Contest: The Vita Trials

Host: RhodaRiley

I didn't want to train. But I wanted the attention it gave me. So I did it, unwillingly.

"Coraline, you're not holding the bow correctly. You put the string near your cheek, not the handle." The instructor criticizes, removing the weapon from my fingers and readjusting it. I sigh and put my hands on my hips dejectedly.

"Right, sorry." She nods, barely sparing me a glance.

"Just try it again." I take the bow from her outstretched hand half-heartedly.

"You know, maybe I'm just not good at archery. Can I try something else?" The instructor shrugs and gestures to the multiple options around me.

"Try whatever you like, but just know that you'll be giving up on this." I roll my eyes and carelessly drop the bow on the mat.

I didn't care if I was giving up, I didn't want to be doing this anyways, it wasn't a big loss to me. The only reason I was subjecting myself to this was because that's what they wanted from me. The people in charge of this, they wanted me to try so that's what I was doing.

"Are knives easy?" I question, eyeing the silver hilts with curiosity.

"Try something that doesn't demand upper body strength, you wouldn't throw far." I sigh and sweep the room with my eyes, weighing out all the possibilities.

"What about that?" I point to the slim, yet sturdy, looking blade leaning against one wall. My instructor shrugs and nods her head.

"That could work, try it." I walk over and pick up the sword-like weapon, surprised by how light it is. How much damage could it really do being this light?

"It's so light."

"Yes, but it's strong. Stronger than most other swords, the heavy ones especially." I glance up to her holding the same blade as me and dropping into her fight stance. I widen my eyes and hold my hands out in warning.

"No, I am not fighting with this. It's dangerous." She frowns, pointing to the archery station.

"You and archery were a pretty dangerous pair." I scowl and roll my eyes.

"Yeah, but it's not the same. This is fighting against someone. I can't do that." She puts one hand on her hips and sighs heavily.

"Look Coraline, you have to learn to fight. Because it's the only thing that will keep you alive in there. You need to try." I grit my teeth in frustration and cross my arms over my chest, the weapon lying carelessly on the floor.

"No, I don't need to learn to fight because I don't plan on surviving. I'm not that type of girl, I'm not a killer." I snort and close my eyes. "If anything, I'm a spoiled rich girl with a severe case of low self-esteem and a bad habit of putting myself in reckless situations. I won't survive, so I'm not going to try." I snap, an overwhelming surge of anger suddenly swirling around me.

"Coraline―"

"No, I'm done for today. Okay? I'm done." I growl, pushing past her roughly. She sighs as I slam the door behind me.

She didn't get it. I wasn't supposed to be here. I was Coraline Lucius, not just some random sacrificial citizen.