I'm a Ruin by Marina and the Diamonds

A flower in a gun, a bird in flight
It isn't fair and it isn't right.

Arnette Lyrin, 18, District Two

Acereader55

'Tributes, remain seated here," one of the Peacekeepers barks at us as I sit myself down in between Braden and Eden. "Do not leave this room and try to stay seated in one place if at all possible. The Gamemakers will call you in one by one when they are ready for you. Perform your best. Anything else of note will be explained to you by the Gamemakers once you are inside."

The big, hulky Peacekeeper leaves the room and the doors slide shut immediately behind him. Quickly after that, I whistle, blowing my breathe with my fingers in my mouth, turning almost everyone's heads in the room.

"My pack, over here."

My alliance members, or as I like to call them, victims, scurry over to where Braden, Eden, and I are sitting and plop themselves down across from us with serious looks on their faces. Good, they needed to be serious if they want a good score from the Gamemakers.

"I'm laying it out simple," I begin. "You need an 8 or above to remain in the pack. Anything less, you're out. We need the strongest of the strong to beat the slut's pack in the arena, and I don't want any weakling slowing us down."

Braden and Eden nod in agreement, and Atlas continues to stare at me silently, but doesn't object. The only one who doesn't seem to be in complete agreement is Ebba, who looks to be slightly paler than usual and is fidgeting with her fingers.

"But don't we need all of us to stick together if we are to have the numbers to go against the other pack?" She pipes up, which admittedly shocks me. Who knew the girl had the guts to go against what I had to say to the pack?

"It doesn't matter the numbers so long as we have the strongest people in the pack," I say towards Ebba. "Even if the whore had more idiots in her pack, it would be of no use if we have the strongest people in the arena going after them. We kill them with strength, not numbers." Ebba quickly nods her head and bows her head in shame for going against what I had to say, but I will say it made me admire the girl slightly. Albeit it was annoying to have someone question my decision in front of the whole pack, but it shows the girl's got guts. I like when someone has guts.

"Raleigh Torrance."

A robotic voice calls for the slut and she quickly and quietly gets up from her seat and sashays her way over to where the metallic doors are that lead into the Gamemakers chambers.

"Good luck hoebag!" I call over to her as the doors slide open.

"Thanks, but save the luck for yourself girly, I'm sure you'll need it." She flashes one of her signature pearly white smiles over her shoulder at me before skipping into the chamber and the doors slide shut behind her.

I can't wait to drive an axe into her face.

"Don't let her get to you." I'm surprised when I hear Eden's voice speak to me. It's very quiet and it doesn't appear that anyone else heard what she said to me because they're all to engrossed in their thoughts or talking to one another.

"Thanks but I can take care of myself," I retort back, rather harshly even though Eden did nothing to insult me.

"Suit yourself," Eden says, before going back to picking at her nails. "Letting her get to you only makes it harder on yourself."

I glance back over to where Eden is sitting and stare at her inquisitively. Who does she think she is to pretend that she knows what's going on in my head? She doesn't know shit. Raleigh is the driving force behind my motive to win, other than wanting to live of course. I want to shove my win does Raleigh's throat, along with a knife or two.

"Zaria Tullius."

The silent girl from One gets up from her seat and brushes off the non-existent dust from her pants before walking over to the metallic doors quickly and quietly. Out of all of the other people in her pack, she scares me the most. You don't need the biggest muscles to be a threat after all, I'm a testament to that. It wouldn't surprise me if the bitch stabbed the entire other pack in the back, literally.

After she walks into the chamber, I turn back around to observe the rest of the tributes along with my pack. Some of the tributes in alliances are huddled together, some holding hands like the littles from Three and Eleven, and some whispering silent words of encouragement to each other like the District Eight alliance of three along with the younger boy from Seven. They're definitely losing someone in the bloodbath.

"Jasper Graves."

Ebba and Atlas are having what looks to be a private conversation, and Braden seems to be trying to join in on it only for the conversation to die and them all to end up just staring at each other. Eden is being Eden, silently sitting off to the side with her eyes closed, breathing controlled and not saying a word. What's up with her, cat got her tongue?

Some of the other tributes are getting fidgety, getting up and walking around despite the Peacekeeper's instructions to try and stay in one place if at all possible. Idiots, don't they know getting on the Capitol's bad side is a bad thing for them? Whatever, it only makes my pathway to victory easier in the long run.

