child's play [blitz] [parks + open]

I tie the final knot in the noose, and my trap is finally complete.

I blink, almost surprised that I have finished so quickly. I am not normally this efficient at trapping. In truth, I am not optimally efficient at any survival station. My shelters all have structural design flaws. I mistake one deadly poisonous plant for a bitter yet edible one. The flames of my fires rise too high and attract the attention of others. I do not know why I have not yet mastered these basic tasks -- Father has confirmed that I am at least of average intelligence.

I suppose it's because my mind has been programmed for a different purpose. Combat.

Combat, unarmed or otherwise, seems to be my only area of true competence, though I would hardly call myself exceptional. I have mapped out the various weak zones of the body in my mind, and I dream only of puncturing organs and slitting tendons. My knowledge of anatomy is superior, but I lack something that my classmates all seem to posses.

Passion. Anger. Bloodlust. Without these things, I cannot truly be considered a threat.

Shrugging, I leave my trap to be inspected, then rise to take a sword and practice my slashing technique against a dummy. The sword is not my favored weapon, but it is the one father insists that I use. In the Games, the swords claim the highest percentage of casualties, and in his words, it would be foolish not to use one. So that is what I have trained in.

I grab the cold, blunted steel sword -- live steel is reserved for official duels, and the coaches do not want us to maim each other. When I turn to face the rows of (anatomically correct) dummies, however, I find that each one has been taken. This leaves only one option for me, if I desire to practice combat: sparring with a fellow student.

Not ideal. But I will live.

Spying an unoccupied boy who looks more or less my age, I briskly walk over and tap him on the shoulder.

"Would you like to spar?" I say, wasting no time on pleasantries. I have found that most Careers do not much care about politeness.