Malcolm Jackson, District 2

It had been 12 hours. 12 long, unbearable hours since whatever the hell Neith had crammed down my throat had worn off. It had been about 7 hours since I had dared leave the room. I didn’t trust myself, I didn’t want to cheat! I was perfectly capable of winning on my own.

I thought back to the second morning on the train where I had woken up feeling more alive than I had in the past 17 years of my existence. I’d felt stronger and more agile than all my endless years of career training could have given me. It was paradise.

And now I was in hell. The drug wore off and now every fiber of my being was screaming at me that I needed the drug. I wanted it with every breath I took, not a second had passed without me lusting after the little blue pill that now had infected my brain. I turned my head over to the nightstand and stared at the glass of water that Neith had set next to a small turquoise pill that reflected on the glass.

My stomach heaved and I looked away, pinching my eyes shut. I was stronger than this! I was the strongest danm career this world would ever know, whether they knew it or not.

Wasn’t I?

I heard a tap on the door, I didn’t move. I couldn’t move without reaching over to grab the pill, I instead let out a groan. I saw a large shadow cast over the room. Acadia, I resisted the urge to throw something at the suck up’s face. I was going to laugh as I stabbed her in the game. “Malcolm.” She said emotionlessly, “Neith told me to tell you it’s time for training.”

I slowly forced myself into a sitting position to send a long death glare towards the huge hawk-nosed girl looming in the doorway. She glared back, I had already made it clear to her about how I felt about her being Neith’s little puppet and she had made it clear that she didn’t give a crap about what I thought. Her eyebrows raised slightly, “You look like hell.” She commented. No duh, I hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep last night thanks to that stupid pill.

I smiled irritably, “It’s better than looking like hell all the time like this one suck-up I know.” I forced myself to my feet, my legs felt weak beneath me, a sensation I wasn’t used to. I felt… drained.

Danm pill. Danm Neith. Danm world.

Acadias jaw dropped a little but she remained silent, she was irritating like that; all quiet and broody. The fact she barely ever said anything to me only made it worse, did she think she was too good to talk to me? She’d always acted like in the district as well come to think of it. Whatever. I didn’t care.

I pushed past her, stumbling in the process. My arm shot out in front of me as I pitched forward my arm banged against the opposite wall of the narrow hallway, catching me. I stared at my outstretched hand, my body trembled as I realized that had happened. This wasn’t right.

Shaken I righted myself and ignoring Acadia’s long forlorn glare I strode into the main room, trying even harder to ignore the blue of the furniture and the thudding in my heart as my mind started to goad me into taking the temptation of the blue pill, peace and the promise of victory.

Neith swung around the corner and looked at me disapprovingly, “You weren’t at breakfast.” She snapped condescendingly, her black eyes shooting daggers. I felt rather than saw Acadia lumber up behind me and hover.

I frowned sarcastically, “I wonder why.”

She stared at me for a long time and for an agonizingly long minute, a wave of uneasiness washed over me and I began to think she was actually going to attack me again despite the capital security cameras being everywhere and force the drug down my throat again. Yes…. Please do it. Please give me an excuse to take it, please! The desperate thought pounded in my head making me sick.

She smiled coldly, “Your attitude is probably on an account of not eating, make sure to eat something at lunch.” Her gaze redirected itself towards Acadia and her smile warmed slightly.“You look like the very picture of of this year’s top career. You’ll be sure to get sponsors. Come.” She said turning around and walking powerfully towards the elevator like she had practiced it.

Acadia scooted around me and hopped into the elevator right beside Neith, I trailed behind entering it last and leaning up against the wall in the back, my limbs aching. Neith pressed the button for the training floor and the lift slowly began lowering us downwards. I lifted my head towards the dial that told us which floor we were passing and I watched the numbers count down. “1... Prep.... Training.” The elevator came to a gentle halt and the doors opened with a loud ding.

I was staring into a large room filled to the brim with every sort of weapon imaginable, it was like the play ground of all playgrounds for careers. Normally I would have been all over it, but today I was more tempted to impale myself with a sword than actually play with it. In the center of the room all of the tributes were gathering in a circle around a blonde woman with an aging face and her hair pulled back. I recognized her as a past victor from district two perhaps? Our district had such an excess of victors I knew some actually moved to the capital after they ran out of room in the Victor’s Village.

