(UNDER EDITING) Willow Mellark-Rising Ashes

Training

Willows pov

Effie directed us to the twelfth floor, since we're from 12 we get the penthouse.  As we get into the glass elevator, I can almost all the Capital.

The Capital really was gorgeous. I mean when we got to the penthouse, there was good china everywhere. A huge dining room and a chandelier hanging over each room.

Not to mention the beds were huge. I decide to take a shower before dinner. So I excuse myself from the group.

I go to my room and step into the shower. I get washed in this lavender-colored soap that smelled like roses --my favorite flowers by the way. Well, the red ones.

I washed my hair in something that smelled like pine trees and it reminded me of home.

Oh, home district 12. How I miss it! The victors' village must be as lonely as ever.

I start to get memories of home and start to cry. This is the first time since we left 12 that I was able to let my emotions out.

I turn off the water and get a towel. I dry myself and then put the towel around my body.

I exit the bathroom and go and try to pick out something decent to wear. The Capitol fashion just isn't for me. I really don't like fluorescent colors.

I decided to go in black jeans and a purple shirt. I put on black flats and brush my hair. I leave it down so it can get dry.

I then go to the bathroom again to remove my nail Polish. After I'm done, I go to the dining room where again I'm the last one to arrive.

The only seat open is next to Tyler which I sat in. Then our dinner arrives. We had Turkey with mashed potatoes and sausage.

We all ate in silence until Haymitch broke the ice by saying," Tomorrow we start training."

That caused Tyler and I to become nervous wrecks because we choked on our food and then I got a headache and went to the bathroom to throw up.

When I come back. Tyler asked me, "Are you okay? Do you feel better now? " and I just nodded my head. 'Tyler Dawson' cared for my well-being? Is What I was thinking. It's probably nothing. We don't even know each other.

"All I said is that You are going to training tomorrow. " Haymitch said. "I know. I'm sorry, It's that I'm a little nervous. " I say.

"A little, Willow, you're a nervous wreck. " my dad said. I just continue to eat without saying a word and then excuse myself to my room which is next to Tyler's and my parent's room is in front of mine. I go to bed and sleep. Thinking about the Games.

***

I was running, running for my life! The careers were chasing me! I was getting closer to some sort of water stream.

I could hear it. It was a river! Now, what do I do?! The only way is to go through the river.

But before I could reach the river, a career throws a metal blade at me.

In my attempt to miss it, I slipped on a rock and fell. That's when they took their chance to kill me.

One of them held me down in place while the others started to cut me all over. I cried in pure pain each time they stab the cold metal blade into my skin.

I scream at the top of my lungs for my mom and dad and Tyler. But the only one who showed up was my dad.

He pushed the careers off of me and they started to fight. But it was no use. It was 4, against 1. The odds weren't in his favor.

That's when they slit his neck and he falls dead to the floor. Then they turn to me and put the knife on my throat to slit it.

I wake up screaming at the top of my lungs. Tyler comes in with a worried look on his face, "Willow! are you OK ?"

" It-it w-was just a dream. I'm s-sorry I didn't mean to wake you." I said apologetically still shocked by the images in my nightmare.
"It's okay I get them too. Ever since we got on the train. " He said and then continues on saying  " Good night." and leaves.

I wake by a loud knock on the door. "Willow, you're late for breakfast, hurry and get dressed!" an angry Haymitch said.

***

"Remember don't show your strengths until the Individual Assessments," Haymitch explained

"Okay." everyone said in unison.
"When will we be going down?" I ask.
"In about ten minutes," Haymitch said.  By now everyone is finished eating.

So we go and get dressed in a bodysuit that has our District number on it, for some reason this year the bodysuits are black and purple.  We then all go down together to the elevator.

When we get downstairs a lady explains that we need to focus on learning how to find food, shelter, and water because most of us will die of natural causes.

When she's done talking, we're are free to go. I decide to go to the knot-tying station.  I spent an hour trying to make a snare -which will come in handy when I need to catch food in the arena.

Then I look around and see my mother at one of the bow and arrow stations.  Next to her is Tyler, which he is actually pretty good at archery.

The game makers said that there will be three of every weapon in the arena. So maybe if Mom, Tyler, and I get our hands on some bows we would actually have a better chance in the arena.

I look around for my father and see that he is at the spear-throwing station.  I have decided to stay in the natural resources stations for the day. 

Tomorrow I will be at the weapons stations.  On the day after tomorrow, I will spend half the day at the natural resources stations and the other half at the weapons stations.

Then the bell rings, signaling that it's time for lunch.  I see Tyler nearby and I run up to him.
"Hey," I say, smiling at him.
"Hey," he said back.
"You're not that bad with a bow. Did you know how to hunt before?"

"No, your mother taught me.  She's amazing. I am sure she taught you, well too."  He said as we got our food from the line and sat down at an empty table.

People start to say stupid  things like," Ooo looks like we got our next star crossed lovers."  I just laugh it off awkwardly as I am feeling very uncomfortable.  Tyler notices I guess because he looks at me with his honey-brown eyes, a strange color in 12. 
"You know...uh...if you're feeling uncomfortable, we could..uh..maybe move over to that table, with the rest of the tributes." Tyler said smiling awkwardly.
"Sure," I said.

"No, actually.  My mother never taught me how to hunt. We only went out to hunt about three times but we never got to get through the whole lesson.  The memories of the Games were just too much for her.  I know the basics, I guess.  Other than that, I've pretty much taught myself how." I said looking down at my plate.
"Well, I'm sure you're great.  Anyways, if anything you can train tomorrow."

Half an hour later we go back to our penthouse.

...The next day...

I go straight to the archery station with mom and Tyler watches us. He wanted to see how well I can hunt.

I pick up a bow and wrap a sheath of arrows around my shoulder.  I take one arrow and load the bow then I am it at the target.  Bullseye.

It hit dead in the middle.  I stay for a little longer in that station.
Then I go to the others.

I found out that the only other weapon skill I am actually good at, or at least fair at, is knife throwing.  So I decide to practice on that too.