Reid Meyer

District 6 Male Tribute

It's the third day of training and that means that we are about to be personally evaluated by the gamemakers. I've tried to figure out what skill I would use with my mentor, but we haven't come up with much. He thinks too much in terms of weapons, and physical strength. My weapon is my mind.

I may not be as big or as strong as these tributes, but I am the cleverest. I'm also loyal; I wouldn't betray my allies like the careers will. Unfortunately I don't have any allies so that isn't really an issue. I don't really talk to people very well, there seem to be some nice tributes out there, but I haven't had it in me to approach anyone.

This past week has been the worst of my life, and next week will certainly be worse, well if I make it a week that is. This week started out with getting ripped away from my family and everything I've ever known. I've been paraded around The Capitol like I was some kind of fighting animal, not even human. I'm just a tribute, they may cry when I die if they like me, but it doesn't mean that they actually cared about me as a person. They will just find a new favorite next year; I'm less meaningful to them than a stray dog.

I'm not really as angry about this as I think I should be, I'm not a very angry person, instead I'm afraid. All I feel towards the looming games is fear. I really do not want to die, the very thought of the games has always terrified me. I know that death in the games is basically a certainty, especially for a small kid from 6 who just misses his mom.

I cried all day on the train, my mentor tried to coax me out of it, but it wasn't any use. I just stayed in my compartment and cried. I could hear my district partner crying in the compartment next door too. I know that she got ripped away from somebody she loved too. The next day I could not cry anymore, I was done. It was strange when I got to the Capitol, I'd never seen anything like it. I was honestly impressed by how amazing it all was. The Capitol really does some amazing things, but also terrible things.

Training has been tough, I don't really try to use the weapons, I focus on the survival stuff, making fire, finding food, identifying poisonous plants. That is what I guess I will show the gamemakers, my knowledge of plants and boring survival skills. I don't think I'll get a very high score.

"District 1 Male Tribute, please head into the training center."

"Seeya later sweetheart," he says to his district partner, who looks disgusted. It's starting its so nerve wracking; I don't think I can handle it. On the bright side when I get a low score at least I won't be a very big target.

Mina Saibler

District 2 Female Tribute

The District 1 tributes have both already disappeared into the training room, soon enough I will be called in. I know that I can impress them with my swordfighting skill, I'm sure to get a high score from the gamemakers, all the careers will, with Rook being a possible exception. I've trained my whole life for this moment, I'm not about to mess it up now.

So far I have managed to do my part as a career; I know my parents are proud of me, which is more than I can say about some of the other careers. Rook is apparently the son of some important figure in 1, who doesn't approve of his actions and Baron's father is the mighty Ajax Aleric; I've seen him on television, he is a hard man, and somehow I think Baron is too weak to impress a man like that.

I'm called into the training center soon enough. The gamemakers are up on their perch; they all have clipboards and look down on me expectantly. The careers must be the most interesting for them to watch, we will whom them what they want to see, brilliant displays with weapons. They don't want to see a bunch of kids who've never held a weapon before tripping over themselves or eating berries.

They call me in and I step into the training center. The gamemakers are up on their perch, just like the past few days, but now they actually seem to be paying attention. "You may begin," I hear the head gamemaker. I nod and head over to the sword station, grabbing the double swords I've become so comfortable with.

These weapons and I have a history, I've used them all my life. A lot of people just think it's cool to use two swords, that it makes me twice as strong, but it's not that simple. I don't think of two separate weapons, I've seen my ally Maya use them that way, that isn't the right mindset. They are two parts of the same weapon, each movement of one affects the other, they must be used in unison.

I show the gamemakers this union; the power of my blades is astounding, even to me. I show them how my years of training have given me skills that someone training for one week could never hope to come close to. I mercilessly destroy a row of dummies, hitting them in spots where I know are instant or quick kills. I glance up, proud but nervous, I hope they approve, a good score will mean a lot, and I know my parents will see it.

"Thank you," the head gamemaker dismisses me with a wave of his hand.

Isabelle Catcher

District 8 Female Tribute

I see the girl from District 7 staring at me looking annoyed and I notice that I'm nervously tapping my foot rapidly. "Sorry," I say putting a hand on my knee. It's honestly making me a bit crazy to sit here still, I feel like I need to move to deal with the nerves.

