𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙁𝙊𝙐𝙍
—𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵—

    "𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙃𝘼𝙑𝙀 𝙂𝙊𝙏 to be kidding me," I murmer under my breath, leaning closer to Aspen. I look back to Atala, only for him to notice my tense stance.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

"I've gained an extra shadow," I reply quietly, just as Atala begins to speak. "Two, actually."

Aspen looks around the two of us, and his hold on me tightens as he glances over at Cato and Marvel. "Just stay close to me." He states firmly, looking to Atala. "Trust me, they won't come near you."

I only nod, tuning back into our advice from the head trainer.

"In two weeks, 23 of you will be dead. One of you will be alive. Who that is depends on how well you pay attention over the next four days, particularly to what I'm about to say. First, no fighting with the other tributes. You'll have plenty of time for that in the Arena. There are four compulsory exercises, and then the rest will be individual training. My advice is don't ignore the survival skills. Everybody wants to grab a sword, but most of you will die from natural causes. 10% from infection, 20% from dehydration. Exposure can kill as easily as a knife."

After listening to everything Atala has to say, Aspen and I disperse from the group, my hand still locked in his.

"What do you want to do first?" Aspen asks, his eyes gazing over our surroundings. "Edible berries and plants? Weapons? Survival techniques?"

"Edible berries and plants," I nod. "I'd rather do that than embarrass myself with the weapons station."

"You wouldn't embarrass yourself," He rolls is eyes. "I'm sure you're good at something. But we need to cut this conversation short, and head over to the station."

"Why?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"They're staring at you again," He sighs in annoyance, pulling me towards a booth. The instructor steps in front of us, smiling politely.

"The machine behind me is part of your training over edible and deadly plants that could be possibly located in the arena," He starts, gesturing to the sorting machine and screen above it. "It will test your abilities to sort them, based on your response to certain plants and berries. Pretty simple. If you get it wrong, you learn something. If you get it right, well, lucky you."

I can't help but chuckle at the last sentence. He grins at me, before speaking again. "Who's first?"

I bite my lip. Do I really want to do this? I'm not very good with plants- I have barely worked with them. I know my trees, but plants? Forget it, I'm dead if I have to depend on plants.

"Me," I say, taking a step forwards. "I'm Casey, by the way."

"I'm Ansel," He shakes my hand, before getting behind the machine. "To begin the simulation, click the black button to your right. On the conrol pannel, when you see the displayed plant, you are to sort them with the green and red buttons. Green for edible, red for poisonous and hazardous. Got it?"

"Yes," I reply.

"Good luck," He nods.

Aspen hovers behind me as I click the black button, my eyes snapping to the screen in front of me. Ansel moves aside, allowing me to completely see the screen.

A bright red berry shows up, the leaves on the plant a dark green. I frown deeply, before looking down at the control pannel. Aren't bright berries supposed to be poisonous?

I smash the red button with my palm, only for the screen to swipe to the next plant. A check mark is displayed on the pannel, just as I glance up at the next plant.

The black berry on the screen seems familiar as it appears. I immediately hit the red button again.

Nightlock.

And so I go on and on, getting every single one of the questions right. And as I get farther, the quicker my reflexes are. After a full twenty minutes of clicking the buttons, the test ends.

"I've never met anyone who was able to complete the test without getting at least one wrong," Ansel raises his eyebrows in surprise. "You're the first, Casey."

"I didn't know I had that in me," I murmer.

"That was amazing," Aspen wraps his arms around my waist, sitting his chin on the top of my head. "Want to try something else?"

"That's up to-"

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the silent tribute," Glimmer glares, crossing her arms over her chest. Clove stands at her side, a scowl etched on her freckled face. "I see you have a bodyguard."

"He's not my bodyguard," I say calmly, slightly sinking into Aspen's chest. "He's my district partner."

"Looks like you've got him wrapped around your finger," She sneers, glaring up at Aspen. "I'm sure he won't be for long."

Before Aspen has the chance to argue with her, I speak again.

"Believe what you want to believe. I'm not stopping you from speaking your opinion, but I certainly don't want to hear it."

"I'm sure your district partner will want to hear it," She smirks. "Aspen, how would you like to be a part of the careers?"

I stiffen, just as a gasp leaves my lips. I know exactly what this means.

Once Aspen accepts the alliance with the career pack, I'll be on my own. I won't have anyone to protect me, other than myself. And with that, I'll definitely be killed. I'll have no one to rely on.

But will he actually join them? He's already told me that he'd stick with me. But with this new opportunity will he change his mind? His silence scares me. With silence, comes acceptance.

Aspen doesn't reply to her question, only giving me an answer to my suspicions. I shove away from his chest, and push his arms off of me. As I turn to face him, tears form in my eyes, and my bottom lip begins to quiver. He looks to the floor, not meeting my gaze.

"So that's it, then?" I ask, trying to hold back my tears. "You're going to leave me- just like that?"

"Casey, I-"

"No." I stop him, choking on my own words. "You know what? It's fine, I understand. No one wants to be with an incapable ally."

I allow myself one more glance at Glimmer and Clove, a single tear rolling down my cheek. "I hope you're happy," I say softly. "I don't have anyone left, now."

I wipe the tear away, my attention momentarily darting to Marvel and Cato who stand not too far away from us. I shake my head, looking to the floor as I exit the training center.

When leaving, I make a run to the bathroom, where I lean against the sink. I let out a strangled sob, covering my mouth with my hand.

I'm alone.

The only person I could count on is gone.

He left me.

I lower myself onto the floor, and pull my knees to my chest. I lie my head on my knees, and cry my heart out.

The quiet ones always die first.

Glimmer's voice echoes in my head repeatedly, a headache creeping in on me. I rub my temples, the tears streaming down my face.

I knew I wouldn't win the games. I knew in the beginning that I had no hope- that I had no chance. And now, my hopes are even lower.

I should've known better than to depend on someone for my survival. But I guess it's better to find out now, than right before the games.

I close my eyes, and lean against the wall, staring at the dull white ceiling.

If I were to have one kill in the arena, it would be Glimmer. The thought sends a chill up my spine, but pleasure, nonetheless. Disgusted with myself, I let out a deep breath.

And just as I get up to examine my physical state in the mirror, a knock sounds on the bathroom door. I frantically sniffle, and rub at the tear stains on my face. Composing myself, I walk over to the door, and open it.

Expecting an impatient Capitol citizen, I apologize quickly.

"I'm sorry for taking so long. I was just-"

I stop mid-sentence, sucking in a breath at the person in front of me.

"Marvel? What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk," He replies, frowning as he looks over my tear-stained face. "Now, can you explain to me why you've been crying? Or do I have to go get Cato?"

"I haven't," I say quickly, but still keep quiet.

"Don't lie to me," He rolls his eyes. "And I know for a fact it has something to do with Glimmer. Now, can I have my explanation?"

"You don't deserve an explanation," I mutter. "You're a part of it- of the career pack. Cato, too."

"Honestly, I have no idea what the careers have to do with this."

"Aspen," I say gently. "He left me for the career pack. Because of Glimmer."

"I was assuming that Glimmer was the one who did it," He shakes his head. "She's spiteful, I'll tell you that. She's my district partner, and even I can't stand her."

"I see where you're coming from," I smile weakly.

"Come on," He grabs my arm, pulling me from the bathroom.

"Wait, where are we going?"

"You'll see."

_______