lost | the hunger games

• vii •

❝i don't want us to survive. i want us to live.❞

jasper jordan, the 100

☾

THE FIRST DAY

Finnick and I traveled down to the training center alone in the elevator. There was no time to lounge around in our suites. We were only able to eat breakfast with Mags and Annie before changing into our training uniforms and heading downwards.

"You ready?" Finnick asked me.

The doors opened and I found myself staring at a completely new training center. The Capitol really spared no expense with the Quarter Quell. I shuddered at the thought of the "surprises" they had in store for us. I took a step out of the elevator, breathing in and out once before answering, "For the Mockingjay."

I split ways with Finnick. Deciding to do a quick rundown of the tributes and the training center. The Career pack was practicing their sword throwing at targets and hacking away at training dummies. Blight and Johanna were hacking away with their axes. A weaponry specialty of District 7 (lumber). The Morphlings were working in the nature sections, checking to see what they can use to blend in. Nuts and Volts were there too, trying to light a fire.

My eyes drifted onto something more interesting. Katniss Everdeen. She was helping them with the firewood. I realized Peeta Mellark was actually near her too. He was boxing with a trainer. I've got to admit. His strength was undeniably threatening.

There were a few simulation stations off to the side, which I took advantage of. The weapons rack held various tools. My instinct told me to reach out and grab the double-pronged trident, my fingers itching to touch the familiar weight, but I didn't. Instead, I took the pair of matching scythes and moved the difficulty level all the way up.

I made sure to cloud the glass before I got inside.

"The simulation will start in 3."

I took a deep breath, releasing the tension in my body before the countdown ended.

"2."

Simulation bodies. It's just a simulation. They're not real people. Not yet.

"1."

The first one came up from behind. I could hear the footsteps coming closer before I spun around, decapitating them with my scythe. Two others appeared next. One was running at me from the side and another shooting at me with an arrow from the second level. I stabbed the first and threw my other scythe at the archer. My breathing was still even, thankfully. Two others came from opposite ends of the room. I ran at one of them, slicing off the arm holding the knife. I spun around the simulation and kicked it into the other hostile before running through both of them with my other scythe.

I don't remember how I got up to the second level to retrieve my other scythe. But once I dropped down and had both in my hand, the simulation wasn't enough to actually challenge me. I ducked and rolled when one threw the dagger at me and I slit their neck. The next three were just charging at me at the same time and they went down the same way as the first simulation body came at me. There were four others but I cut through them easily. I was panting slightly by the end of the simulation.

I cleared the glass and walked out. There was a small rack of towels hidden to the side. I used one to wipe away the tiny film of sweat on my forehead. The scores on the simulation showed my time as four minutes and twelve seconds with fourteen kills. My technique needed a bit of practice, but using scythes weren't exactly a District Four specialty. That being said, I knew that I was much more skilled than half the tributes here.