87th Games

The Lamb Story

The next two days of training weren’t any better. I learnt a few more things on the second day such as starting a successful fire and understanding which plants and insects were edible. Arrow had joined an alliance with some members from district 11 which meant he was more snarky and rude to me as ever. We weren’t allowed to eat meals at the same table anymore, and when we did, Avery made sure I had plastic cutlery.

Since it was the last day of training I decided I should finally learn how to throw knives and shoot arrows just in case I made it through the first day. The instructor showed me how to throw and then I tried to copy him. The handle of my knife hit the bull-eye of the target and fell straight to the ground.

“Not bad” The instructor mused.

“Yeah, ‘not bad’ if she was planning to stab someone in the back with the handle instead of the blade” Arrow sniped, standing in front of his new alliance.

“You’d know a lot about back-stabbing, wouldn’t you” I hissed indignantly. I didn’t expect for him to team up with me, but I also didn’t expect for him to team up with anyone else. It hurt knowing I was one of the only tributes who didn’t have an alliance.

He snickered to his new ‘team’.

“I wouldn’t laugh either” I cautioned them. “Did Arrow tell you why his other eye is bruised?”

 He shrugged and walked away with them.

I heard a familiar chuckle. I looked up to see Zane.

“Let me guess” he teased

“Sure” I huffed, not really wanting to engage in conversation. I picked up a knife and threw it. This time it didn’t even make the target.

“Did you punch him?” he quipped.

 “No. I threw a spoon at him” I said simply, picking up another knife.

He laughed some more. “You know, the instructor taught you that wrong”.

I eyed him. I had spent all day trying to learn some sort of offensive weapon but failed with most. I was good with an axe, but I doubt I would ever get to use them in the games. The private session with the sponsors was tonight and I knew I had to show them something good.

“Then please knot-boy, enlighten me” I snarled. I wasn’t in the best mood.

“Right, well, instead of holding the blade, hold the hilt instead. Use your dominant hand and grip it tight” he commanded.

“Now bend your forearm and angle the knife. Stand like this, swing and then release”.

His knife hit directly into the target’s head. I followed his instructions and my knife finally stuck into the knee of the target.

I looked up at him in surprise. He winked in reply. 

“You didn’t have to teach me any of that” I said quietly.

“No, it’s okay, I don’t mind” he countered, crossing his arms. I noticed his bulging muscles and large torso. He would be a killer when it came to using all the weapons.

“So um… thanks” I said slowly, not really wanting to acknowledge that he had helped me learn two out of the four things I knew how to do.

“I’m sorry about yesterday Scar; I didn’t mean to infer that you couldn’t win the games”. I had no idea how he knew Scar was my nick name.  

“It’s fine. I already know I’m not going to win” I confessed, my eyes starting to water. I closed them quickly and shook my head. I wasn’t going to cry in the training centre in front of all the tributes. Arrow would have a field day.