Chapter 21
456 Words
Cordin Magnetism POV
No way was I getting any allies. Not after what I did last time. I was on my own, and I was toast. I might as well run straight to the Careers. When Ava approached me, I braced for her attack.
"Hey, Cordin. You still with me? Abigail's not here, but we have some new helpers," she said. I was so flabbergasted I stared at her for a moment, waiting for her to tell me she was being sarcastic and that she hated my guts.
"Yeah, definitely, of course," I said before she could change her mind. Then I thought of something.
"Did you watch the tapes of our Games?" I asked. Her smile vanished.
"I knew you and Abigail didn't win. I didn't want to see," she said. "Why, is there something that would help us?"
"No! Uh, no, it was a normal Games," I said. She doesn't know. She thought I was the same innocent boy she met the first time around. If it stayed that way until the Games I'd be home free. Either I'd die or she would. Either way, it wouldn't matter anymore.
Xzavier Thomas POV
Jay seemed like a nice guy. He was a natural leader and he seemed to genuinely care about his allies. I had a feeling that if he died, it would be helping someone else. That made him a good ally, and he was also a strong competitor. When he asked me if I wanted to join his group, I'd already thought it over, and I was in.
"You got anyone waiting for you back home?" Asper asked as we headed into the training room.
"Maybe," I said. "I don't know if he's still waiting."
"A boyfriend?" Asper asked.
"No, I don't go that way. Sort of a father," I said. By now maybe Gio had forgotten about me. Maybe he was training some other hopeful. Then I was all alone.
"Maybe someone here, too," I added.
"In the Capitol?" Asper asked. He c****d his head.
"I don't know who my mother is. Rumor has it it's Acee. It's probably just a Cinderella fairy tale," I said. She'd never said anything last time, and she didn't seem especially happy I was back. More likely than not, Asper would be the saddest if I died again. It was rare that someone so selfless and caring lasted until the Bloodbath. He was too good for this. I might be just good enough, whether or not I deserved it.
Miller, Emmaline and Kestrel were added to their proper chapters. I deleted Cordin and Xzavier's documents to make room, so they go here instead. As we forge on, with luck the ensuing chapters will be more complete.
- Writer