"It's alright, I mean, I'm the one who should be apologizing, it's rude to glare, I'm just very high strung, I've been flying off the handle a lot recently," she apologizes. It's true I've seen her and the girl from 10 have developed a bit of a rivalry. "I'm Terya," she says extending a hand.

"Isabelle," I shake her hand.

"Well it's nice to-"

"District 7 Female, you're up," a peacekeeper calls her.

"Well, I'll see ya," she says leaving.

Not long later they call in Arto, and I know I'm next. I notice I'm tapping my leg nervously once again, but everyone else seems too nervous to notice anyway. Soon enough I'm up. I head in and just sort of stand around until one of the gamemakers tells me to begin.

I take a deep breath and head to the knives. I find one which looks best for cutting meat and grab it. The gameakers give me some curious looks. They are probably wondering if this seemingly nice girl from District 8 has some killer instinct in her. I have their attention, they are watching closely. I'm not sure if they are aware of the fact that I personally know many of the Victors, but if they do maybe the gamemakers think they taught me a thing or two. What I do next takes them by surprise.

I grab a hunk of beef from the survival station and slice off a healthy chunk. I grab a frying pan, some kindling, and flint and set up a fire. The gamemakers look legitimately disappointed. I know how to cook after being around my brother for so many years, and that's what I will do in the games. I may have to go to the bloodbath to get the things like a pan and flint, and obviously the knife. I won't kill anyone in these games; they can't force me to do that. It doesn't matter if that means I can't win, I wasn't going to anyway.

After a few munities of me frying up my food the gamemakers dismiss me.

Arto Green

District 7 Male Tribute

"Why are you in such a good mood?" Terya asks me.

"Huh?"

"The past couple days….you've been really happy, what happened to the mopey guy who wanted to kill himself?"

"I'm still mopey!" I say defensively. She gives me a skeptical look. She may have a point I have been in a better mood in the past couple days. "Well, there is this girl who I think likes me back home…and I've got some friends in the games…"

"Friends? Are you kidding me?"

"What?"

"The anti-careers are not your friends," she says in a bossy way.

"Shut up, sure they are."

"They are a bunch of psychopaths; they will literally murder you the first chance they get."

"Hey, well I'm sorry I'm looking on the bright side for once in my life, okay, but I have people who are going to fight on my side, against those turds the careers."

"Turds? What are you like seven years old?"

"You know I spent a lot of time like you, skeptical of everybody, mad at the world. I've seen some messed up stuff, man. My freaking mom died. My dad became an alcoholic. It sucked. But for one in my life I have friends, and a girl I can go home to, if I live."

"Yeah," she says, "But you aren't gonna live."

"Well, jerk," I stare her in the eye, "Having some allies at least gives me a shot. You just go around making people hate you."

"Hey!" she yells, "Darcy started that, she was being a jerk!"

"You just judge people too much."

"Enough," Johanna comes in and turns on the TV. "You can argue later, the scores are about to come on." Pretty soon Caesar is on TV giving out the scores.

First up is District 1, the guy gets a seven, pretty low for a career but it's a score I'd be happy with. My ally Safyra gets a nine.

The tributes from 2 both get tens, typical.

The ones from 3 don't do so well, the guy gets a four and the girl only gets a two.

4 are more careers, the guy gets an eight and the girl does really well getting an eleven.

The ones from 5, the sarcastic guy and the quiet girl, get their district number as scores.

6 shows up and I'm so nervous about my score coming up that I almost don't even see their scores, but at the last second I see that the guy gets a three and the girl gets a four.

Here it is, everyone in the room holds their breath for a second, I get….an eight! No way, they must have liked my knife throwing. Terya does alright, getting a six.

Ivan gets an eight, and his district partner gets a six.

Cal must have impressed the gamemakers cause he gets a ten. The girl from 9 gets a seven.

Next up is the dude from 10, he only gets a five, and then is Terya's rival Darcy and she gets a six. Terya doesn't seem too happy to have tied with her.

The guy from 11 manages to get a seven, and the girl who is always hanging around the careers scores eight.

Last are the tributes from 12, the girl just gets a four and my sparky pal Lucian gets a six.

