Day 3 of training/private sessions and training scores. Major filler action in the middle POVs.

GARETH ABRELL, DISTRICT TWELVE MALE

As Kiriel dismisses us from her morning speech and everyone scatters to different training stations, I reluctantly make my way to the knots and ropes. It's the only thing I haven't tried yet, and I'd hate to get into the arena, need this one skill, and kick myself for not properly using all the resources at my disposal during training.

I have until lunch. That's it. Then the private sessions with the Gamemakers- some of the trainers advised me to throw my weight around as much as possible in my fifteen minutes of solo time. They told me I could use my height to my advantage and maybe boost my score a bit. I'm not sure what 'being tall' actually offers me in the arena unless there's climbing involved, but I've decided to toss around some weights during my private session and hope it's impressive. I'll be going next-to-last, so all I really care about is standing out in some small positive way. I don't actually think I'm strong or muscular enough to call lifting weights a skill, but so it goes. I don't know what else I would do, really.

Best to keep learning while I'm able. That's what I'm here for- not the other tributes, not to show off- I need to learn and absorb everything I can to keep myself alive.

I sit at the knot tying station and do my best to focus on the selection of knots in front of me. The trainer demonstrates a process and I repeat after her, trying to loop the rope in the same manner that she does. The first few- clove hitch, figure eight- are simple enough, but my wrists and finger joints start to ache as I work on the double figure eight.

"Which of these knots is going to be the most useful in the arena?" a voice asks bluntly, and the trainer blinks in surprise, like she's not used to people asking her questions.

"Well, every style has a different purpose- ask me about a specific scenario, and I'll tell you which method would be most helpful under those circumstances."

Timoleon, from Nine, crosses his arms over his chest and grits his teeth as he thinks to himself. He looks frustrated, and I quietly relate. Everyone is a little frazzled- it's hard to think of things other than the desire to go home.

"What would be the best knot for lifting something in the air?" I offer, breaking Timoleon out of his concentration and giving the trainer something to go off of.

"A good start- you'd want to use a pulley system and a figure eight knot, like this." She wraps a length of rope around one of the bars provided for practice. "And then you could lift something heavy without needing to use as much force."

Timoleon glances over at me and nods. "Thanks. Gareth, right?"

"Yeah. And you're Timoleon. We talked briefly on the first day? At the axe throwing station?"

He nods. "Right, sorry. And it's Timo, if you don't mind."

"Timo. Got it."

He turns his attention back to the trainer. "What about if you wanted to make a snare?"

She taps a screen in front of her, which displays the layout of a rope snare. Timo looks disappointed at the outcome.

"That's more complicated than I expected. What's that knot at the base of the rope?"

I look over at the screen. "It's the one I'm working on right now!"

He grins at me. "Wanna work together and try to make one of these?" I accept his offer and the trainer watches carefully as we assemble a basic tension trap. I walk Timo through the process of tying some of the rope, and he meticulously lays out the results.

"We did it!" I cheer.

The trainer smiles as she takes our work and sticks her own arm through the loop to check our success. "Well done. Any more questions?"

I shrug, not trying to take up any more of her time, but Timo rapid-fire requests some demonstrations of more complicated devices. I rest my aching fingers as she displays some complex pieces, and absorb all the information that Timo is requesting.

He finally gets up to leave the station, and I'm suddenly disappointed at the prospect of his absence.

"Timo?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for training with me for a bit. Day One and now." It's been nice, even regarding the current situation, to be able to casually spend some time with someone. Anyone.

"No problem."

As he leaves, I curse myself for not being bold enough to request an alliance. I've watched so many others pair off during training- including Mary Sue. Timo and I worked well enough together just then- similar mindsets, naturally taking turns to speak, both of us offering and taking advice from the other.

I may have fucked up my only chance at having someone to watch my back in the Games. I hadn't really considered finding an ally until we just happened to work together but now… the opportunity may have slipped past me.

Is there time to go back and ask? Would it be weird?

I push myself away from the training station and turn around to look at the rest of the center.

I'm startled to find Timo walking right back up to me. Before I can even open my mouth, he's holding out a hand to me and speaking rapidly. "I think we could each offer the other something helpful in the Games- allies?

"Hell yes!" In an instant, the anxiety lifts off my shoulders. He had the same thought process as me! We stand awkwardly for a moment, just looking at each other. "So… what now?"

