The 151st Annual Hunger Games

Training

Sparkle Jackson's POV:

I deflect the last "tribute's" attack, ending the simulation. I lay my dagger on the metal table and join the rest of my alliance, who fuss over Erika's return. I glare at her, not wanting to join them but knowing they'd be suspicious otherwise. The only reason I'm in this alliance is so that I can get revenge on Cody and Erika, the two District 1 one tributes. My sister fell victim to someone from District 1 in her Games and I won't stop until I have avenged her.

When I get to the table which they sit at I pull out a a chair beside Casimir, across from Erika. I had been hoping she was missing forever, one less tribute to worry about, but she returned just in time for the parade.

She plans out our initial strategy for the Games, instructing everyone of what they're supposed to do. Arrogant. Casimir and I are to gather supplies while Deston and herself get to guard the Cornucopia. Selfish. After that we are to camp out there and wait for night to fall, with her keeping first watch. What kind of Career waits around all day? Untrustworthy. I mentally add to the list of reasons why I seriously dislike her, the only thing I admire about her being that she's at least a Career.

Poppy Winters' POV:

"What do you think they're talking about?" I ask worriedly, glancing at the Careers.

"Oh don't worry, probably just the fastest most violent way to take us all out." Chloe says sarcastically, placing her hand over mine and smiling in a false Capitol way. Ashlyn scowls at her and tries to reassure me.

"It's fine, Poppy. We're all gonna make it. We'll find a way." She says. Lark scoffs.

"Not if we keep sitting here worrying about stuck up people like the Careers." She replies, standing up and walking to a shuriken table.

Chloe and Lark are a lot alike. Both bitter and determined after the Capitol forced them into the Games. Lark for sitting too near the fence border and Chloe for running from the Reapings. I worry about how well our alliance is going to hold up. I hope as soon as the Games start we all realize just how important allies are.

Keith Kidd's POV:

I laugh and hold up my lopsided fishing hook.

"Is this better?" I turn and show Caspian who smirks at my attempt. His being from District 4 gives him an advantage with these types of things. We all actually have an advantage what with each of us being from a different District. Clennan for example, is good with wires and traps. We each have something to contribute to the alliance.

Clennan's isn't much better and neither is Red's. Caspian just laughs.

"If our arena is a water arena then we're all doomed." He says, holding up his to show us what one is supposed to look like.

I lay mine back on the table and head to the plant identification station.

Gracelynn Woods' POV:

I head back to my room alone, the days' events making me tired and stressed out. Silver greets me as I exit the elevator and I flop down on the plush Capitol couch.

"How was training today?" She asks, sitting across from me. It's kind of weird, having a mentor that's the same age as me, but at the same time it's nice to have a friend. We talked a lot on the train ride here and I can tell she really wants me to make it out of this.

I shrug. "It was alright I guess. Mayella and I worked a lot on survival stuff. I don't know how Juliet's gonna help us though, she was so upset today she barely did anything." Silver looks at me sadly. Remembering her own allies that were lost in the Games.

"You should trust your allies. They can save your life." She says wistfully. I remember watching the Games last year. Silver made it to the final feast with one other ally, Hazel, but she was so broken from the loss of her sister that they didn't make it out together like they'd planned.

I was in no mood to get into this kind of conversation right now so I stood up and went to my room. It was fairly late so Silver did the same. I sat in silence for what felt like hours before I could hear Deston coming back from training.

I thought of Triss and Misti, at home probably. I would hope they were talking about how regretful and sorry they are but I know I'm wrong. When I was reaped Triss barely even batted an eye. She knew the whole time. She wasn't going to keep her promise.

I lay on the soft Captiol mattress and hear Silver in the room across from me. I fall asleep to her screams. Probably from having nightmares from the Games in which she lost so much.