The Half-Blood Games | Percabeth

Chapter 9: Training

At ten, Malcolm and I were at the elevators, with Minerva, who had concealed the bags under her eyes with a ton of makeup.

The Training Room was underground, and the elevator ride there took less than a minute. It was huge, filled with equipment and obstacle courses. We were the last ones to arrive.

Everyone was dressed in the same black tee-shirt and pants. Someone pinned a 3 to my back, and I joined the other tributes in a densely packed circle.

As soon as Malcolm joins the circle, the head trainer, Chiron, steps up, and starts explaining the training schedule. We're allowed to travel from station to station as we please. Some stations teach survival skills, others fighting techniques. Under no circumstances are we allowed to engage in combat with another tribute. There are people at hand if we want to practice with a partner.

Then he starts reading the list of activities. I make a list of the ones I want to participate in. Knot-tying. Snares. Fire-starting. Edible insects. Edible plants. Tree climbing.

I also survey my fellow tributes. Most of them are frail, from a lifetime of hunger. Except for the Careers, who all have at least fifty pounds on me and have death in their eyes. Except for Percy, who just looks bored. When Chiron releases us, they head to the most dangerous weapons in the room and handle them with ease. I watch Percy pick up a sword before turning around and finding the tree climbing station.

I may not be the strongest person around, but my strength-to-weight ratio is good, and I have a keen eye for detail. I pick the sticks and knots that will hold me with ease, and soon, the instructor at the station tells me that I'm good enough already and that I should just go.

I head to edible plants next. This one's a bit harder, but with my memory, I nail it in an hour or so.

In that time, the boy from district 11, Travis, stole the girl, Katie's, knife, and she chased him around to get it back.

I move on to edible insects, and am halfway done before the end of the day. I'm too tired to go to the roof, and I fall asleep instantly the second I reach my bed.

***

The next day, I finish edible insects, and move onto knot-tying. Percy joins me soon after.

"You didn't come up to the roof today," He said, sounding a little disappointed.

"I was tired," I replied. "Sorry."

He nodded. "What are you trying to do"

I showed him the knot I was trying to tie, and he shook his head. "No, no, no. You're doing it wrong."

I rolled my eyes. "And how would you know?"

"I know this may come as a surprise," Percy said sarcastically. "But we tie a lot of nets in District 4."

I laughed.

I spent the rest of the day at the knot-tying station and the snares one, Percy helping me along. That night, we talked for a bit on the roof. I was convinced at this point that Percy wasn't just acting; he was actually a nice guy.

***

One the final day, I tackled the skill I'd need the most to carry out my stupidly-dangerous plan; fire starting.

The instructor was a really good instructor, and taught me everything I need to know. I mastered how to make a small fire in minutes. But a small fire wasn't what I needed.

"How do you light something on fire that isn't made of wood?" I asked the instructor.

"You cover it in something flammable, if it isn't already," The instructor told me.

I racked my brain, trying to think f flammable things I'd seen over the years in the cornucopia. But all I could think of was rubbing alcohol and rope. I guess I'd have to get creative.

I still wanted to run my plan through Blitzen. I had decided to do that right before the Games began, to make sure no one overheard me and ruined it. I really wanted to pull it off, because if I did, I'd make Hunger Games history. Everyone would remember me as 'that girl who pulled off something no one thought was possible.' Hopefully, they'd change 'girl' to 'victor'.

I stayed at the fire starting station until lunch, having nothing else to do. I spent most of the time staring at Percy, who was practicing his swordplay shirtless. I'm pretty sure no straight woman could resist staring at him like I was.

"I know, he's hot, isn't he?"

I turned to the boy who had spoken. It was the boy from District 12. Leo, I believe his name was. He was at the fire-starting station, too.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm straight," Leo threw up his hands in defense. "But damn. I wish I had those abs."

I looked down at my fire, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. Leo laughed.

I spent some time studying the other careers. Rachel from District 4 was quick, and good with knives. Clarisse la Rue from District 2 could wield a spear like she'd been born with one in her hands. Frank Zhang from District 2 never missed a bullseye with his bow and arrows. Hazel Levesque from District 1 used her small size and speed in her swordfights, making her much more deadly than she looked. And Octavian from District 1 was ripping apart dummies with his knives like they were teddy bears.

It was at that moment I knew that my knife skills wouldn't be enough; if I wanted to win this thing, I'd need my brain more than ever.

I decided Clarisse was my biggest threat. She seemed like she was the most bloodthirsty. If everything went according to plan, this would have deadly consequences for her.

At lunch, they started calling people in for their private sessions with the gamemakers. Before long, Malcolm's name was called, which meant I was next.

Then it happened. "Annabeth Chase, District 3." The announcement called, ringing around the room.

"Good luck," Percy whispered as I walked past him on the way to the doors to the gymnasium.

I take a deep breath when I reach them, and, mustering all the courage I can, I push them open.