"Glint Grayson."

The last of the District One scum goes into the Gamemakers chambers leaving the girl from Four all by herself, her allies all having done their session before she can. Not so good of a choice to go with that pack now, is it?

Admittedly, it wasn't a good idea for her to go with them in the first place. They're all from One, and clearly will have an allegiance to each other over her since she's the outsider of the alliance, being from Four and all. She should've joined up with us while she had the chance so she was at least with some of her people, and of course with the winning pack. I really hope they turn on her first just so she can realize just how idiotic it was of her to join a pack full of people from the same district.

"Arnette Lyrin."

And with that, it's my turn. My fellow pack members wish my luck as I confidently walk over to the metallic doors that lead into the room I've been waiting to go into my whole life. This is it. This is my chance to show them what their victor can really do. What a lifetime of training can do. What I can do.

And there's no way in hell I'm letting myself down.

Jasper Graves, 18, District One

Call Me Fin

Raleigh has already been called in, which has practically erased the permanent tension that encompasses our group whenever she is around.

She's your average dumb blonde from our District, which doesn't generally sit well with myself and the others. She talks to much, and makes any silence awkward, and the majority of our conversations involve her talking and everyone else listening, with the occasional comment from Glint or myself.

At first, I really thought Raleigh was hiding something. There was no way she could be as preppy and dimwitted as she appeared to be, but we're now on the third and final day of training, and I have yet to see any cracks. She holds her demeanour perfectly, so perfectly I'm beginning to think it's not an appearance at all. No one is that good of an actor. But then why was she chosen? I've seen her fight, she's nothing special. And sure she's the hottest tribute here, but she's immature, annoying, and just plain idiotic.

She has no redeeming qualities, other than she appears to genuinely care about her alliance members. Even if we are nothing but cold to her.

Raleigh Torrance is not acting. Raleigh Torrance is in plain, an idiot. And I chose her as my one true ally. I chose her to take with me to the end.

Did I screw up? Or did I chose the best possible option? I can beat her, no doubt. But will she even last that long? It's highly unlikely, heck even Dierdre could beat her in a one on one.

Zaria is called in, and after a quick head nod she disappears in to the gym, quickly followed by Raleigh exiting, a bright grin on her face.

"That was fun," she simply says, taking her seat back beside me. I'm nervous to say the least, and don't have the least bit of energy to pretend to be nice to her right now. In response I sarcastically smile, not saying a word.

"They looked impressed, I wouldn't be surprised if I get the top score," Raleigh whispers, and I immediately look up. Her grin is gone, and instead she's staring at the ground, no expression on her face. Her voice lacks the enthusiastic conviction it usually holds, and she doesn't bother smiling.

Perhaps this is her crack? Or perhaps the Games being only two days is starting to get to her, just as it is me.

I've spent my whole life striving to be good enough to volunteer, and I can't screw it up now. Or else all those days spent training, instead of forming relationships with people will be for nothing. Not that it's much of a loss. Kids my age were always to immature for my liking, and the majority of my trainers were too pompous for me to handle.

Brent was the only one I could stand; the only one who really took an interest in me, and the only who really acted like he cared about me. Of course that was probably all for show, but it still means something to me.

Felix on the other hand was a happy medium. He was older than me, and slightly more mature. And he had the drive to do something with his life, even after volunteering didn't pan out. He was a peacekeeper, someone who kept the District in line, and ensured justice. Something I can't help but respect.

Thinking of them sends a small feeling of longing throughout my body, but I know this is what I was meant to do. I'm meant to enter the Games, and I'm meant to win. That's my purpose in life, and that's what I plan to do.

"Jasper Graves," I hear my name called, and I immediately get up, and walk straight through to the Gym, completely forgetting to say goodbye to Raleigh or any of the others.

I pass Zaria as I enter, her usual blank expression on her face revealing nothing about how her session went.

I don't bother introducing myself, or waiting for the go ahead. We all know what I'm here to do, so I get right to it.

I grab my rapier of it's shelf where I left it, and immediately begin hacking at dummy after dummy. I cut, I stab, and I parry, never loosing my drive until I've torn apart the allotted dummies I was given, leaving a pile of white cloth in my wake.

