The Two Volunteers: Unplanned

Chapter Sixteen

Training, which consists of Peeta and Prim trying something new and expand their knowledge, lasts the next two days. It is a long two days and the longer they train the more anxious I become. I can see the other tributes training and Peeta almost matches up to some of them but not enough to make an ally, at least I don't trust any of them enough to let them near Peeta and Prim. Speaking of Prim, she comes no where close to the other tributes. She is too small and fragile for them to even consider her. Possibly they would if they knew how smart she was and what she knew about healing they would, but it works out because I don't want them around her.

They are getting ready for their private sessions, and even though I was able to watch them for group training I am off limits from watching them individually. At first I thought I would get to be alone for awhile, maybe go the roof for some fresh air and time to think.  Instead, Haymitch informed me that we would be having lunch with the other mentors. As if I haven't spent enough time with them already.

They honestly aren't terrible, the only one I can't seem to get along with is Finnick. He is also the only one who seems to constantly find me and try to start conversation. He's just so arrogant that I struggle to keep a conversation going, but that is possibly my own stubbornness.

I'm broken from my day dreaming when Peeta walks in the sitting area. He is dressed in the same outfit as the other tributes, black pants and a solid black shirt with the number "12" written on the back collar.

"Hey." He says, taking a seat across from me.

"Hey." I say back.

"So, can you tell me what to expect exactly?" He asks, sounding almost nervous. Maybe he doesn't fully understand what this part of his training is. Possibly he is feeling pressured to make a lasting impression and it's making him worry. I give him a slight smile to hopefully calm him down.

"Nothing to worry about.  You just go in, show them how strong you are and if you have time show them how your knife throwing has Improved." He nods his head, satisfied, and Prim walks into the room.

"Katniss? Will you braid my hair?" She asks, already taking a seat on the floor in front of me. I have no choice but to begin weaving three strands of hair together into an elegant braid. My little duck sits patiently as she waits for me to finish, not seeming to have a care in the world. As if we are back at home and she has just asked me to do her hair for school, not private training before the quarter quell. Although I try to imagine it's for class.

3 days. I just need them to survive for 3 days. If only I could tell them that. If only I could tell them to climb a tree, or hide in a cave for three days and wait it out.

Prim stands from her position on the ground and I realize I have missed Effie and Haymitch walk in, announcing they tributes are wanted in the elevator. I stand as well, smoothing my shirt before grabbing Prim's hand. We walk to the elevators in silence before I crouch down to her level.

"What is your plan?" I ask her. We've went over this but I want to make sure she knows what she is supposed to do.

"Show then I can heal. That I can take almost any combination of plants and make a remedy from them." She says. I give her a look. "Oh, and make sure they know that wounds don't bother me. I can handle blood. Unlike you." This time she smirks at me.

"Good." I smile. "You're going to do great. Both of you." I look up at Peeta. He smiles, extending his hand to help me stand back up.

"We are falling behind schedule. We should've had them on the elevators 2 minutes ago. Now Katniss, you'll have plenty of time to talk to them after their session. They must go." Effies posh voices rings in my head. I slightly roll my eyes and Prim giggles. For the next few hours they will sit and wait, their sessions being last being from district 12. Maybe my stunt with the arrow last year will remind some of the game makers to pay attention to them.

As soon as they are on their way down, escorted by Effie, Haymitch and I load on the second elevator. He hits the first level.

"Do we have to do this? I see no point in socializing with the other mentors." I complain. The thought of having to be with them makes me uneasy.

"Yes. And if we are completely honest we need to make sure our tributes have a couple allies." He says as we descend.

"I don't trust these people to be allies with Peeta and Prim." I say.

"You don't have a choice. They will likely die in the bloodbath if they don't have a couple of people helping them."

"What happens when one of them turns their back on them? And they get killed in their sleep?" I shoot back.

"Look. You want them to survive as long as possible right? Either you can trust me or you can keep arguing with me. But at the end of the day they are going to have allies." He says as the elevator comes to a stop at the main floor. I sigh in defeat. He wasn't this pressing about me or Gale having allies last year. And I fear for their safety due to my distrust in the other tributes. But Haymitch is about as stubborn as myself.

We take a step out of the elevator and begin down a long hallway. I know for sure the tributes from the Career districts will be out. They are out here to kill and they will stop at nothing to make their title known. But multiple other tributes are either too weak, or too inexperienced. Who would Haymitch even have in mind for this? 

We enter the room that we have been going to all week. The screens are all black with a floating Capitol logo on it, and I see a group of other mentors standing around a large table. We must be the last ones to arrive. 

I try to stay close to Haymitch because socializing isn't my strong suit, but he goes for a glass of spirits and I know I'll be by myself shortly. That's what I think, anyways. 

"Katniss." I hear him say behind me. He just doesn't stop does he? I turn around to see his cheeky and mischievous smile. 

"I figured you would get the hint by now, yet you have found me ever single day this week." I say, crossing my arms and not bothering to show my annoyance. However, it just makes him smile a little more. 

"I like to think of us as friends." Finnick says. 

"I do not." 

"Well you may change your mind after you hear what the new game plan is." He says. I eye him suspiciously. 

"What plan?" I ask. 

"Has Haymitch not shared with you the news? I suppose it's possible he forgot, he is already on his second glass of wine and you've been down here for 5 minutes." 

"What is the plan?" I ask again, not caring about what the alcoholic behind me is doing. 

"My tributes and yours are teaming up for the games. We settled the agreement this morning before anyone woke." When he says this i actually roll my eyes. 

"No, they aren't. I already told myself Prim and Peeta would not be allying with the careers." I say. 

"District 4 is a little more, humble. This year. It a father/daughter team." 

"Silas and Annie Cresta. I'm aware. But I'm sorry Finnick the answer is no." I begin to walk passed him, going towards the doors. 

"You may want to speak with your co mentor about that." He says. I continue to talk though, right out the doors I just came in through. I will fight that for as long as I need to. They will not be allies with anyone associated to Finnick Odair.