Timo shrugs. "We need to sit down and figure out a plan. Everyone else probably knows what they're doing."

MALEK TREVELIAN, DISTRICT SEVEN MALE

This would be so much easier if people hadn't paired off already. Choosing one person to try and trust feels easy compared to approaching two people who already have a set dynamic.

I sit on a bench next to the running track and look around at the Training Center, gauging my options as everyone continues to shift around. Day One I tried to meet everyone and come up with some choices, Day Two I was reminded by Linden and Holland that I actually needed to train (so train I did). Now it's Day Three, and we only have a partial day of training before the private sessions. I feel like I've wasted all my time trying to figure the others out.

I'm trying to avoid the Careers at all costs, not get tangled up in their murderous mess. The trio of the girls from Five and Six and the boy from Three almost reminds me of my younger siblings, so there's no way I can let myself get close to them even if they do seem to be the least threatening tributes here. Same goes for the pair from Eleven. Aviva and her ally Althea are a no-go, and so are Valerie and Mary Sue. The two pairs are too similar.

Out of all the rest of the tributes, District Eight keeps popping up in my mind. I thought I had settled on Sharif, but when I told Linden that at dinner last night she told me that she'd done some scouting and he wasn't interested in allies. I'm taking that at face value- why would I approach someone who doesn't want to be approached?

This is not the time to also deal with fear of rejection.

I glance around the Training Center again, scanning for Inaya and Rhea, the other girl she's been hanging out with. I spot them not too far from me, practicing some defensive moves with the knife trainers.

Aviva laughed in my face this morning when I said I was interested in allying with them— she said they offered no skills going into the Games and I might as well go in alone because the result after the bloodbath would be the same.

And that's why I don't like my district partner. This whole time, I've been trying to find people I could potentially trust, not people who could singlehandedly defeat the rest of the arena in combat. If that was my goal, I'd be begging Syko from District Six to join forces with me.

I can't let my goals get too high. I just want someone that I can trust enough to fall asleep around and know they won't ditch me the second there's a sign of trouble.

And that may be too lofty as it is. I couldn't even trust my oldest friends at home to stick by my side thanks to my family's trashed financial reputation and my dad's arrest.

The people here don't know anything about it. My reputation is a blank slate.

Then why can't I seem to find anyone? People are happily grouping up- I watch as Timoleon Cabrera and Gareth Abrell travel from station to station together. Another new development.

It's the Hunger Games. You take what you can get. People don't hate me- I just haven't reached out yet.

I'm running out of time. Damn it, Malek. Pull yourself together.

Inaya and Rhea stop for a water break. Now's my chance.

Putting on the most normal smile I can muster, I stand up and make my way over to the two girls.

"Hi." That's it? Hi? Am I stupid?

Inaya turns around and gives me a warm smile. Almost the same as Sanna's. The thought of my truest friend relaxes me and I stop holding my breath. "Nice to see you again, Malek!"

"Same to you. How are the two of you doing? How's training going?"

The two girls share a look and Inaya speaks for both of them. "It's going as well as it can be, I suppose. Learning weapons skills isn't exactly comforting, but we don't know what else to do at this point. The private sessions are supposed to be a good show for the Gamemakers, and I don't think they'll be interested in me trying to start a fire or anything!"

I grin, easing into the conversation slowly. "My mentors told me similar things- this is the chance to show off, it's about proving that you're a threat, all that fun business."

Rhea rolls her eyes. "Yeah. Fun business. Almost as 'fun' as when-"

"It's okay, Rhea, we don't need to know everything!" Inaya swiftly cuts off her ally and then offers me a slightly apologetic smile.

"Sorry, sometimes I'm just sad."

"It's all right, Rhea, nobody expects you to be happy all the time in this situation," I pat the girl from Nine gently on her shoulder. She smiles at my comfort and nods in thanks.

Inaya tugs on her training uniform to straighten it and then looks back at me. "So, Malek, what can we help you with today?" She puts on a silly customer-service voice and it makes me laugh heartily.

"Actually, yeah. I have a question for the two of you."

"Go ahead, what's up?"

My throat feels like it's closing up and I lose all of the levity that Inaya and I had just created. "I… um… just wanted to ask if… um… ah-"

"Are you interested in joining us?" Inaya queries, smoothly nudging me along and replacing my question with her own. I nod and swallow the lump in my throat. There's no turning back from this commitment. In some weird way, it feels ceremonial. Til death do us part, right?