Without catching my breath, I call upon a trainer to step forward. A smaller girl takes her place, axe in hand and a small grin on her face.

I don't underestimate her, I know just how deadly anybody can be. So I let her attack first, and I quickly side step her charge, swinging my leg out to trip her.

She goes down with a thud, and I'm immediately standing over her, rapier resting on the back of her neck, ready to kill. Of course after a few second I step back, but if this were the Games everyone in the room knows she'd be dead.

"Is that all Jasper?" I let out a small chuckle, before walking over to the nearest station, decapitating a dummy I had previously left limbless on my walk.

The station I instantly recognize as the fire starting station. I gather a handful of supplies, along with a flint, and within a matter of minutes I have the flame reaching well over my waist.

The rules are clear; you have fifteen minutes to impress the Gamemakers, and I know most careers don't spend half that time in here. I on the other hand am not an idiot, and I know the importance of versatility.

I'm all for following tradition, but this is one career tradition I don't agree with.

I continue to add to the pile until the flame is so large a trainer comes over with some sort of device that instantly extinguishes my flame. I smile in thanks to the trainer, though I was planning on leaving it burning.

Heck, I should have started burning the dummies. That would have been impressive, but oh well.

Deciding that would be enough, I simply walk out. Not biding goodbye, nor even looking in the Gamemakers general direction. They could have not been there the whole time, and I wouldn't have noticed.

Though I'm sure they noticed me. After all Raleigh made sure that everyone knew it was me who separated the careers. The Capitol loves me, I'm the one who gave them two of their precious packs. Which means the Games will be even bloodier, and I'm sure they're all already itching for the pack versus pack battle.

The Capitol loves me for it, but it was Raleigh's idea. She could have been the popular one, the one everybody loves. But no, she's the least popular career, the one no one cares about. The forgotten one.

Oh shit!

Gideon Challene, 16, District Five

District11-Olive

I can hardly hear Aluma as she whispers about how nervous she is about our sessions being so soon. It is hard to concentrate on anything except keeping my own body in check. The shaking and sharp head pains have gotten worse over the past days. It was hardly noticeable until the first night of training, a dull pounding in my head that I attributed to a nervous headache. I can't set it aside quite so easily anymore.

The worst part about the whole thing is the Peacekeepers guarding the entrance to the training centre. They remind me so much of Soraye when he was on duty, the stoic body and expressionless face. Too many times over the past couple days I have barely resisted the urge to run up and hug one of them, cry into the soothing white of their uniform and beg him for more. Just enough to make the pain go away, I would promise him knowing that that amount was growing by the day.

I would have denied the title any other day of my life, but sitting here and being able to concentrate on nothing but keeping myself in check has a sort of maximizing effect. I am never one to be dramatic, it is simply not in my genetic make up to be so, but I know exactly what these episodes are. Cravings that only Soraye's store of morphling can satisfy.

I wish for the hundredth time that I hadn't used all of what I had on the train. The helplessness I felt when I was reaped made the usual pain I numbed seem like nothing. I wish that Soraye had visited me. Mostly just because his presence makes me feel more secure, but also because he might have given me more. Just enough to last through these days in the Capitol, I'm sure that they would have never allowed me to bring any with me into the arena.

"Are you alright?"

I turn to her and muster up the best smile that I think I will be able to pull off. "Little nervous, why do you ask?"

"You're hands are shaking," she says a-matter-of-factly, pointing down. I look down to where she is pointing and see that not only is what she is saying true, but also that she is pointing at one of my track marks.

I pull down the sleeves of my shirt so that they cover most of my hand as well as my arm. "Like I said, just a bit nervous."

"You could ask the mentors," she says nervously, her voice dropping just enough to be noticeable. "They could probably give you something for that."

I don't say anything but I am nearly positive that she saw the flash in my eyes when she mentioned it. She's given me an idea. Not asking one of the mentors, they might not understand. It's not that I haven't already checked their arms for marks like mine, because I did that as soon as the opportunity arose. Unfortunately I saw nothing but clear skin on one and a couple of long, thin slice marks on the other.

