The Two Volunteers: Unplanned

Chapter Fifteen

The headache is outstanding, considering I didn't even have two glasses of wine.  I blame it on how small I am, that the alcohol effects me greater than it would someone of a larger stature.

I tend to sit back and not say much as Haymitch tells Prim and Peeta what to do during training, It's the same thing he told me last year, don't show off your skills in front of the trainers. But the only skill I can see Peeta having is his admirable way with words and strength. Other than that, I mean he could maybe frost someone to death. 

Prim, she is intelligent. If Peeta were to be injured during the Games she would know exactly how to heal him up. I do hint that I want her to have more knowledge, as much about the Arena as possible so maybe go to the edible plant section, or a section different than the normal weapons. Haymitch instructs them to pay attention to the other tributes, considering these are the people they will be fighting with. At least for a couple of days before we go in and save them. 

I still can't wrap my mind around more than one person coming out of the arena, and I have a hard time trusting Haymitch that we will be able to get in and get them out safely without being killed. The entire thing just doesn't seem logical to me. But I let Haymitch say what he wants to them, then I give Prim a big hug before Effie comes and takes them away. 

I sit on the couch, the same spot where I fell asleep with Peeta last night, and press my fingers to my head in hopes of getting rid of some of the pain. 

"The boy told me about your drinking fit last night." Haymitch says even though he is opening his flask. 

"The boy has a name." I say not looking at him. 

"Either way, he said he had to wrestle you for the bottle. You realize we are limited on those right?" His tone is obviously sarcastic because he knows as well as I that in the Capitol, nothing is limited. 

"Yes, that's what happened last night. But that's not right now." I open my eyes and look at him. "Right now, I want to know what to do. Anything?" 

"As a mentor, there is a lot to do. But our day doesn't start until 10:00 a.m." I glance at the clock and see it is only 9:07. 

"Maybe we start a little early, considering this is the first time I have ever done this." He considers it, maybe wondering how to get out of it. But I am persistent and I won't give up on this. I need to do something, I can't just sit here while they train. 

"Alright, let's go. But we will probably be the first to show up." He gets up and walks over to the elevator, I follow as closely as I can. We are taken all the way down to the main level, hard to believe Peeta is just one floor below me. It's hard to believe if I stomped my feet Prim could possibly hear me. 

He goes out of the main area, where we all met up after the Tribute parade and into one of the side doors. Upon entering I see many tables set up and many screens. The screens are marked with number from one to twelve and are separated so only certain eyes have access to see them. Haymitch walks over to screen twelve which is divided in half, and we both take a seat. 

"What is this?" I ask. 

"This is where we come for training and for the games. You see, this screen has been split. The left side is a camera within the training room that will constantly be focused on Prim, and the one of the right will constantly be focused on Peeta. I never show up early because it's just listening to Atala repeat herself every year, but you seemed persistent." He tells me. 

"How often are we allowed to come down here?" I ask. I watch as the screen goes from the Capitol Logo to live images of my sister and Peeta. There are very few people there right now, my assumption is that most of the older tributes, those who realize they have no chance, didn't even show up for training.