Pontiki Aror, 16, District 5 Female
Kollene tells me to at least eat something before they reveal the scores, but the thought of food makes me nauseous. My mentor slides a sandwich in front of me, and I stare at it intently.
"Get something in your stomach. I won't let you starve." Her coaxing is only amplifying the darkness I feel inside.
Rula had won. She became a well-known environmental scientist and was adored by all of Five for her contributions not only to the district but to all of Panem. Among people in the biology department, she was a household name. She was even given a lab in the Capitol.
I, on the other hand, was only given a spot at the conveyor belt where I assembled solar panels. It was the same work, over and over, until my knuckles began to bleed and my fingernails were turned to dust. It didn't end until a sudden factory explosion put me out of my misery.
"What kind of private session is that?" Tarinth asks when I reveal to her what really happened to make me so upset. Kollene gasps slightly. Ethan just chuckles.
"I don't know why you're so spooked, Tiki. It wasn't that bad." Ethan's indifference, as well as his use of that insufferable pet name, only incenses me further.
"What did I say about calling me that?!" If I wasn't so physically drained I probably would have lunged at him.
Part of me wants to flee to the District 6 flat so I could at least be with the one friend I've made this week. I hope Aston isn't handling the aftermath of those horrible sessions as badly as I am, because if we're going to be a good team in the Games, we both have to be in a stable mindset. I'm positive I'll be able to shake this off like a bad dream, but Aston seems more delicate.
On the TV there's an hour-long build up to the revealing of the private session scores. The entire Capitol media seems to just be hyperactive preludes to something terrible. How would they score us, anyway? Would we be graded on how well we handled being under pressure? I pride myself on always getting good grades but my last test might be one I'm unable to pass. I certainly seemed content with the fate that dream sentenced me to. I didn't fight it, or attempt to escape the factory.
Kollene assures me I'll get a decent enough score.
"Scores are worthless, besides for a few sponsors, but these days they judge based on character, not some silly assigned number," Kollene informs me, which makes me sigh in relief. The lower the score, the better, because then people won't think I'm special and target me in the bloodbath. I'm sure my wits will impress a few people when I'm in the actual arena. Or maybe they'll think my relationship with Aston is heartwarming. It annoys me to have to constantly be worrying about my image and what other people think of me, something I've tried to ignore for years, but it's instantly become a matter of life and death. Being someone I'm not is much better than dying.
Finally, it's 6:00, and they're beginning the broadcast to reveal the scores. We all hurry to the couch, with Kollene sitting by me and Ethan snuggling close to Tarinth. Our escort sinks down into the plush green chair off to the side, a martini in her hand.
Ethan asks if I'm nervous, and as if on cue my stomach starts to get that familiar pit that comes whenever standardized test scores are about to be revealed. Did I outscore everyone, or do only second-best? I know I'm not going to get the highest score out of everyone, in this case, but part of me is still anxious at the thought of people judging my scores, even if they are just strangers rather than my classmates.
They're showing footage of the tributes training, mainly of the Careers at the weapons stations. A few more shots pass of girls talking together in a group at the rock wall when one picture makes my breath catch in my throat. A picture of Aston and I reading together in the library, accompanied by the shot of us at the cozy café sipping tea generates a confused stare from Kollene.
"Uh, Pontiki, you call that training?" Thankfully she seems good-natured about it. Even I know there isn't much point in getting angry at a tribute you're mentoring.
The seal of Panem appears on the screen and my heart drops further.
Aemilia Marsay, 31, Head Gamemaker
The document in my hand is smooth, flat, unassuming, but its contents are sacred. Most of Panem will expect simple numbers to be assigned to the tributes, and they'll get them. But for me, as well as the other Gamemakers, we have the exact information we need to know exactly what to throw at these tributes in the arena.
Not many of them thought to write down any notes, mostly preferring to recline back and watch, but considering twenty-four children were observed, it's easy to forget the performances of some of them. Luckily, I never let a tribute slip my mind.
Vinna Hegarty, age 18, District 1 Female
Positive traits: Determined, Confident, Skilled
Negative traits: Narcissistic, Hard-headed, Manipulative
Tribute has the air of a villain but she, like everyone else, is human and her mortality will be incredibly apparent should she perish.
Fear: Cats
Coilee Undergaze, age 18, District 2 Female
Positive traits: Amiable, Good-natured, Underdog
Negative traits: Half-hearted, Hesitant, Meek
Tribute has a chip on her shoulder due to her non-status, but was still allowed in the Career pack because of her skill. Will have to prove herself and watch for betrayal.
Fear: Losing her family
Albert Hade, age 16, District 3 Male
Positive traits: Intuitive, Clever, Determined
Negative traits: Attached to another tribute, Physically weak
Tribute has the typical wits of tributes from District 3 but his attachment to his district partner may be problematic. May be more determined to protect his partner than himself.
