Maddy

I can describe the whole chariot experience in one word...
Stupid.

Anyone in their right mind could clearly see that the Tributes were angry and were not enthusiastic in any way to participate in the Hunger Games.

Uh, hello people of the Capitol!
We don't want to fight to the death on live TV for your enjoyment!

And we don't want to cause trouble either! We just want to live normal and peaceful lives!

Of course with all these goons running things I doubt that'll happen anytime soon.

The chariot parade was over pretty quick.
We rode down the paved path, refused to acknowledge the cheering people, and listened to Snow's stupid speech.

I noticed Katniss in a chariot nearby.
She was holding Peeta's hand.

I wondered if they actually did love each other, or if it was all an act.

I notice Tris and Four, they're holding hands too, but they actually look like they're in love...

Ack. What do I care? I have more important things to think about besides love.

The next day is our first day of training.
Kari and I head to the training room.

I've already talked to some of the other Tributes, but this will be the first time Kari will talk to any of them.

"Remember what I said Kari."
I look at her.
"Forget everything that I said on the train about the other Tributes."

Kari rolls her eyes.
We walk into the training room and see... Well, training.

Everyone's doing something.
Shooting guns, bows, sparring, throwing knives, it's actually pretty cool.

No one is doing any "survival" type things. Which makes sense I guess. These are all victors. They know how to survive in the arena. They just need to make sure that they can survive each other.

Kari glances at me nervously.
I pat her on the back.
"Go where your heart tells you."
With that said, I walk off.

I look around the training room for something I can do.
I obviously need to learn how to use weapons, but I also need to know how to survive the arena.

I notice that one kid, Thomas, over by a spot where you can practice making a fire.

I guess I could start there.
I walk over to him and sit down.
"What's up?"
"Training."
He doesn't even look at me.

"Interesting. So you need to train yourself in setting sticks on fire?"
Thomas finally looks at me.
"Do you even know how to start a fire?"
"Anyone can start a fire."

He backs away.
"Then please, be my guest."
I look down at the small pile of sticks he had made.
Right. Just start a fire.

I try everything. Rubbing two sticks together, striking rocks against one another, nothing works.

"Alright I admit it."
I look over at Thomas.
"I have no idea what I'm doing."
Thomas laughs, not a mean laugh though.

"Here, let me show you how."
Thomas teaches me several ways to start a fire.
I am impressed.
I give it another try and actually succeed.

"Huh. That was easy."
I realize that I haven't properly introduced myself.
"I'm Maddy by the way."
"Thomas."
He smiles.

"Well, I'd better go see what else I need shown to me. Later Thomas."
He waves and makes his way over to that Minho guy he came with.

Meanwhile, I decide on whether or not Thomas would make a good ally.

He is smart, I guess.
He knows how to survive.
And he seems nice enough.

I look over at him and see him talking with Minho.
They're both staring at me.

Maybe I don't want them as allies.
I look around the Training room for something else to do.

I notice Kari walking around, she seems to be in the same situation as I am.

I notice some of the Tributes throwing knives at targets.

I recognize Four and that Will Turner guy.

Both are throwing their knives exactly dead center at the targets.

I am impressed, and slightly terrified.
I am not talking to them until they put the knives down.

I see Steve and Tony over at the guns.
Peeta's talking with Tris.
I see Jack Sparrow just standing around with a very confused look on his face.

I notice that he keeps looking over at Will, and then at Legolas.
Back and forth over and over again.
I start doing it too and I suddenly realize, that Will and Legolas look almost exactly the same.

Now I'm as confused as Jack.
I decide to avoide all three of those specific characters at the moment.

Katniss is training with her bow and Legolas is waiting for her to finish.

Tauriel is standing near Bruce Wayne. They're talking about something.
I don't know why but it's creeping me out.

Not as much as the Will and Legolas thing.
I decide that I need to learn how to use a weapon.
But which one would be the easiest?

Throwing knives?
Nah.
Bow?
No way.

I guess that leaves a gun.

I head over to where Steve and Tony just were. They've moved on already.

I inspect all the guns. There's a lot.
I pick up a small one and inspect it.
I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with it.

"I wouldn't point that at your face. Bad idea."
I look over and see Barry Allen watching me.
"Sorry. I've never held a gun before."

He walks over to me.
"Do you want some help?"
I shrug.
"I guess."

"Let me show you how to hold it right."
Feeling a little awkward, I let him position my arms the right way.
Soon I'm facing the target with the gun pointing at it.

"Now you just aim, and fire."
Barry waits for me to pull the trigger.
I close one eye and do my best to aim it at the target.
I don't care how close I get.
I just want to hit it.

I pull the trigger.

BANG

I missed. Terribly.

"That's ok! Try again."
Barry says.
Sighing, I aim the gun again.
This time I actually hit the target.

"Good job. Try one more time."
I aim one last time, and fire.

Wow. I'm a few inches away from the center.
Barry nods approvingly.
"Not bad. What's your name?"

"Maddy."
"District 8?"
"Yup."
"Well, good luck in the arena."

Barry walks away and looks over his shoulder.
"If you need help with anything else let me know!"

After he walks away I set the gun down. Feeling pretty pleased with myself.

I learned two very important skills, and found a possible ally.

Things might just work out after all.