THE SIREN'S SONG 𓇼 F. ODAIR

5 ~ the training center

"Stick by me the entire time, okay," Carolina told Marsh. They were in the elevator the morning after the tribute parade, heading down to the training center. "What are you good at?"

"I'm good at making nets," Marsh shrugged. "My dad taught me a couple of years ago."

"Good, that's something," the girl nodded. "Any weapons? Survival skills?"

"I've used a trident before, and we just covered throwing knives in the academy."

"We'll start with your strengths, then," Carolina said as the elevator arrived at the bottom level. "The other careers cannot see you struggle on the first day, or they won't let us in their pack. That alliance is the best shot we have at surviving."

Marsh whispered Carolina's words back to himself to let it sink in.

District 4 was one of the first groups to enter the training center. When they arrived, Districts 1 and 2 were already there, along with 7 and 9. The career tributes seemed to be sizing up their competition, and the boy and girl from 7 seemed to be doing the same. Although, the girl from 7 was far to small to be seen as a threat, no matter how hard she tried. Standing a noticeable distance from the rest of the tributes were the tributes from 9, who both kept their eyes to the ground.

Carolina and Marsh joined the small group, but they kept to themselves. Carolina lifted her chin up to try to seem unphased by what was going to happen and tapped on Marsh's chin to make sure he was doing the same. Not too long after, the rest of the tributes arrived.

At 10 o'clock sharp, Atala began to explain the rules of the gymnasium. She emphasized that the survival stations were just as important as weaponry. It was also made clear that fighting with other tributes was strictly forbidden.

"You will have plenty of time to do that in the arena," the woman had said.

With that, she finished, leaving the rest of the tributes to go off on their own. Carolina led Marsh to the Trident Station first. The trident Marsh picked up was taller than him and probably weighed half of what he did. He threw it at one of the mannequins, hitting its right thigh.

"That's good," Carolina patted his back.

"I was aiming for the chest." Marsh sighed.

"Well, it's not a death hit, but a hit to the thigh would slow down another tribute. That's something."

"I guess."

Carolina went next, grabbing a trident. She commonly used a spear or a trident growing up due to her father's fishing farm, but the academy taught her to use them with precision. They ended up being two of the best weapons they taught in the academy. She aimed at the mannequin and threw it. It hit the target right in the center of its chest.

They worked with the tridents for over an hour. Marsh got better as time went on, eventually hitting the target's chest with better accuracy. Once Carolina noticed the tributes from Districts 1 and 2 were watching them closely with somewhat impressed looks on their faces, she decided it was okay to move on.

The two then moved on to knot-tying and snare-making. Marsh excelled at these stations. In the hour leading up to lunch, they focused on the edible insects and edible plant stations. Most of their time was spent with Carolina explaining to Marsh the subtle differences between edible and nonedible plants and insects. It was the class where she received the best grades in school, which was expected as her mother taught the subject.

When it was time for lunch, the tributes were moved to a large cafeteria. They served food from every district. Carolina thought for a moment about trying the foods she'd never had before, but she just wanted to feel like she was at home.