The First Annual Hunger Games

by Callidora Medea

Following the Dark Days, the President of Panem announces the beginning of the Hunger Games. District 4 girl, Cass, District 1 girl, Silver, and District 7 girl, Oak, are all thrown into the turmoil that is the first Hunger Games, and must choose their alliances; decisions that can mean life or death in the arena. All intend to win. But there can be only one victor.

15. Chapter 15- The Private Sessions

Chapter 15.–Oak Peacewood

I stare at the opposite wall as my bed, dreading going down to the training gymnasium. Today is the day we have our private sessions with the Gamemakers, and I can't really do anything that's going to get me a good score. Vibius told me that the higher the score you get in your private session the better chance you have of getting a sponsor to help you through the games. And I'm going to desperately need a sponsor.

Aldar comes in. "Are you ready for the day?" he asks. I shake my head. "I want to go home, Aldar," I say. "And you will. I know you will." I give him a weak smile and a hug. "Come on, let's go down, it's almost ten." "Already?" I ask. He nods. "Okay, let me get dressed." After Aldar leaves I ask the wardrobe to give me clothes like I'd wear in District 7: a green shirt and black pants, with ankle boots. I braid my hair back, to keep it out of my face. "Are you ready? Get out here you're going to be late!" Orden says. Reluctantly I leave my room and head straight for the elevator. "Finally!" Orden says.

The doors open and everyone is already training. Aldar goes over and starts on the obstacle course. I stand there until I notice that the camouflage station is abandoned, so I go over. The trainer helps me paint my arm into stone. I stare in wonder at it. "That's pretty neat," I say. "You're good at it," she replies with a smile. After that I go and throw some axes around; I'm pretty good with them, of course. Lunch comes early and ends early, because right after lunch are the private sessions.

Cass Oceansong

I'm biting my nails again, waiting to go into the training gymnasium for my private session. I hope I can impress the Gamemakers enough to get a good score. I don't know what I'm going to do; knot tying isn't very impressive. "Volt Wellhorn." The skinny seventeen year old boy from District 3 gets up and awkwardly walks into the room. The door closes behind him. Two more then me. Rigg sits stony faced beside me, staring at his hands. Twenty minutes pass, give or take a few. The District 3 boy leaves and his partner, Keek, is called in. Twenty more minutes. "Rigg Watershire." I watch Rigg walk away and into the room. My nails are stubs now. Rigg comes back out, still stony faced. "Cass Oceansong." I get up nervously and enter the room.

I walk in and look around. What should I do? Then I remember my almost disastrous spear throwing; I wasn't that bad at it. I had pretty good aim, actually, considering I almost hit Buck with it. So I head over to the spear station. I pick up one of the weapons and throw it. Kerthunk. Bullseye. I grin widely, looking at the quivering spear in the direct center of the target. I pick up another spear and throw it, this time at a dummy ten feet away. The spear rips the fabric, right in the center of the dummy's chest. Another bullseye. Of course, I think. I've used a trident all my life. It's the same thing, only with one point instead of three. I continue to throw spears at different targets until one of the Gamemakers say, "You can go." I bow and say, "Thank you." Then I leave. As I walk out and head towards the elevator I give Willow a thumbs up. Before I get in the elevator I hear them call the District 5 boy: "Link Skyhill." Then the doors close and I am heading up to my room.

Silver Bellcreek

I'm second up and I'm not even nervous. Glow comes out empowered and confident. I give him a high five. "Silver Bellcreek." I stand up and walk into the room, heading straight for the archery section. I pick up the silver arrows and put one into the bow. I pull the string back and hit the center of the target first try. I shoot again and again, missing only a few shots. I feel confident and proud of my abilities, and know that I will get a good score. Then I aim higher and hit the wall right near the ceiling. I've put my mark on the room. "You may go." I turn to face the Gamemakers. "Thank you," I say, and stride out.

"Good luck!" I tell my allies on my way up. I look at each of the tributes and how they look; Curia looks eager to go in, while the District 4 girl, Call or whatever her name is, looks like she's going to pass out. The District 12s don't look too eager either. I press the elevator button and get in, shooting up aways until we get to the first floor. Then I go into my room and take a nap.

Oak Peacewood

Axes. I suck at everything here but the axes, and even then I'm not that good. I think about that day in the woods with Aldar, when I threw that ax into the trees. I'm so nervous that my aim is off. Then I get angry that my aim is off, and at the whole situation. I'm not a trained dog performing tricks! I pick up another ax and this time I throw it with as much force as I can at the wall. It lands deep within the wall, leaving a large gash. I'm not the first one to throw something at the wall though, I can see where an arrow hit the wall near the ceiling, and where something, maybe a weight, has dented it. I've run out of axes. I'm so mad I pick up anything I can get my hands on and throw it, knives, weights, even a bow. I stomp over to the camouflage station and pick up a pot of red dye. I throw it at the wall, watch it smash. "Alright, you may go," says one of the Gamemakers. I say nothing, but walk out. As I reach the door I turn around and look at the wall, and see the rivulets of red paint running down it. Like blood.