"Yeah. Yeah, I'd really appreciate being a part of your alliance."

"Of course! You're welcome here."

She has no clue how good it feels for me to hear those words, even in the Games. I grin at my two new allies and feel the lump in my throat dissipate.

It's replaced by a new anxiety, one of worry for all three of us and the deep-seated fear of being left behind. Inaya and Rhea have had the advantage of spending an extra day getting to know and trust each other. We all get along, yes, but where do I fit in? And how do I keep not only myself, but both of them safe for as long as possible?

ALTHEA BIACHI, DISTRICT THREE FEMALE

I drop my sword and groan. Aviva and I have been training hard with our weapons of choice, preparing for the Gamemaker sessions. I'm sweaty as hell and ready for lunch. This is the best I'll ever be at sword fighting, and it's good enough for me. I pull up the collar of my training uniform to wipe the sweat off my face, relishing in how messy I must look. My parents would hate to see me like this. Even when I'm working with the personal trainer at home, it's all fresh towels and makeup and looking good while working hard.

None of that matters here, and I kind of love it.

Aviva bounds over when she sees that I've stopped training. "Are you ready for the private sessions?"

I nod. "Ready as I'll ever be- and that makes me more ready than at least half the suckers here."

Aviva laughs at that. "We'll really show them what's up when we hit the arena!"

I wish she'd stop doing that. My ally is tough, but sometimes she seems almost bloodthirsty with all her talk about winning and fighting. She's a little too eager to hit the Games.

Training has been more fun than I expected, not gonna lie, but that does not mean I'm in any way fully prepared for the Games. Swinging a sword has very little in common with killing someone.

Hate to admit it, but Aviva is way more ready to do that than I am.

"So, what do you think?" Aviva asks as we take a water break. I know what she's asking- we've been floating the idea of asking the other 'tough girls' to join us. Val and Mary Sue.

"I think yeah. Better to have them on our team from the beginning than worry about dealing with two more enemies in the arena." The fewer people who might attack us, the better. I'm ready to shake things up.

She nods. "Having a few other strong ladies on the team could put us at a major advantage. It could be the key to me winning the Games."

I'm about to make a snarky comment that Aviva shouldn't act so certain about winning, especially when I'm literally standing right here, but I settle for rolling my eyes instead. There's business to attend to.

"Time to have a little chat with the outer district volunteers?" I offer my elbow so we can walk arm in arm over to the others- a little motion of solidarity- but Aviva is already striding across the Training Center. Well, fuck me, I guess.

I hurry after her and subtly overtake her just as we reach Mary Sue and Valerie, who are getting in some strength training. Seems silly to lift weights at this point—you aren't going to gain a lot of muscle in less than a week of training, much less a day—but to each their own.

"We'd like to make you an offer," I burst out before Aviva can start talking.

Val cuts me off before I can even get going. "I don't think we're interested."

Excuse me? "You didn't even hear what I had to say!"

Mary Sue gently touches Val's shoulder. "Let's hear them out, shall we?" Awesome. I'll thank her later, when we're all friends. Val nods, letting me proceed.

"Aviva and I think it would be smart to join together- four women who have all proven ourselves as non-Career competitors in the Games. The two of us have spent more time at weapons training than anyone who isn't a part of the Pack, and you two volunteered for this shit. Together, we could be a powerful team. Any questions?"

"I don't want to draw attention to us like that," Val says, "since it could look like we're an anti-Career group. I don't want to be targeted during the bloodbath."

Aviva motions to the Careers, who are clustered together talking in hushed tones. Strategy time. "If it was the first day, I might say the same. However, it's almost the end of training. Groups have pretty much been established- this late in the game, they might not even notice that we're a group of four."

Val bites her lip. We're drawing her in. Slowly but surely. Come on, use your brain!

"Well, I'd agree to it. I certainly don't mind having more friends!" Mary Sue chirps. I nod. It's almost like she was in agreement with us from the beginning, and her opinion could easily sway Val. I like the girl from Twelve- smart, pleasant enough, and helpful. Always saying the right thing.

"I'm in, but I have a few questions." Oh hell yes, we've done it.

Aviva and Mary Sue share a look and a subtle nod. I don't know what that's about, but I can only assume it's some kind of recognition of new allies.

I offer my hand for Val to shake, but she doesn't take it yet. "Right. Questions. Go ahead?"