No, I'm not going to be able to go through the mentors to get what I need. But I have a better plan anyways. I think back to the first time I saw Soraye using morphling. I was fourteen and had never seen the stuff before, it was too expensive for my family to own. He told me it was for pain, physical pain. He and I used it for emotional pain, but the official use is as a numbing agent for physical wounds.

I'm willing to take the gamble that if I hurt myself here, before the arena, that I would be given some.

"Gideon Challene, District Five."

I stand and begin to walk over to the entrance, a new plan for my private session brewing in my mind. I have to figure out a way to hurt myself that will be enough to put me on medical morphling without hurting my chances in the arena. I step inside the training centre and look around me. My eyes graze over racks of weapons that would be easy to 'misuse' but would likely be detrimental to my chances. The other side presents plants and games that wouldn't be much use to me.

Then I see it, sitting perfectly in front of me as if it were waiting just for me. The climbing wall. My steps get faster as I approach it, the shaking and pain in my head suddenly gone at the thought of finally getting what I need. I am almost unable to keep the smile off of my face.

I don't even wait for the Gamemakers to tell me to begin. I start climbing the wall as soon as I reach it. I have never been much of a climber, so my progress is slow going, and I know that I am probably not impressing anyone. I don't care though, that doesn't matter to me. All that matters right now is getting about halfway up this wall and then making my fall look like an accident.

I look down and see that I am about eight feet off the ground by now. I climb up a couple more steps, adding another foot to my height, before I pause. For a moment I catch myself, realizing what I am about to do- drop myself nine feet to possibly get a dose of about half of what I am used to. In that moment I have a brief thought of whether or not it is worth it. Then I bring another foot up and allow myself to slip.

I hit the ground hard, a lot harder than I anticipated, and the air is knocked right out of me. Somewhere in the background I can hear someone screaming for a medic and a few seconds later I am lifted into the air and then set down on a white table. The movement makes my arm feel like it is being sawed off and I scream.

In front of me, a face appears to shine a small light into each of my eyes. He pats down my body, all the while every ounce of me calls out in protest. Then it comes, the welcome pain of a needle in my shoulder. I don't think I do much to hide the relief on my face and I don't care.

Aluma Rye, 16, District Five

Call Me Fin

Me nor Gideon say a word, other than a few awkward exchanges here and there. I haven't been this nervous since I was reaped, not even when the whole Capitol was staring at me on the tribute parade. Not when the careers were all watching me as I attempted to learn to fight. Not even when Gideon finally worked up the courage to ask me for an alliance.

I need this score. So far, I haven't stood out at all. Neither of us have. We're the forgotten pair from Five that pale in comparison to the career, or the standout tributes like the red-head from Eight, or the boy from Ten.

We have done nothing remarkable, but now is the time. Now is the time to surprise them, make them think twice about writing us off. The least we need is an average score, the best is a standout.

Right now, we have no sponsors. There's thirty tributes, I can't blame the Capitol for not wanting to sponsor the boring girl who doesn't talk, and the asian boy with the forgettable face.

I want to standout. I want to be intimidating. I want to win. But right now, my chances are next to nothing. I'm a bloodbath, or so the Capitol thinks.

Neither of us did well in the Killzone, but how could we when we couldn't even see in two feet in front of us. I think that is the stupidest thing in the world. The Games aren't about luck, or walking around in complete darkness stabbing anything that comes near you. The Games are about strategy, about picking your fights, and staying out of the ones that aren't.

Me nor Gideon rely on our brute strength to get us anywhere in these Games, we're both relying on our mental game to take us to the end. And that could be a problem.

What if he's smarter than me? What if he turns on me before I get the chance? I've regretted joining this alliance since the very second I agreed to it. I'm pretty sure I'd do better on my own; I wouldn't have to share supplies, or worry about anyone else exposing me. I could rely on myself, and I know I can do this.

Gideon is nothing but a wild card in my Game, and I'm really not one for relying on chance. He's a good guy, but he also may be my shot at standing out.

If I can't get a good score, what other choice do I have? Tributes who turn on their allies are always remembered, especially if it happens to be their District partner. I'll be hated if I ever get back to District Five, but at least I got back.

I'll finally be a threat, and I'll finally have a chance in these Games.

Is this what these Games have done to me? Turned me into a person so willing to kill another? I won't lie, I kind of like it. I've always been the quiet, insecure girl who no one took seriously. I've always been content with that, but I've also never known what it's like to be in the spotlight.