She watched Acadia and I approach the group without much interest then glanced at her watch, “Right on time.” She commented flatly, “So tributes, you are all here!” She clapped her hand and smiled. “Cheshire Hydra from District 4 will be unable to join us due to the fact she has been deemed too high of a threat to be allowed with you before the games start. As for the rest of you as your mentor should have told you, you will have three days of training before you are interviewed and sent into the games. Here is your chance to prepare, practice with weapons, survival skills, and overall endurance. Do not ignore any of them, they are like a triangle without one you will collapse. If you have any questions ask me or Daryle over there.” She gestured to a huge man in the corner of the facility leaning against the obstacle course.

I expected for her to wave us on our way but she held up a finger as Acadia started to back away, “One final thing. We have a new twist for this year, see the sparring arena in the center of the room? In order to make things a bit more interesting you may challenge any tribute you want to spar, keep in mind that you aren’t allowed to kill anyone. That is all.” She said backing away as the crowd dispersed.

I let out a sigh, “I guess we should find the other careers.” I said to Acadia who just nodded- at least I think she nodded because she didn’t say anything, I didn’t bother looking at her. My eyes scanned the crowd and I locked eyes with the dizty blonde haired girl from one, she waved at me and ran over.

“I’m Georgette! Acadia and Mikie right?” She giggled curling one of her blonde locks around her fingers.

“Malcolm.” I said flatly. Clearly she was stupid. Mikie sounded nothing like Malcolm. At least she looked pretty strong. I watched at the district four male came up behind her, Jin I think. He didn’t look much like a career, I frowned, then again people from four almost never do. This was the career pack? This was awful!

“Georgette,” I said, already knowing the answer, “Is Paisley your district partner a career?” I looked over at the slight boy with wavy blonde hair across the room showing one of the younger kids how to tie a knot… and it was pretty clear he had no idea what he was teaching the kid.

Georgette bit her lip, “Ummm I dunno…. we could always tell him he’s a career and stab him at the last minute….” She suggested hesitantly. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes I was not that type of career. If I was going to win it was going to be fair.

I hope.

I ignored her statement and turned to Jin, “Is your sister a career? And if she is will she be safe enough to have as an ally?” I asked trying to ignore the ache in my limbs that was getting worse with each passing second. I needed to sit down or I was going to collapse. This was humiliating… how the hell was I going to survive the games if I couldn’t even stand for long periods of time?! I felt my heart race rise as I began to think about it….

Jin snorted, “My sister is insane! Absolutely not.”

“Do you guys want to go sit down and talk about this? Our pack is small we are going to have to resort to recruiting people from the outer districts we should discuss who are our best options.” I said crossing my arms tightly over my chest.

Acadia finally spoke, “No. Lets just go train and observe the other tributes. We can talk about this after we get a good feel of what we are up against.” With that she turned around and headed off towards the rack of spiked clubs. Jin walked off to headed toward the archery unit.

Surprisingly Georgette stayed by my side, she smiled, “What's your weapon?” she asked happily, “I like swords, I’m at the top of my class in district one.” She grinned broadly as if she expected me to give her a shiny gold star.

“I’m pretty good with twin longswords myself.” I said without much conviction, having absolutely zero clue as to how I was going to do in this state. I was praying my strength returned to me before the games but my mind was crowded with serious doubt.

She grabbed my wrist and started dragging me towards the sword area, a girlish grin plastered on her face. “Want to practice together?” She asked throwing a glance over her shoulder as me.

No, I most certainly don’t want to practice with you. I want to be alone when I see how bad this was going to be. I thought, but I remained quiet. I guess she took that as a yes because she didn’t leave once we reached the sword area. She skipped over to a large rack and picked up a large two handed sword with ease, I was surprised she could carry it as it looked at least half as big as her. Georgette seemed pretty stupid and yet she was more than physically capable, she was clearly going to be a great use in the games as much as I even hated to think that way.

I slowly picked up the twin longswords, they felt heavy and unfamiliar in my hands despite the fact I’d been training with them since I was 12. I tried to swing one but I could barely lift it and my head felt dizzy from the effort.

Frustration riveted through my veins! I had trained my entire life for this only have it taken away by some dahm steroid that had been crammed down my throat. Everything I had done was pointless! Absolutely pointless! I was either going start screaming or crying, my emotions were just too much for me. I couldn't do this. I couldn’t do it. I was weak…. no. I wasn’t giving up control of my life.

