Safeguard

Training

  "No fighting. You'll have plenty of time for that in the arena. Though knowing how to throw a knife or yield a sword is important, you will want to practice survival skills. Many of you will die from pure exposure," the head trainer said.

  Today was the first day of training. I remember what Chapter told me when he said goodbye, "Don't show them your skills until you get to the arena. Act weak and innocent. You'll do fine." I'm unsure if I should listen to his advice, or show the Careers that I'm just as good as them.

  Lief goes to the knots station. I head over to the climbing station. I start at a rope ladder. It is at an angle, which makes it harder to climb. I make it half way before the ladder flips over. I keep a firm grip and climb to the top, but on the wrong side of the rope. I grab hold of the monkey bars attached to the ceiling. There is no net to catch me if I fall. I make it across safely to the fireman's pole. I slide down, my arms burning from exertion. I get a drink of water before heading to the archery station.

  Lief is now at the poisonous plants/animals station. The careers are at the knife throwing, swordplay, and hand to hand combat stations. Archery was practically empty except for me and the girl from District 4. I watch her practice first. She is about 15 years old. Her hair is brown, her eyes brown, and she was shorter than me. I believe her name was Cleo. She hit her target perfectly every time.

  "You're really good," I complimented.

  "I don't want an ally," Cleo snapped.

  "I never said anything about allies."

  "And I don't want any friends. If I'm going to kill you, I don't want to get close to you." That ended our conversation.

  I notched my arrow and aimed at the target ahead of me. I released and barely nicked the edge, but on purpose. Cleo laughed and left me. I looked around to make sure no one was watching. I aimed another arrow. Then released. The arrow landed right where I aimed. I smiled to myself.

  I walked over to Lief's station. He just scored a 100% on a poisonous plants quiz.

  "How did you do that?" I asked him.

  "I, um, I can memorize things easily," Lief answered.

  I nod and walk over to Fire Station. I already knew how to make a fire, but I needed practice and time to think.

  Why was Lief always so nervous when I'm with him? Why did he volunteer at the reaping? It's obvious he doesn't want to be here just as much as me. Or is he faking? I couldn't figure it out. And why did his touch send shivers up my spine? Why didn't I let go of his hand on the chariot? He was only keeping me steady, right? And after halfway down the runway, I was balanced enough to stand on my own. A spark flew off of the rocks I held. A flame started to grow where the spark landed.

  "Very good. I think you can move on to a different station now," my instructor said.

  "Thanks," I replied. I stood and started to get a drink of water, but the head instructor called us all to lunch. I tried to eat light enough to be able to exercise without feeling sick. After lunch, I go to more different stations. I'm not the best or the worst tribute here. I actually think I might have a chance of going home. When training is over, we go to our rooms and I take a shower. I still can't understand how the showers work.

  Barely anyone spoke today at dinner. We had chocolate covered strawberries for dessert, my favorite. I told them about my day at training, leaving out the part that I wasn't doing my best. Lief talked about his day briefly.

  "Three days from now the game makers will have private training sessions where they will give you a score of 1-12. Save your best skills until the day before, so they will be fresh and the other tributes won't have as much time to observe them," Juniper advised. "After training are the interviews. We'll talk about that when we get there."

  Juniper and Crystal leave together, leaving Lief and I in an awkward silence as we finish eating.

  "Did you make friends with any of the tributes?" Lief asked me, just as I stuck a fork full of food into my mouth. I hold up a finger and try to swallow.

  Once I finally got the food down, I answered, "I tried talking to the girl from District 4, but she immediately told me she did not want any friends. You?"

  "Do the instructors count?"

  "I don't think so," I laughed.

  "Are we allies?" Lief asked.

  "Well, I guess. I never really thought about it. We're friends right?"

  "Yeah, we're friends."

  "Good," I smiled. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

  "Goodnight," he replied.

  I walked to my room and smiled at an avox as I passed her. I changed into a pair of pajamas I found in the dresser. I crawled between the sheets and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.