Freefalling

~Hermione Easteallas, District 7

I never actually thought I would be here. In the real Training Center. The place where all those Trib-oh, wait. I am a Tribute now, I am one of the kids that people will be talking about, thinking about in their head as they watch me kill someone at the Cornucopia, or as they watch me die.

But I don't want to dwell on that.

I got up early this morning, to be the first Tribute in the Center, and I am. I will need as much help as possible. I am not bad, I know that if I could somehow get an axe, I would at least make it to the top five.

I am dressed in an orange work out suit that was laid out for me this morning. I like whomever laid it out for me because my favorite color is orange, it always has been. The outfit has black and pumpkin orange short shorts, a matching top, and all black tennis-shoes.

I have pulled my fiery red hair up in a round ponytail, out of my face so I can see where I am throwing my axes. Wait. Would my mentor want me showing off my skill with an axe at Training? I will not be braggy, but yea, I think I will go ahead and practice, plus, seeing me in massacre-axe mode might just get me some allies.

Allies.

I at least want one, for some human feeling, so I know that there are still people and still a real world, so that I will not go crazy in the Arena.

Whatever the arena may be.

I shudder a bit at the thought.

I nervously tip-toe into the Training area, where my eyes first find an axe, but I will wait for others to show. A woman, who I think was Victor a few years back, cautions me to wait for the others, so I do. I will wait, and pray that someone, at least one of the twenty four of us wants a good ally, because I know that I do.

Finally, two come, and my emotions perk up. I watch them go over to fire making. I signed up for that one, so why not? I walk over to the station, and announce myself nicely."Hi, um, I am Hermione, uh, Hermione Easteallas, the D7 volunteer. . . . ."

Will. His name is Will.

Will. I have heard the name. The Reaping probably. I think I heard a television reporter Fericia Montgomery talk of how Will stood a good chance, or, maybe it was the other one, Luk?

I smile at him. He actually looks a bit threatened by me. Aw. I am complimented and sad at the same time. I, honestly don't mean hurt to him. I don't want to kill this boy, at all.

Or anyone for that matter.

But it's the Hunger Games, I will have to kill him or someone else will because I must win to prove to my family I am not useless.

To get that off my mind, I take a piece of flint, and a few pieces of wood, before I do my thing, and light the fire in a matter of seconds. I am best at fires, axes, and ranged axe throwing.

I just hope that is enough to get me through the Arena.

After I notice that Will is struggling with his fire, I spark my flint next to his wood and his fire lights brightly. I smile."It's always good to have an extra ally around, to, ya know, light your fires?"

Well, he certainly doesn't love the idea of allying with me.

Ugh.

I hope someone does.

I blow hard on the fire and it goes out with a whish. I look at Will."Listen, I don't mean you any harm at all, really, I don't. But please. We both know that if either of us even do live, then it can only be one of us. So just join me, and both of us will be one person safer in that Arena! We can even deal. How about when it gets to the last ten, or last five, considering the conditions, we split up, and only fight if we must! That way, it is a win-win."

I suggest this to him. I watch pain, consideration, suspicion, more consideration, and conflicting emotions cross his face. I understand him, I just wanna get an ally before they are all taken. Oh well. Maybe he already has an alliance, already has a plan to kill me. I hope not. I want us to be close friends by the time of the Arena, because it will be harder for him to kill some one he knows, right?

I hope so.

I lean in closer to him, and let my face slip into a genuine begging face, but to keep myself from looking pathetic, I put a quick smirk across my face.

There, let him figure out what that means.

As long as he doesn't try to kill me, I won't touch him. But say he comes after me, lets just say my nifty little axe will have a new place to rest at night.

But I hope I don't have to kill him, I really don't want to.

I had a strong feeling he wouldn't accept. After I smirked, he leaves to the plants section. I signed up for that, too, but I decided to give him room.

He turns one last time before complimenting my name."Thank you, Will is a strong name, very nice, lets just hope that it is strong in the Arena, good luck Will Atlas, District 8."

I say to him before I stride over to the first aid section. I settle down and learn to make a splint, cover blood up, take out infections, and use some plants to staunch blood flow.

But it is bugging me.

Will, is the "it" I am referring to.

I step over into the edible plants/poisonous plants section, and plop down next to Will. This lady is on a mission.

I am the "lady on a mission" of which I am referring to.

"Will, please, I know my face is sly, I know my smile looks like a smirk, but I swear on someone that is going into this Arena's life, that I am the most trustworthy person you will meet. Please. Please?"