HANNAH
I walk onto the stage with Mark, feeling nervous and confused. I can still barely believe that I am here, in the Capital, about to die in less than half a year. I look at the people surrounding me, and am relieved that at least some of them look as nervous as I feel. We all stand as the Capital anthem plays. I don't think anyone wants to sing the anthem, but we all do anyway. If we don't, we will all die. I sit down, and breathe. The main interviewer (I forget his name-something Flickerman maybe?) announces the 4th Quarter Quell. This Quarter Quell proves that even the supernatural can be defeated by the Capital. How did they find out about my powers? I don't know. All I know is that they have me now, and I have to try my hardest to fight back. The interviews begin, starting with the boy from the first district. I lean forward and listen, for if I am to get out of here alive, I have to know all about my enemies. They will talk about their strengths on stage, but my job is to discern their weakness and read between the lines.
Mac Intris is called up on stage, and I am immediately surprised by how confident he looks. It must be because he is the son of Zeus. The more I learn about him, the more scared I become. Not only can he fly and use lightning, but he is also one of the Careers. He has been training for this day his entire life. Next comes Petunia Pympole, the girl tribute from district one. As she comes on stage, I sit back in my chair, partially stunned and partially frightened. Her nails are long and sharp, pointed at the tops-I know they were made to kill. She tells the audience that she is the best, and I immediately agree. As I nod my head, I am confused-why am I agreeing with her? Then I realize-she is using charm-speak. I never thought that charm-speak actually existed, it had become a myth in my mind. Now here was a girl who had the power to persuade people by using a few words. She would become a powerful enemy-one that I feared I could never defeat. At least I had one thing going for me-her nails seemed really easy to break.
District 2 is announced. How is it that only two people have talked, yet I already feel overwhelmed? Soon a boy maybe two years younger than me walks up on stage. He radiates fierceness, and although he looks a lot younger than me, I know that I don't want to be messing with him. Still, I kind of feel bad for him. Is this what our world had come to? Sending thirteen year olds to fight with others? Ethan Erikson, I think that is his name, seems to accept his situation. His power is that he can make weapons go to him, and from what I hear, he is extremely talented with a two handed sword. Surprisingly, he also shares his weakness with the audience. Ethan claims that he can't swim. Whether this it true or not, I don't know, but I do know that he must be up to something. Before I can think this through, the girl tribute walks up. She looks about the same age as Ethan-maybe a few months older, although not nearly as hostile. I am immediately drawn to her. I don't know what is with her, but I know I want her on my team. It's not like she radiates power or anything, I just feel like I know her, and right now, I could use as many friends as I can get. As she starts explaining herself, I start to understand that she is powerful. She has the power of telekinesis, moving things with her mind. She is the daughter of Apollo. So she must be….never mind, I can't figure out my father's family tree. As Tamara Lukinasa walks back to her chair, I smile at her, and she returns the favour. Yup, she definitely needs to be on my team. There aren't many people who will smile at someone who may be plotting to kill them.
Armando de Leer (what kind of name is that?) walks up to the stage. I guess the third district was announced while I was looking at Tamara Lukinasa. I think that Armando de Leer didn't think he got enough attention, for he immediately burst into flames. Great. I learn that he is son of Hephaestus, and that he can control fire. As he walks by me, I realize that his clothes aren't even burned. Next comes Gina Newton, daughter of Aphrodite. It is apparent that she can charm-speak, just like Petunia can. Thankfully, this daughter of Aphrodite's nails that are a normal length. When Caesar Flickerman asks Gina what weapon she will be using for the games, Gina asks what a weapon is. Oh brother. I don't think I will have to worry about her too much.
District 4 is coming up next, and then my district-district 5. I wipe my sweaty hands on my dress, feeling terribly nervous. If I want to survive the games, I should at least be able to survive the interview. Unfortunately, my body doesn't agree with me, and so I continue feeling shaky inside. I lean back and sigh. Mark looks at me strangely, but I don't offer an explanation. I feel exhausted; I won't survive this interview much less the games.