Perhaps I'll like it more than I like being the quiet little girl.

My name being called shakes me from my thoughts, and I clumsily stand up, receiving a good luck from Gideon as I pass him.

I push through the doors, and into the gym, and I immediately freeze up. I had a plan, but it's gone. I can't remember a single thing I was going to do, and every single Gamemaker eye is now on me.

I stumble over to the weapons rack, deciding that's gotta be my best bet. I pick up a rather long knife, and turn to see a new set of dummies set up.

I sloppily strike at the nearest one, barely grazing it's abdomen.

I try again, this time kicking out at the stomach as I drag the blade along the dummies neck, leaving a small cut in it's path.

What the heck did they do, makes these stupid dummies invincible?

I resort to the simplest thing I was taught, spinning the blade in my hand and stabbing the dummy in it's neck. Surprisingly I feel the blade sink into the fake flesh, and a small smile creeps onto my face.

I attempt to pull the blade out, but find it stuck inside the dummies neck. I awkwardly let go, and stick my foot behind the dummies leg, pushing forward so it topples to the ground.

I immediately pounce back up, and race over to the plant identification test, whipping through the test I had done at least a hundred time over the past few days.

I mess up a few times, and I instantly know it. But still I manage a decent score, my name still at the top of the records list on the machine. I quickly scan through the list, and notice half the careers didn't even attempt to complete the test. And the ones who did scored near the bottom of the list.

I turn away from the machine, and freeze again, not sure what else I'm supposed to do. My eyes flicker from station to station, until I land on the rope climbing station.

I race over, sloppily climbing until I've reached the halfway point. I wish I could show them that I could make it to the top, but I don't even think monkeys could do that.

Sliding back down, I realize something. I'm not impressing them. I've done nothing special-nothing to make them see me as anything more than a simple bloodbath.

I haven't shown them I'm a threat.

Accepting my fate, I turn and head towards the door, only one thought racing though my head.

I have to kill Gideon.

Phoebe Ryder, 16, District Seven

Acereader55

"Aston Moroque."

The District Six boy, who had been sitting alone after his alliance member had been called into her session, gets up from his seat alone and walks slowly over to the chamber's doors, clearly very nervous and anxious about his session that he's going into.

I, for one, am not nervous at all and am simply excited for this session to begin. I have something very unique planned for them indeed, and it will be truly memorable. Especially for the male Gamemakers that I know need their daily dosage of Phoebe Ryder.

Looking around the room, I realize that if I really try hard, I can actually envision myself winning these Games if the Career pack wasn't in the picture. Most of the other people here seem relatively easy to beat, and I have no doubt that in a skills competition I could crush ninety-five percent of the people in this room.

If only the Careers didn't exist.

"Phoebe Ryder."

The robotic voice calls my beautiful name and I jump up from my seat, walking at a relatively fast pace over to the chambers doors where they slide open for me and I glide through, anxiously awaiting to see what the room will look like when it isn't filled to the brim with trainers and tributes.

I'm rather overwhelmed when I walk into the big, empty training center and have to contain myself from whispering something idiotic like "wow". The training center looks nothing like it did when it was filled with the other tributes and trainers. The stations are neatly put into certain corners of the room and nothing has been damaged or tampered with. They must have really cleaned this place up good after every training session because it looks like not a soul has even touched anything.

"Miss Ryder, please begin your session."

The Gamemakers are looking down upon me with wine glasses in one hand and a pen in the other, no doubt for taking notes when they see something noteworthy. I see three people in particular have no wine glasses in hand, they are simply sitting there with a pad and a pen in hand, waiting for me to begin. They each wear a different colored uniform from the other Gamemakers and are intently watching me, waiting for me to begin with baited breath. Must be the trio of Head Gamemakers.

"First let me begin with cutting off this ridiculous outfit, it's much too cramped for my liking," I say and grab a knife from one of the stations nearby and begin to cut the fabric off of my body. I am partially telling the truth. This fabric is tight and will only restrict me as we move along. But they also need to see one of my greatest assets: my body.

I take the blade of the smaller knife and cut through the thin fabric that was covering my body. I make sure to take away most of what is covering me but leaving some fabric on me to cover the important parts of my body while leaving very little up the imagination.

