The Factions' Fall, Book 2: The Faction Games

Chapter 2

I walked into breakfast just a little later than usual, grabbing what I'd come to think of as a meal: an apple and a glass of water. It had been five days since the interviews, and the games were starting in six. We were training harder than ever, and Alec and I were studying hard too. "Hitting the gym... and the books!" as Alec called it. Zachary, the Head Instructor, had taken to addressing us every morning as well, so as soon as he stood up, we pushed our plates aside. "Well, it's another day. Now, you're six days away from entering the Faction Games, and thus you must train as hard as you possibly can. Push yourselves to your limits, consider your alliances. These last few days are crucial to your survival. It would do you well to be cautious as you make sure you're prepared. Now go! Get out and train, do you understand?" We all headed out and into the training center.

Alec and I walked over to the first aid area to make sure we had a basic understanding of caring for wounds. "Okay," the instructor here told us, "Let's say I have a broken leg. This is how you'd care for it." We continued like that for most of the morning, until both Alec and I could identify and perform multiple important medical processes. He smiled at me as we walked off. "Let's go practice with the knives and guns, yeah?" I nodded. "We probably shouldn't work with guns. Even with suppressors, they'll make noise. That's something we want to avoid," I replied, quickly adding that knives were just fine. We picked up a set each and started throwing, every now and then going up to get them to start over. The trainers blew their whistles simultaneously, which was our signal to break for lunch. "Okay, let's study for a while after we eat, and then we can work on sparring and swordplay. Sound good?" I asked, and Alec nodded. "Maybe later, we can head up to the roof?" he suggested, and I smiled. "That's a fantastic idea. See you in the library."

I ate quickly and hurried to the library, scanning my wrist- well, my tracker, embedded in the skin beneath my wrist- so I could access the computer to search topics Alec and I would need. He burst into the room seconds later, white-faced and panicking. "Sera, you need to come outside. This is really freaking me out." My eyes widened. "Well, now you're freaking me out. I'm coming; let me log off." I shut off the monitor, jogging outside to see what had scared my boyfriend so badly. 

"So, change of plans- we're going to the roof," he said, already running in that direction. I did my best to keep pace with him as he scrambled onto the ladder, catching his breath once he was on the lip of the building. I settled next to him. "What happened? I've never seen you scared before, let alone like you've seen a ghost." He tapped my mother's bracelet, which glimmered on his wrist. "I thought I heard one," Alec said, voice shaky. "Turns out it was coming from your mom's bracelet. Listen." We both fell silent, and I focused on the tinny sound of static from the jewelry. Suddenly, the other end became clear. "Hello, Serafina. My name is Nolan Keats."