When Opposites Meet (Puppy)

Xander Chastmen

11 years old

D 2

    The sky is so clear and blue today it fills my body with warmth and happiness. I sigh peacefully as I listen to the tranquil flow of the river and the lovely songs of the birds. It is days like this one that make me question what I have done with my life. I mean I have all but thrown away this portion of my life and replaced it with a feral blood thirsty career; who only finds beauty within violence. I twirl my thumbs around each other while listening to the nature around me. In a way its disturbing to hear since it is so different from the sounds of children being beaten unconscious. Then another part of my entity grows annoyed at myself for wasting time I could be training or watching past Hunger Games to just lay down in the sunlight.

As I continue to listen to the songs of the birds I find myself whistling a tune of my own, the anthem of Panem. Why this choice? Well its the only music I know from watching the Hunger Games and hearing it play along with the recaps of deaths. It is actually quite sad, I enjoy music very much but my intense life style leaves no room or acceptance for it. However, I wouldn't change my life at all I am rather happy training day and night for the games. The countless images of fellow careers I have beaten flow through my mind. I grin twistedly at the thought of the light in their eyes vanishing just briefly as they faint by my own hands.

    Suddenly though I am catapulted back to reality at the sound of a twig snapping. By its distinct sound, it sounded as if someone was trying to leave the area. Before even opening my eyes or sitting up I state loudly, "It is pointless trying to leave now, I know you are there." Now my eyes glide open like those of a snake about to hunt for its prey. I sit up and turn my head in the direction of the snapped twig. Standing there is Shy a fellow career boy about a year older than me. However, he shouldn't even be called a career, he just hides during training, how pathetic. I will admit that he is good with knives but nothing more since all I ever see him do besides that is hide and watch the rest of us train.

    "Why are you in such a rush to leave Shy?" I ask him as I jump down from the boulder. My eyes watch his face closely looking for any signs of fear. I am the snake and I have my eyes locked on this boy with evil precision. I don't want to hurt him too bad, but I do want to toy around with him and see what reactions he produces. I grin as I reveal a small switch blade from my pocket and begin opening and closing it. The blade was a gift from my dad for my birthday last year and now I take it everywhere so that I can always be armed. It's called readiness and it can save your life in the arena if you are suddenly attacked. I find myself now walking in circles around him vying him to say something anything, what emotion will he produce?

Xander Chastmen

11 years old

D 1

My eyes don't leave Shy, they stay locked on him unwavering. Then he finally speaks up and I am actually quite impressed. He shows no emotion as he tells me he would rather not stay for my hospitality, the kid maybe wimpy but his words are smart. However, what catches me is how well he controls his emotions by not letting them show. Being able to control your emotions seems to have become a lost art in the ways of being a career these days and only a few have mastered it. Even I being as good as a career as I am find myself breaking out in emotional fits now and then. I grin slyly for I truly am impressed by Shy, he is starting to prove his worth. However, I only said starting he is still the same little kid who hides during training like a weakling.

I laugh and roll my eyes at the thought of this boy being an Aubergine. They are well known around here in District 2 for being a family filled with amazing careers. Yet here Shy is the weak link of their entire family, I can hardly begin to imagine the disgrace his family feel towards him. I mean its completely insane to think an Aubergine of all families could be as pathetic as this boy is. I decide to finally put my switch blade away figuring I won't be stabbing him today. Then my grin turns evil and my eyes glint as I think of an awfully cruel and painful question to ask him. This will be the real test of his worth, if he can withstand emotion's waves after this than he has gained my respect.

I crack my knuckles then my neck as I stop walking in circles as I stop directly in front of him. I run a hand through my slick blonde hair to make me appear more relaxed and menacing. "So Shy, I have one simple question for you. What does your family think about you? I mean the way you act when it comes to career training, how you always hide away. Are the disgraced and disappointed in you, or do they choose to ignore your existence? Or on the rare chance do they accept you for who you are?" As the last words of venom leave my lips I return to my vicious smile as I stand looking deeply at Shy. This truly will be the test that proves if he indeed has mastered the art of no emotion. If he has then I really will respect him, but only to a degree of course.

Xander Chastmen

11 years old

D 1

I am officially impressed, Shy had yet again shown no emotion. Then even above that he had answered the question with ease. Almost as if it was a small gnat flying too close to his face and he simply swatted it away. In a way I was envious of Shy's mastered skill of emotion. Although I didn't want to admit there is a lot I could learn from Shy, maybe even more than just career training. I nod approvingly as Shy finishes answering the question then I decide to clap for him.

"To be honest Shy, I thought you were weak and pointless. However, I have changed my opinion about you, instead I do believe you are in fact quite strong. Yet not in the way of most careers, but in the way of intelligence and mastering emotion. It is as if you are the Dark Horse of the careers and I can honestly say I am impressed." I am surprised I am actually able to say these words so truthfully. I would never have imagined these words going to Shy Aubergine.

As I wait to see what he has to say to my sudden speech of approval I walk over to the stream. I look at the reflection of myself in the water. I am just as I always have been a short blonde blood thirsty career. Yet in a way I am starting to second guess my choices in life. However, I quickly outcast those guesses. I am a career through and through, I have spent my whole life so far training for the games. I know that one day I will be in the Hunger Games and I am determined that I will win.