"Now that that's out of the way, let's begin with the important stuff, shall we?"

I run over to the fire making station and grab tinder and smaller sticks to set up my base and make sure I have a strong one before getting ready to light it. I grab sticks together and begin to rub them, slowly at first and then more rapidly. Soon enough, I have smoke going and tend to the flame, giving it oxygen and making sure it grows into a proper flame, big enough for the Gamemakers to see who good and quickly I could make a fire.

Next, I grab an axe from one of the racks of weapons on the side of the training center, and run back over to the flame that I had created on my own. I bring the blade of the axe over the fire and make sure that the metal is white hot before I remove it from the fire and scurry over to where some dummies have been laid out.

I begin to swing the red hot axe blade at the dummies and watch as red cotton falls out of the dummies as well as hearing the searing noises that are coming from them as the white hot metal touches the fabric of the dummies. Once I have slashed through several of the dummies I quickly walk over to the pool in the training center and drop the axe in it, letting it cool off in the water.

"Time is up Phoebe," a Gamemaker says. "Thank you."

I get up from my crouched position on the floor near the pool and walk to the center of the room and bow for the Gamemakers, remembering what the mentors said to do when we were finished.

As I'm walking out of the training center I wonder if I really did enough to show them that I can win. Did I really show them the best of what I can do; the best of who I am?

Only time will tell if what I did was enough.

Glint Grayson, 18, District One

District11-Olive

"It's on!" I shout and the other three hurry into the screening room, followed by the mentors and escort. Unlike the others, I couldn't stand the thought of eating before knowing how my session went. I mean, I'd like to believe that it went as well as it did in my mind but it'll be nice to have a second opinion.

Just as they asked, I didn't bother calling them in until all of the formalities were done and over with. The only one seeming even partially interested in the banter of the Capitolites is Zaria, but she was happy to take the time to herself in her room while everyone ate and I watched.

"Scores are given on the basis of many things, and are carefully calculated by our beloved Gamemakers after each tribute has had a chance to show off what they have learned in training." I have to agree that the broadcasters overdo it a lot of the time with the exclamations, but I still don't want to miss any of it. After all, this is all for us isn't it? The least I can do is listen in.

"Without any further delay, I will begin with the unveiling of the scores beginning with District One," the man begins, a cheeky smile spreading even wider across his lips. Suddenly the screen is taken over with a picture of Raleigh, in all her blonde-haired and dazzling-smiled elegance. "To start the night off, we have Miss Raleigh Torrance with a score of seven."

Beside me, Raleigh straightens and I see the vague impression of a smile cross her lips before it disappears. When Jasper looks over at her, she shrugs. Strange.

"Next up we have Glint Grayson, also from District One with a score of nine."

I am temporarily taken back, and then the biggest smile of my life plasters itself to my lips. A nine? The best score so far! Well there have only been two scores so far, but still. It's got to be one of the highest scores of the bunch. I'm sure of it.

"And following suit we have Zaria Tullius of District One also with a score of nine."

I look over at Zaria and give her a thumbs up and she smiles in return. Just as I thought, Zaria is certainly one of the bigger threats, and I am happy to at least temporarily have her on my side.

"Finally to end off District One we have Jasper Graves with an impressive score of eight."

I look over at Jasper but see no change in his facial expression. Beside him, Raleigh smiles and gives a little clap to which Jasper responds with a solemn nod.

"Starting off District Two strong we have Miss Eden Ares with a score of ten."

I swallow hard, considering the girl I met briefly in training. She seems to me a lot like Zaria, rather quiet and to herself. Though I saw her hanging around a lot with Dierdre, which promptly stopped after she joined our alliance. Truth is, I know very little about the girl and that is quite unsettling at this point.

"Another impressive tribute, we have Braden Kellis also of District Two with a score of nine."

That makes two of the opposing pack with strong scores, out of having only seen two. I can feel the tension in the room as everyone's eyes are now glued to the screen, if they weren't already before. No one says a word as the broadcaster continues.

"Finally to finish off District Two we have Arnette Lyrin with the highest score thus far, an eleven."

If tension was high before, I have no idea how to describe it now. It is almost unheard of for tributes to score more than a ten. The other Career leader must have really shown the Gamemakers something that made her stand out. The center of the tense vibes is easily found at Raleigh and Jasper. I can understand why, they're the ones behind the splitting. It's hard not to think that that may have been a bad idea.

