Hunger Games: All-Stars

Chapter 22

Rapture Kai POV

The Career pack was going to be different this year. Some of us didn't even care to join. Not to name any names, Chantel. Obviously Diamond was with me, but I didn't know who else we could expect. As embarrassing as it was, we had to go up to each of them individually and ask.

My best bet was Kestrel. He was the Career's Career and I knew we could count on him. I found him in the sword station and caught his attention.

"You still a Career?" I asked.

"What kind of stupid question is that?" he sneered.

"Good. We need more people like you," I said.

"You mean the pack, right? Don't worry. I'm in. I'll be the last, too," he said. We'd see about that. Even for a Career, Kestrel was abrasive. Someone like that gave the rest of us a bad name. He was also just plain wrong. Of all the Careers, I was the only one with a completely dependable ally. Diamond wasn't looking for the first chance to stab me in the back. He was taking on two enemies when he challenged me.

Diamond Kai POV

Priscilla didn't look like a Career. She seemed more like a jock to me. I wasn't used to seeing Careers so friendly and good-natured.

"The Careers are meeting to discuss training," I said to her.

"So?" she asked. "Oh, you don't know. I'm not joining this time. I tried that life. It wasn't for me," she said. The smile grew sadder.

"What? What do you mean?" I asked. Careers have dedication. Did this girl even go to the Academy?

"I found some other allies. We're kind of the underdogs. Honestly, I can't hack it as a Career. I don't have the will. I know it'll probably be the death of me and I respect whichever of you wins, but this is who I am," she said.

"Priscilla!" a little girl called from across the room. She waved at us.

"'Scuse me," Priscilla said. She ran across the room and started talking with the girl.

Well I never.

Ryker Merlen POV

There I was, minding my own business on the running track, when three of the biggest, meanest looking Careers in the building sidled up to me. I wanted to run for the hills but was afraid of what would happen if I exposed my back. I tried to play it cool.

"Hey kid. You're pretty quick," the boy who wasn't Rapture said.

"Uh, I guess," I said. I was shaking as quickly as I'd been running.

"Maybe too quick for us to catch at the Bloodbath," the girl said. I hope so.

"What are we going to do about that?" the boy asked.

"Guess we'll have to take you on," the girl said.

"What? You want me to be in the Career pack?" I asked. This kept getting worse.

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Rapture said.

"Are you in, or are you in?" the other boy asked.

"I guess I'm in," I said. Rapture clapped me on the back.

"Good choice," he said. Yeah, just great. I was a rabbit surrounded by wolves. Nothing to be scared of at all.

Dane Verity POV

I knew what I had to do, and it sucked. I wanted to join Celestial's alliance and finally get to know her. I knew, though, that it would be better for her if I was with the Careers. I could steer them away from her and watch out for her during the hunts. As soon as I got the chance, I'd tell her why I did it. In the meantime, at least that punk Apollo was leaving her alone. Let Ava deal with him.

I certainly didn't fit in with the pack. Kestrel was the stereotypical Career, raring to fight even after he'd already died once. Rapture was similar, and he was obviously closest to his sister. Diamond seemed more grounded than the boys, but I was sure when the time came she'd prove just as fierce. I saw Kestrel chatting up Gordon and knew things were about to get even weirder.

I was starting to feel like a fake Career. I didn't really want to kill anyone anymore. I wanted to live, but it seemed so far out of my control. I had to get my head in the game. At this rate, I wouldn't be any good to anyone.

Kestrel Hood POV

I let Miall know in no uncertain terms and in no terms for mixed company what he could do with his alliance.

"I hope your sister has time to cry over you before I slit her throat," I taunted. If Priscilla hadn't hauled him away, we'd have found out what would happen if a Tribute ever did break the no-contact rule. I spat on the floor after him and turned my back. They didn't deserve to be Careers.

After that, I didn't have the stomach to recruit any more cowards. I went from one station to another, frustrating the other Tributes' attempts to gain skills. I stood next to Myrtle and tossed a hatchet the instant before she was about to throw. I dumped Adair's paints into a brown mess.

Emmaline proved the most difficult. I stood behind her and breathed down her neck as she spliced and twisted bits of metal.

"Watcha making? A pretty necklace?" I asked. She didn't even acknowledge I was there.

"What's this?" I picked up something metal. "A magnetite fluctuator? A percolating whizzget?"

"It is a bolt. Do you need me to spell that for you?" Emmaline asked. I tried to say something, scowled, and threw the bolt under the table. I knew who I was targeting first.

Gordon Spokes POV

Daggers are the most personal way to kill someone. For the moment, I had to be content with dummies. The first one I methodically vivisected, tracing each imaginary vein and visualizing the blood I would soon see for real. The next one was my fun one. I ripped through the fabric and relished the popping seams until all I had left was a pile of stuffing and scraps.

"Nice job," someone commented behind me. I wasn't use to people appreciating my art. I wasn't surprised to see it was a Career.

"The rest will come soon," I said. He didn't understand blood like I did, but his kind were the closest I'd seen.

"Want a steady supply of 'dummies'?" he asked.

"It would make things easier," I replied.

"Come hang out with us. You've obviously got the heart, and you don't need the training. You got it on your own," he said. I had no need for allies. However, I was open to anyone who could prove useful to me. If the Careers wanted to send victims my way, I'd let them. They obviously planned to get rid of me after they'd had their fun. Unfortunately, I was smarter than they were. I'd be long gone before they realized what happened. And the second they faltered, I'd be back for them.

Mary Sue Brooklyn POV

That awful Mink wasn't back this year, so I could finally carry out my original plan. I saw the Careers gathered in a huddle and knew they were talking about me. They sent Diamond to close the deal.

"I hear you got a raw deal last time," she said.

"Tell me about it. You guys ready to do it right this time?" I asked.

"Definitely. In fact, this time we want you to hang back at the Bloodbath so you'll be safer. Just stay by your platform and whichever of us is closest will guard you. We're going to need your smarts later on, so it's imperative to keep you safe until then," she said. Finally, someone appreciated my genius. After all the slowpokes and idiots were dead, I'd pit the Careers against each other. They'd be at each others' throats before they knew what hit them. The only one I didn't trust was Gordon. He was obviously unhinged and might try something stupid. I'd have to keep one of the others with me at all times. Should I play the sisterhood angle and pick Diamond, or the seductress angle and go for one of the boys? Kestrel was the cutest, and I found myself leaning toward him. This Games was going to be a piece of cake.

I think that's everyone but the loners. They'll appear in pre-Capitol chapter but I'm not doing a separate chapter.