The 64th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 4~Training and New Allies...?

Someone goes behind me and takes the wire and wood away from me, then sits next to me. They make the fire appear in less than a minute. I look up at their face and see the boy from 5. 

“Hi.” I say.

“Hello.” He says. “Tyler.” He holds his hand out for me to shake.

“Megan.” I say, shaking his hand. “How did you get that fire so fast? I’ve been trying for an hour!” 

“I’m from District 5. All wires there.” Tyler says. 

“Oh. That makes sense.” I say. 

“How old are you?” Tyler asks as he makes a fire with matches.

“15.” I say. “You?”

“I’m 17.” Tyler says. 

“I feel like I’m one of the youngest here.” I say. 

“Actually, you’re not.” Tyler says. “All the Careers are at least 16, Nina is 14, Wendell, her partner is 17. Gabriela, my partner is 15, Oliver and Macie are from 6, Oliver’s 16 and Macie is 14, Elliott from 7 is 13, and Taylor from 7 is 14. From 8, Alexander is 18 and Anna is 12. From 9, Caitlyn is 12 and Carter is 15. From 11, Wayne is 18 and Sasha is 13. And Jaron is 18 while Lilly is 16; they’re from 12.” 

“Well, I am the middle age to go in the arena.” I say. 

“Yeah.” Tyler sighs.

“Want to sit with me and Aaron at lunch?” I ask.

“Is that a way to say, ‘Allies’?” Tyler asks, a smirk on his face. 

“Not now, but maybe in the arena, yes.” I answer, and he smiles, his pearly white teeth dazzling. 

“I’m going to try sword-fighting.” Tyler says. “Care to join?” 

“No thanks. I can’t even hold a sword.” I say, and Tyler gets up and goes to the trainer at sword-fighting, where both the boy from 2-Justin-and Alexander are. 

Once I get up to go and try climbing, Aaron and Wayne are there, smiling at me. “What?” I ask, looking at them questionly. 

“He likes you.” Aaron says, nudging my shoulder. 

“No he doesn’t!” I say, turning red. 

“I’m Wayne.” Wayne introduces himself.

“Megan.” I say. 

“Heard you invited him for lunch.” Wayne says.

“Well if I have to eat with Aaron again, I’m going to need someone there. Plus worst comes to worst, I’ll have a backup ally.” I shrug. 

“Wayne and I are allies.” Aaron says. 

They call everyone for lunch, and the Careers take one end of the table, just to show they are boss. I sit between Aaron and Tyler at the other end of the table, with the male from 1 staring at me. 

“So what are the Career’s names?” I ask, eating a piece of roast beef. 

“Cody and Allison are from 4, Zoe and Justin are from 2, and then it’s Starr and Brantley from 1. Hopefully you notice the boy and girl from the districts.” Wayne says.

“They’ve been quiet. You know, not doing anything, not showing off, not practicing skills, nothing.” Tyler says.

“Actually, I saw the girl from 4, Allison, at the fire station, and the boy from 2, Justin, at the sword-fighting. But 1 has been mysterious.” Aaron says.