"Let's start up District Three with Maelle Thurske, who has been awarded a six."

"And right behind her, we have Zeno King who also scored a six."

They are average scores for non-careers, and I feel little threats coming from either of them. The girl I hardly remember, and the boy I believe I saw hanging around the survival stations for a good amount of time. I can't imagine him putting up much of a fight.

"Also for District Three we have Savvy McCreevy with a score of five, and Toby Alvarez with a score of three."

Even more pathetic than their older district partners, but expected considering their younger ages. I don't see either of them, especially not the boy, making it too far past the first day.

"Moving on to District Four we have Ebba Farley and Atlas Majors both with a score of eight."

Compared to their other allies, the two of them fall short of striking fear into any of us except maybe Raleigh who is the only one with a score lower than theirs. I don't expect to see much trouble coming from either of them.

"And finishing up District Four I present Miss Dierdre Lewell with a score of seven."

Instantly I feel embarrassed for Raleigh, to be considered on the same level as the rather small Career tribute. Truth be told, Dierdre is very skilled with her weapon of choice, but nothing can quit make up for the disadvantage she will face in a fist fight.

"Now from District Five we have Aluma Rye with a score of five and Gideon Challene with a score of three."

I can't say I am surprised by the girl's score, but I would have expected maybe a six or so for the boy. He seems to be just above useless, which is pretty high praise for an outer district tribute. In this case I don't think I am going to let the score dictate whether or not he is a threat.

"District Six, we have Tatum Albright with a score of five and Aston Moroque with a score of four."

Average, and average. Not that I can really expect anything more from either of them. I'm glad, though, because it means that I will have more time to spend looking at the real threats. No need to waste my time on tributes that are going to do no more to stand in my way of winning than to dirty my weapon.

Avrie L'reaux, 17, District Eight

Call Me Fin

The careers are a joke.

Arnette, the red-headed twig whose got a smaller IQ than our escort has scored the highest of them all. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty sure one on one I could take the bitch, and she's their best?

There's literally no chance I'm not winning these Games. Even if I only have these three little twerps to back me up.

Eira, Shay, and Armada are nothing special, and I can't see them getting any higher than a three, but if nothing else their meat shields. Members of my pack, their only purpose is to serve me and make sure I win.

If only they'd be a little bit more willing to throw their lives away for me. Shay and Armada are young, but they both aren't going down without a fight. And Eira is so protective over them it's almost cute. Almost.

I'm an outcast in my own pack, but that's fine. They need me, without me, they'd be nothing short of hopeless. I'm the brains and the brawn of this alliance. I'm irreplaceable.

Suddenly Shay's face is on the screen, and I lean forward a little bit, noticing Eira and Armada do the same. Our escort has long since retired to her bedroom, leaving the three of us to watch the scores in mostly silence.

I'm honestly shocked when a little red four appears under Shay's name, and both Eira and Armada let out a sigh of relief, along with a small chuckle from both of them.

"That's so good," Eira squeals, and Armada nods in return, a big bright grin all over his face. I want to tell them to calm down, and I probably would if it were anyone else. But Eira and Armada do mean something to me, deep down I'm going to miss them when their gone, but I have to win. I'm going to win. Which means eventually they'll die.

Shay's face is soon replaced with the older boy from Seven. The one who shocked everyone by coming in second in the Killzone. Regan pulls in an eight, and I feel like I should be surprised, considering he beat two of the careers, but honestly I'm not. He's a killer, I have no doubts about that, and I've always know him to be threat.

Next up is the older girl from Seven, the screen revealing her name to be Phoebe. I've seen her around, well more like heard her with her loud mouth. I'm pretty sure she's with the boy from Three, whose equally as arrogant.

Phoebe matches her allies score, scoring a six of her own. Which is actually quite surprising, considering I had pegged her as all talk. I guess I better actually watch out for that duo.

Again, I'm impressed by the little girl from Seven's score of four. I'd seen her weapon of choice - a pathetic slingshot. I had expected her to score one of the lowest scores, but a four is pretty average for us outer-district tributes.

I hear Eira take in a sharp breath as Lavender's face is soon replaced with Armada's. Here we go, the moment of truth. Just how prepared are my allies?

