Pelline Smith, District Ten
I can only imagine the scenes in the Viewing Hall as the screen fills with scree and tumbling plants. Boyd and Wilf cheering, the Career mentors gaping in shock. The girls from Four and One avoid the worst of it, being a few steps back. Sprightly Anevay from Two drags herself free, bleeding from a dozen scrapes and scratches, and crawls over to her district partner, who is howling in pain. A single cannon sounds and when the hovercraft finally gets through, it brings up Mateo from Four, his head crushed like a ripe tomato.
Reubis' legs are shattered well beyond the point of Arena medicine. The big strong boy from Two spends two hours huddled and moaning in pain before he finally gives his district partner the nod. She ends his Games with a quick stab to the heart. The pair from Eight don't stick around, scurrying to safety along their higher rocky terrace, back into the deeper jungle. Eventually the remaining Careers pick themselves up and follow at a slow and angry pace.
All around me I can hear the buzz of conversation; the bar livens up quickly with discussion about the duo from District Eight, and whether or not they might actually be a force in reckoning. A round of drinks is bought to toast handsome Parker's ingenuity and pretty Cecelia's feistiness. Another for Anevay's courage. Another to the departed Reubis, who was the bookies' favourite. I leave after the next round, toasting a chance to get in the pants of the quiet blonde girl from One.
With six of the nine remaining tributes girls, there's a good chance we'll be ending the boys' streak. If I were allowed to bet, I'd put money on the lass from Four. Another day and she'll be back to fighting fit, and will be fired up to take down Eight. With two weaker allies still in play, I expect they'll sweep the field fairly easily after that. It'll be just one more year of Career celebrations.