The 73rd Games: A Hunger Games Fanfic [slow updates]

{4} Jacob

Jacob's pov- District 1 Male Tribute

After all that celebration crap, I first figured out the wifi password, then collapsed, utterly tired.

I woke to see a bright light in my room. "Turn it off" I mumbled, half asleep.

I rolled onto my side, and my fingers fumbled where the light switch used to be. Not finding it, I rolled some more and fell off the bed. Ugh. I rubbed my head as I forced my eyes open. It was daylight. But why are there so many people out there. I walked over to the window. This place looked as crowded as the Capitol.

Wait. The Capitol. That seems to mean something.

Oh. Yeah. Capitol. Ugh... tired... I'm. So. Tired.

Uhhh.... Yeah! Capitol! Games! 

I leapt out of bed, changed in a whirlwind, then ran down to the training arena. I looked around the polished walls and the endless space, at all the sharp, shiny objects around me. Just for the heck of it, I grabbed a spear and threw it randomly.

"You're doing it wrong." Someone said from behind me.

I turned my head to see that girl from district two. I remembered her name was Shabby or Crabby or something like that.

"The name's Gabby. Do you want me to show you how you really do it?" Without waiting for an answer, she hurled the spear at the nearest wall. It sailed in a graceful arc, then slammed into the wall, the shaft sticking out at a right angle.

I looked at her and grabbed a chainsaw. "Wanna see something way awesomer?" I scoffed. I was impressed, but how could I admit it?

She nodded unenthusiastically, and followed me to the sword & saw area. To my surprise, Crystal and that Ingrid girl were there already. They were bent over a table full of knives and swords. I heard them talking.

"What's that one Ingrid?"

"Oh, that's a machete. See how it has a specific curve to its shape? And that one's also a machete, except with a serrated edge. You shouldn't use that one though. Serrated edges are for butchers only. If you stab someone, it might get stuck in the person, and the blade is too thick, it's too heavy, and the hilt is double size."

"I see. Well, which should I use?" 

"Umm... maybe this one. You won't be used to the length of a true sword, and the delayed strike it causes. And this one is perfectly thin and light, it probably has more diamond in it than metal."

"Oh my, diamond. This is awesome."

"Oh yes, diamond is awesome, too bad minor district peasant don't get any." I mocked, making them notice me for the first time. "I bet my chainsaw's better than you." 

Crystal laughed with scorn. "Oh really. How about let's try this. If your chainsaw is as good as the great Jacob says, then me and Ingrid against you? Sounds fair, smart one?

I rolled my eyes. "Since when has Crystal Sparkles dealt with idiots from minor districts? And heck no, that is so not fair."

Gabby rolled her eyes at me. "You shouldn't be talking, Ingrid is far better than you."

"Okay then." I said. "Let's fight. Teams."

Ingrid and Crystal agreed to team up, which left me with Gabby."

"Alright." Gabby conceded. "Let's see if Jacob is as good as the thinks he is."

Ingrid chose a long, sleek sword. "Bring it on. What sort of terrain do you wanna fight on?"

"Mountain," Gabby said automatically. Of course. District two was all stones and mountains. But at least she was on my side. She was probably a career too. Ingrid pressed the button, as the flat tiles of the ground rose and fell to become treacherous slopes and valleys.

Ingrid smiled. "First team to end up with a member on his or her butt loses. Got that?"

Ingrid struck first, with a flurry of blows at Gabby. Gabby blocked all of them with the side of her spear and propelled the spearhead towards Ingrid. Ingrid flicked it away but stumbled on the stones. 

We were matched pretty evenly.

Crystal helped Ingrid steady herself, then swiped at me. I lowered the chainsaw, feeling the metal of the blade give away. Gabby took advantage of Crystal's distraction and tried to trip her into a rock with the spear. 

Ingrid leaped a pile of stones, then swiped as she took a flying leap, missing me by just an inch. Enraged, I turned around, and instead of lowering the chainsaw as expected, I waited for her to make her move, and moved in for the blade to hit the saw. The soles of her boots slipped on the rocks, as I really had to jump back to avoid her. She caught herself just in time, as Gabby threw her spear at where Ingrid was just a moment ago. 

Ingrid was fast, but just barely fast enough.

Ingrid ducked the spear, then sent out a swipe that forced me to drop the chainsaw. The serrated metal clattered to the ground, buzzing and spitting sparks. I tripped over Ingrid's foot, causing her to fall too.

"I guess it's a tie then," I said, once I regained my senses.

"Yep." Ingrid agreed. "We all lose."

"And we all lose as allies, right?" That was Crystal. "This is a direct invitation into the career pack so you guys all better say yes."

We all agreed, except for Ingrid. "Ingrid? Are you in?" Crystal  asked a bit anxiously.

"Fine." Ingrid sighed. "But I called killing Oliver."

"And if we don't somehow give Victoria a painful death, I'm out of this." Gabby said firmly. 

"Victoria? Isn't he your partner?  Why'd you wanna kill him?" I asked. 

"No..." Gabby said. "Just... no."

"So that's good enough." I told everyone. I was sick of arguing with these picky girls.

I realized that all this time, Crystal didn't talk, and was watching me through suspicious eyes. I knew what was going on in her head. She was going to kill me. I could read it in her every move. And her face took on a rather dirty expression as she noticed me noticing her.

There was a silence, and I assumed this conversation was over. "Oh well. Bye people. I need to go talk to... Never mind, but bye."

Crystal stepped up and pressed her sword to my throat. The sharp, metallic edge stung my neck. "Well you better tell us where. And I bet you anything, you're arranging to find some other allies to help you kill us." She snapped, gesturing to Gabby and Ingrid.

In the end, it took three peacekeepers to stop Crystal from murdering me. But she still left me with a small cut on my throat, which bled a bit.

Yet Crystal's guess hadn't been too far off.

I was making more allies, stronger allies than this bunch of little girls. 

I was allies with Victoria.

So too bad, Gabby.