While the others started to separate themselves into large groups of what looked to be twenty or so, Jake and his Handler made their own group off to the side. She waited for a few minutes until finally snapping for his attention.

“Tell me what you memorized, now.” Her voice was stern. He nodded.

“Steal other tags, protect my own. Killing is allowed as long as they’re from my district. Don’t miss events. Kill at said events and win however necessary. When not at an event, go to another district or stay home, preferable the former. Don’t use the NIC unless I have to. Fourth injection is the most important, and after getting it I should figure out what they stabbed me with. If I get stabbed with something that feels like it’s killing me, shut my mouth and suck it up—“

“Stop.” She raised her hand as his mouth flapped pen. “If the fourth injection feels like it’s killing you, look at me.”

“Why?” He asked.

“Because that means we have an advantage.” She smirked, then waved him on. “Continue.”

“…Okay.” He didn’t get it, but he accepted her advice and continued. “Handlers are important until we enter the Dome, then we’re on our own. Friends likely don’t exist, and anyone too friendly is probably an enemy. And finally; civilians can be allies and enemies. Make them allies.” To signal he was finished, he took a breath and folded his hands.

“Good. You got the big things, which makes this easy. Listen, the front gate will be a bloodbath almost right away. You were right when you said the Handler’s help ends at the door, but I will remain in contact with you. I’m your informant while you’re in the dome, so keep an eye out for messages from me. If it’s not me, ignore it. Even if they say they are working under me. You listen to me and me only, got it?”

“Yes ma’am.” Jake answered. She continued immediately. The others were starting to move towards the gate. She muttered something about not having enough time and started to usher Jake towards the others.

“When you get your tag, read the house number first. Forget the rest. When you get your NIC, open the map and punch in the long route. Memorize it. After your fourth injection and when we figure out if you have an advantage or not, drop your sack and check inside. Find your clothes and ditch them. On your way to your home, buy new clothes that will make you blend in as a civilian right away and a backpack. Ditch the sack.” As they closed in on the group, she paused and made Jake look at her. “Understand so far?” He nodded.

“Then, take off your NIC. By then you should have memorized your map. Get a phone, punch the route into your phone. Don’t go home. Instead, search the city and find a quiet restaurant with a large amount of people. From there, dial the following number. Ready?” She waited until his mind was ready for it. He nodded.

“Six-Six-Four. Seven-Two-Six-Five.” He repeated the numbers back to her four times, and she said them twice more until he responded perfectly three more times. Once they had that set, she nodded.

“After you dial the number, hang up immediately. You’ll get a text from it the next morning. Follow instructions. Do not, I repeat, do not put your NIC back on unless that number tells you to do so. Got it?” She was stern again, and of course he listened. Confirming that he understood, he nodded.

“Very good. Until you get a message about an event, lay low.”

“Hold on, I thought you told me I should only answer messages from you?” Jake was confused. The NIC would tell him it was her, so why would he contact a random number?

“That is me, idiot. I will contact you from that number and only that number. Any messages from me on your NIC are to be disregarded except for when I text you and tell you to read it.” She smacked him on the back of the head and he flinched, but it was a light hit. A whack to tell him not to ask the stupid questions again.

“Safe to assume they can track my NIC when it’s on, then?” Jake imagined that was the biggest reason to keep it off. It was the same concept as a smart phone. If you wanted to keep yourself from being tracked, the only way to do that would be to take out the smart phone’s battery. Just having it on meant there was a connection somewhere.

“Correct. It should only be worn when you will be in the public eye. When you’re on your own time, keep it off.” Her instructions were clear enough, so Jake made sure to remember them. As well as the phone number. Six-Six-Four, Seven-Two-Six-Five. Good.

“During events, pair up but make no friends.” Jake huffed at the advice.

“I thought that was common sense?” He snickered, and received a whack on the head.

“Shut it. At first Rewards will be scarce so stock up on your assets and get only what you need initially. As time goes on, other forms of stuff will become available. Understood?”

“Yea. How do you know all this?” Jake dared to ask, and the woman just grinned.

“Because, unlike these other twits, I want my monkey to win, so I did some research and paid attention when it mattered.”

“So, you stole it,” Jake said flatly.

“I didn’t steal it,” she said promptly. Jake sighed. “I just borrowed some information and made friends,” she laughed at that one. Unbelievable.

“Good to know my Handler is fraudulent.” Jake grumbled and was promptly smacked on the head again.

“Hey, just follow what I said and you’ll do fine. Okay?” She had a point. Even though Jake found it a bit hard to believe that she just fell upon the information by making friends and borrowing some books, or whatever she borrowed, it all made sense. And if she was right about the bloodbath, then the next few months would be composed of him trying to keep himself alive while in the company of two hundred other kids. Making a mistake at any point could prove bad, especially as the numbers dwindled. If that was the case, then skirting by the initial fights would work to his favor. That is, if the initial plan worked out. The first ones through the gates would have the advantage of time and a fresh city. While Jake would be entering at the back, after everyone else in his district was already through.

“Handicapped at the start.” He muttered. His Handler laughed.

“Josey, is the name by the way, kiddo. Good luck in there.” Josey finally revealed her name and Jake extended a hand for a shake. She grinned wide and reciprocated the gesture. A few moments later, Jake was herded into the medical section and Josey stepped off to the side while he was “processed”.