Gale's Fate Awaits [On Hold]

Part 8: Flint and Steel

I shake the thought away and eat the food.

The same girl from the woods with the red hair, an avox, places a warm mug of sweet smelling brown liquid in front of me. I pick it up and drink a little. It tastes sweet and chocolatey. "It's hot chocolate, dearie." Effie supplies. I nod and dip a piece of my bread in it. It tastes delicious. I eat until I can't possibly eat another bite.

In District 12, we learned to never waste food. It might not come again for a while. Many people died of starvation, but the Peacekeepers just played it off as the flu or an uncureable illness. But we all knew the truth. The truth that they slowly starved to death in their own homes because, they were too poor to afford the food they needed.

Haymitch's scratchy voice pulls me out of my thoughts, "Today's training. Then tomorrow, the parade. Then some more training and so on...It's a new order. Be prepared." I look over to the windows of the steel car.

The Capitol shines outside, true and proud. I scoff and stand up, walking to the window. I watch out until I see hundreds of Capitol citizens with their bright colored hair and skin. I smile in their direction, waving my hand. I'm going to do exactly as my mother said. 'You'll need to get people to like you.' She told me that after I was reaped. It seems like months ago, when it was only a day or two. I blow a few kisses to the women in the crowd as the train slows. I feel sick to my stomach. Effie and Haymitch usher us off the train and into a large building. The other 11 Districts' tributes wait inside, wearing the same outfits as us. Haymitch grabs Katniss's arm and pulls her off to the side. They talk for a few seconds and then he walks to me.

Pulling me aside, he whispers, "Watch out for 1 and 2. Careers. They would kill you in a second. No regrets. Don't make allies with anyone. Stay with Katniss and I'll keep her safe." He declares.

I nod, "What did you tell her? You didn't tell her about our agreement, did you?" I ask, fearfull.

He shakes his head, "I wouldn't be a good mentor if I did, would I?" He smirks.

I laugh a little bit, "Alright, alright. Watch for the Careers, no Allies. Got it. See 'ya." I Say, counting on my fingers. I turn to leave and Haymitch grabs my arm. Turning me back, he whispers, "And don't show anyone your skills with weapons..." I nod and walk to Katniss.

She's sitting in the fire-starting section, desperatley trying to start a fire. She's hitting two rocks together, creating sparks. Her hands are too far away from the dried grass, so the sparks die out. I stand behind her, my hands grabbing her's, pulling her hands closer to the grass. I guide the two rocks together harder, sparks landing in the grass. She picks up the grass and blows on it, livening the flame. It flickers to life in her hands. I sit down next to her, trying to make a fire using a flint and steel. It works suprisingly easily, coming to life in my hands. I smile and stand up, dusting my pants off. Katniss stands too, walking with me to the plants section.

We start sorting the plants, poisonous to edible. The man nods his head. We got them all right. Katniss smiles, reaching for my hand. She links our hands and looks down at them, smiling. What's going on here?