"We haven't really had a chance to get to know you two- tactically, I see the logic, but to be completely honest I can't trust you yet. I'm in on this condition: during the bloodbath, we pair up opposite to our initial alliances to prevent any backstabbing."

Clever girl. I can see her point. "Works for me." We shake on it, cementing our alliance of four.

Aviva cocks her head to one side. "Explain further? Opposite to our initial alliances?"

Val starts to talk, but meanwhile I can hear the girl from Nine talking to her allies nearby. She's been the same all through training- always moping about her dad or her dog or her siblings or her loneliness. It's always something, and it's always something new. I'm convinced she's faking it.

As her bleating drifts over and distracts me from my conversation, I make up my mind. "Give me a second, okay?" Aviva and Val nod curiously and their conversation hushes.

I whip around to look at this Rhea girl, and she trails off mid-whine when she sees me watching.

"Will you just shut up? Bitch, we all have trauma, you aren't special." Her jaw drops, and her allies look shocked, but none of them speak up for her.

I turn back to Val. "Sorry. You were saying?"

The girl from Ten grins. I have a feeling I'll get along with her just fine.

KEPLER MALLIS, DISTRICT FIVE MALE

As the tributes file in to the waiting room and take our assigned seats, I'm keenly aware of the fact that Loren and I haven't really spoken in days. She has her allies now and she does not want to speak to me anymore. I didn't think she'd take my decision this hard.

I'm keenly aware of a lot of things, really. First of all, that Loren is folding her arms and turning away from me, unwilling to talk even though we're seated by district. Secondly, that on my other side is Shelby Leone, one of the Careers, and she barely sees me as a human being. Next, training is over and and I didn't manage to find any allies. Lastly, I can't let that bother me during my private session if I'm going to be able to do my best. I'm going to need sponsors. Training scores are the single best predictor for sponsors. I need to pull off something that I can at least be proud of- and since I'll be the first tribute to go in after all of the Careers, it's my job to mix it up somehow. On one hand, the pressure of exceeding in weaponry is taken away… but that means I have to be good at something else. Luckily, I am. Physics is on my side here.

"District One Male, Andros Valier!" calls a Peacekeeper.

The private sessions have begun. Everyone watches silently as Andros marches through the door to where the Gamemakers await our performances.

The second the door closes behind him, Shelby leaps up from her seat and rushes over to chat with the rest of her allies.

Everyone watches, but nothing happens. The Peacekeepers make no moves to reprimand her.

The room nearly explodes into conversation as all the tributes realize we don't have to sit and wait for ages until our names are called. Loren also pops up and walks over to Everlyn, leaving me sitting alone between Shark and Syko.

Not ideal.

Syko catches me looking in his direction. "Hello."

I nod and smile nervously at him.

"Now, that's no way to greet someone who may have power over your life and death in a few days, is it? Never mind all that, I forgive you, Kepler Mallis. What are you going to do for your private session?"

I instinctually hunch my shoulders a little bit to hide my neck and stomach from Syko. I get the distinct feeling that he would kill me right now if given the chance. "Um… physics stuff. And snares."

He laughs. "Isn't that sweet! Personally, I plan to request a live animal for my session, so I can give the Gamemakers a proper demonstration of my passion for killing. Wouldn't that be incredible to watch?"

My curiosity gets the best of me. "Can you… do that? Request things?"

"You can request a sparring partner, that much I know. So I assume that you can request other things- and if I'm wrong, I'll just use the sparring partner. Avoxes are live animals of a sort."

A chill goes down my spine at his words and I try to hide how deeply it affects me. "Mmm… hah… interesting?" I manage to say.

Syko launches into a monologue and I desperately attempt to tune him out. It's not long until my private session, I can't let him scare me right now.

Who am I kidding? I'm so damn terrified. I nod along to whatever Syko is saying, hoping and praying that he doesn't notice that I'm not actually paying attention.

This is the kind of person I'll be in the arena with, and I'm all by myself. No one to watch my back, no one that can offer any kind of help if Syko came at me during the bloodbath.

I take careful note of all the groups around me. The four girls who have teamed up. The Careers. A couple pairs, a trio or two. Syko. Aspen. Sharif. Me.

Maybe I fucked up by leaving Loren and her two little friends. I think I'd rather be stuck with literal toddlers than be alone right now. Besides, Loren is from home. Neon is smart— I've seen that much for myself and Loren talks about his little gadgets all the time in our tribute housing. Everlyn… to be completely honest, is deadweight. She's nice, I suppose, but useless. It feels cruel to say it, but I'm trying to get used to the idea of the Games. Everlyn Maude has no chance of survival.

