Finnick and Annie

Training

 I woke up the next morning and had breakfast with Mags. Gertie, Shay and Serena had breakfast apart. Though there were some things we did together, Serena and I were going to be rivals in the arena, so we met with our mentors separately.

"You'll start training today," said Mags. "You train for three days. There are both fighting and survival skills you can practice, and both are very important."

"I know," I said.

"Finnick, you and I both know what your strength is, but just remember that there might not be a trident in the Cornucopia. They don't usually include one," she said. "Learning a different skill might be useful."

That got me very worried. I hadn't considered that there might not be a trident in the arena. I knew how good I was with a trident, but Mags was right, what if there wasn't one? I had never practiced with another weapon. I knew a little knife throwing, but that was it.

"Finnick, relax," said Mags. She could see I was starting to panic. "Just learn some survival skills as well, we'll worry about that later. There will be a trident in that room, but don't use it. You'll have time to show off in your private session."

"Mags," I whispered, "They are all older and bigger and they have swords and knives and spears... I might have nothing."

"Finnick there is something else we have to discuss," she said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You could join the careers, it's always an option, and I know you'd be more than welcome, but that's up to you," she said.

"No." I shook my head, "I don't want to be a part of their pack. They'll just turn on me eventually."

"Ok, good," she said, "I don't want you to join them either. Remember who you are.... who they think you are. Be confident, Finnick, and be smart. Careers spend all their time with the weapons because they usually just take everything from the cornucopia, but last year they didn't include any food and half the careers starved to death. I rather they make fun of you now for learning to set traps, because when their food is gone, you'll be the one laughing." She smiled at me reassuringly. "Just keep calm, Finnick, and everything will be alright."

"Mags, will you be completely honest with me?" I asked. She furrowed her brow and nodded. "Do you think I stand a chance?"

She looked at me straight in the eyes and answered. "Finn, I honestly do. You are strong and very smart for your age and you have a huge advantage... sponsors. The crowd loves you, and that will be immensely beneficial in the arena. No tribute in history has had as many sponsors as you do before the training scores."

"Okay, thanks," I whispered.

"No problem. Now, get yourself down to the training room, and go get them, Golden Boy." I smiled at the stupid nickname Caesar had given me.

I went down to the training room, dressed in a black spandex suit. I didn't care anymore though, because after my parade outfit, I'd never feel more exposed.

There were about a dozen tributes already there. I recognized the girl and boy from District Three. The girl tried, and failed miserably to throw a knife, and the boy just sat in a corner, identifying edible plants.

The boy and girl from District One, Jem and Emerald, where practicing with swords, and the rest of the tributes were scattered in the rest of the stations. I identified a trap making station, an edible plant station, fire making, camouflage, hunting, and other survival skills, and then there were many weapons to practice with. Many of them I had never even seen before.