Uncharted Waters [1]

Chapter 15

"What if I miss?"

Mira could not help but ask the more experienced tribute who was currently weighing the metal spear on his arm, not used to its weight since the ones back at home were much lighter. The trainer at this station just stood by the side watching them. The trainer knew that the two were already quite familiar with this type of weapon and nonetheless, offered his assistance, but was kindly rejected by Destan.

"What if you don't?"

He eyes the target from across the station, and then the spear comes flying off his hand, landing on its target with so much force it makes the other tributes stop what they are doing and stare at the attractive pair.

"Here, you try." Mira was taken aback when Destan held out the weapon for her as she stared at it with uncertainty. "Come on, you've tried this before." He encourages her, holding the weapon closer.

"But the ones back at home are different- the circumstances are different. I've speared fish, not dummies, and certainly not people." She mutters the last part, looking down at her trainers.

"That's why being in our district is an advantage. If you can spear something as little as a fish, imagine what you can do with a bigger target- like that." Mira tensed a little when she felt Destan behind her as he pointed to the target across them. She did not even realize she was holding the spear that was in Destan's hands earlier. "It's different for me though, you've trained in the academy all your life-"

"And you've been fishing all your life." Destan cuts her off as he walks back giving her space. "Now try it; you know how. Besides, there's no harm in doing so."

Mira bit her lip, contemplating as she tightened her hold on the weapon in her hands. She looked at Destan who had her eyebrows raised and arms crossed on his chest in anticipation. He nods his head towards the target across them without breaking eye contact and Mira sighs.

Here goes nothing.

She positioned herself like she had been doing it for all the years of fishing. Destan quickly grabbed the tip without the pointy end when she was about to throw the spear, making Mira slightly off-balanced.

Mira looked back, eyebrows scrunching in confusion, "Is there something wrong?"

Destan looked down at the girl who was still positioned to throw the spear. He sighed and placed himself behind her, tipping her arm backward and correcting her posture and stance. "You're not doing anything wrong- if your target is below you. But if the target is in front of you-" He points two fingers to the dummy across them, "You gotta aim it a little higher." He slowly steps back to give her space, "Unless you're aiming for his feet that is." He grins and crosses his arms again, observing her.

Mira nods, processing his words, and eyes the target before her. Taking a deep breath, she lets go of the spear, and it lands on the target. It is not exactly a bullseye on the chest, but it was still a good shot.

"Not bad." Destan grins looking at the spear lodged in the target's shoulder, he shifts his gaze to look at her with a serious expression before saying, "Now do it again."

Training for that morning ended, and by then, Mira's hands were red from all the spear-throwing. They were all currently gathered in the dining room to have lunch. The other districts were quietly eating amongst themselves, except for the careers, which were all gathered at one table, showing their superiority. Though Destan was aloof, not bothering to partake in the other's jokes by minding his business and eating, Mira was polite enough to join in the conversation when necessary. She avoided joining in with the teasing and insulting but did not want to appear rude to the others by not answering them.