Back to Normal: The 35th Hunger Games

Chapter 18

Sylvester Holloway POV

I'd never seen so many children from other Districts before. Sometimes the Peacekeeper's relatives visited them, but we never interacted with them. It was cool to see people from all over Panem, even if we had to kill each other. I peeked at the other Tributes to see what they were doing and who would be open to conversation.

The Careers were right out, of course. There was one big alliance that I was reluctant to approach, since I didn't want that many allies. The girl from Eleven was practicing archery earlier, but at the moment she was painting with Alice. The big boy from Seven was at the knot-tying station, and the girl from Ten was sorting through a pile of knives. When I saw the girl from Nine shooting a few arrows, something about her drew me in.

"You picked that up fast. Hope I don't run into you in the Games," I said. She put down her bow and smiled.

"Thanks. I don't know how good I can get in a few days, but I'll do my best," she said.

"I wish I wasn't from Six. I can't do anything with my skills," I said.

"I'm not that good either. Actually, I was looking to start an informal alliance. I know whoever I ally with will probably be stronger than me, so I want the alliance to be for one day only. After the Bloodbath, we'll split," she said.

"That's a good idea. If you want, you can hit me up," I said. She pursed her lips.

"I should look at all my options first, but you seem trustworthy. Let's meet again tomorrow," she said. I thanked her and went off to meet the others. I found out that Tariq had a brother, Olivier was the coolest cat ever, and Cierra didn't even care that I wasn't a Career. That must be why the Capitol keeps us all separate. If they didn't force us to fight, we'd all be friends.

Elena Cortes POV

I wasn't good with a bow. I also wasn't good with a spear. I switched to a sword and hoped for the best. It was heavy and awkward. When I hit the dummy, the shock rattled my hands.

It's no good. I'm bad at all of this. I won't be able to protect myself and I'll die in the Bloodbath, I thought. My breath started to quicken and my chest tightened. I wanted to throw down the sword and cry. I took a deep breath.

I just need to find something I'm good at. Not all Victors got there by killing people. I gathered my courage and went to the edible plants station. So many of the plants looked similar that I got discouraged there, too, but I realized something. I didn't have to know all of the plants. I only needed a handful from each habitat. Once I figured that out, I did much better. I'd just avoid the plants I didn't know and stick to the ones I memorized.

Next up was trap-making. It was ideal for me so I could catch food, but also as a defensive measure. With a trap, I didn't have to confront my enemies. I didn't know if I had the courage to kill them, but if I didn't I could run away before they got loose. I focused on basic snares, since I could make rope in just about any Arena. After I mastered that, I felt much better about my chances. I'd taken care of food and defense. Other than killing, that was really all I needed. If I could make it through without getting blood on my hands, I really could win it. Then I could go back to Esther and bring her with me to the Victor's Village. It would be a dream come true.

Eve Sable POV

It didn't seem possible that anyone would really die in the Games. I got ready and prepared myself by practicing with the knives, but I felt like an actor getting ready for a show. The scariest-sounding thing to me was the Arena. It could be anything, from ice to desert. Murderous children seemed like a fantasy, but exposure and hunger were real.

I didn't want to be alone out there. I kept an eye out for anyone who would be open to an alliance. I would have asked Cornflower to get the word out to the other mentors, but that wasn't going to happen. Instead I asked Fluvius, and he probably told the entire Capitol. Preferably I'd join up with someone a little younger than me. I always found people like that easier to get along with. I'd have asked Alice, but she was with Anise. If all else failed I could ask the boy from Seven. I'd sure feel safe with him, but he was pretty far down on my list.

I couldn't seem to reconcile the past with the present. I knew people had died in the Games. I'd seen it happen. It should have been the same for me, but I couldn't make it work. Maybe it was because I'd never known one of them personally. Ten could be pretty isolated with its huge farms and barren prairies.

It felt almost like I was at home as I practiced butchering a mannequin. I vaguely thought that I was doing a good job, but it didn't seem important. Sure, if I actually had to, I could kill someone the same way. But I wouldn't have to... it wasn't possible.

Calley Green POV

Twelve hardly ever had volunteers. I couldn't remember the last time it had happened. No one else was reckless enough to throw away their life in a death match. Truth be told, I wasn't reckless enough either. I was suicidal enough. I didn't join the Games to kill myself, but I knew it was likely. There was no point in living the way I had been, and if it meant Amber would have to take notice of me again, it was worth it. I took out her letter and read it again.

Calley,

I don't know what to do. I can't forgive you, but I can't forget you either. It's tearing me up what happened, and I know the secret will come out eventually. All the same, you were right about something. I only wanted Jon because of what he could do for me. I shouldn't have abandoned you. I do love you, Calley, but that doesn't change what happened. I can't turn you in, but I can't be with you either. I hope you find happiness someday, and there's so much I'm sorry for.

Amber

Happiness? How could I find happiness without the only person who ever gave it to me? The only way I could ever feel anything again was if I got her back. That was the reason I volunteered, and I was going to make sure she took notice. Whatever it took, however many people had to die, I'd find my way back to her If I died trying, it was no worse that staying home.