Capital Nights

Episode 1 ~ On the Universe's Time

☆64 AW☆

Before leaving District 4, my boyfriend Rian comes to say goodbye. He's my only visitor, as I'm an only child and haven't spoken to my parents in years. Adrian, one of the victors who trains at the academy, found out about my situation a few years back and lets me sleep at the academy in a spare room. It's not much but it's home.

Rian and I met at the academy a few years ago. He's two grades above me and is hoping to volunteer next year. We've been officially together for just over a year now. He knows I live at the academy but I can't live with him because he "doesn't have space".

"Hey it's going to be ok," he states as he hugs me. "Either you or Crey is coming home."

Wow we love the confidence he has in me. I just give him a nod as I reply, "I'll try."

"I love you Brooke"

"Love you Rian"

We are the "it couple" at the academy. It was my plan to volunteer the year after he did so we could win back to back games like Cashmere and Gloss, brother and sister who won the two most recent games. I guess we can still win back to back games if I win this year and his plan to volunteer next year and win goes through.

"Be careful," he tells me as he exits. I need to focus on the games and not on missing him.

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Boarding the train, I'm taken aback by the luxury of it. Decedent plates covered mahogany tables and the walls were adorned in rare artwork. If I succeed in bringing glory to my district then I will have to get used to all of this.

"Brooke, Crey," Adrian greets us as he sits at the table. Mags follows closely behind him but she is a woman of few words.

"Good afternoon Adrian, Mags," Crey states. "I'd like to train together if that's ok with you Brooke."

"Yeah uh that's actually perfect," I respond. "I'm pretty decent with a sword but I need to brush up on my hand to hand and survival skills." Mags gives me a nod and quietly states that she can help with survival.

"I don't think my spear skills need much brushing up but survival skills would be nice," Crey states as he piles food onto his plate. "Maybe I could even pick up another weapon before we hit the arena." We all chuckle at this.

Although I wasn't a volunteer, I'm still a career through and through. I've been top of my class for 3 years straight now and have worked extra hard to perfect my skills. By allying with Crey and the other careers, I know I'll have a real shot at winning the games.

After eating our lunch, we decide to watch the reapings. I take note of our soon to be allies. Khan and Honey from District 1 seem like a strong pair. Both are probably top of their class from the academy and they have some serious muscle on them. Reece and Coco from District 2 are also volunteers from the academy. Coco is surprisingly small for a 17 year old but she seems agile. Hopefully she is good with weapons.

We don't pay too much attention to the rest of the districts. They aren't threatening and should be easy enough to defeat. I need to strategize how I'm going to gain the careers trust while also plotting their downfall. After all, there can only be one winner.

Before we arrive in the capital, we talk strategy with Adrian. Crey and I need to pick out our capital personas so we can get sponsors. Crey already has his mastered, being a suave gentleman, but I have yet to reach the level in the academy where we work on sponsors.