𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞- 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨

☘︎5☘︎

The following morning, I get up later than usual. I need more rest if I have any chance of being chose to volunteer. Though I am not up at dawn, I still have awoken before anyone else. Good, I want to get to the training centre and not have to sort out this pregnancy mess.

After packing my things swiftly into a bag, I grab a piece of stale and chomp down on it. I almost gag at the taste. Oh well, it'll have to do.

The girl Ares knocked up is laying on the couch. I guess she's a new member of our house then. Please say that she's not an absolute whore.

Descending down the steps to the street, I walk at a moderatly fast pace. The night-hunters from last night are appearing from the woods. Night-hunters are trainees wanting a taste of killing. I am planning to go this year.

When I pass the district centre, I see merchants setting up stalls, getting ready for the Monday market. In a couple of hours, the place wilk be buzzing with people, haggling, selling and trading. It is always hectic.

Finally, I reach the huge doors of the training centre. This is the only place where I can truly be me. Show my true skills.

When I enter, I see only a few others, mainly 18 year olds who need extra hours. This is usual, not many people like training this early.

However, I do see Wayre leaning on the desk and throwing an apple in the air. She's talking animatedly to one of the receptionists, laughing occasionaly at a joke.

Great, all I wanted was a quick throwing session, she's bound to give me some cardio to do. She spots me and waves at me, beckoning me to her.

"Clove! Nice seeing you here this early." she says, taking a bite out of the apple she was just throwing. "From that look on your face, I take it you just want to throw. I won't give you any exercises until Cato's here. Keep it quiet though, don't tell anyone." She whispers the last bit.

Who does she think I am? I am definitely not one of the popular ones, the ones that brag about good trainers. I prefer to stay quiet. I am a silent assasin after all.

"Thanks Wayre, I'm only doing a 20 minute session then I'll be in the gym" I say, heading off to one of the hologram rooms.

I slide open the door of a room and walk over to the huge panel of buttons on the wall. I press the knife setting and put the difficulty at extreme. I've never been able to do the extreme because of how fast and unrelentless it is. 10 minutes of hurtling knives in every direction. The closest I've got is 8, which is only been beaten by one person, a victor, Enobaria. I will need to be able to do it beforw the games, who knows what they will bring.

I press start and a timer at the top corner appears, before a countdown starts. Come on Clove, you are ready for this. You have to be. If there's any funeral after the games, I'd rather it not be mine.

The countdown ends and I fling my first knife at the orange person sprinting towards me, yeilding a sword. It crumbles immediatly and severak more appear, all running at me from different directions.

Another target lunges forward, this time shooting an arrow at my head, so I have to duck before slitting it's neck. I hear the whistle of a spear before it reaches me and roll out the way, grabbing a knife and chucking it into the figures heart.

I see a persom sneaking behind a pillar, waiting to attack me but I throw a knife before it can sneak up on me and stab me. I don't think as I fling knife after knife at the simulations, my body screaming as I overwork myself.

After plunging a blade into another one's chest, I let myself have a quick glance at the timer. 7:30, only 30 more seconds till I beat my record. I need another 20 after that to beat Enobaria's.

Suddenly, I feel myself pushed to the floor by a person with a trident. I quickly react, pulling a knife through it's neck , but I am off balance now. I need to get on my feet.

As I clamber up, I see an axe hurtiling towards my face and drop back to the floor. That stupid trident person! I was going to win this level finally and then it pushed me over. I'm not going to get 10 minutes now.

Just as I decide to get up, I feel a sword plunge into my back. Obviously it's not a real sword, but it is a similar sensation. Mostly painful, but it wears of after a second.

I sigh and look at my time. 8:13, still not good enough. At least I got a new best. As I wipe my face to stop the sweat dripping everywhere, I see Cato staring at me through the window, awestruck.

He obviously didn't want to be seen looking at me like that, as his face reverts back to his irksome smirk. Why was he staring at me? What does he want now?

I slide open the door to the hallway to confront him.
"What are you staring at me for Hadley?" I say angrily, tapping my foot on the floor.
Hadley leans down at me and says," Is Clover a bit stroppy that she didn't beat the timer?"
"You ignored my question Hadley, are you a bit embarrased I caught you?" I question, trying to copy his smirk.

"Clover, do you really think I'm the sort of person to get embarrassed, I just wanted to see how bad you were." He replies, laughing to himself.
"Whatever Hadley, I bet you can't beat that time." I say, trying to storm away. But he just jogs up to me and continues talking.

"Clover, if you really have to know, my time is 8:17, so that just proves I am better." He jaunts and I ignore him. I am better.
"You know Clover, we should try sword fighting one time, it would be such a fair battle!" He mocks again, making my jaw clench.

"That wouldn't be fair Cato, instead I would like to see you throw knives." I ask him, knowing fine well there is no way he's a knife thrower. He's too muscular for that.

He chuckles and smiles a proper smile at me, which I scowl at.
"You know Clover, you may think I am an idiot, but I can fight really well." He says, opening the door to the gym.
"I know, you just can't throw knives." I say, irritating him.
"Well, you could teach me." he says turning to me and scratching the back of his head.

I can't believe he just asked me that. I didn't think he would accept he can't throw, let alone ask for help! I stare at him quizzically, wondering what his game is.

"You want us to act like training partners? Heck no Hadley, I am the worst teacher ever." I reply, turning away from him. He reaches out and turns me back towards him, saying," Come on Clover, I'm not that bad. I am incredibly handsome and I am giving you, yes you, this opportunity, so I would recommend taking it. Also, I will teach you to use a sword, which may come in your advantage Clover" He says cockily.

Maybe it wouldn't be that bad. I mean, the annoying nickname is terrible, but I am rubbish with a sword and I need to practice desperately.
"Fine, but if you do anything moderatly stupid, which you most likely will, I will stop. Meet me at room 34 at 6 sharp or I will leave."
I say sharply.
"I knew you would come round Clover, I mean, I'm irrisistable." He is infuriating.

I stick my middle finger up at him and open the doors to the gym.