Chapter 18- Dexsia Greentree

I sit back amongst the cushions on the couch, waiting for the television to turn to the results of the private sessions.

"No need to be worried," Aulus says reassuringly. "If I know you at all, I know you'll get a high score."

I smile at my mentor. I'm excited to see the scores, for my family to see the scores, and for my team here to see the scores. Maybe Gallus will finally stop worrying about me.

The screen lights up, focusing on the Capitol seal. "It's on! It's on!" I squeal, grabbing a cushion and hugging it to me.

"Well, we can agree that there's some fierce competition this year, can't we, Marcus?" says the Hunger Games announcer, Caius Glorystream to the man who typically does the interviews, Marcus Fireglen. Both are rather horribly altered, with Caius having blood red tattoos all over his face, and a narrower head than normal, and Marcus having very pointy ears, and bejeweled eyebrows.

"We certainly can, Caius! Welcome back to the 36th Hunger Games, everyone, and it's time to announce the scores of this year's tributes!"

The anthem plays first and we all sit quietly, waiting for it to be over. I really don't have the time to listen to the music; I'm too excited and jittery.

"Let's get started with our scores! First up from District 1 we have Velvet Dusksand, with a score of… 8!" Marcus announces with a too wide smile.

I nod my head; that seems right, but it's a bit scary anyway. He'll be tough to beat.

"Also from District 1 is Treasure Lockwater, with a score of… 7!"

"Your alliance is doing well so far," Victoria says with a critical eye. I shush her; it's us now.

"From District 2 we have Cossus Underthorn with a score of 7!"

Victoria thumps Cossus on the back; everyone's congratulating him on his high score. Me, it's me now, and I barely congratulate my district partner while I listen and wait.

"And also from District 2 is Dexsia Greentree, with a score of… 9!"

I whoop and Aulus slaps me on the back, shouting, "I knew it! I knew that you were going to do well!"

Cossus looks at me suspiciously, but I don't care, I got a 9! If that doesn't make my family happy, I don't know what will. I feel like dancing around the apartment.

Victoria snaps her fingers and one of the Capitol attendants rushes up. "Get us champagne and seven glasses."

Titia is absolutely thrilled, bouncing up and down on her seat. "I knew you were going to do well, both of you! Oh, this is such a wonderful year for District 2!"

"Nice going you two," Catullus says quietly, and I know he means it.

"Shush! I want to see the others!" Julia says in her high voice. So I take the glass of champagne that the attendant brings and sip it throughout the rest of the viewing.

The weak boy and the pretty twelve-year old from 3 get a 4 and a 5 respectively. Mica from 4 gets a 5, and Calypso gets an 8. That makes all high scores for my alliance, and I'm pleased and nervous at the same time. They'll be good for protection and strength in numbers, but they'll also be harder to kill later.

The big surprise of the night is the giant boy from 5 who gets a score of 10. His district partner, Alyss, gets an 8.

"Tough competition, you two," Aulus says, gesturing with his glass of champagne. "A 10 is hard to beat."

The brother and sister pair from District 6 get scores of 7 and 6. I was surprised the girl got that high a score; I didn't know she was that good at anything. Dove, what a stupid name.

Then the next picture flashes on screen of the forgettable District 7 boy, Branch, getting a score of 5, and the girl with the red curls, Cedar, gets a 7. We have some competition with some high scores, it looks like.

I finish my glass and wave off the attendant when she tries to fill it again. I don't need more than one glass, and I want to remember tonight. I need to be in top shape for the Games.

District 8 is interesting; I've been noticing them over the past few days. The boy, Fletcher, gets a 6.

"Also from District is Terra Coppersmith, with a score of… 7!"

Another 7. We'll have to focus on taking out these outliers before anything else. It's these 7s who will be the most dangerous in the arena. Except for that 10, but that's beside the point.

Then from 9 there's the boy who volunteered, Ornam, and he gets an 8.

"Lots of high scores," Titia says brightly, but I can see that Victoria's forehead is creased watching the screen.

I laugh when the little twelve-year old, Catalina, gets a 4. "She couldn't do anything!" I explain, looking at my team around me who are puzzled. "And she went into her sessions with flowers painted up her arms."

Aulus laughs a short, barking laugh. "Maybe this will drive home that she isn't going home," he says. I don't know why the kid annoys me so much, but I can't stand her.

A 6 and another 7 from the tributes from District 10, as expected. The girl is quite strong, even if she isn't much to look at. Kept to herself the whole time we were training. I finally catch her name, Sycae.

The really sickly looking boy from District 11 gets a 3, the lowest score in the Games, and the girl gets a 5. Finally, from District 12, the tall boy gets a 7, and the weak girl gets a 4.

The anthem plays again, and the television shuts off.

"You're going to have some fierce competition," Aulus says. "My advice to you is find them, and kill them as soon as you can, before they kill you. Got it?"

I nod.

"What's happening tomorrow?" Cossus asks.

"Preparing for the interviews. Cossus, you'll spend four hours with me for content and four hours with Titia on how to look good," Victoria says. "Same for you, Dexsia, but with Aulus."

"What's content?" I ask.

"Your angle. How you're going to present yourself to the sponsors."

Cossus nods. "Alright. I'll see you in the morning, I suppose," he says, then gets up to go to bed.

"You should go too, Dexsia," Victoria says, rising herself. Everyone else gets up as well.

"Goodnight," I say, starting to move towards my room. Aulus grabs my arm and holds me back, waiting for everyone else to desert the living room.

"What?" I ask, then fall silent at the fierce look on my mentor's face.

"Don't trust the boy," he hisses, jerking his head towards the hallway. "Kill him as soon as you get the chance. I want to see you home as a victor, you hear?"

I nod again.

"Kill him."

Then Aulus releases me and walks off with purpose towards his room, leaving me in the living room watching him go.

I know Cossus isn't to be trusted, and I know that none of my alliance is to be trusted long term. But now I have direct orders from my mentor to kill my district partner.

Cossus better watch his back in the arena.