Becoming Adamant [#1]

Chapter 10 - Private session...

Right, that’s for the sentimental moment in the Capitol. The next day, on the second training session, I do camouflage. I have heard of the tributes from six who simply camouflaged their way to winning their Games, but I doubt that’ll work for me. I’m a target after all. At the station, the instructor instructs me on different ways to use my surroundings to simply blend in. Some terrains are easier to blend into than others. Take a forest which is easy, versus the desert…hell you’ll get sand everywhere if you try to bury yourself down. And yes, the girl from 1 is still having her eyes on me. That could actually work to my advantage considering Snow most likely wants me dead. Look Snow, you’ve got some competition on that!

I’m still sticking to the original plan though, perhaps now more than ever. The rest of the tributes barely notice me while I plan a cunning plan inside my own head when it comes to the Arena. Of course, the plan will be pretty much complete the minute I see the Arena they put us in. It’s always bound to be hell, but there are decrees of hell, you know? In the training session however I try to keep my head down and take in every piece of information that I can fit inside my fourteen year old head. I notice cold looks from the Careers as they work on the knives, spears, bow and arrow…

…oh crap, the bow and arrow! Damn it, it’s the girl from 1. She’s the one using it, and she’s damn good with it as well. Holy crap, I can just kiss my sweet ass goodbye already! I really need to work out a genius plan to get away from the Cornucopia the second that gong goes off. I gotta get out of there and hide until I know the coast is clear. Why did it have to be her?! That poor excuse of a girl who’s know targeted me ahead of anyone of the other tributes. I guess it’s just my lucky charm at work…again. I see her shoot a couple of times and an even bigger amount of doubt sinks in. You know what? I’m gonna drop dead in the Cornucopia. At this point I’m almost sure of it.

The session is over now and I’m walking with Talon towards the elevator to get one last briefing with Blight before the private session. I spot the girl from 1 shoot me a look as I’m about to enter the elevator. It’s like she just wants me to know that one of her arrows is going to kill me in the Arena. Well, at first you have to get to it. However, I cannot help myself as I blink my eye at her at the door closes. If she only knew who she was messing with right now? I can’t wait till we get in there and I can let my mask just go. I’m gonna make sure she knows my name before she dies. I’m gonna make sure I’m the last thing she ever sees in this world. As long as I get that, I’m more than good. I bet I even left her a little insecure just now, despite the fact that she’s shown me her best in archery. Hah, sorry, blondie. Not impressed.

We get something to eat as we sit down and Blight does the talking. He’s taking us through the session about to come. I know it’s all about the importance of high scores, but unfortunately, I’m not allowed to take in any of it. I’m not supposed to get a high score…it’s a shame really. I could totally silence that girl from 1 for good. “Feisty, is there anything you’re so bad with, that even if you tried your best, you’d simply fail?” Blight asks me as if he’s a little smug. I’m about to make a fool out of myself, and he knows it. I can screw up with the bow. I’ve never used one so I’m not entirely sure of how it all works…I mean, yes I know you pull back the arrow and let it go, but there is a lot that goes with it. “Bow and arrow…I can totally see myself screw that up.” I then let out. “I can just drop an arrow or two on the floor for dramatic effects.” I then add.

Blight smiles at me as he’s caught on with my sarcastic attitude. “I’m sure you’ll pull that off just fine.” He answers back in the same tone. Ha-ha, funny Blight, really funny. “Over to you, Talon. You have to try and get a score for the both of you. We need to compensate for Ms. Feisty’s score.” Blight then says. Talon nods understandingly. “What are you most comfortable with?” Blight then asks. “I’m good with knives…or axes, either one of them to be honest.” Talon then answers. I’m officially jealous. Talon is actually allowed to use two of my favorite weapons in front of the Gamemakers! “Whatever you feel the most comfortable with, Talon. It’s time we get you two down there.” Blight then says as he looks at his watch.

