The Capitol Games

4

OCTAVIA

The training days for me were passing slow, but I overheard some of the other tributes complaining about how it was going by too fast for them to learn everything.

Still, I didn't touch a single weapon. I was even hesitant in lifting up the knife to cut apart the stems of plants to find the water inside. Between doing the edible plant test at least one hundred times—and not getting higher than fifty percent correct—and hanging upside down on the monkey bars, I watched the others—analyzing them.

Sebastian was getting better with a bow by the minute, having hit bullseye two times in total, and getting the inter hoop almost every time. The brute girl learned how to swing a sword. Adriana sat in the knot-tying corner, as that seemed to be the only thing she could do without hurting herself. Haille found a love for axes. If only Johanna was her mentor instead of mine.

Cassius was proficient in most of the weapons—which he loved to show off in front of the others every chance he got, smiling broadly to their oohs and aahs. His goons were all strong and lifted weights ten times the amount I or anyone else could, and threw large sandbags across dotted lines just to see how far.

Lunches I sat alone. The others got closer, moving on from the crying and complaining to strategizing and building alliances. I just hoped my skills were enough to make up for the lack of socializing.

It reminded me of high school and I'd rather be in the arena.

I wouldn't have to wait for long. The last day of training was upon me and I'd be doing my private session soon. I was one of the first—and this was my chance to either blow out or show off. I haven't exactly decided yet.

Johanna has been her usual self during our brief interactions at dinner. I have begun to get used to her rude commentary and jabs, putting up my wall to the point she would get bored and focus on eating her food and talking to herself.

I would sometimes wonder our penthouse late at night. I did nothing all day, and I knew I had to rest up before the Games, but I just couldn't sit still on the floor all night. I knew I was monitored, but all I did was pace. It was on these nightly strolls, when I would pass by Johanna's door, that I would hear the light sound of sobbing.

I never knocked and never spoke about it, and in the morning, there were no signs that it ever happened on Johanna's face.

I figured she did it in her sleep and she just didn't notice. I know she went through some things.

And those things always came back to me—punishing me, so I didn't feel too bad about it. Plus, it wasn't like Johanna was crying out for comfort, especially from me.

"Octavia!" Cassius's shouting jolted me out of my thoughts. Immediately, my shield slid up.

"What?" I walk closer to where he was charging at some dummy, striking it across the chest and head with quick slices of his baton. I knew I should have ignored him, but he had a ring around him, and it would probably only led to more jabs—the last thing I wanted these people to know what he does.

"Spar with me," Cassius grinned, victorious as if he had already won.

Tributes weren't allowed to spar with each other, but the man working at the station seemed intently focused on cleaning the sword in his hand, even though his ears obviously picked up on the conversation. He must assume we could do no damage to each other—even though he's been watching Cassius all week. The more believable option is that he just doesn't care.

I narrowed my eyes, seeing right through Cassius's tricks. If I said no, I'd be a coward. If I said yes, they'd all see.

I shook my head, stepping back. I'd rather be labeled as weak, therefore ignorable in the Arena, then fight Cassius—but I had a sinking suspicion that's what he sets out to do.