Clio-The 56th Hunger Games

Chapter 6

"Oh my God!" I say still crying. We just stand there hugging for about 30 seconds everyone still stares. I look him in the eye and see the warmth in them. I've missed him so much. My mother has especially.

"Well, um, this is my dad." I say. I wipe tears from my hot cheeks, still in shock, from the fact that he's still alive. He shakes hands with everybody. I can't get my head around the fact that my dad is alive. Breathing. He looks at me and I know he wants to say something, anything. My arms wrap around him, because there's no words for this moment. I can't imagine going home now, I've already grieved him. Already excepted the fact that my father was dead.

"Bruce." Says a voice through the loud speakers.

"Floor 3 pronto."

He looks at me with longing, don't go, I think. Don't leave me again. I don't want him to leave, but I know he will be punished if he doesn't do so. "Bye." I say wiping away a stray tear. He waves and walks away.

I sit back down at the table and look at the food on my plate. I'm not so hungry anymore. I play around with the good, hearing chit chat, but not listening to it. I look at Leo and wave good night.

"Night everyone."

They wave and return to their meals. As I walk to my room I feel Leo's eyes on me. I turn around and grin. He looks embarrassed for staring at me, but grins back.

I open my door and I peel off my clothes and walk over to the wardrobe, then put on a white nightie. My hair falls out and I gently brush it. I roll my shoulders then slide into bed, the softness and warmth is unimaginable, every part if me feels comfort, I fall asleep, thinking of what tomorrow will bring.

I have a dreamless sleep.

The next morning is the first day of training. I wake up, and push off my covers, and see a jumpsuit thing, that's back with red parts on it and a 9 stitched on the back. I jump up and get in the shower, the water soaks my back, and I turn up the pressure, just like a massage. I release a sigh. I wish I had a shower like this at home.

I comb my hair through. When I'm done I dry my body with a big fluffy towel. I put on the jumpsuit and it reveals my every flaw. My thick thighs and wide hips. Ew. You'd think they'd choose something a bit more flattering. I sigh and turn away from the mirror, felling very self conscious all of a sudden. I dry my hair with the towel and put it up in a bun and put on the black boots. To my surprise they're actually pretty comfy. I take a deep breathe and brace myself for the day.

Everyone is already at the table eating breakfast, I dig in and eat as much as I can hold, 2 slices of toast, a scoop of berries and a boiled egg.

"Hi," I say to Leo. "How many days are training for?"

"5." He replies with a grin on his face.

"And tonight I have something planned." He looks at me and grins.

"Okay." I say. Probably just some extra training or something.

When we are all finished Leo tells Craig to come to the elevator. "Just press T. It means training. Okay well I'll see you guys tonight!"

I nod. It's a silent ride down to the training floor.

At the training centre we are there pretty early. I take in my surroundings, this place is huge. Fully concrete with a viewing area for the game makers. After about ten minutes everyone is here. I see a diverse range of tributes, this year will be interesting.

"Good morning tributes." Says a young lady with golden brown skin. Her coal-black eyes are piercing. She speaks, with a strong feminine tone. Loud and clear.

"Today will be your first of 5 days of training. There are 15 courses, 3 of which are compulsory; knife targets, basic survival and hand-on-hand combat. The other courses are knot tying, tree climbing, spear targets, archery targets, axe targets, camouflage, berry identification, hunting, rope climbing, snares, traps and temperature control. Once you have completed a task, sign your name and district on the sheet on which the course is. Clear?" She raises her eyebrows on question.

"Clear." we repeat in unison.

We spread apart.

I walk over to the hand-on-hand combat area and begin. "Good morning. My name is Luke. Whatever you do, this will be one of the most important stations. Are we clear?" The four if us nod. At first we are told to fight against a moving mannequin thing. It's really life-like. After that we are told some techniques, "Strong, fast and sharp movements. Be precise. Do not flinch, you will look weak. Do you hear me? Continue."

And we fight the moving mannequin again. "Kicks" says our trainer. I bring my foot up, so my whole body is now horizontal. I bring my hands on fists to my chest and kick. Everyone else in the room makes the mannequin shake a little but I completely bowl mind over. I hear gasps and see people pointing at me. Even the careerer doing it couldn't do what I did. Everyone looks a little sloppy but my trainer commends me for doing that. Next I move onto the camouflage course "I'm Liza, les get to it!" Her Hazel eyes focus on me and them she looks away. First we mix simple paint things from dirt and water and berries and things, "Nice job!" She says to the few of us. Next we use leaves to hide our bodies. This one was a bit boring. I sign my name on the sheet.

"LUNCH!" A young man calls. I walk over the the big round table and grab a tray. It's like the hospital cafeteria. But you could hardly call it a hospital, all we have is lots of pain killers, bandages, simple medicines and a few other things. We only have 20 hospital beds for people, I've only been there once to help out, for a few extra coins. The cafeteria is just a few dishes if sloppy food, and you slide your tray along. Good for people in need of a hot meal if they have a few coins lying around.

I put on a braised groosling breast, potatoes, some cabbage and a bread roll. I choose a seat, as I'm the first one to sit down. A boy sits next to me.

"Hi." He says happily.

"Um hi?" I reply what does this guy want? He looks like he's sixteen at the most.

"What's a fine looking thing like you doing here? I thought someone would have volunteered for you?" That pig! Hitting on me when we are doomed to die. I raise my eyebrows and give him a death stare.

"How dare you attempt to 'Pick me up'! Leave me alone!"

His green eyes stare at me. "Your the first one I'll be coming for. I'll savour your death. Make it slow and painful." Wow? He's taking this really hard. Because I turned him down? After he was the one in the wrong?

"Okay then," I say humorously, "I'll look forward to it!" I say laughing.

A 16 year old, trying to pick me up. The thought made me laugh, and now he's thirsty for my blood. I can't help but laugh. Idiot.