#wofmday2

[challahlevy]

Finish Line || Track || OS

I caught my breath as I crossed the painted white finish line, nearly doubling over as I slowed to a jog. I willed myself to stand straight, for I couldn't be pinned as weaker than I already was. Though, judging from some of the other tributes, I assumed I wouldn't be the one to die first, after all.

My endurance sucked. I couldn't imagine trying to run on an empty stomach; I hadn't before. While the rest of my District was starved, surprisingly, I wasn't. For the first time, living with food on the table was a disadvantage.

I picked up my pace as I approached a hurdle, attempting to jump over it. My foot hit the back of it, nearly knocking the heavy metal down. The hurdle tipped back over as I half-limped my way around the curve, searching the training room for any familiar faces. I found Amarillo, and immediately shook my head of the thought.

Instead, it clung to my mind, and he was forced to be thought about. I couldn't form a friendship; an attachment like the other tributes had. It was the last thing I needed--to mourn over a death I couldn't prevent. It'd happened to countless people, and I'd be a hypocrite if it'd happened to me; to us.

I closed my eyes as I ran briefly, finding it much harder than the walk to school and back. Opening them as I thought I'd heard footsteps behind me, I assumed I was hearing things. Another hurdle was only a few meters away, and I prepared myself for this one. I remembered watching a trainer demonstrate, how she picked up her back leg. I tried that this time, and found my foot merely graze the top.

Running, to my surprise, was a thought provoker. I continued for the last 200 meters in a sprint, avoiding the last few hurdles in the lane next to mine. While hurdles were something I could improve on, I'd rather stick to my strong suits for the first few days of training.

With only 100 meters left, I dashed to the finish line. Because that was all I could really do.

[knightofyork]

Run Away Baby || Track OS

My eyes widen as I set my sights on the track. It's so beautiful. I have never seen anything so well made. Of course I can't pass up an opportunity like this. I immediately made my way over.

There are even hurdles! Okay play it cool. I can't look like an over excited idiot.

"Want to try it out?" I jumped. The trainer seemed to pop out of nowhere.

"Oh um yes. Yes please." Holy shit I get to actually do this. This place is amazing! I couldn't help but smile.

The trainer lined up several hurdles for me.

"Have you ever jumped over hurdles before?"

At home we don't have them but I did do other things. "Uhh I jumped over an old table that was flipped on its side."

The trainer shrugged. "Close enough. Try it out and please do not injure yourself. You need to be in tip top shape for the arena."

Noted.

I went to the starting line and did a few small stretches before counting down. On ten I ran straight for the first hurdle. Running was euphoric. I jumped over the first hurdle with ease. Just like the table but I had to get a bit higher. Each one after that was easy. That is until I reached the last one. My back foot hooked onto the hurdle and sent both myself and it down onto the track floor. Shit. The fall wasn't too bad. Nothing that hasn't happened.

"You were doing good out there. I know exactly what happened too. You let your mind wander too much. Always be aware of your body and the obstacles ahead of you. Never forget that."

I pushed myself up. Probably going to be sore tomorrow but whatever. It was fun. 

I took another round around the track before heading off.

[oren-gaynor]

Hold Your Own || Martial Arts OS

After showering to get rid of the feel of Bruno’s fingers on my body I reluctantly went back down to the training centre. I was nervous about running into him again but I made a beeline for the running martial arts station so that I could be alone and get one last bit of training in before I went to check on Cosmo. I shook my head as worry clawed at my gut again, I hated that Opal had put her hands on him but I despised myself for not being able to stop it. I wanted to protect him and to protect him I needed to learn how to take on people like Bruno and Opal at their own game.  

The trainer met me as soon as I stepped onto the mat, a scar across her cheek making me wonder what she had done to receive it. However, I didn’t have too long to think about it when she launched into a technical explanation of how best to fight like this. If I didn’t have a weapon knowing how best to punch, choke or kick my opponent was going to be my only way out. She moved quickly from theory into practical, dragging me out onto the mats and dropping me like a sack of potatoes with one sweep of her foot. The air left my body as I struggled to my feet, gritting my teeth as I ran at her. Grappling with her as we wrestled on the ground, her elbow coming into hard contact with my throat as we both stood once more. Kicking, striking and punching until I was doubled over and out of breath. She reached over and patted me on the back, handing me a bottle of water and leaving me to try and cool down. I had a date to get to and unfortunately I needed another shower. At least today was eventful, I just hoped that Cosmo was okay.

