Tris POV:

Soon after the splotchers' mess was cleaned up by the elves, we all huddled by the centre of the room, where Katniss began explaining the rules of the marks we would get.

Today, as I gathered from the information Katniss gave us, we would all be asked to enter a room with the people who would give us our marks one by one, and then we would show them our strengths somehow, using the materials in the room.

What I would do was still a mystery to myself; I didn't know what my greatest strengths were. Four would probably do some sword fighting or something, but for me, I guess my greatest strengths were facing my fears. Would there be a syringe for fear simulations in the room? If there wasn't, then I would have to think of something else to do— I just didn't know what else.

Katniss had explained that the people would mark us in scores from one to twelve, one being the lowest and twelve the highest. I realised how unsteady I was about this at this moment, when I was worried about everything: would they think Four and I were useless? What mark would I get, and where did I stand in the line of all twenty-four people competing?

Fingers crossed, I moved closer to Tobias, who seemed to be as nervous as I was.

"Do you think there'll be syringes in the room?" He asked, echoing my earlier thought.

"I hope so, I don't know what else I would do," I replied.

His jaw locked and he went back into his state of concentration; creases forming at his forehead.

What had also been explained, was the order of when we were tested. Usually, as Katniss had said, they would call us first male, then female, from districts one through twelve, though this time, we had no districts. I could only hope Four and I weren't first.

The room was joined by the wizards, who were outside to confer and practice or something. Prepare. That was what I was trying to do in my mind, though my thoughts were clouding over by the panicked feelings in the air around the room. The room was in pin-drop silence now, everyone's hearts beating in a quiet rhythm that sounded quite loud in these walls.

Just then, the loudspeaker on top of us, on the ceiling, boomed. "Peeta Mellark," it said.

I breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't my turn first. Everyone made space for Peeta to move, and Katniss gave his hand a squeeze before he went through the door.

Peeta POV:

As I walked through the door, I thought of what I could do differently this time. Something that'll prove all my strengths and talents. My gut wrenched with nervousness when I stepped forward; even if I'd done this before, it didn't get any better to show your talents against your will, to wicked people who watch you die for entertainment.

In my panicky thoughts, I hadn't realised I now stood in the centre of the room. With a deep breath, I went over to the weight section. Gripping a heavy one in my clammy hands, I aimed for the sticks and launched the weight. My muscles strained and sweat built up in my back as a grasped the second one, and aimed it a bit further. Both struck their target.

Murmurs from the stage broke out, and I hoped I could find a way to hear what they were saying. With a surge of determination, I went back to the weights.

That was when I got an idea. I rushed to the weight section again, and grabbed two weights, hooking one through my fingers in my left hand, and the other through my right. I swung them up, once, twice, three times; they flung off my hands, and both crashed through the last and furthest set of sticks.

My arms went back to my sides, thankful for the break. Sweat dripped down my face as well; the fan in the corner produced refreshing air, so as subtly as I could, I turned my head toward it. The cool air blew across my face, lasting only a few seconds before I looked away.

Satisfied, I turned toward the judges. Some of their faces were encouraging, others scrunched up or turned away. I bent my head and strolled out of the room, leaving the judges to confer in titters behind me. My heart was beating heavily in my chest, though my sweat receded. The anxiety I got from waiting for my mark twisted through my gut, making my heart beat faster.

Everyone could probably throw those weights. What I had done wasn't something memorable for them. But I had thrown two at the same time, both landing on the furthest target, I argued back to myself.

As the door closed behind me, I walked over to the bench, my footsteps echoing loudly in the room. I took my place beside Katniss, who would be called in a few seconds for her turn. The Hunger Games had finally, officially started. Well at least the part outside the arena.

Sorry I haven't updated in a really long time; I promise I'll keep updating more frequently though. I'm just working on my other story- completely my own this time. Maybe I'll publish it on fanfiction press after, if anyone's interested. For now, enjoy! :)