If I want to go home, everyone else in this room will have to die. Not just Everlyn who everyone but Loren has already written off. I hate it, but the truth is the truth.

Would they take me back? Would Loren work with me again? I'd be an outsider and it wouldn't be ideal but at least I wouldn't be alone.

"Don't you agree?" Syko's question catches me off guard.

Agree to what? With anyone else I'd just say yes and move on, but I doubt I actually agree with whatever Syko's just said to me. "Um… I don't think I know enough to have an opinion, honestly." The look on his face sours, and I know he knows I haven't been listening to him.

Yikes.

"Kepler!"

The voice of Calandra from Eleven is a welcome relief. She and her district partner Redmond plant themselves directly in front of me.

"Um… hi?"

"Kepler, Remond and I have a question for you." Is this what I think it is? "We've been scouting out the other tributes for a while now, and we've decided that you're trustworthy and have a lot of skills to offer." Could it be? "I know it's late, but are you interested in allying with me and Redmond?"

I have to hold myself back from jumping up and practically yelling my agreement in her face. A day ago, I might have turned my nose up at allying with two tributes younger than myself, but I'm not that stupid right now. Redmond is far more mature than Everlyn, and Calandra has the same kind energy as Loren. I'm not stupid. This is a good offer and I'd be a fool for turning down a last-minute opportunity.

A smile breaks across my face. "Yes! Of course!"

Thank God. For once, something in my favor.

CALANDRA BELMONT, DISTRICT ELEVEN FEMALE

"District Three Female, Althea Biachi!" calls out the Peacekeeper, summoning the sixth tribute for their private session.

I pull Kepler and Redmond off to the side, away from the clusters of other tributes. Now that Redmond and I have landed the third member of our alliance, we need to make plans. It worries me that we settled on Kepler and approached him so late in the game- we ran out of time during training earlier, since we were both working on our plans for the private sessions.

"Kepler, I don't mean to distract from your upcoming session, but if we're a team we need to take the little bit of time we have left together and strategize. Is that all right with you?" I ask.

"Of course, I'd want to do the same. Besides, I know what I'm doing for my session."

"Perfect. Now, Redmond and I have been thinking that we need to really focus on the countdown in the arena before the Games start to assess the situation."

"It'll be tricky because of the adrenaline," Redmond jumps in, "but I don't think it's smart to make a solid plan without considering the arena itself."

Kepler nods along eagerly. "That all makes sense- we may or may not be able to see each other, the supplies may or may not be close by. It depends on how close we are to each other, the conditions of the arena- indoor, outdoor, light, dark, whatever, and any number of other factors.

"Great. We're all on the same page. I don't think any of us want to fight, right?" The boys affirm my assumption. Good. I'm not sure how I'd feel if I had allies who were interested in the bloodbath like that. I chose Redmond for our connection to each other and when it came down to it we wanted Kepler for his intellect. There's not really a 'brawn' among us, no matter how much we joked about it.

We talk through a few possible scenarios, settling on an agreement to run, grab what's nearby if that's an option, and focus mostly on finding each other in the arena.

"District Five Male, Kepler Mallis!" Our new ally bids us a nervous goodbye and we watch as he hurries over to the door.

"So, what do you think of this new arrangement?" Redmond asks me.

I smile. "I really think we made the right choice. None of us have weapons experience, but a third person to work with can't hurt. And I'm really glad that we all seem to be in agreement." Kepler is kind and eager to listen as much as talk. That I can appreciate.

Redmond tilts his head, considering our ally. "I think he's glad that we asked. When we first walked up to him, the look on his face was just sheer gratitude, like we'd saved him from something. And then he was more than happy to agree with our plans—I think he would have nodded along to whatever we said even if he didn't agree just because he's happy to have people."

I chew on my lip. Kepler didn't seem quite that desperate to me, but Redmond has proven himself pretty good at picking out how people are feeling. "So he feels indebted to us as allies?"

"Maybe?"

"That works for me. If he's the third wheel to District Eleven, that helps with trust. I don't think he'd turn on us and that's the most important thing from an ally."

"And, when it comes down to it, he'd be easier for us to leave behind than each other."

Redmond's words unnerve me, but he's right. No new friends, just useful people.

