Only Superstition by Coldplay

Stand still and wait in line
Some numbers are better than others

Erin Callahan, 17, District Nine

I feel like everybody is staring at me.

Every time I look up the feeling disappears, but right now looking down at my hands clasped in my lap I can feel it again. I want to get up and scream, throw my hands over my face to stop the stares from focusing on me. It's not fair that they could see what's in my head just by looking at me. That's what Wynn told me, that he could look at my face and know without a doubt what I was thinking. No matter how hard I tried to do the same thing to him I couldn't, the same is with the other tributes. It doesn't make sense that anyone could really know what I am thinking just by looking at me but I can't shake the feeling that it's possible.

"Cosmic McKee, District Three."

Has it been ten minutes already since the District Two boy was called in? It doesn't feel like it. The girl stands stiffly from her seat near the entrance of the training room. Her young district partner looks distressed as she leaves him behind, but soon busies himself with picking at the stitches of his uniform.

"What do you think, Erin?" Amita asks sweetly, pretty eyes staring up at me. Her and Ashidel have taken spots on the floor in front of Briar and I, creating a closed circle so that we can all talk. It's still a good while until the first of us will be called in, and it was Ashdel's idea for us to get our strategies together for the rest of our time in the Capitol and the first couple minutes of the Games. He was smart to mention discussing it; this could be our last chance to talk altogether for a while.

I didn't hear the question, but I don't have the confidence to tell them that. "Whatever you guys think is fine with me."

"I like Ashidel's idea best," Amita smiles, crinkling her nose up the way she always does when she smiles. Amita is the kind of person you cannot possibly dislike, and she took a special interest in me even after already allying with Briar and Ashidel. I am glad she did, even if it was only an act of pity for me being by myself. It wasn't looking like Goran and I were going to be sticking together and I am not really one to start friendships.

"So the name of the game is average for the private sessions?" Ashidel grins. The other three of us nod in agreement.

"For interviews, though, we need to make a stronger impression," Briar whispers with a coy smile. I love the way she talks, like everything she says is the most interesting thing on the planet. I wish I could make people listen to me like people listen to her, she's captivating.

"Agreed. Suggestions?" Ashidel asks.

"Um," Amita shrugs, cupping her chin in one hand as she thinks.

"Briar Elway, District Five."

Briar gives us a shy smile as she steps towards the door. The instructor waiting by the door lets her in and just before she disappears, she turns and gives us a tiny wave.

"Wow, these are coming so quickly," Amita says, pulling at her bottom lip with her teeth. "I still don't know what I am going to do when it's my turn."

"Didn't Betony come in and talk to you about it last night?" Ashidel asks and Amita shakes her head. "Oh, she came in to speak with me. She said it would be best to stick with two things I know so I am going to show them some knots and natural remedies."

"Lucky, I don't think I even have two things I am good at like you do."

"I'm sure there're more than two things you could show them to get a good score, Amita," I cut in and she brightens.

"But we're going for average, remember." Ashidel tells us again, this time looking specifically at me.

Amita shrugs. "What are you going to do, Erin?"

"Probably just some stuff with a sickle, maybe purify some water or something afterwards if I have time," I answer. The truth is, I have had exactly what I plan on doing, right down to how many slashes on the dummy I will make, for some time now. I would hate to go out and embarrass myself in front of the Gamemakers. That's the last thing I need right now.

"Amita Spruceford, District Seven."

Amita stands quickly and flashes the two of us a nervous smile. "Guess I'm up."

"You'll do fine," I tell her.

"Remember, average," Ashidel says at the same time and I turn to scowl at him. Amita clearly needs positive feedback before going in there or she might not even get up to average. Him stressing her out if the farthest thing from being productive. He may be one of my allies, but sometimes Ashidel can be downright impossible to handle.

Cicero Lovett, 17, Capitol

"Cicero Lovett, Capitol tribute." I bow before the panel of richly dressed men and women, most of whom regard me with an unsure squint of the eye and possible disdain. No wonder, I am sure that they're not used to being addressed kindly by the tributes. Especially not by the district filth sent in here before me.

"You may begin," one of the men in the seats nearest to the railing waves me back towards the training equipment.

"Thank you, sir." I bob my head respectfully towards the panel once more and start towards the running track.

I carefully considered my performance in training each night; looking over each station I visited that day and my relative success level for them. Last night I narrowed the possibilities to the two I felt myself most inclined towards. My choices for what I would showcase were clear, both of them passions of mine even before my slip was chosen at the Reaping. Cardio and sharp objects, it was obvious my best score would come from a combination of time at the running track and the knives range.