I can't help but smile when Armada matches Shay's four, and I realize their not as hopeless as I thought they were. Maybe they actually can help me when it comes time to fight.

Eira is next, and she anxiously stands up, turning away from the screen.

"How did I do?" she says a few moments later, and Armada answers with her three. Eira's shoulders visibly slump, but she turns back around a small smile on her face.

"Oh well," she says. "I'm sure Avrie will do better!"

I let out a small snort. There's no doubt, I'll probably triple her score if not higher.

My face is soon on the screen, and I find myself getting just a tad nervous as I wait for my score to appear.

When it finally does, I almost scream. Eira and Armada both congratulate me, but I yell at them both to shut up.

A fucking six? A six! That's it? I should have gotten higher, I should have at least got a seven, which was the lowest career score. I killed it in there. I tore those dummies apart, and I'm rewarded with a six?

"Are you ok?" Eira quietly whispers, and I notice both her and Armada starring at me. A look of hurt in both their eyes.

"Oh yah, I'm fine. I just expected to do better, sorry for snapping." I don't need them being scared of me, because for right now I do need them. I can't enter the Games alone, especially now that I know I'm not nearly as prepared as I thought I was.

I calm down slightly when the stupid number disappears from the screen, replaced by the blonde girl from Nine and her score of five. She is a weird one, I'd watched her in training glaring at her allies every time they turn their backs. For that reason alone I had put her on my watch list, and for good reason obviously. Her five proves she isn't totally useless.

The screen quickly moves on to District Ten, the boys cocky face instantly appearing. I have no idea why, but he had chosen to ally with Shay's youngest District partner. He was obviously strong, and yes he was hot, with the attitude to back it up. He was going far in these Games, and apparently he planned on dragging the little girl with him.

His score of seven boils my blood. He did better than me. A six, a fucking six. That's all I got? My fists instantly clench around the pillow, ready to tear it apart. But I restrain myself, for Eira and Armada.

The boys weaker District partner soon replaces his face, and I almost don't recognize her. I know she's in the big all girls alliance, but she was never a standout in that alliance. She was a background character, and her four proves that. She's a bloodbath, I'm absolutely sure of it.

The small dark-skinned girl from Eleven is up next, and I remember her being with the young boy from Three. They were cute together, but cute gets you no where but dead in these Games. Unless of course your name is Eira, Shay or Armada, and you happen to be allied with the victor of the Games.

The girl pulls in a five, and this time I can't help but whip the pillow at the screen. She's twelve, and she got one lower than me. Are you fucking kidding me?

Eira and Armada both stare at me questioningly, but I just chuckle in response, pretending it was just a joke.

"Impressive for her age," I comment through clenched teeth, and they both just nod in response.

Finally, the last tribute's face appears. The loner girl from Twelve with the name I can't even pronounce. Xylia? Who knows.

Her solemn face is soon accompanied by a score of seven, and I almost reach for a pillow, or something harder. But I restrain myself.

"We did pretty well, and there's a lot of higher scoring outer tributes. Perhaps we won't have to be the ones to take on the careers after all," Eira smiles, and I fake a smile in return.

I wasn't the best. I'm always the best? What happened Avrie?

It doesn't matter, it's just a stupid score. I can still win. I will still win.

No matter who gets in my way, I'll do it. I'll kill them all if I have to.

I just want to go home.

Song: I'm a Ruin by Marina and the Diamonds

Hey guys, it's Fin! No excuses, just a late chapter! Oh well, stuff happens right? I'd like to say next chapter will be on time, but who knows! Two more chapters until The Games though, whose excited?

If you have the time, we'd all love to see a review! Anyways, I think that's it! Oh wait, the poll! Congrats to Avrie of District Eight for winning, though we all knew she would right? My tributes are bae..

Any standout scores? Any scores you didn't expect? Any bloodbath predictions?

Okay it's Olive, adding onto Fin's note with the results of the poll we had earlier. Thanks to everyone who voted and congratulations to Avrie L'reaux for coming in first place. In second place we had Maelle, Phoebe, Toby, and Corlis. In third, Zaria, Raleigh, Savvy, Tatum, and Armada. All other placements can be found on my profile if you click on the poll!

See you all next update!