The Capitol Games

Chapter 4: Training

Coming from the Capitol, you would think I would have one of those cute cries. The ones where your nose scrunched up and a few tears fall from your eyes. Well, I don't.
I cry until the tears don't come anymore, and even then I don't move. I sit there listening to the silence, the feeling of the cool, wet tears on my cheeks. Finally, after mentally convincing myself to stand, I face my reflection in the mirror.
Staring back at me, I see puffy, red eyes, tear stained cheeks, and what little makeup I was allowed to wear smeared all over my face. I looked down at the sink to see my hands gripping the porcelain bowl so hard my knuckles are white. I release my grip and pick a few tissues out of their box, wetting them with water from the tap.
As I scrub the tissues on my face to remove the makeup stains, I start to feel better as the cool water meets my burning skin. I dabb at the corners of my eyes to try and relieve some of the puffiness and wipe off the tear stains on my rosy cheeks.
I once again look into the mirror and see that some of the swelling in my eyes have gone down, and my face is returning to its normal color. I attempt a convincing smile at myself, but end up almost breaking into more tears.
I sigh and pull myself together once more, pulling my hair into a new ponytail. I glance in the mirror one last time and I'm out the door, only to be faced with the last person I wanted to see. Dart.
"Come on, you've almost made us late. All the weapons are going to be gone by the time we get there now. Good job." He says, his violet eyes boring holes through my skull. After delivering his news, he turns on his heel and leaves, not even waiting for me to catch up.
The ride down the elevator is a quiet one, the only noises being our breathing and the periodic ding over the speakers signaling we had dropped yet another floor.
We finally arrive at the training center, and, as the elevator doors open, I wish I was back in the bathroom, all alone. Everyone turned to look at us, and, while I tried to make myself smaller and unnoticed, Dart puffed out his chest and flexed his muscles, obviously trying to be the center of attention. He strutted up the the biggest guy in the room, and, saying in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear,
"I challenge you to a duel." The other boy glared at him, accepting his challenge without speaking a word. I hoped someone would intervene, I didn't want to see more bloodshed until it was absolutely necessary, and, my wishes were answered.
"Alright you two, there'll be plenty of time for fighting in the arena. Here in training, you'll spar with an instructor, not other tributes. Understood?" Without waiting for an answer, the girl continued,
"My name is Aiyyla, and this is my training center, therefore, you go by my rules. Rule one, no fighting, there'll be plenty time for that later. Rule two..."
I end up tuning her out, instead focusing my attention to the different stations: fire making, fishing, foraging, hunting, identifying harmful plants and animals, weaponry, camouflage, animal mimicry, and so on. I decided to avoid the weapons until the last day of training, instead focusing on survival techniques and sheltering instructions.
The first half of the day went by fast, there being little to no lines at the survival stations, everyone focusing on the weapons. I've learned how to build a fire, which plants are edible and can be used for medicinal purposes, some camouflage techniques, and how to make fishing lures should I come across any ponds sheltering fish.
Now it was time for lunch, and, while most people sat with their fellow tribute, I sat alone. Dart sat with some others who were good with weapons and it seemed they were getting along nicely. I simply eat my sandwich, listening to the muffled sounds of the others conversations, lost in thought. The afternoon passed as quickly as the morning, with me learning the remaining survival techniques. I've decided I would go over these things again tomorrow, then spend the rest of my time sparring.
Training is finally over and as we board the elevator, I let the hand bar prop me up, my feet aching from the different activities I've done today.
In a blur, I eat my dinner, eager to get to my room.  I take a nice warm shower and slip on some fluffy pajamas, collapsing into my bed.