As Talon and I get down there, we just sit there and wait for our turn. Obediently as we’ve ever been here in the Capitol. Not that I want to be, but I have to be. I’m not the type that can just sit around and wait. I have to be doing something or I’ll turn crazy. Talon and I are up first now. The Gamemakers have had a little break after the first six Districts. What the hell do they need a break for? They just sit there and goof around while our lives hang in the balance. Probably just a toilet-break if I’m not mistaken. I’ve seen them, you know? They just sit up there with their drinks and their food and watch us and what we do. I think they’ve barely noticed me considering I haven’t so much as touched a weapon in the sessions. I’ve just quietly moved from one station to the other while the Careers had all of Gamemakers’ attention.

“Sylvia Mason, District 7!” The speaker suddenly booms…yes, booms. I’m completely at a different state of mind as my name is called. I’m startled to say the least. However, I get up slowly from the bench walk towards the door which then opens. I look back at Talon and he just gives me a simple nod. I don’t really need a ‘good luck’ as I’m not gonna try and get a good score. Hell, I’m actually gonna try and get something as bad as possible. I so hate my tactic right now – making myself look worse than what I actually am while Talon can do whatever he freaking wants!

I can tell the Gamemakers are rather curious as to what I’ll do. As mentioned earlier, they haven’t seen much to me as I’ve quietly moved around on the ‘weaker’ stations. And now I’m gonna try on a weapon I don’t really master and try to make myself look like the stupid girl who’s going to die before the gong even goes off! As I get there, I see a target-lane and then a bow with three arrows. I guess three is a charm, right? At first I grab the bow and just feel the stretch of the rope. I know there’s supposed to be an arrow there, don’t worry. I’m not that brainless. I then grab the first arrow and put it into position. I let it go, but I don’t even hit the target. I sigh deeply.

I could at least try better than that. I take the next arrow, and at one of my most brilliant moments ever, I touch the sharp end of the arrow. That’s mistake: ouch! God, right there I wouldn’t protest if anybody called me brainless. For once I actually am. I pull it back and then fire it. It doesn’t reach the target further away. Damn it, I could do so much better if it wasn’t for my goddamn tactic. I don’t even want to know they’re giving me now. I’m dismissed right after. Hah, they’re probably scared I’m gonna do more harm to myself than anyone else.

I walk out of that room pretty much embarrassed to the bone. They’re not gonna help one bit in the Arena. I’m probably getting a 2, 3 if I’m lucky. Perhaps that’ll calm Snow down and show him ‘feisty’ I am. At least the rest of the nation will think I am the most dangerous person in the Arena…to herself. See, Snow? I’m not a threat to you…hell I don’t even want to be with my family at stake. Just ignore me, the fourteen year old girl with the accidently stare at ya. She never meant anything by it, I swear! Stupid moron, of course I did back then, and I still do. I’m just smart enough to not say it out loud.

“How did you do, kid?” Blight then asks me before I’m supposed to enter the elevator and get to our floor. I simply show him my bloody thumb. “What the hell? Did you seriously cut your thumb on an arrow?” He then asks me. Hah, that’s an easy question to answer. “I’m smart enough to be curious at the sharpness of it…normally I’d never be anywhere near an arrow, or a bow for that matter.” I start. “Let’s just say I’m getting a 2 at best.” I then add quickly, and clearly dissatisfied about it. “Sadly, that’s what we were aiming for with you.” Blight answers with a satisfied smile. “Get upstairs, I’ll be there shortly with Talon. Dess and Lavio are waiting for you.” Blight then adds.

Oh joy, Dess and Lavio and me…alone! I can tolerate Dess, but Lavio…let’s just say I wish I have a knife for him when I get there.

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A little shoutout for my friend @crazyhungergamesfan - funny and one hell of a writer! Her sequel to "So Unpredictable", called "Stay Sane" is definitely worth a look! ;)