Fear: Academic failure
Azure Copenhagen, age 18, District 4 Female
Positive traits: Cheerful, Has leadership qualities, Loyal
Negative traits: Neurotic, Overthinker, Talkative
Tribute is one of the favorites this year, but has traits of being deranged. Is cheerful enough and brings an air of optimism to a rather solemn Career pack.
Fear: Insects
Aslan Dreadstorm, age 18, District 4 Male
Positive traits: Strong, Nimble, Hard-working
Negative traits: Solemn, Unfeeling, Bad-Tempered
Tribute is the leader of the Alpha Career pack this year, considering the absence of any kind of Beta group that could challenge them. Is stony-faced and serious, will have to keep his cool and be a good leader.
Fear: Drowning
Pontiki Aror, age 16, District 5 Female
Positive traits: Witty, Studious, Clever
Negative traits: Cold, Light-minded, Anti-social
Tribute seems to have a somewhat weak conscience when it comes to high-pressure situations. Is intelligent but will have to apply themself in the arena or their wit won't go far.
Skips out on training. Boo.
Fear: Dead-end career
Aston Shinjin, age 14, District 6 Female
Positive traits: Sly, Nimble, Hardened from past trauma
Negative traits: Traumatized, Sickly, Weak
Poor girl.
Fear: Her father (note to self: contact the mayor of Six to have Baxter Shinjin immediately flogged.)
Indy Carmedas, age 16, District 6 Male
Positive traits: Friendly, Athletic, Daring
Negative traits: Reckless, Meek, a little uninspired
Tribute drove race cars for fun, it seemed, and like anyone who is a race car driver their main fear is of crashing. Luckily there are no cars in the arena so he should do well enough…
Fears: Crashing
Magnolia Salix, age 18, District 7 Female
Positive traits: Fearless, Brave, Noble
Negative traits: Sense of Invincibility (common for a firefighter), Guiltiness
Tribute hailed from a very noble profession so has a sense of honour-bound nobility. This doesn't really get far in the arena (at all) so they might have to accept not being the hero anymore.
Fears: Burning or seeing others burn
Altaïr Muhammed, age 12, District 9 Male
Positive traits: Nimble, Quick
Negative traits: Small stature, Physically weak
Tribute is a typical twelve-year-old on the surface but he seems to be much deeper in terms of his maturity and personality. Understands the finality of death while also possessing the innocent 'invincibility' of adolescence.
Fear: Dying
Nerezza Elsera, age 16, District 9 Female
Positive traits: ?
Negative traits: Goddess complex, Overconfident, Delusional
I'm not sure about this one. According to her I belong as a servant in the underworld, serving her. I'll hold her to that.
Fear: Not being a goddess anymore
Salalai Ashaisse, age 17, District 10 Female
Positive traits: Hardened from past trauma
Negative traits: Mentally ill, Unfocused
Tribute suffered from a multiple personality disorder of sorts but arranged for medication to suppress this. Will be provided such medication at launch that should last for two weeks. I hope a sponsor will be kind enough to provide another dose should she last longer than two weeks.
Fear: Abuse
Ryker Haynes, age 17, District 10 Male
Positive traits: Strong, Hard-working, Athletic
Negative traits: A bit of a target to the Careers.
Tribute is well-mannered and handled his simulation well. He has the energy of being an underdog but his success depends on him avoiding the Career pack at all costs. His alliance with a brother and sistee could also prove to be a bit of a problem.
Fear: Losing his family
Andrew Rodriguez, age 17, District 11 Male
Positive traits:
Negative traits:
Tribute has a definite fear of needles. Maybe his session wouldn't have been so pokey if he didn't pull off that little stunt…
Fear: Needles (smiles maniacally)
Lilac Rafflesia, age 16, District 12 Female
Positive traits: Noble, kind-hearted, desenstized to death
Negative traits: Attached to her brother
Tribute, unfortunately, has a twin brother, which is never a good combination in the Games. Heavens forbid them being the final two. Would probably be willing to abandon Ryker in favour of her brother.
Fear: Losing Damon
Corinna Alcantara, 29, Capitol Broadcaster
There's a bunch of hustle and bustle as we all prepare for the much-awaited revealing of the private scores, the kind of energy I've always loved about the Games.
However, as I was applying a layer of my most beautiful lavender lipstick, I nearly had a heart-attack when I suddenly saw Aemilia behind me.
"For Snow's sake, don't sneak up on a woman like that! You're lucky I didn't have a knife!"
Aemilia's face remains still as she hands me a piece of paper that I'm assuming contains the private sessions scores.
"Finally. For a second I thought I'd have to make up the scores myself," I tell her as I grasp the paper in my hand.
