Life Through Sea Green Eyes - A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Part 1: Chapter 6

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim ownership to any content related to or included in the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I write this story purely for my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of others, with no intent for making money.

Life Through Sea Green Eyes

Part One: Fish Out of Water

Chapter Six

          I meet up with Calliope the next morning when Mags and I join her and Andromache in the elevator on the way down to the training level. She seems to have recovered from her breakdown last night, but Andromache keeps glancing at me in this calculating way that really makes me nervous. Then Mags puts her hand on my arm and I relax.

          We step off the elevator, and I look out on the training room. It’s the same as I remember from TV – long, high-ceilinged room lined with booths devoted to pretty much anything you can think of.

          I already know what Mags is going to say before she speaks. “Go make friends,” she says, and I nod. As I head over to the nearest booth – archery – Calliope follows in my footsteps like a shadow. I guess she’s sticking by me at Andromache’s request – she probably thinks Calliope will survive longer if people associate her with me.

          I’ve just picked up a bow and started to string it when the District 2 tributes come over to introduce themselves. “I’m Rock, and this is Martia,” the boy says. He’s taller than me, and older as well, so I don’t make a smart remark about his ridiculous name. The flame-haired, freckle-faced Martia eyes me in obvious interest, which works just fine for me.

          “Finnick,” I say, shaking their hands. Then I remember my tail. “And Calliope, my District mate.” Calliope’s holding it together much better today – you can barely tell that she’s valiantly holding back tears. “Feel like shooting a few arrows with us?” That’s my way of asking if they want to join our Career pack, and they catch on instantly.

          “Sounds fun,” Rock says, picking up the biggest bow. He fits in an arrow and makes a fairly decent shot. I tell myself to be extra wary of him if he gets his hands on a bow.

          After about fifteen minutes of archery – we don’t have bows in District 4, so I’m not exactly impressing anyone with my skills – I spot Gemma and Orion over at the knives station. They are both sparring with trainers, and they are both very, very good. “That’s Gemma and Orion over at knives, from District 1,” I tell my companions. Since District 1 means Careers, they have no problem going to say hello.

          We spend the next three days as a pack, the six of us – Orion and Gemma, Rock and Martia, me and Calliope. We eat together and train together. And even though we rebuff the advances of a few tributes looking to join our little alliance, I make sure to shoot them a smile. No point in making unnecessary enemies.

          Since I know that I’m good with knives and spears, I show off my skills to prove to the Careers that I’m more than just a pretty face. I make sure to do this early on the first day, so they open up to me right away. It turns out that Calliope really is quite good with a saw, and although the Careers shoot her annoyed looks every once in a while, they seem to accept her presence.

          Mags waits for me each night in my room, ready to dispense wisdom which I am quickly coming to value highly. The first night, she praises me on showing the Careers what I can do, but suggests I avoid giving too much away. So the next day, when we head for the knot-tying booth, I act really hopeless and end up tying Martia and myself together with rope. She’s giggling the whole time, so I know that I’m definitely getting in her good books.