[knightofyork]

Out of It || Archery

I've only ever seen a bow and arrow in our history books. This weapon was often used back in the old days. They still exist today but apparently they are made of sturdier material. There's also the crossbow that goes along with the advances...I think.

So the archery station was a prime target for me. Literally...

The trainer hands me a bow and asks me to hold it how I think it should be held. Well that is kind of stupid. I may not have ever held a bow before but it's kind of obvious how you hold it.

I hold up the actual bow with my left hand. My hand positioned right on the middle. Using my right hand, I pull back the bowstring.

"How's this?"

The trainer walks around me once and takes a good look at my hold.

"Right arm needs to be raised a bit more and not too far from the body. You also seem to be straining your left arm. You're not trying to stab someone with your finger. Relax just a bit. Also keep in mind that you're going to have an arrow too."

Well why doesn't he just give me an arrow?

"Yes sir." I correct my hold and look to him for his approval.

"Better, now take an arrow and do the same thing."

I line hold the arrow by the faux feather things and line it up. It's kind of difficult to keep my hand steady and the arrow against the bow.

"Draw back a bit more,aim a bit higher, then let the arrow fly."

Draw back,aim higher,and fire! 

The arrow flies and hits the far outer edge of the target. A little bit to the left and the arrow would have missed the target completely.

"Good,good. Practice your aim and keep going at it."

That's exactly what I did. I adjusted my aim a few times and fired arrow after arrow. Plenty were flops but I got some good shots in there. The trainer helped me along when he saw that I struggled a bit.

[challahlevy]

Knock Out || Challah & Amarillo || Punching Bags

My knuckles collided with the rough leather of the punching bag when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I jumped, whipping around to only find Amarillo as the culprit. Breathing a sigh of relief, I press my hand to my stomach. "Oh, it's you. Please, warn me next time? I nearly punched you when I was turning around." Smiling sheepishly, I wipe a bead of sweat from my forehead.

"Who have you met so far?" I asked, cracking my stiff knuckles. I hadn't expected punching a silly bag to be so hard, but somehow, it came as a challenge. I wouldn't admit it, though; I'd again only be deemed as weak, and I didn't need that. "And where have you gone? I haven't really seen you around."

[nalinpollock]

A Fish Sandwich || Challah & Nalin || Archery

After drying off I headed back out to the bustle of the Training Centre. Where hadn't I been? I searched for an empty station and spotted one across the floor. I walked over, my hair still a little wet from my swim.

I walked into see bows and arrows lined up along the side of the station. One of my least favourite things. Might as well get it out of the way now. I looked around to make sure no one was around when I heard steps coming from behind me.

[nalinpollock]

A Hurricane || Swimming || OS

I stormed into the change room frustrated. The encounter with Bruno had me a little rattled. I felt both bad and mad with this guy. I shook my head as almost if to shake the interaction out of my memory. It felt good to taunt him I must admit, even if he didn't do anything about it.

I changed into the issued trunks and strode out to the pool. I went to the deep end and dove right in. The cold water felt wonderful against my skin and I couldn't have been more relaxed. I swam a few lengths of the with such vigour that I sliced through the water almost like a knife.

I slowed up and flipped over to my back and watched the ceiling go by. Once I saw the flags I would be close to the end and I dove under the water to touch the wall and come back up on my back.

It allowed me time for my mind to wander. I wasn't excited about that, but I thought this would be the best time to do it, when no one was around to see me rage.

I wasn't like Bruno. Nope. I wanted to win for my family and myself. I didn't fancy the journey there, but my training would make it so I would give a tribute the most painless death as possible. I took pride in what I could do, but in normal circumstances I wouldn't do this.

But this isn't normal.

I came here though. I held my breath and dived to the bottom of the pool and sat there for a moment. I need my head to clear for a second. I was going to confuse the hell out of myself again.

I resurfaced and went back to the back stroke. I glossed over the part about killing people because I thought it would be easy. I figured the tributes here would be mean or uninterested, so it would be a lot easier to justify killing them.

Ugh. But no. First it was Alaska. Then Oren and Sefarina. Rima, and Amarillo. Who knows what other tributes I might talk to. I know one thing, it won't be hard to kill Bruno.

I didn't want to think anymore. I turned over and switched to the butterfly and did many laps before I made my way to the end of the pool. I picked up a towel and dried my face. I looked across the pool. Hopefully the next time I swam it was back home in District Four. I was starting to miss it; but more I was missing my family. 

I dried my hair with the towel and then ruffled my hair. I had already thought enough. I pushed my family out of my mind and decided I would think about my actions some other time. I got up and padded to the change room ready to face some more tributes.