Into The Wilderness: A Hunger Games Story

5: Lies Upon Lies Upon Lies

I wake up on my own this time, though it must only be few minutes before my alarm clock - more widely known as Effie Trinket - walks in. The Tribute Parade last night was amazing. I felt like I was absolutely floating on air, on Cloud 9 entirely. The shattering realization that it wouldn't last set a pit in my stomach.

For some reason, the monstrous boy from Two pops into my mind. My stomach gives an uneasy twist as I picture him snapping my neck like I'm some rag doll.

I can't do this. Since I'm going to die anyway, I might as well stay in bed.

This thought pulls me up short. I sit up and think, "Stop it Prim. You don't know you're going to die. Stop it!' In my frustration and anger, I hop off the bed and storm over to the closet. I pull on the read and black tracksuit marked with the number 12 that's hanging on the closet door handle. I braid my hair back in its usual style and head downstairs.

After quickly devouring two poached eggs, five strips of bacon, and three glasses of orange juice, I nervously head towards the elevator that goes to the training center. My stomach turns in another somersault as I step inside with Peeta at my left as I press the Capital T button for Training Center. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten so much at breakfast.

It's awkward because he saw me in my darkest moment two days ago. I avoid his gaze and we ride in an uncomfortable silence to the center.

When the elevator dinged at the bottom of the building, I all but sprinted into the massive gymnasium that consists of deadly weapons. Bow and arrows, spears, swords, maces...you name it, they've got it.

Katniss would love being here if it weren't for the Games looming over my head like a guillotine.

On the other hand, there are survival stations like rope knotting and poisonous plant identification. I already know I'll feel more comfortable there.

We're one of the last ones there, and just as the clock strikes nine, we all gather around the training center president, Alata. The boy from Two is still glaring at me, but this time I just pretend he doesn't exist. This seems to make him even more agitated then being defied.

I can barely pay attention at all to her ceremonious speech. I'm too occupied trying to ignore the fact that a Career hates my guts, and I'm probably going to be the first one dead once we're in the Arena. But I somehow manage to keep my face set as an indifferent mask anyways.

Once she stops talking and dismisses us, I head toward the medicinal and poisonous plant station and test my knowledge there. I rank in the 98th percentile, something I'm proud of. Suddenly, I feel the glare of the monstrous District Two boy boring into my back, and all I do is turn and saunter over to the knot station, still ignoring his penetrating gaze with an indifferent smirk on my face.

You know, being annoying is actually kind of fun.

Cato's P.O.V.

I hate her.

I really truly do, and there's not many people I hate. And the worst part is that I really can't even pinpoint why.

Lie number one. I hate so many people it's almost comical.

She stole my sponsors too. And she's not even pretty!

Lie number two. She's mildly pretty, but not enough that I'd let her do something that extreme.

She'll be the first one dead in the Arena.

Lie number three. When I watched her scale the rope ladder and obstacle course, she seemed really light on her feet.

Maybe she won't be too easy to catch.

Lie number four. When I get my hands on her...

I can't even finish the thought. My eyes glaze over with rage and I tear my gaze angrily from Primrose Everdeen.

Then, I throw my sword straight into the heart of a dummy as hard as I possibly can, all while imagining her face on it.