Its now the second training day. I wake as early as I typically did at the Seam. I dress in my training clothes and walk out to the dining table. The blonde girl was supplying the table of food when I walked out. Not very hungry, I eat a slice of rye and scrambled eggs. When I get up to leave, the girl blocks my way. She mouths, "Eat." and gestures to a plate covered in bacon. My mouth waters and I suddenly feel like I'm starving. I sit back down and dig in. After eating so much bacon I feel like my body will explode, I walk to the elevator and head to the training center.
I see Selena there already. I look at a corner and see the muscular male from District 7, Douglas, beheading dummies with a sword. Selena, from District 2, is throwing knives. Douglas walks up behind Selena. Its just then I notice how small she is. No bigger than Jasmyne, from 11. Douglas sneers at her, before pinning her to the wall. Selena writhes against his grip. "Hey!" I shout at him. "HEY!!" I dash over to the scene and pounce onto Douglas's back. Clinging onto him, I warningly slap his face. He flinches, but doesn't loosen his hold. I glare at him, before punching him in the face. Hard. I hear him groan loudly, and he releases his grip on Selena. But I paid the price- he shakes me off and I go flying. I fall to the ground, landing with a thud. I hit the ground hard on my tailbone and I wince. The coach comes running out. "What's going on?!" she demands.
I stand up, my tailbone aching like never before. "He," pointing at Douglas with my open hand, as my other was rubbing my back. "pinned Selena to the wall and I defended her. He fought me back. Oh yeah, I punched him too."
The coach ought to be angry at me. The tributes are not allowed to fight before the Games begin. But as the Capitol favors District 2, she was absolutely furious at Douglas. She screams at him. I look at Selena and see her glaring at me. I just saved you! I mouth to her. I suppose the snobs who live up in the wealthy districts think they can save themselves without the help of poor old 12. The coach turns to me. "Thank you for defending 2, but you have no right to attack another district." she says, her words beginning sincere but ending irritated. I nod. The Careers begin to pile in. I walk toward the plant section. After a bit, I hear another fight breaking out. Lots of drama today. I turn to watch. Its an argument among the Careers. Gunner is shouting at Selena. Silke and Jules seem to be siding with him. I see Gunner punch at Selena, but she quickly dodges. Interested, I walk over. 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtzYzEHoVe
Selena looks at me with tears in her eyes. "I don't need your help!" she says with a quiver in her voice.
"Yeah, she sure needs your help! Not ours, she's too little and weak for us!!" Jules says with a tone of arrogance in his voice. Selena looks at them.
"I won't ally with 12!!"
"She's strong and just like you!"
Selena seems to consider the decision. She glares at the Career pack, before walking off to the knot tying section. Have I gained myself an ally with a Career?
I see Van walk out to the training center. He walks toward the throwing knives department. I see Selena getting frustrated with the ropes, and ending up running out of the center, tears flowing down her face. I hear Silke and Jules sneering and laughing after her. Normally, I would snap at them, but I think I've gone through enough drama today.
I watch Van. He throws a knife, and it sticks into the mannequin's heart. I smile at him, before walking toward the archery section again. My specialty.
I soothe my angry thoughts that pound my head like bullets by pulling back on the arrow, and sending it flying into the target. Surely it won't be as pleasing when they're living targets, if I even make it that far. The thought of winning crosses my mind for the first time since before the reaping. What if I do win? Will I be a good mentor? I shake the thoughts out of my mind. Its too early to be thinking about that- I haven't even entered the arena. I pull back on the trigger, aiming for the throat. What's more deadly? The heart or the throat? I ask myself random questions to try to deter the gory images of past Games I've seen.
I stride over to Van, who is still throwing knives. "Can I see you with a slingshot? I've never seen you use one before," Van smiles and gallops toward the slingshot section. Well. At least someone's enjoying themselves for the time being. He pulls back on the string and sends the stone flying into the target's head. He repeats this numerous times, impressing me. "Could you try with a bow? It isn't much different than a slingshot." Van nods and steps toward the archery department. He lifts up the bow.
"Heavy." he says, before pulling back the arrow. I see him aim, but as he releases the arrow, it sticks into the target's stomach.
"Not deadly," I say. "But would certainly slow them down." He tries again, aiming for the heart, but hitting the arm instead. My enthusiasm uncontrollably dies, and Van must notice.
"I'm terrible, right?"
"No, no, no, no, just, er, needs improving!" I smile, trying to lift the mood. But it doesn't fly past Van.
"You are SUCH a bad liar Haylynn." he snaps. I smirk and pull him into a light hug. He embraces me tightly, and we part ways to different sections.
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