Chapter 10: When I Proved Myself

Everything was on the line.

Tonight was my time with the gamemakers and I was really nervous. I had fifteen minutes to show them that I was more than just a helpless little girl that was going to die in the bloodbath. I may have looked small and weak at the Reaping, but I think people remembered Ryder and I after the Tribute Parade. If I get a good score tonight, that will make more people want to sponsor and help Ryder and me in the games. If my score is too high, then others may see me as a threat, so I don't want to aim too high. However, if I don't aim high enough, than no one will want to help me save Ryder. And saving him is the only thing I want.

I sit in the waiting room in my assigned seat, exactly where I would've chosen anyways - right next to Ryder. He's as nervous as me, if not more so. I'm holding his hand and it's really sweaty, and it's also shaking.

"You're going to be fine Ryder. You're the strongest person I've ever met and I know the gamemakers are going to see that," a cold sweat has broken on his forehead and I wipe it away. Instead of responding, he just kisses me. I honestly don't know why he's so concerned, he is so very strong and I know he will do great things. Even though we're from an outer district, I hope we get the attention and respect we deserve from the gamemakers.

That will be quite a task, seeing as we're towards the end of the list of tributes. It goes in order of districts, with the male preceding the female for each. Everyone from Victor to Prunus is already finished and back in their rooms. Eretria has already went in for her session, next will be Stitch, and it will continue all the way to Ryder and me - with four more tributes after us. The farther on the list gets, the more drunk the gamemakers become. I've heard through the grapevine that last year one of the gamemakers passed out before he even got to judge the District Twelve Female. She ended up with a score of three by the others still conscious, and later died in the bloodbath. I just hope that those watching me are in good enough condition to see my worth.

Ryder soon goes in to the room and I am left alone with the four others that are still waiting. Before he leaves, he gives me a wink and I blow him a kiss, just for good luck. I have a feeling that he will do very well and Dawn and Colt will be proud of him. Over the past few days I've really connected with her and she has told me that Colt has never cared this much about his tribute before. He and Ryder have a lot in common and I think they were a perfect match. Fifteen minutes seems to fly by and Ryder walks out of the room with an avox. I run up to him and hug him tightly, though we don't have time to speak as he gets pulled away right after.

I am now once again in a room with only Callie, Carlos, Soya, and am sadly sitting next to Archer. He's been giving me evil eyes ever since Ryder left the room and they chill me to the bone. It freaks me out to think that he will be dead in a few weeks, just like me if I want Ryder to live. I would never wish death on any of the tributes, not even him.

"Ready sweetheart?" He says giving me a similar wink as my boyfriend had done minutes ago.

"I will be once you leave me alone," he looks a bit shocked that I stood up to him. They call my name to go inside and I feel him untie my shoe, the minutes he's not looking I tie it back and am ready to fight.

I walk into a room filled with many gamemakers, and I'm feeling very scared. I wish Ryder was here but I know that this is something I have to do on my own.

"Hi I'm Addy and I'm from District Ten!" I say sweetly, just as Dawn and I had practiced. We decided I should go in with an adorable personality that would make them think I am a cute little kid, and then we'd surprise them with my skills.

I head over to the bow and arrow station, ready to show them what I can do.

The first arrow I shoot lands in a red circle, which is good, but not great. Yellow is in the center, then red, blue, black, and lastly white. My next arrow lands in the blue circle, and I don't show how upset I am. I use that as fuel for my next shot, which I land in the yellow zone! I get quite excited about this, but once again show no emotion externally. I shoot six more arrows, two landing in the red and four in the yellow. Before I leave the room, I thank the gamemakers and I leave with an avox, who sends me on the elevator into my room.

I wonder what they thought of me. Most fourteen year olds in the past are too scared out of their mind to attempt using a weapon. The farthest someone my age has ever gotten in the games was fifth place where he died of dehydration. It's hard being compared to people so much older than you, but hopefully I made a good enough impression to get somewhat of a decent score. I'll have to wait until tonight to find out. I wonder if it will be close to the others. I know Ryder's score will be quite high, but I don't want to be too much lower than him.

What if my score is so low that no one will want to sponsor Ryder and I?

I'm so close to the games and I just realized it! I just have two more chapters planned before we get to the bloodbath! Happy New Year's Eve, by the way!

Yours Truly,

CuriousClove :)