majority of the people who live here are people who almost made the games, but were not good enough. That will not be me.

As I entet my house, I hear the cries of a baby. For fucks sake, why the hell is it up already.

My mother is lost to a morphling addiction, her only job to give birth before becoming more swallowed in a hole of drugs. My dad is always working, paying to feed us and train us so one of us can become a victor and save us. I will win the Hunger Games, but when I do I will not give a shit about my family. In fact, I am doing it to get out this hell hole.

Poppy is sitting at the table, stroking Felix's head. She is the real mother of our family. 3 years older than me, but has been looking after us all since she was 10. She and Ares are the only people in my family I like. Maybe I will like Felix as he grows older, but right now he is unsufferable.

Other than that, Julio is the only member of family I truly despise. He sits in his room, not helping anyone at all and sulking. But the worst thing about him is what he did to Poppy. I can't believe she did not kick him out for it. Men get away with too much in our world and I thought Poppy new it. I hope Felix doesn't grow to be a pervert like him.

"Clove, breakfast is ready, you need to eat" Poppy says, pointing at the plate on the counter.
"I'll eat later, it's the selection today" I say, walking towards our room.
"Not so fast, I don't care about the selection, you will eat." Poppy commands.

I roll my eyes and slam the door. I don't know why she dosen't understand how important the selection is. I need a good training partner.

Last year, I got paired with a bratty bimbo with no abilities at all. All she could do was flirt. And it was constant. Every. Single. Living. Thing. Good thing I knifed her so badly, that I had to be trained alone. Even the doctors couldn't get the huge red 'bitch' scar off her neck.

I fling on my training gear before slicking my hair into a tight bun. I slip one knife into my shoe and another three into my belt just incase I encounter any assholes on the way. Bettet safe that sorry.

I check my watch. 8:30. Good, I won't be late. I open the door of my and Poppy's room and walk to the sofa, where Ares is sleeping.

"Wake up idiot, it's already half eight." I tell him, dumping a glass of water on his head.
"Wh- WHAT THE HELL YOU BITCH!,"
"Oi, no bad language round the baby" Poppy says, shaking her head before calming Felix down again.
"I'm leaving without you because you didn't get up in time" I say not wanting to wait a decade for him to get ready. Who ever said girls take longer than boys to dress has never met Ares.

He grumbles before rolling off the sofa to get ready. I wonder how late he will be.

I say goodbye to Poppy before setting off to the centre. I see Livia standing there waiting for me, hands on her hips and her mouth pulled into a small smile.

"Clove, I swear I better get a good partner or I will kill someone" she says, walking beside me.
"Your'e turning into me now Liv, now you just have to give up the man-whore"
"He isn't as bad as you think."
"Trust me, he's worse"
"If I didn't know you better I'd think you were just jealous Clove"
"Good thing you know me then."

We continue the rest of the way with Livia talking about the latest drama with Atticus (a stupid name) and it doesn't take long till we reach the training centre doors.

The training centre is a complex nestled in between to of the mountains surrounding two. It has grand marble pillars and oak doors that are twice the size of me.
Inside, the entrance is decorated just as beautifully as the outside looks like, with a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, but once past the hall the glamour disappears, replaced with hightech training equipment, huge gyms to train in and even simulations. It's high tech as shit.

We enter the building and check in before walking straight to the Main hall. We are not the first here, but it is nowhere near as busy as when it is full. As time goes by, the hall quickly fills and soon we are squashed in at all corners.

When the clock strikes 9, I hear the familliar sound of clicking from heels and a long head of white hair appears on the stage. Yolanda Golom. The snow victor.

After winning the 30th Hunger Games, she decided to take over running the training centre. She still does it today. She will tell us who we train with.

She starts with the 18 year olds first, then the 17 year olds before getting to my age. It takes 10 minutes for her to read off the names of the older ones and she finally gets to us.

"16 year olds- Star Nolan and Dario Goodman, Jesa Kail and George Foram, Ulsa Reed and Fraiser Verr.."

This is going to take a while.

"Belora Wilf and Dominic Qut, Livia Tranfield and Atticus Belar.."

How did she get her boyfriend? He must have paid.

"Sara Willow and Connor Raines, Tria Sora and Atlas Dorries, Katrina Opal and Sword Medallion.."

SWORD? Now that is just ridiculous. Basically bullying their child by naming him Sword.

"Clove Kentwell and..."

This better be good.

"Cato Hadley."