SNOW ANGEL, the hunger games

(003) ghosts of the past

CHAPTER THREE
GHOSTS OF THE PAST

current day

"You mustn't fret so much," Arella speaks softly, laying a gentle hand on Finch's shoulder as the girl fiddles with her breakfast. "Training is a good thing, it'll help you prepare better,"

Finch looks up at her with those doe like eyes, filled to the brim with the innocence that Arella knows she used to possess herself. She wishes she could go back in time and harness that, return to a time where she hardly knew what was going on outside of District Five. Finch, and Argo alike, are naive to the true horrors — they'll likely lose that naivety very quickly in the arena. It's a shame how fast they'll have to grow up, how they'll have to abandon their childish tendencies because they're being hunted down for sport.

"Just make sure to broaden your horizons, search out things you don't know how to use before going to those you're comfortable with. Perhaps, if you think it's wise, try and make friends with some of the others," Arella instructs, bringing her tea to her lips and taking a few sips.

"How do we trust these people?" Argo questions, laying his chin on his hands and looking at his mentor. Arella knows from experience how hard it is to trust others in there, it had been why she only hung around with her own District partner. "I don't want to get stabbed in my sleep,"

"If you're not comfortable with it and you can't form any sort of relationship with the others, then it would be best to leave them be. At this moment, it is likely the only people you can trust are each other,"

Sometimes, people cannot even trust their own partner. The Career tributes are enough of an example, as soon as the number of tributes is small enough, they'll all turn on each other in a heartbeat. In her case though, Malcolm was the only person she even thought of trusting, outside interference was the last thing they needed.

Arella sees the two of them exchange a glance, almost as if they're trying to decide whether they actually can trust the other. It was a no brainer for Arella in her Games, a twelve year old boy who had fear swimming in his eyes and was just so innocent — she couldn't leave him without feeling immense guilt. To this day, Malcolm still haunts her mind, she couldn't save him.

"The training will be a few days so don't rush through the stations," Arella instructs the duo. "Do you want me to accompany you down?"

Finch nods slightly, that familiar ache hitting Arella's chest again. Argo doesn't offer up much of a reaction as he finishes his up his food. The older girl guides the two to the elevator, stepping in with relief, she's so happy that it's empty at this moment — not just for her but also for Finch and Argo. It's already hard enough to be around those who will want to kill you in a matter of days, being in a confined space is worse. However, their safe haven doesn't last for very long, the elevator stops on the fourth floor.