The 25th Annual Hunger Games

5 ~ Training

I realised it was Danil. "Haller? It's dinner."

I groaned, noticing the time. I slowly pulled myself out of bed, and walked into the bathroom.

As I entered the shower, there was a panel of over a hundred buttons, each doing something else. Whether it be to do with the water temperature, or whether it be to do with the shampoo or conditioner. I turned the water on medium hot, and went from there.

I dried myself of with the soft, velvet towels they had. The Capitol had everything.

I walked down the corridor, and entered the giant dining room. They were all round the table, including Tate and Charlotte, and their stylists. I won't bother learning their names though. They may not be round for much longer.

People dressed in red stood around the table, serving wine to the adults, and placing food on the table.

I took my seat next to Gladius, and he passed over some type of meat.

"You two have training tomorrow. I see there is already an alliance sealed for Tate and Charlotte. That wrestling may have just been the tip we needed." Danil announced.

I ate a lot, and they ordered melted chocolate and sweets to go with. The tender meat fell apart in my mouth, and the chocolate spread all over, filling me up. I had never eaten like this.

The adults just talked about who to impress, what our interview costumes would be. But, when we were finally dismissed, I ran straight into my room, and fell asleep

<><>

Ugh. The first day of training. My day started. Gladius was shouting at me to get up. I skipped breakfast, jumped into the shower, and started it up.

I began thinking about home. I missed my parents already. This wasn't something a Victor said. But it was what we thought. I thought of who to form an alliance with. I also started to wonder about the Arena. What would it be?

I got out, and put my training clothes, which were completely black, with red sleeves, and our District Number on the back in a red circle. It was extremely tight, but fitted perfectly.

I met Jettre in the elevator, along with Tate, Charlotte, and Aubrey. We rode awkwardly in the elevator, no one speaking. When the doors opened, it revealed a majestic room filled with weapons, paint, ropes, nets, targets, dummies, and Gamemakers up on a platform, watching us. Peacekeeper stood around, talking to each other.

The Gamemakers were sitting in purple robes, eating, laughing, shouting, and judging us on first impression. I slipped back into tough-guy mode, clenching my teeth, standing almost protectively.

Tate and Charlotte walked over to the District One tributes, and they began chatting. Probably the Alliance forming. District Four joined in soon. They had big tributes, squared, and definitely wired for killing. There was only 7,8,9 and 11 left to come.

I walked over to District 1, were Aadi was standing alone.

"So, up for a rematch?" He laughed. I gave him a knowing look, then realised where I was, and put the tough face on again. "Haller, I know it's a strategy, but I want to know if I can trust you, and the only way to do that is if you show me who you really are. Right now, I don't exactly want to be with you. Only ensuring that I don't get stabbed in the back. Literally."

I tried to think of a smart remark, but without success. "Fine."

He smiled, and walked over to the middle of the hall. The trainers were slowly beginning to move their stations.

7 was the next to join us, with a couple of weak looking tributes. No competition there.

9 came, with tough looking, tributes, ready to do whatever it takes to win.