Terya and I shoot looks at each other. We aren't going to kill each other, that still stands, but I can't guarantee my allies won't decide to take her out.

Blaine River

District 5

I'm pacing back and forth, I hate watching the interviews. It's even worse this year, I sort of know the girl going in. It's like three years ago, I was reaped and someone took my place, his name was Dale. He died, and now they have his friend, Violet, and she is going to die too.

I've tried to make my life worth something, so that Dale's sacrifice meant something. I keep in touch with the rebellion through my brother; he is working for them undercover as a peacekeeper. Officially he died during a revolt, but really he was nabbed by some undercovers for the rebellion.

It's dangerous to meet up, so we don't very often, but when we do I try to give him as much useful information about what's going on in the district. He tells me things, but doesn't divulge unnecessary information about the rebellion for fear that we might be monitored. He tells me about his life, the people he meets, he has a new girlfriend, an Avox from District 4.

I take a deep breath, the interviews are about to start. Caesar's hair is a fiery red; he gives his usual opening banter and we are underway.

The first up is Rook, the male from one. Caesar asks him what he likes the best about the Capitol and Rook goes on about all the beautiful girls. Speaking of beautiful girls, his partner Safyra looks amazing in her dress. I know she is a bloodthirsty career, but I can't help but find her insanely attractive.

Kayde is up next, he is serious with Caesar and they mostly talk about how he will rely on his strength and determination to win. The girl Mina is pretty relaxed and a bit mysterious, even joking round with Caesar. She almost seems like she doesn't care about the games at all.

The girl from 3 seems pretty naïve and scared and Caesar makes a point of noting the Ekronik is related to the former victor Beetee.

Maya is confident, just like the other careers, but she seems to have a bit of bitterness about her. Baron and Caesar talk about his father winning the games and how he will carry on his legacy, and he asks if his father is proud. Baron hesitates a bit and says "Yes".

Next is our district, Charlie is just really sarcastic, but Violet's time really gets to me. She and Caesar reminisce about Dale and Azeika, and I struggle to hold back tears.

Caesar is quick to sympathize with Brooklynne about her daughter; she says she will do anything to get back to her. The boy Reid is awkward, but Caesar is soft-spoken and kind to him.

Caesar talks to Terya and he says she is quite a "firecracker." He says it would be foolish to count her out. The guy Arto is very odd to say the least.

Isabelle tells Caesar about her cooking and Caesar jokes about how he last time he tried to cook something himself he almost burned his house down. Ivan is a lot more serious and they talk about how he knows how to fight.

Chel is very chatty with Caesar, and then Cal starts going on about how he is already a Victor.

Aiden and Caesar joke around a bunch and play off each other well, and his partner Darcy seems very shy.

Leighann goes up and she seems like she is trying to act tough and crazy, but I don't but it. The guy, Jasper just seems to try and mess with Caesar the entire time, he has this whole thing about inspecting his hair.

Last in 12 are Marly and Lucian. Lucian's stylists have given him a look a bit like he's been electrified or something. Marly seems like a normal girl caught up in all the madness, and I really feel for her, my sister teases me that I think she is cute. She kinda is.

The tributes all get in a line the anthem plays and Cesar bids the world farewell. Tomorrow morning will be the beginning of the games, and there is no telling how many will live through the bloodbath.


So after a colossal delay the chapter is finally here! I'm not sure why but this one was very difficult to write, and it wasn't my favorite. Anyway the good news is that there is just one chapter and then we are at the actual games! Here is a breakdown of all the alliances and training scores, maybe that will make up for the wait I put you guys through a little. Oh and thanks to all who have left such amazing reviews!

Rook Delacroix-7
Kayde Roberts-10
Mina Sablier-10
Baron Aleric-8
Maya Blake-11
Leighann Ash-8

Safyra Hope-9
Arto Green-8
Ivan Hill-8
Cal Barnes-10
Lucian Night-6

Ekronik Rodell-4
"Nesie" Keiberger-2

Charlie Watsen-5
Violet Prior-5
Brooklynne Satire-4

Reid Meyer-3

Terya Wylie-6

Isabelle Catcher-6

Chel Byrne-7

Adian Kay-5

Darcy Eowyn-6

Jasper Jarrah-7

Marly Gray-4