"Who says you can't," Aemilia says wistfully. I chuckle but she looks strangely serious. "In fact, after today, I've never thought scores were more obsolete."
I raise my eyebrow at her. "Uhm… what do you mean? Tributes show their skills and are graded for it, just like every year."
Aemilia laughs, a hollow, humourless sound. She gives me a strange look that I'm unable to decipher.
"We did things a little differently this year." I'm about to ask her to elaborate when I'm suddenly called back. The program was beginning in three minutes.
"You're weird," I tell her as she slinks out of the studio like a snake. I sit down at the desk, neatly placing the sheet containing the scores down on the desk. I look down at it, my curiosity consuming me.
ARMAHNI HOLM, D1 MALE: 8
VINNA HEGARTY, D1 FEMALE: 10
KYLE CONNOR, D2 MALE: 9
COILEE UNDERGAZE, D2 FEMALE: 8
ALBERT HADE, D3 MALE: 7
SOPHIA VARITY, D3 FEMALE: 5
ASLAN DREADSTORM, D4 MALE: 10
AZURE COPENHAGEN, D4 FEMALE: 10
ETHAN MARIAH, D5 MALE: 4
PONTIKI AROR, D5 FEMALE: 5
INDY CARMEDAS, D6 MALE: 7
ASTON SHINJIN, D6 FEMALE: 5
GARRETT HIGASHIOKA, D7 MALE: 4
MAGNOLIA SALIX, D7 FEMALE: 8
BROCADE MORA, D8 MALE: 3
ESTHER YARNELLE, D8 FEMALE: 6
ALTAÏR MUHAMMED, D9 MALE: 5
NEREZZA ELSERA, D9 FEMALE: 6
RYKER HAYNES. D10 MALE: 7
SALALAI ASHAISSE, D10 FEMALE: 3
ANDREW RODRIGUEZ, D11 MALE: 7
SIXTINE SHOGANA, D11 FEMALE: 6
DAMON RAFFLESIA, D11 MALE: 5
LILAC RAFFLESIA, D12 FEMALE: 6
…
Noticing some lettering on the opposite side of the sheet, too, I flip it over.
Aemma Marsay's Mock Hunger Games
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
24th: Ethan Mariah (5M)
23rd: Altaïr Muhammed (9M)
22nd: Salalai Asshaise (10F)
21st: Aston Shinjin (6F)
20th: Sophia Varity (3F)
19th: Brocade Mora (8M)
18th: Garrett Higashioka (7M)
17th: Kyle Connor (2M)
16th: Pontiki Aror (5F)
15th: Damon Rafflesia (12M)
14th: Sixtine Shogana (11F)
13th: Esther Yarnelle (8F)
12th: Lilac Rafflesia (12F)
11th: Nerezza Elsera (9F)
10th: Coilee Undergaze (2F)
9th: Andrew Rodriguez (11M)
8th: Indy Carmedas (6M)
7th: Ryker Haynes (10M)
6th: Azure Copenhagen (4F)
5th: Aslan Dreadstorm (4M)
4th: Armahni Holm (1M)
3rd: Magnolia Salix (7F)
2nd: Albert Hade (3M)
1st: Vinna Hegarty (1F)
I can't help but laugh. I've seen and broadcasted plenty of mock Hunger Games since the Reapings a few days ago, but I haven't seen a child make one. It's a little peculiar to see a child's drawings decorating a page that shows what Aemma thinks will be the order in which these kids die. My amused expression is the first thing people see as the broadcast hits the air.
Indy Carmedas, 16, District 6 Male
I'm practically giddy. I really scored a seven. It wasn't a Career-level score or anything, but it was above average for sure.
"Congratulations," Aston says quietly, seeming downcast. She appeared to be pleased at her rather average score of five, but now seems a little envious.
I'm kind of confused how I even earned it.
"You told me earlier, remember?" Alysanne reminds me. "You said you went through some sort of simulation of escaping a burning car. They must have been impressed by that."
"Peculiar sessions," Lancia mumbles. I remember bits and pieces of what transpired earlier but it's beginning to slip my mind like an oil leak. I do remember being scared out of my mind when I returned to the flat. If I really did dream about crashing my car, that's definitely not something I'd like to remember.
Later, as I'm lying in the king-size bed, my mind flocks to tomorrow. The thought of giving an interview to all of Panem horrifies me slightly, because I've never been a good public speaker. At least Ethan is going before me. He can provide me with a sort of 'example' of how I should approach the questions. I just hope I don't stumble over my words, the ultimate catalyst to a forgettable interview.
Wait, what am I even saying? Here I am worrying about making a bad impression for a bunch of colorful Capitol lunatics when the bloodbath is literally the following morning.
At least I'll have a chance to go out in style.