Let the 25th Hunger Games Begin

Enemies

Training the next day was more full on than yesterday. Opal gave me a list of sections and how much time to practice on them. She told me to use not only the Knife-Throwing skills in the assessment, but another two weapons- she recommended Spears and Archery. I went into the elevator after a delicious breakfast snd pressed the TR button, standing for Training Room. I am lowered down and enter the familiar room. I walk around, observing everyone. The Game Makers were looking at Cydney, who was having a fake-battle practice with her robot-dummy and an axe. She swung at the right moments, stepped the right way and was as fast as lightning. They even clapped after she was finished. I watched as they turned their gaze to another Tribute. She was in the Archery Simulator. Only the best of the best go in there. These had the highest quality robots attacking you, and they don't hesitate to act. I watched her strike down two at a time, race in and out of enemies whilst shooting them and shooting a robot in the head whilst jumping. She was rewarded with a large round of appplause. Cydney snarled at her. I look down at my list to see where I had to train.

1. Parkor- 2 hours

2. Spears- 2 hours

3. Food info-cooking food especially- 1 hour

4. Archery-1 hour

5. Knifes- 1 hour

I reach the Parkor area to find it empty of Tributes. The instructor looks pleased to have a student.

'Now, first step- jumping. You must practice stretches for the next few days to keep up the bounce. Here, follow my lead.' He shows me how to do some squats and leg stretches. He also teaches me the way my legs need to work to jumo extra high. Somehow, it comes naturally. I guess from the Chariot night. We look at four large stones, getting larger and taller for each one. I jump onto the first, which is 0.5 meters high with no hands and progress to the second. This time, I wobble a bit before I jump onto the next one, with a jumping distance of 0.8. The next was a 1 meter difference. I bend my legs and jump. My feet are so close to the top, but not close enough. I reach forward and pull myself, then jump back up.

'I think I need more practice before the next stone.' I pant. The instructor nods. We train for two hours and I can eventually move onto Level Two which is climbing walls and natural barriers. We agree that I move into the Simulator tomorrow.

The rest of training was a blur. I had definitely improved in all my weapon areas and could hit the blue in the ring almost everytime, and sometimes even getting a bulls eye. My Archery was still a bit wonkey, though. The Game Makers watched as I went into the Knife Throwing Simulator. 5 Robots attacked from every angle and I wad only given two knifes. I hit the first robot in the face before it could hit me with a foam axe. It drops to the ground and I steal the axe. Crouching and spinning around, I take out two of the robots behind me. Only two robots left and two knifes. This was easy. Suddenly the ground had shook. The ground beneath the robots became higher, giving them a height advantage. One aimed at me with a bow and arrow. As they shot, I covered my face and deflected it. Using one of the knifes, I stepped forwards and threw it straight into the bulls eye. But suddenly I felt something hit me on the back. A foam axe the other robot used had touched me. The dim lights had turned brighter and the robots returned to their position. If you got hit, you were out. I look up at the Game Makers, with many clapping and nodding at me. If I had only turned around and hit the one behind me, I would have gotten brilliant marks.

I returned to my room to tell Opal about today's training. She smiled enthusiastically.

'So now you have an ally,' she says. 'But what other plans do you have?' I stare at the ground.

'I chose Madeline as my ally... Because I want her to win.' Opal stares at me in shock. 'She has five siblings at home- five- with no parents and I have no one. It works out.' I see Opal's eyes watering.

'But dear, I want you to win. Sure, she has siblings, but young orphans are always taken in by the mayor. He told me that when I went on the Victory Tour. You DESERVE to win. You can't back down!'

'But she needs to return home! If this were different, of course I would want to live! I won't die for no reason!' I shout. Opal is stunned. She stands up and hugs me.

'You're right.' She tells me. My eyes start to water too. 'You have thought this through. Just... If Madeline doesn't make it, promise me that you will. Okay?' I nod. Of course I would. If Madeline died, I would win for both of us. Give most of my winnings to her family during the tour. I would.

I exited the living room to go into my breathtaking bedroom. I take the time to appreciate the Districts' work. Crimson curtains and bedsheets- my home, Eight- a creamy gold couch- from One-, fake trees that glow for lights- from Three- smooth, grey blocks for walls and floor- from Five- and a long glass wall, over looking the Capitol, which may or may not be from Twelve. I now understand why certain Districts are treated better. One through to three are best treated, along with Seven and Eight. We got designated, old wooden houses, whilst others were just given a few buildings. But the first three had prettier surroundings, instead of just grass and earth like home. Home. Would I ever see it again? I hear a squeaky voice and the door opening to our room- it was Mercilli and Keil. Great. The last two people I wanted to see.

'Dinnertime Darlings!' He cheers. We all join each other at the table, but don't speak too much.

'Now kids, we have only three more days of training. On Saturday we shall hold your assessment, Sunday is the interview and on Monday you shall enter the Arena. How exciting!' Keil, Opal and I stop eating and stare at him.

'Exciting?' I spit.

'What sort of filthy person enjoys kids being slaughtered?' Keil demands.

'Out of all people, being close up to the Tributes should help you understand this tragedy!' Opal shrikes. Mercilli is taken aback.

'M-my apoligies. It's true, I am a filthy person for enjoying the games.' He sighs. He holds Keil and my hands. 'I love you both dearly, and if I could I would change your fate. Alas, it is what it is.' I flinch at the word love. We had only known him for what, three days, but I guess we were sort of friends. Sort of.

'Any alliences, sweetheart?' Keil says with an evil smirk, waiting for me to react. I don't, which surprises him.

'Yes, actually, I do.' He straightens up.

'I'm teaming up with Cydney, you know, along with the Carrer Pack.' My stomach flips. The Carrer Pack? He had to be really good for an outsider to get into that group. Bu then again, they usually kill each other during the last days. 'I did some epic sword fighting and made it to Level Three.' Opal opens her mouth to respond, but I stop her by kicking her leg. Wait, I mouth to her discretley. I turn back to a smug Keil.

'Great job! I can only hit the red ring in Knife Throwing, but I am an expert at food and plants information.' I respond. He laughs.

'As if being a master at that will get you anywhere. This is the Hunger Games sweetheart- 7 percent of your knowledge must be on food, the other 95 percent on hunting for animals and especially humans.' I stifle a laugh.

'Oh, so now 95 plus 7 equals 100? Well you may be a good fighter, but your brains will fail you for sure!' I giggle. His face turns the colour of the table cloth. He doesn't talk for the rest of the meal, but he smiles al little, knowing that he has a better chance than me. Well, that's what he thinks. I need to lay low in trainings- keep away from Tributes. Around 10 know I'm really good, the other 13 have no clue. I smile. Wait until Saturday, Keil. You just wait.