The last chapter of my CDAD/Hunger Games AU is on Ao3! Hereâs a short bit from Chapter 10:
âI woke up with a start, looking around as I sat up. Peeta still wasnât there. My chest ached a little. I took a deep breath and put my boots on, grabbing my pack and walking out of my room. A dull pain sat easily in my chest. Today was going to be a rough day.
âKatniss!â a deep voice reached me as I was going to breakfast.Â
âHey, Blake,â I greeted. Casey and Echo were next to him, so I hoped he didnât want to talk for too long. She still annoyed me, always reading more into my words than anyone else. I didnât think that Genevieve had told my secret to anyone, even her, but she probably didnât even need to.
âWhat are your plans for today?â he asked as we walked.
âUm, just fixing up more of those houses. Unless you need me to hunt again today?â
âNo, we have plenty of meat. I heard youâve been going out a lot alone,â he continued.
âI hunt better alone.â
âIf youâre going out alone, you should have some training. I just want to make sure youâre safe while youâre out there,â he said, his voice strained. I
t must have gotten out just how bad at fighting I was. I sighed. âSoâŠ. You want me to learn how to fight?â
Blakeâs head bobbed from side to side. âGenevieve offered to give you some lessons.â
âSheâs a great teacher,â Echo added. âPlus, sheâs already seen you fight so she knows what needs work.â
âSheâs already fought me,â I said bitterly.
âSheâs fought a lot of people. Genevieveâs temper can be a little hot,â Casey answered. I tried not to roll my eyes. Iâd found that Casey really only saw the good in people, which was adorable, but how had she not died already?
When we got to the dining area, I was relieved to see Mal. I took the seat next to her after I got my food. Mal looked over after I plopped down, raising an eyebrow at me.
âEverything okay?â she asked.
âBlake is making me train to fight.â
âI mean, that does sound like a good idea. I honestly donât know how youâve made it this long without being a better fighter.â
âHey, Iâll go with you. I have some off time today, weâll make it fun,â she offered.
âHow can fighting be fun? I hate fighting,â I grumbled.
âWell, itâll be a better time than an actual fight, so thatâs something,â she said. âAnd an actual fight would go way better if you trained.â
I knew she was right, but I was still in a bad mood. I hated training. I scooped the salad into my mouth to avoid talking until we were done eating.â