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❨ CHAPTER TWO ❩
𝙰𝙲𝚃 𝙾𝙽𝙴 ₊˚.༄ ࿐ the unknown

sometimes good things fall apart
so better things can fall together
— marilyn monroe
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THE NEXT MORNING, THE TRAINING CENTER WAS BUZZING WITH TENSION AND ANTICIPATION. That was to be expected, as the horrific news that the mentors were also to be tributes hadn't been dropped in the kindest way possible. They were responsible for preparing their tributes for the bloodbath to come, all while knowing that they could be thrown into the arena at any moment. It was absolutely terrifying, to say the least.

Ryder hated the unpredictability of the entire charade. He couldn't decide what was worse — training Snow or training himself. Both tasks seemed equally impossible. The thought of having someone else rely on his brain for strategy made him anxious. What if he gave Snow bad advice? What Snow didn't listen to him at all? What if he picked the wrong ally? If something went wrong, he would be to blame. And he couldn't take it. He didn't want the responsibility of someone else's wellbeing, along with his own.

The training floor was massive, separated into various stations. From what Ryder could remember from the previous year's Games, there was nothing of the sort. Apparently, the Capital made changes quickly. If he had to guess, they upgraded the facilities in order to give the audience more of a show. It really was boring when the tributes were picked off without a fight. He sighed loudly as he scanned the room. At least this provided each of the tributes a fighting chance.

He carefully assessed each station. His attention was pulled to the knife-throwing, archery, camouflage, and knot-tying stations in turn. Each could offer the tributes a way to survive. It would be the difference between life and death. As he scanned the rest of the room, he immediately knew that Snow wouldn't pick any of the stations Ryder would later suggest. He knew that Snow would try his hand at the combat stations, which was highly amusing, as Ryder suspected that almost everyone could take him in a fight. If Ryder was going to keep him alive even before the Games began, he had to do a lot of convincing.

Tributes and mentors were milling around, each of them looking uncomfortable. Dr. Gaul broke the deafening silence, her voice wringing through the air. "Welcome to the Training Center! As you've all learned, this year's Games will be unlike any other. Mentors and tributes will be thrown in the arena together, ensuring the performance of Panem's finest minds and strongest bodies. You're not just preparing others to survive — you're preparing yourselves."

Her gaze swept over the crowd, lingering longer on certain faces, daring anyone to challenge her. Her eyes met Ryder's and she gave him a twisted little smile before continuing. "The stations before you represent your survival. Learn from them well, or. . ." She laughed coldly. "Well, we all know what happens when you don't. Just make sure to visit all the stations. Not just the combat ones. Good luck!"

Ryder clenched his jaw, pushing down the rising panic in his chest. It was do or die. He turned toward Snow, searching for the person remotely close to an ally. From the looks of it, Snow was surveying the room with an expression that altered between confidence and disdain. Ryder stepped closer and murmured, "All right Snow, here's the plan: camouflage, knot-tying, maybe even some climbing of you have the strength for it. You're smart enough to know that you can't win a head-to-head fight, so don't even waste your time at the combat stations."

Snow raised an eyebrow in a way that made Ryder's stomach squirm. "I'm truly flattered by your confidence in my abilities, Hale. But maybe I'd like to prove you wrong. You ever think about that?"

Ryder huffed, crossing his arms. "Sure, go ahead. Knock yourself out. Go pick a fight with someone twice your size and see how that works out for you. Just don't expect me to kiss your injuries."

"Twice my size? That's generous. Some of these tributes look like they could snap me in half just by glaring at me. But that's why I need to learn to fight."

"Survival isn't about fighting!" Ryder snapped. "It's about being smart. And you're really smart. So do us both a favor and play to your strengths."

For a moment, Snow looked like he was about to argue, but then he sighed, a flicker of something softer passing over his face. "Fine. But I'm not spending my entire day painting leaves on my body and trying pretty little bows."

"Deal. But you must do absolutely everything I say."

⚖️

RYDER FOLLOWED SNOW TO THE CAMOUFLAGE STATION, WHERE THE INSTRUCTOR WAS DEMONSTRATING HOW TO BLEND INTO VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTS. He couldn't help but stare at the sheer beauty of the swirling colors and textures. The usage of mud, leaves, and other natural materials was amazing. When he glanced over at Snow, his disgust was easily noticeable. He watched as Snow's nose wrinkled at the thought of dirtying his pristine appearance.

"This better be worth it," Snow muttered darkly, smearing a streak of mud across his cheek.

"It will be when it saves your life," Ryder replied curtly.

Snow's attempts at blending were awkward to say the least. However, with Ryder's guidance and a fair bit of mockery, they improved. Ryder couldn't help but feel a spark of satisfaction when Snow finally managed to disappear against a backdrop of rocks and foliage.

"You're a natural," he said, with a smirk.

Snow rolled his eyes. "Let's move on before I actually start enjoying myself."

They moved on to the knot-tying station, much to Ryder's distaste. The instructor demonstrated a variety of knots: snares for trapping, secure loops for climbing, and knots for anchoring shelters. Snow leaned in, watching carefully, but his hands faltered when it was his turn to replicate the movements.

Ryder stepped in, his hands brushing against Snow's as he adjusted the rope. "You're overthinking it," he whispered. "Just let the rope do the work."

Snow's breath hitched at the sudden closeness, but he didn't pull away. "Easier said than done, Hale," he replied, his tone teasing.

Ryder's fingers lingered a moment before he pulled away, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Try again, Snow."

This time, Snow's hands moved more confidently, and he managed to tie a proper snare. He turned to Ryder, his expression smug. "See, I'm not totally useless."

Ryder smiled slightly. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."

As they moved to the next station, combat training, the air grew heavier with tension. It made Ryder increasingly uncomfortable. Several tributes were sparing under the watchful eyes of their mentors, but not all of the matches were friendly. A District Two boy, towering and built like a tank, was in the middle of a particularly brutal march. Ryder averted his eyes, trying to avoid looking at the boy's bloody opponent.

Snow hesitated, glancing at Ryder. "This is a bad idea," he said.

"For once we agree," he replied. "Stick to observing. There's absolutely no point in putting a target on your back this early in the Games."

As they passed, the District Two boy made a snide comment about Snow's pristine appearance. Ryder knew the moment that the words, "I bet you won't last a day in the arena," left the boy's mouth, it was all over. He closed his eyes, willing Snow to just keep walking. But of course, Snow couldn't help but get his own jab in as they went. Why did Coriolanus Snow have to make things so hard?

Snow paused, turning toward the boy with a cold smile. "And you're overcompensating already. I guess we all have our weaknesses."

The boy bristled. "What did you just say?"

"Snow," Ryder hissed, stepping between them. "Don't you dare."

Snow didn't back down. "I said, it's obvious. You're trying too hard. Save some energy for the arena—if you even make it that far."

Before Ryder could intervene, the boy lunged, shoving Snow backwards. Snow stumbled but didn't fall, his eyes narrowing. Ryder stepped forward, raising his hands. He wasn't exactly sure what he would do to stop this, but he would try to. "Hey, let's just let this go," he suggested. "Snow didn't mean anything when he said that."

The commotion caught the attention of several instructors, who rushed over to separate them. The District Two boy was pulled away, glaring daggers at Snow as he went.

"You've just made an enemy," Ryder hissed as they walked away. He was both angry and concerned.

Snow shrugged. "Let him stew. I've dealt with way worse."

"Next time, don't provoke someone that can kill you right on the spot."