My eyes scanned the room wildly, the woman had said that we could challenge anyone we wanted to spar. So what if I had lost some strength! I was still stronger than most of the people in this room! I knew I was! I had to be! My eyes fell on the scrawniest, weakest looking tribute in the room who sat cross legged as he tried to start a fire in the survival area. I was going to kick his ass, I decided.

“Hey Georgette! Wanna see me ruin this kids day?” I laughed with a gesture to the boy, trying to keep my voice from shaking with the instability I felt inside.

A puzzled look flickered through her eyes but was gone as soon as it came as a girlish smile spread across her face as she pumped her fist in the air, “Yeah! Pick on the weaklings!” She giggled following me as I approached the small kid with a large mass of shaggy black hair on his head and strangely pale skin. A large 8 was embroidered on the back of his top.

I was about to push him forward roughly when I saw his leg burst into flame suddenly, he shot to his feet screaming bloody murder. He spun around trying to bat it out I tried to jump out of the way, but he knocked into me and we went tumbling to the ground in a heap. “Dammit!” I screamed as my shirt burst into flame. I kicked the kid from 8 off me as I tried to bat the fire that seared into my skin out.

Cries sounded out as the other tributes realized what was happening. “Stop, flop and roll!” Georgette screamed, “No- don’t do that I think its roll, flop and stop! I don’t know!” She cried clutching her head as if thinking was painful or her. Heh, heh I was definitely in way more pain than her right now. Suddenly I was bombarded with a coat of white foam, the pain in my stomach eased as I looked over to see the male trainer- Daryl I think- with a fire extinguisher.  

I tried to catch my breath, I couldn’t do this! Suddenly the guy from 8 was hovering over me extending his hand to help me up. Like I needed it! “Dude. You seriously have to watch fire. I had no idea it wanted to kill me! Its real shady stuff….” He trailed off like he was actually serious.

I grabbed his wrist and yanked him facedown into the foam beside me, “You have way bigger problems than fire! Now I want to kill you!” I screamed my voice ripping at my throat like sandpaper. This had been the last straw. I had no control, it just wasn’t worth it, I broke.

I pushed myself painfully to my feet and started walking to the elevator. “Wait! Malcolm!” Daryl yelled after me, “You and Jack need to go get yourselves checked out at the infirmary!”  

I rolled my eyes and continued limping toward the elevator, towards the blue pill. “Cram your infirmary up your ass!” I yelled, my voice breaking as I felt tears begin to run down my cheeks. I was glad I was facing the elevator where no one could see me fall to my defeat. I had lost to the drug, I was weak.

~~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~~

Runa Gates, District 3

My hands steadily wove the knots in and out of the rope. There was something oddly comforting about it, the repetitiveness, the rhythm, the comfort. It reminded me of the chores I’d had to do back in district 3 when I was… I stopped myself from thinking the last part. I hadn’t been happy in district 3. I had been on the verge of getting married to a beast. I curled my lips in disgust at the mere thought of him, but I was free now. I was going to die but at least I was free.

Marvin thought I was high, I looked over at him through the crowd as I watched him struggle to shoot arrows, the last couple days had been the best of my life. It was the first time in my life I was able to make my own choices and do what I wanted. It was heaven. I was ready to die… but I wanted to do something first; I wanted to fall in love for real and I wanted my fiance to have to watch.  

I tore my eyes from Marvin as they flitted across the room, I locked eyes with a tall angular boy with wavy brown hair that had a streak of white in the front. Even from the distance I was at I could see he had big beautiful brown eyes. He looked away quickly a redness rising to his cheeks. I saw he was with the sweet girl from 5. They were district partners, I remembered them for their display at the opening ceremony. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about them resorting to gymnastics to gain attention while the rest of us relied on our costumes.

I continued my search across the room studying the boys that were around my age. There was the male from 9, Dagan I think, he was handsome I guess. His features were very soft though, borderline feminine. His whole being looked delicate and fragile like it might break if a strong gust of wind blew past him.  

Then there was the male from 1, he wasn’t very attractive though with his large nose and oval face he wasn’t typically anyone I’d even consider but his smile made up for all of that. He looked very friendly and approachable, funny even as I watched him talk to the male from 8 who I was able to quickly write off as too young, he looked to be 13 or 14.

