One Step Away From Being Dead and Gone {Flyss}

Ever since Andesite's death, I was determined to train Marcasite as much as I possibly could, in order to prepare him, should he volunteer or be reaped for the Games. Personally, the Games aren't something I despise like so many other people around Panem do, especially after they lose children to them. I think it can be a good thing for some- a motivation to work their hardest. It convinces teenagers and those of younger ages to train and work hard, making themselves fit and the best survivalists they could possibly be. Unfortunately, Andesite never had the proper training, and that's likely why he didn't survive as long as he could have, had he had more experience. It makes me feel like a terrible father for never having intervened in his life and taken him under my wing, instead of him living with Flynn as his guardian.

Clearly, Andy's life with Flynn wasn't the most pleasant, as his dying words were 'screw you, Flynn,' instead of anything else he could have possibly said. I could tell by the way he said it, as well as the particular words that he had selected, that Flynn was not a man that should be respected. I resent the man at this point in my life, and regret ever letting him adopt my dear son. I should have just dealt with the financial struggle and raised both boys, rather than giving one up. Nowadays, the thought of what I did, giving him up, makes me feel like the worst possible kind of father I could ever be.

I've met one of the girls who lived with Flynn at the same time as Andesite did. Her name is Monday Daidom, and she became a career trainer like I am. Although, she told me that Flynn was the best possible thing to have ever happened to her life, which shows me that she must have been in a very different mindset from my son. She insists that when Andy was growing up alongside her under Flynn's authority that he respected Flynn and didn't seem to be bothered by him, but for some reason, I truly doubt this.

Marcasite, however, tells me that Andy likely didn't realize how bad Flynn was until his dying moments, and that's why he chose those particular words. Perhaps he didn't have such a bad life until he was reaped. That would be a relieving thing for me to find out to be true. Although, I don't ever dare approach Mr. Flynn about it all, as I don't think it would be the wisest decision. I don't know how violent the man may be, even though it's likely that, as a well-known as very experienced career trainer, I could likely face him rather easily without taking much damage myself. I still would rather avoid the confrontation, though.

Today was a day that I couldn't focus on Andesite's death, though. I had a new trainee that I needed to work with today. Her name was Flyss Wren, and I was told that I needed to be hard on her, getting her into the best possible shape that I could, making her into the true career that she was supposed to be. I knew I was capable of doing that, so I took on the supposed 'challenge' that I was told it would be.

When the girl arrived at my private training center, there was only one other person training there, but they were being taught by Marcasite, giving me the chance to have a one-on-one with Flyss. I greeted her when she showed up, trying to show her that, even though I was going to be beyond hard on her, I was still a kind soul that cared to be polite.

"Hello, Miss Wren," I greeted her, extending my hand out for a handshake. I wouldn't be offended if she didn't take it, as many grumpy, reluctant trainees didn't, but I thought I'd give it a try anyway, just to get a first impression of her. "I'm Pyrite Obsidian, your trainer for the day."

Whenever I used my last name as part of my introduction, it made me wonder if they'd recognize me as being Andesite's father. Not many people did, as he died so early on, but those who truly cared about following their District in the Games seemed to know who my son was, and would sometimes make a comment on my family name. I wondered what type of person Flyss was when it came to following the Games. Whether or not she recognized my name didn't concern me personally, but it would still help me evaluate what type of training she needed. Those who knew more about the Games or just simply paid more attention to them were a bit easier to train than those who didn't care about the Games or perhaps even despised them.

Now was the time to see what kind of career Flyss Wren would be.