We head back to our seats and settle in. There's still a long wait until our sessions, and with a plan worked out I feel… steady. That's it. I feel steady. No more scrambling to assess the others or find allies anymore.

I'd scramble to find allies any day if it meant the Games weren't getting closer. With training complete, there's only two days until they stick all of us in the arena. I'd been getting accustomed to the routine of training, but without that heavily structured time… reality is setting in.

I've aligned myself with Redmond and Kepler in a fight to the death. People will be betting on my chances of survival, largely based on my performance in the upcoming private session with the Gamemakers.

I focus on breathing, trying to calm myself. I wish there was a window in this room so I could look out at the sky- I don't think I've seen proper sunlight or stars since I left home. Everything in the Capitol is man-made and seems like it intentionally obscures the natural world as much as possible.

I just want to go home.

"District Eleven Male, Redmond Alderidge!"

"Good luck!" I call after my district partner as he makes his way into the other room. He turns around with a smile on his face, giving me a thumbs up.

I am glad he's here with me. Someone familiar. Someone that has the same earthy feel of home.

I'm not ready to say goodbye to him.

I gulp down the wave of fear that hits me as I look around the nearly empty room. It's just me and Twelve now. The overwhelming loneliness strikes harder than expected, I have to confess.

I focus on scraping the dirt from under my nails and trying to calm my racing pulse.

Fifteen minutes are up all too quickly. "District Eleven Female, Calandra Belmont!"

I exhale slowly and stand from my chair, legs protesting from not having moved in a while.

Mary Sue and Gareth half-glance at me. I can't imagine how much more the stress would build if I had to wait any longer.

"Hey," I say to them, "Good luck. You know, for when it's your turn."

They both smile at me, and then I turn and follow the Peacekeeper into the Gamemakers' room.

CAELLE LOVAGE, DISTRICT TWO FEMALE

"For Andros Valier of District One, a score of eleven!"

"A what?" I snap, staring in utter disbelief.

"An eleven!" Cyrus gapes at the television screen. An eleven is practically unheard of! Andros managed to pull that off?

Eliana gets a ten, which is incredible in its own right, but I'm almost dizzy thinking about Andros's score.

"For Cyrus Augustin of District Two, a score of nine!"

"Oh, sweet!" Cyrus says, settling back in his plush chair as Tiberius and Agate congratulate him.

My photo comes up on the screen and as I hear Octavius announce my name I'm begging the universe, myself, the Gamemakers, anyone that I'll be able to pull off the same as Andros. Or even more desperately, a perfect score. I'm the best one here. I have to be.

"-ten!"

Fuck. The rest of our little District Two contingency cheers and Agate leans over to give me a celebratory pat on the shoulder, but I angrily brush away her hand.

"Is something wrong?" Tiberius asks. I shrug and slump back against the couch, folding my arms across my chest. I won't cry over a ten. I won't. A ten is good. Really good- there have been plenty of years where no one scored that high.

But Eliana got a ten. And Andros fucking Valier got a fucking eleven.

Shark gets a nine and and Shelby gets an eight, surprising no one that she's the least invested and skilled out of our alliance, but I can't bring myself to focus on any of the other scores. As soon as I see that stupid Syko from stupid Six scores an eight, I ditch the watch party and storm back to my room. Only two points above some idiot from the outer districts?

A ten is good. A ten is a score to be proud of. The Academy back home is probably thrilled for me. And Cyrus, but mostly me.

I'm the leader. I took charge. I showed my skill and my leadership and my drive for three days straight, and I didn't even get the highest score? I showed off flawless combat skills, didn't have a single misstep in my private session, and even worked with multiple weapons. What could Andros have done that I didn't achieve? Is it because he's physically stronger? Did they like him better because he went first? Did I get critiqued more harshly for going later, or even because I'm a woman? I sure fucking hope not. But at the same time, that would mean we were at least equal and it was the Gamemakers' fault and not mine.

I have to be the best. I've been proving my worth to this alliance for days and it's worked so well. Is Andros going to try and question my authority? Will I lose hold on the others? Will Eliana start thinking she's better than me?

This should be a moment of validation and pride from the highest possible authority. But thanks to that damn score of eleven, it's not. I would be satisfied if he had gotten a ten or if we had tied. But he beat me. Someone beat me.

Are they going to figure out how much of me is bark and not bite?

No. I can't let that happen. This is just scores. The Games are what matters. Scores stop mattering the second the killing starts, and when the dust dies down I'll be on top. I'll win. I have to.