Kaiden from 11 was hot, there was no debating that with his strong jawline, green eyes and perfect physique. I watched him mercilessly pound the punching bag across the room. He was hot and dangerous… and very intimidating. Not to mention the stunt he’d pulled against the president…. and I’d heard about him showing up to the reaping in his underwear… perhaps he was a little too dangerous for me. The career from 2, Malcolm who I had not seen since the kid from 8 accident set him on fire earlier was attractive as well in that same way come to think of it Malcolm looked very similar facially and physically to Kaiden except Malcolm was taller and leaner. His hair was a much lighter brown- easily borderlining blonde- and it was longer. His features were sharper as well but that didn’t change the ‘I am fire, come play with me vibe’ that came off the two of them.

My eyes flitted over the male from 6, he seemed creepy, obsessive and definitely not stable. A few stations away from him sat the male from 12, Joshua I’m pretty sure.  He had messy black hair and grey eyes typical to the seam of his district, his face was boyishly handsome in a way. I watched him grit his teeth and struggle with a sword.

There was no way I’d ever date the male from 4, Jin. He was too skinny and his face was too small. I was about to contemplate over my choices when I saw him, the man of my dreams. I had no idea what district he was from, I’d never noticed him before. He had beautiful messy auburn hair, his face wasn’t the most handsome but it had a warmth to it. I loved the light dusting of freckles across his slightly upturned nose and the small dent in his chin.

I ran a hand through my hair and took a deep breath wondering if I looked alright. I felt all nervous and jittery inside, if this was what love felt like I loved it. It made me feel brave and fearless because I knew what I was going to do. I was going to approach him and… and.... I had no idea. I had no clue as to how to approach a boy. What would I say to him?

I pursed my lips standing up, I was just going to have to improvise. I was strong, capable and independent. I had this. He was only a few strides away, his hands flying over the keyboard of the plant identifier like he had been doing it for years. I hovered there a second, unsure of what to do. I looked down at the black boots that had been given to me as part of the training uniform. Then I looked back up at him. He still hadn’t noticed me. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat, “Um… Hi.” I said finally. Even those small insignificant words made me blush.

He looked over at me and raised his eyebrows. He looked uncomfortable as he glanced over my shoulder as if he was looking to see if anyone was behind me… boys were strange. “Umm hi.” He said awkwardly. “Can I help you?”  

I smiled trying to ignore the nervous tremors running through my system. Mias well do it now, I took a deep breath and looked into his crystal blue eyes. “Will you fall in love with me?” I asked, trying to keep the tremor of nervousness out of my voice.

He looked startled as if that was the last thing he expected me to say, which confused me because girls my age were always asking boys out. Maybe they weren’t as straightforward…. “I….” He started as if he didn’t even know what to say.

“I’m going to die, I just wanted to fall in love once before I die.” I said tucking a curl around my ear, I looked down. This wasn’t going well, I wondered if there was something wrong with me. In the past I had never been asked out by a guy but I had always assumed that it was because I was shy.

He sigh, “I have a girlfriend at home and I’m not about to cheat on her, I’m sorry.” He turned away from me and looked back at the screen.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Of course he wouldn't want me… I wouldn’t want me either. I looked down I should have figured it out. In my 15 years of existence the only guy I was able to snag was an old perverted one. “Yeah.” I let out an uncomfortable laugh. “I guess I’ll just find some other guy.” I backed away color burning my cheeks. Why had I said that? I just wanted to impale myself with a sword right now…. I sigh sitting down on one of the benches that hugged one of the walls in the training facility.

I sigh, it had been a foolish escapade, I should have just kept my mouth shut. Why was I so naive? I shook my head, I’d need to use it more. I hugged my arms to my chest and tried to blend in with the shadows that surrounded me because right now I didn’t want to be noticed.

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Okay I had originally intended for this to be longer composed of 3 POVs but I just had a huge blowout with my Dad and he theatened to take my "writing shit" away for a week so I wanted to get this uploaded incase he actually goes through with it. You guys shouldn't have to wait another week.

Anyway, what did you guys think? And being I described all the guys in the games in this chapter I must ask, who would you date and why?

~ A.K.A

BTW This chapter is dedicated to my forcibly adopted Wattpad sister @sk8ergirl919 because shes fabulous.  This girl is amazing. Shes a better writer than me Go check her out!