(Earlier version) Flowerborn Part 1: The Arena

Chapter 8: Training

Next was lunch. It seemed to be even better than breakfast and dinner. There was fruit, bread, cheese, juice, butter, soup, tea and more. The next class was basic survival training, and this was with our entire team. I didn't look forward to a class with Anna though. In the three hours we learned thing like; purifying water, starting a fire, building shelter, navigation, hunting and foraging food, basic medical training and tying knots. I kind of dozed of when the teacher was talking about navigation and the knot-tying. I was more of a practical learner. I guess it has something to do with the fact that I never went to school. I was not used to sitting in a class for this long. 

The rest of the day went by really fast. Every hour that passed made me even more anxious. Luckily Kate also took the knife-class, so I didn't feel lonely. She was really nice to me, but also a bit wary. I wondered why. 

It really started after the third class. Thorugh the blue messages on our arm we were said to come to the hall we were on the first day. There the man from before - I believe he was called Rowan - stood on top of the stage. At first he looked at the camera and filmed an introduction for the audience at home with us on the background. Then he turn to us. 'Welcome candidates. Tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for. The first game.' 

What? I heard it happened before, but most times the team would get more days to train. I was just hoping the first game was not going to be difficult. Rowan clicked on a button and the huge screen behind him lit up. There was a map on the screen. 'Dit is the area the contestants will be put in tomorrow.' A small part on the right bottom corner lit up. 

'Then they will have to cross this river. As you can see: there are just five bridges. There is no other way to cross the river. On the other side of the river the contestants will go to the tower.' A circle in the top left corner lit up. 'It is allowed to kill other Candidates.' I could almost hear the fear of the people around me. 'Furthermore, do you see all those smaller circles? They are supply drops. They contain food, medicine, water and weapons. The travel time from the starting point to the tower is four days, so be sure to get one of those. The circles on your map will lit up if in the following ten minutes a supply drop will take place. And also, you will all be provided with a backpack.' He turned of the screen. 'The last thing that may be important to mention is: After one day we will release the dogs.' He smirked. 'Good luck.'