Can You See My Scars? [Garbage Fire, Day 2]

Now that Coach's weapon had reaped the life from another living creature, he wasn't sure how he felt. In the moment, he felt a thrill. The adrenaline that came with the kill gave him a rush through his whole body, and he felt as if he were on top of the world. He'd managed to block the attack from the reptile that launched itself at him, giving it a mouthful of fabric. He felt good.

As that high faded, however, he started not to be so sure about how he felt. He'd never been a villain. Rather, he was a career, and sure, he'd trained his whole life to be here, but he never knew what it would actually feel like to take the life of another creature. He could only imagine how he'd feel if he had to kill a person. It's likely he'd feel like shit, as he already sort-of did after killing a lizard. A fucking lizard. He shouldn't feel that guilty about it. It was trying to kill him and his alliance, after all.

Alliance, was that the right word to use to describe these people he'd agreed to have peace with? In a way, he might even consider them friends, even if at first they were just meant to be human meat shields. He couldn't get too emotional right now, though. Coach had to keep his head in the game. If he started to feel things now, everything was bound to go to hell and back again.

The only person that Coach could allow himself to have emotions for right now was his sister. She was the one he cared about, and she was back home, watching. He was fighting for her- not just the fame and glory that he craved oh so deeply. Sure, he wanted that sweet feeling of victory, even if he knew the cost that would come with it, but most importantly, he wanted to return home to her.

Initially, Coach didn't care what Sephora thought of his want to volunteer. Of course, he ended up being reaped instead of volunteering, but that was beside the point now. He just expected she'd respond like his parents did, with negative emotions. Rather, she, in a way, cheered him on. She was upset, yes, but she even gave him what he now had with him as his token- a gold necklace chain.

Coach wore this necklace chain around his neck right now, alongside the dog tag that the Capitol had provided him for his time in the arena. He'd wear the necklace proudly. It was for her, after all. He'd given it to Sephora years ago, and now it was back in his possession. It was important to him.

As the four of them finished up their fight with the lizard mutts, Coach barely was able to comprehend what was happening. He saw Syd take out the other fiery creature, but it all felt as if it went so quickly. Perhaps it actually did. He couldn't actually be sure. After the fight, Coach found a burn on his arm from the lizard whose attack he'd blocked. Apparently, it'd still managed to scorch him a little bit, but not too badly.

Coach, limping on his busted knee, stayed quiet and started to look around for some things in the area. He'd managed to find some things at the cornucopia yesterday, after all. Maybe he could find something now. Something useful would be especially nice.

After finding a few things, he sat down with his new items and started to do some first aid on himself in silence. Too many thoughts were going through his head in that moment, that he forgot to communicate any of it with his allies. How was Syd doing after killing the other mutt? Was he stronger than Coach emotionally and unfazed by it? Perhaps. He wasn't going to ask, though. That would likely just make Coach feel worse.

How were they all holding up physically? From what he could tell, Belle was unscathed by the fight. Benedict had been bit by the creatures like Syd had. They both seemed like they were in one piece, though, which was a good thing.

Coach caught himself staring at the others without speaking, and quickly looked down at the ground. What did they think of him now?