A Hunger Games Story Chapter 7
The tributes were all sent to an empty hallway and waited for their name to be called. They went in chronological order, starting with the careers and moving down the districts. Boys went first for each district. When Adam went in the room, Emily's foot began tapping rapidly.
"It's okay." Rue said, sitting by her. "Whatever score you get from the test, it will be okay."
Emily gave Rue a confused look. "How is getting a low score good?"
"If you get a low score, you won't be seen as a threat in the game, and the other tributes won't go after you." Rue said.
Emily started to smile when a voice on the intercom called her name. She stood up slowly and walked into the room. In the big open space, the game makers were up in their own separate room watching her below. She looked at all her options. There was a bow resting by a dozen arrows. There was a tall diagram of a human with target spots for the heart and head. Emily glanced at the table with hunting knives.
She walked over to the table and grabbed a few knives. She held three knives in her hands, putting two behind her and one firmly in her hand. Emily stood about fifteen feet from the diagram. She held the first knife by the handle and lifted her arm. Emily narrowed her eyes and threw the knife. It hit the upper leg on the diagram.
The put another knife in her dominant hand and threw it towards the diagram. It landed in the middle of the upper arm, right in the center.
Emily moved her hand over across her back and put the last knife in her dominant hand. She lift her hand up and threw it at the diagram, landing in the other upper leg.
She stepped back and awaited their reaction. They game makers looked bored and disappointed. Is that it? No feedback? Not even a 'thank you.' I hit the target every time. I hit arteries! Do they only care about heat shots?
Emily left the room feeling disappointed herself. So much build up to this test and it was so impersonal.
Before Thresh came in for his test, Seneca Crane took another look a the diagram.
"What is it?" One game maker asked.
"She was so sure about herself. She looked proud of how they knives landed here..." Seneca said.
"She threw it at limbs. Didn't even hit the heart or head." A game maker said.
"Those aren't the only fatal throws." Seneca said. "That's not what she was aiming for." He realized.
"Then what?" Another game maker asked.
"The arteries." Seneca said. "She hit them all with each throw."
The game maker looked at the diagram and eyed Seneca, sharing an intrigued glance.
An hour later, the results of their test was shared live on TV. Caesar Flickerman read each tributes result aloud, one a scale of 1 to 12. The tributes went up to their rooms To hear the results. "From District 10, Adam Scott with a score of 6." Caesar said.
"Aw," Ainsley said, sympathetically. It came off of patronizing though.
Adam looked down and had a pissed off expression on his face.
"And Emily Kanin with a score of 8." Caesar said.
Emily looked up at the screen, surprised by her result. 8? Out of 12. 8 is good. It's more than I thought I would get.
"Ay, not bad." Violet said.
"I thought they didn't notice." Emily said. She smiled for a moment.
Adam shook his head and left the room.
Their stylist returned and made an exquisite outfit for the district 10 tributes. Adam was given a brown suit and Emily had a long yellow dress. Emily saw the dress on displsy in her room and slowly approached it. She reached her hand out and touched the soft fabric.
She put the dress on, in shock of how comfortable it was and how pretty it looked on her.
"I told that stylist that yellow is your color." Violet said and Emily walked into the main room. "He wanted to give you a red dress."
Emily spun around in the dress, making it lift up a little and swirl. "I've never felt fabric so soft."
"We can't afford it in 10." Violet said.
As they left the room, Violet went over to Emily and whispered, "If you win, you'll get to keep the dress. You'll get all sorts of fancy dresses."
Emily pushed her lips together and looked forward as they left the room. That hardly even matters, Violet!
Much like the test, the tributes went up one at a time on the stage with Caesar Flickerman on live TV. Each tribute waited in a time to go on. Emily watched attentively for the questions asked and the responses. The girls went up first with each district. Cato was so charasmatic out there, and so full of shit. Glimmer seemed conceited but the audience seemed to like her. Clove was cunning and seemed smart in her interview.
Caesar welcomed Emily Kanin out, following the district 9 tributes. Emily took a deep break and walked on stage. She put on a smile for the audience. Her dress flowed behind her.
Caesar greeted her and sat her down on one of the matching orange sofas. "How has this experience been for you?" Caesar asked her.
"It's been scary." Emily said, truthfully.
"I heard you had a confrontation with one of the other tributes the first day of training." Ceasar said.
Emily looked away. Not what I meant. "It's also been pretty extravagant."
"Ooh." Caesar said.
The audience smiled, approvingly.
"Yeah the meals are really nice. Back in 10 all I get for breakfast is a banana grown in our garden." Emily said.
The audience chuckled at her comment.
Emily narrowed her eyes at them. It wasn't a joke. How is that a joke?
"Any other perks of the Capitol that you've experienced?" Caesar asked.
Emily sat up in her seat. She pinched the fabric on her dress before answering. "The clothes are nice. Well, they are much brighter and softer."
The audience laughed again. Emily put on a smile in their direction.
"Let's talk about that score. An 8. Not too bad." Caesar said.
"I was surprised too." Emily said.
"Do you think that score will help you out in the game?" Caesar asked.
"Well, if not, then the test was for nothing." Emily said with a hint of sass.
The audience laughed, not picking up on it.
"Is there anything you want to say to loved ones back home?" Caesar asked.
Emily rubbed her arm and looked at the camera moving around the stage. "There's only one back home." Her eyes began to water again. "He's my best friend and I love him." She held back tears as she said, "Liam, I love you too."