The Simpson's Hunger Games

Chapter 4

Lisa:

The Training. One of the most mysterious events of the Games to the audience. This lasts only three days, so I won't have to endure much. Or so I thought. When me and Millhouse shyly went into the Training Centre the day after the Capitol Parade, and all the Careers surrounded us in a tight ring instantly. "So, you think you're the star of the show?", hissed Terri, a District 1 girl. I gulped, and Millhouse awkwardly squeezed my hand reassuringly. On all the Career's faces there is a nasty sneer, which instantly makes us their first targets. There will be no alliance between us. "Well, answer Terri", sneers the District 2 boy, Nelson. "No...I don't t...think I'm the star of the show", I stutter nervously. Everyone laughs except me or Millhouse. We're in trouble now. But, before we can continue the conversation, our main trainer swans in apologising briskly for being late. Her name is Martha, and she looks like she means business. She won't take any jokers lightly in her Training Centre.

She shows us all the stations available: Archery, Axes, Camouflage, Edible Insects, Edible Plants, Fire Making, Fishing, Hammock Making, Hand-To-Hand Combat, Knives, Knots, Ropes Course, Shelters, Slingshots, Snare-Setting, Spears, Swords, The Gauntlet, Tridents, Weight-Lifting and Wrestling. There is so many to choose from, so being the sensible person I am, I focus on different areas for each day.

Day One: I chose to focus on building on my strengths on this day. So, I went to the Edible Plants Section, and met another tribute from District 12 called Maude. Maude wasn't from the Seam, I learnt, but the Mayor's daughter. She had lived a life of luxury and safety from the starvation most of her district suffered from. Her family had always assured her that she would never get into the Games, and she believed them, stupidly. Poor Maude. I felt sorry for her, so I helped her with the Plants and described my life in District 5 for her. She was very interested and we soon became friends. Millhouse followed me to this station and stayed silent throughout the whole of our conversation. He stayed silent the whole day, even, and it wasn't like Millhouse to not say anything to me. I was beginning to worry, and that didn't change on the second day.

Day Two: I decided to try out stations that helped survival chances today. Millhouse stayed in a furious mood all through breakfast until we reached the Training Centre. Then, he went straight to the Spears, and avoided me all day. I went to Stations like Camouflage, Fire Making and Knots, nodding occasionally to Maude, who was still in the Edible Plants nearby. Unfortunately, one of the Careers, Nelson, came to Fire Making, mostly because he liked to play with fire. As soon as he made a fire, he teased me by waving a burning branch in front of my face until Martha threatened to call the Peacekeepers if he continued. Thankfully, he stopped then, but started digging his fingers into my kidneys, so I couldn't concentrate. One time he jabbed his sharp nails into my side so hard I nearly set fire to the Trainer. She sent me away for my clumsiness, recommending the Weight Lifting Station. Like hell I would go there. Terri and her new best friend District 2's girl tribute, Sherri were both at the knives, so I was forced to try the Rope Course. I still had Rope Burns on my arms and the Trainer's Shouts of frustration echoing in my head the next day.

Day Three: The final day of training. Today is when I try all the fighting stations. I squirmed in my place in the queue for Archery. I missed all the targets and all the tributes who were at my station smirked and tried not to laugh. I failed miserably at the Spears, Combat, Tridents and Axes as well. I need to find a weapon for my own soon, or I'll have nothing to defend myself in the Arena apart from Camouflage, which isn't the most deadly method to kill in the Games. Sighing, I walk over to the Knives. I patiently watch the Trainer demonstrate to me how to throw a knife at the target. When I took my stance, all the Careers jeered that I would be useless, especially Nelson. Glaring at the target in front of me, I pictured his face, and took my aim. I released the blade and watched it fly through the air, and...land perfectly in the centre of the target. The Trainer looked impressed, and the Careers went silent. I smirk at Nelson, and try some more throwing before going onto the next Station, Swords. I nervously picked up the razor-sharp blade anxiously. I'm not sure this is for me, but before I can object, the Trainer has already set up some fake bodies, ready for me to fight. I go through them with surprising accuracy, and Millhouse, who I can see at the Climbing Station, looks shocked. That showed him. I went to sleep relieved that I had found something to defend myself in these hideous Games.

Finally, after tirelessly going through all the stations, it was time for the Private Training Sessions with the Gamemakers and the Sponsors. Me and Millhouse sit next to each other and wait for our turn, both of us pale. As the last of the Careers strut into the Training Room, Millhouse whispers to me, "I'm sorry Lis, for the way I've been acting recently. It's a lot to take in, you know? That I'm going to die in a matter of days.", I don't answer him, and ignore his apology. "Please Lis, I'm sorry!", says Millhouse, and reluctantly, I forgive him.

"You know, I bet you're going to get a good score", I say quietly, but my District Partner argues,

"Lis! You know how I am! I can't fight to save my life, but you, you actually have a chance to be victor", I start to interrupt, but Millhouse says more before I can, "You have learnt more over these three days than most of the Careers!" I'm shocked. How can I have learnt more than the Careers, when they have been training for years?! I can't reply to Millhouse though, as a mechanical voice calls,"Lisa Simpson, District 5", and I have to go.

I take as small steps as possible and my hands shake as I walk towards the door, which will decide whether I will have an impression on the Sponsors or not...