The Training

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District 10

Ian walks into a big hall. There's three elevators on the right side. The big glass wall on his left side allows him to get a look at the clear blue sky. He walks to the glass wall and looks outside. As he looks down he can see the citizens of the capitol going about their day. Ian, a guy from the poor district 10, hasn't seen modern houses like this since in like forever. Ian smiles as he, for a while, feels like he isn't going to participate in a game of murder and deceit. It's like he's just on a nice vacation. He gets pulled back into reality as his trainer snaps his fingers in front of his face.
''Ian, we need to go.''
One of the guards lays his hand on Ian's shoulder urging him to walk. Ian quickly looks at the hand on his shoulder before locking eyes with his trainer. ''Yes, let's go,'' he says slowly.
Ian follows his trainer to the elevator. Two guards followed by a group of people step out of another elevator as their elevator doors open. Ian can hear someone call his name as he steps into the elevator. He turns around to see who it was, but the wide-shouldered guard is already blocking his view. Slightly irritated Ian tries to make his way past the guard. The guard sticks his arm out to hold him back. After a quick look at the stern intense look on the guards face, Ian decides to hold his position. The doors close. He turns to his trainer.
''What is going on? Someone obviously called for me. Why won't you guys let me see who it was?'' Ian asks angrily.
''You're worrying too much Ian,'' the trainer exclaims. ''Stress won't do you good in the games.''
''I don't care, why won't you let me see who called me?''
''Because it's just a fan,'' the trainer explains calmly. ''The games are all just a big show and the people are excited to see you, a famous creator, fight in the arena.''
''Doesn't sound that exciting to me,'' Ian exclaims as the elevator doors open again. He steps into the massive room filled with lots of different training centres.
The trainer steps out of the elevator and says, ''Alright Ian, tomorrow is the big day. This is your last chance to train your skills. What do you want to know?''
''What do I want to know,'' Ian repeats. ''The same thing I have been asking you for the last three days. I want to know who the other tributes are.''
''Ian, I've already told you, I'm just here to give you a better chance of survival in the games. I can't offer you any more than that.''
''Well, the way I see it, I am not going to survive the games on my own,'' Ian says while strolling through the Training Center. ''I'm going to need to form some sort of alliance. The only way I can form an alliance, is by talking to the other tributes. But where are those tributes? Why haven't I been allowed to meet them?'' Ian says while looking directly at his trainer. The trainer, who is still trying to figure out what to say, just shrugs awkwardly.
''There has not been a tribute parade this year. No one has interviewed me yet. Why am I not allowed to meet the other tributes?'' Ian asks while slightly raising his voice
The trainer, who hasn't come up with an answer yet, looks at the guard. The guard shakes his head with a piercing looks on his face.
''I'm sorry Ian,'' the trainer exclaims.
Ian puts his hands behind his head. He looks into the training centre as he exhales loudly. He turns around. ''I've trained enough,'' he says as he walks back to the elevator.


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District 9

''26, 27, 28,'' Olivia says under her breath as she pushes herself from the ground.
''Time's up Olivia!'' yells her trainer from the entrance of the Training Center. ''The other tributes need to train too.''
''29,'' she says as she straightens her arms and yells, ''I'll be right there!'' She forces herself to do one more push-up before rolling onto her back. She breathes heavily while using the back of her hand to wipe the sweat of her forehead. She stares at the ceiling while trying to get her breathing back to normal. As her teacher approaches, she decides to stand up.
''I'm ready,'' she says while walking past her trainer and towards the elevators. Two guards are already standing by the elevators. One of them pushes the elevator button as he sees Olivia approaching. When the elevator doors open the guards step aside and gesture Olivia to go first.
''Ladies first,'' one of the guards exclaims with a friendly smile.
Olivia, followed by her trainer, walks into the elevator. After the guards squeeze themselves through the small entrance, the door closes. There is an awkward moment of silence while the elevator slowly moves down. When the doors open again the guards step out first. Olivia, who is in a good spirit after exercising, swiftly follows them. There's people stepping in the elevator on the right of her. She looks at the guy who is just stepping into the elevator. Even though she hasn't seen him in three years, she recognizes him immediately.
''Ian!'' she says surprised but happily.
She doesn't get a response. As the elevator doors close she can only see the black jacket of a guard. Her trainer grabs her arm and says with an awkward smile, ''let's go to your room.''
Olivia looks at her trainer confused. She is trying to analyse what she had just seen. Then it gets to her. Ian was wearing the same training outfit as her.
''What is Ian doing here?'' she demandingly asks her trainer. ''And why is he wearing the same training outfit as I am?'' She angrily looks at her trainer while waiting for a response. She already knows the answer but needs someone to confirm it.
''Who is Ian?'' the trainer asks confused.
''He is my friend,'' Olivia exclaims. ''Why is he here?''
''I don't know. I've only been informed to train you,'' he states. ''They haven't told me anything about the other tributes.'' His eyes slightly widen as he realises he just admitted that Ian is a tribute. The guard who is standing behind Olivia facepalms.
For a moment Olivia looks at the glass wall while taking in the fact that she is going to have to fight one of her closest friends. She turns back to her trainer.
''Thanks for the training,'' she says before turning around and briskly walking towards her room.

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