Awake and Alive [one-shot]

Only two tributes remain alive, and I know I'll be returning home soon. I'll get to see Navya again. I'll finally meet my daughter. I'll get to see my brothers again. But it won't be the same. It was hard going home last year with two coffins. This year is different because my brother won't be sitting with me. And I've vowed to train them. I've vowed to make my family stronger so maybe they'll stand a chance in the games. But I doubt it's possible. I've learned so much. I've learned that the even the strongest don't always stand a chance. I mean look at Beretta. Look at Mason from the sixty-ninth games. Look at some of the big careers that never made it home. But I have to try. I have to.

An exasperated sigh falls from my lips as I force myself to move from the couch in the district eleven lounge, and within a matter of seconds I'm on the elevator heading to the training center. I spent a lot of time in here before my games. I learned what I could, and it worked. But now I have to work harder. Maybe Iain and Carrita would've stood a chance had I know more in the training area. Maybe Weaver and Iona would've lasted longer. I promised myself I wouldn't let my family down. I have to protect them. It's up to me and nobody else.

I quickly move from the elevator and head into the training room where trainers are gathered around talking to one another. Normally I find it rude to interrupt people, but this is dire. I have to do this. I will accomplish everything I've set out to do. They turn to face me when I'm standing a few feet away - "I need the melee trainer." It isn't a question because I'm not asking. I turn around and walk away listening to them mutter among themselves before one of them finally makes his way to the center of gym. His eyes are narrow as he looks at me. "How can I help you?" He asked quietly wondering what I was up to.

"You are going to train me. I want to learn hand to hand." My voice is calm, yet I can feel my heart pounding inside my chest as he reaches his arms forward. I remember what Mason did to that male from district nine. I remember how he wrapped his arm around Chaske's arm threatening to break it. And I try to mimic it. I wrap my hands around, and I try to pull on the guy's arm. I have to learn. I will learn because it's all I have to hold onto.

I keep pulling at his arm. Trying to do what Mason did. I watched him, and it was a terrible sight in the midst of the games, but he wasn't successful. That's what makes me different. I survived. He starts screaming, and I know I'm doing it right. I watch as the other trainers come running towards him. "Let go of him!" They're demanding, but all I give in return is a toothy grin as the sound of his arm snapping echoes through the room. Every hair stands on end. My heart relaxes inside my chest, and I know the right thing. I will succeed, and nobody can stop me.