"Hey, Caelle?" Cyrus knocks on my door.

"Come in." I clench my jaw to hide my shakiness.

He enters cautiously, holding a small plate of food and a piece of paper. "I brought you some celebratory snacks."

I manage a small smile and graciously accept the plate of teacakes he offers me. "Thank you. You did pretty well yourself."

"Eh, good enough."

"So, what else have you got there?" I motion to the sheet of paper.

Cyrus grins. "Oh, I thought you might like to know the rest of the results. I didn't want you to miss out, after all."

I flop backwards on my bed and groan. "Great. What did I miss? Anything actually important?"

"In terms of high scores from the outer districts, not a lot. Aviva from Seven got a seven, ironically, and Mary Sue got an eight, same as Syko." Ugh, just what I need. What's probably the highest average of scores ever, bringing down the relative value of my ten.

"And same as Shelby."

Cyrus shrugs. "It's okay, doesn't really matter."

I shoot him a look. "What do you mean, doesn't really matter?"

He pops one of the teacakes in his mouth and speaks as he chews, sending out a small cloud of powdered sugar into the air. Ew. "They're skill numbers based on fifteen-minute slots, they don't necessarily mean that much. We already knew who else was a threat before the scores, and all they did was prove how awesome we are as a group."

"And they mean sponsors. Personal sponsors, not group. And that could be life or death. This whole situation is life or death, Cyrus."

"I know. Jeez. But these? Just numbers, honestly."

Just numbers? "You could at least pretend to give a shit."

"Excuse me?"

"You could at least act like you have some degree of professionalism? Some basic understanding of game theory?"

"Caelle, what's your problem?"

I stand up and shove him out of my room. "My problem, Cyrus, is you acting like you don't care about this! You fucking chose to be here at the last minute. It's literally life or death, and those 'just numbers' can help us survive later on when we could be sick or starving or hurt! You're a fucking idiot for thinking this is some casual arrangement. Get it through your head- twenty three people are going to die, and I intend to be the Victor. You could at least try to do the same. If not for yourself, for Two."

He stands there, looking like a kicked puppy, before shaking his head and leaving me alone.

I slam my door behind him. I may not have scored the highest out of my alliance, but it's clear that I still need to be in charge. A ten is good enough for me, because I know I can still win.

Cyrus doesn't get it. They wouldn't do scores if they were just numbers. I see the implications, he doesn't. When it comes down to it between me and Andros… that's when the training scores become meaningless numbers.

Hey y'all, I'm back. It's busy season for a lot of people, me included! Took some time to finish some personal business and now I'm back and ready to roll!

Training scores vary wildly from writer to writer- some people give the average tribute a 6, some would give the same tribute a 4. My average score tends to be a 5. It just depends on how a writer views the scoring process! I also have no interest in showing all the tribute scores in the story itself because that often makes for a boring POV.

For ease of access, here's the full list of training scores. It will go up on the blog shortly.

Andros Valier (11), Eliana Schaefer (10), Cyrus Augustin (9), Caelle Lovage (10), Neon Tesla (4), Althea Biachi (6), Shark Mason (9), Shelby Leone (8), Kepler Mallis (5), Loren Asou (3), Syko Le Heisenberg (8), Everlyn Maude (2), Malek Trevelian (5), Aviva Nightshade (7), Sharif Nafti (5), Inaya Stratton (4), Timoleon Cabrera (6), Rhea Greer (3), Aspen McKinley (6), Valerie Wang (5), Redmond Alderidge (4), Calandra Belmont (4), Gareth Abrell (5), Mary Sue Jamison (8)

Confirmed Alliances:

1- Eliana, Andros, Caelle, Cyrus, Shelby, Shark

2- Kepler, Calandra, Redmond

3- Neon, Loren, Everlyn

4- Althea, Aviva, Valerie, Mary Sue

5- Malek, Inaya, Rhea

6- Timo, Gareth

Loners- Syko, Sharif, Aspen

Who all has gotten hold of the new Hunger Games prequel? Here's my thoughts (just in case you've been waiting to hear my onion): The Hunger Games fandom has progressed past the need for Suzanne Collins.

Questions:

As a tribute creator/writer/reader, what questions do you still have about SYOTs? (If possible I can address certain things through PM or in future A/Ns.)

What do you think of the final alliance list?

Drop a review and let me know!