Little Puppets with Broken Strings

"To Burn Out Forever or Light Up A Spark"

I woke up in the morning in my own room. I told Jules last night that I think that was too much, it was too similar to what I was used to.

I quickly got dressed in the training gear that was provided and went out into the common room.

Everyone was sitting at the table eating breakfast when I came out. "Morning." I leaned over and gave Julian a kiss before taking the seat between him and Finnick.

"I'm eating." Finnick complained. I swiftly gave him a kick in the shins. "Ow!"

"In just a few minutes, you will be heading downstairs to the training room, there you will train with the other tributes, after you will each have your individual evaluations. Once you are finished, we will watch the results together and then talk strategy for your interviews tonight." Coco went on with her normal explanation of todays schedule as if neither of us spoke.

"You should also look at people you want for your allies." Jules added.

"Kais" Mags mumbled with a smile.

"I agree, Katniss should be our ally, that is unless Finnick has pissed her off too much." I turned and glared at him, while he simply shrugged.

"What about you Finnick? I think anyone from 3, 6, 7, 8, or,  11 would be something to consider as well." Jules asked. He and Finnick shared a look.

"Whatever you two are planning, don't bother." I glared, this time, at Jules. He knew our deal.

"Alright, well, I think it's time you three head to the training  facilities. " Coco interrupted.

Finnick helped Mags get to the elevator while I lagged behind a bit. Jules got the message and caught up with me.

"I can't do this. Finnick has to be the one to come out, but I can't protect him." I shook my head trying not to cry, but the reality is hitting hard.

"Yes you can, Mads, you're fantastic at throwing knives and you're amazing in close combat with a dagger." He held both of my hands in his and I couldn't look at him.

"But I've never killed anyone or been in the Games or had any kind of experience with hurting someone else. I'm the easiest target and everyone knows it. I'm weak, that's the whole reason I'm here in the first place."

Jules sighed and reached behind his head. "Remember how worried I was my first Games? I thought the same things, I was weak and unprepared, but you gave me this." He hooked the golden anchor necklace on my neck just above my other necklace. "You told me that as long as I remember what I was fighting for, I would be fine. I could do anything." He held me close and kissed my forehead. "I believe in you Madeline Odair."

"You promise me that you will get him out of there?"

"I promise."

"Okay, wish me luck."

"You won't need it, just focus on training and don't let them get to you. The Games started when you got here." I gave him one last kiss before going to join Mags and Finnick in the elevator.

"You know you can talk to me too, Jules isn't the only one who has been through this before." Finnick reminded me.

"Don't play stupid, you know exactly why I'm talking to Jules. I'm going to make sure that you make it out of the arena." I knew I couldn't keep it a secret from him.

"I'm sure you know that he's promised me the same thing, so we will have to see who he keeps his promise to."

He didn't say anything else to me and once we arrived at the training area, he walked away. Mags gave me a small smile before going over to a station of her own. I looked around and tried to remember what Jules told me, but it felt impossible. It was clear how much better everyone was than me and I could see that some of them were clearly already planning my death.