I tap a memorized sequence into the control panel and the lights flash on instantly. It would be pitiful to have to request assistance when I am supposed to be the one who knows what I am doing. There is absolutely no way I would pass up the opportunity to show every ounce of what I am capable of when there is so much riding on this. Like my spot in an alliance I never asked for or felt chained to.

I glance back for just a moment to ensure that they are still ready for me to begin. When I do this I am met with just a few pairs of curious eyes, the rest strung towards their plates and glasses. I had hoped they would all be watching, oh well one cannot always have what they wish for.

I fly through the track without missing a single footfall. As I run through the final gate the timer above the track stops. I look up at the numbers with only slight satisfaction, I had hoped that my adrenaline would shave a few seconds off of my final time.

I decide it is best not to let them dwell on the time for too long, or to allow them to compare it with others they may remember as better than mine. I prepare a set of three knives, one in each hand and the other I slip into my sock.

The dummies are easily defeated, but I try and make my short thrusts and nimble steps look effortless. It's kind of like a volatile sort of dance, but much more dangerous if you think about it. I mean, how easy it would be for me to slip. Perhaps land on top of one of my own knives if I was particularly unlucky. This entire set up is just like the real world, very fragile and ready for a single slip to lead to its destruction.

Looking over at the Peacekeepers, sure they're all holding loaded weapons but how long would it take me to send a well aimed arrow their way. I'd bet my own neck that one of them would die before they even understood what had happened. Probably one more as they get a hold of their common sense to shoot back. It's all so fragile, so tender and easily broken.

"Thank you, tribute. That will be all." A voice penetrates my thoughts and I curl up my lips as I look up to the panel of Gamemakers. They too are so vulnerable, why do they trust us this much not to pull anything? It's quite possible they think the majority of us are simply too scared to do a thing against them, but don't they know what could result from backing an animal into a corner. Nine times out of ten it will cower, but all that's needed is the one. That one to snap and in turn snap your neck.

I consider this all the way back through the door of the training room and back up the elevator to our penthouse suite. When I arrive, Arissa is sitting at the dining table with Coryn who appears to be indifferent to whatever is being discussed. One of the reasons I am able to understand Coryn is that we seem to have similar state of minds when it comes to Arissa. Not necessarily dislike but more distaste than anything.

"Cicero! You're back!" Arissa stands to greet me with a sugary smile on her face. "How'd it go? I thought mine was kind of rough."

I decide it is best to simply walk past her and back to my bedroom to await the broadcast later tonight that will showcase our scores to the rest of Panem. She jumps down the steps to my level and grabs my arm. I twist around sharply, pulling my arm out of her grip. My eyes narrow at her and I take another few steps towards my door.

"Was it that bad?" She tries. "We could talk about it if you want?"

At this point I know I just have to be clear with her because she isn't understanding me in the least bit. "Look, it's not anything personal but just because we might happen to be allies doesn't mean we need to be together every second of every hour. I'm sorry, but please leave me alone."

Arden Quaid, 15, District Five

"I don't get what's up with all the formalities, why do we care that viewings have gone up by thirty percent or whatever?"

Briar giggles to herself but Aderyn just shushes us both. She stares intently at the screen as the regular newscast ends and the Assistant Head Gamemaker, Viticus, and the Interviewer, Vindan, come onto the screen. Each of them wears a ridiculous smile on their face and their hands clasped together on the table in front of them. Vindan is getting noticeably older for the first time I have noticed in a while. Usually I just see him as some random guy with weird hair and cheeks tighter than an elastic band, but I can see the wrinkles on his face as clear as day with the camera zoomed in this far on him. Viticus on the other hand must be pretty new, he is still young and has that bright-eyed look. The contrast of Vindan's red hair and the shade of Viticus' eyebrows cracks a smile on my face. Before I can take a shot at either of them Aderyn shushes me again.

"I didn't even say anything," I grumble under my breath.

"It's starting and I knew you were going to," she shoots back without tearing her eyes away from the television screen. I can't understand why she is so serious about this whole thing, I mean she's already won right? Why should she give a care whether I get a two or a ten? It doesn't make a difference in her books and I can't understand the extra stress she is taking on for nothing.

"Welcome everyone to one of the most exciting nights of the year," Vindan begins, the corners of his mouth hardly moving at all as he talks. "In just a minute we will share with everyone how each of our beloved tributes has fared in their days of preparation. With just a few days left until the beginning of the Games, the numbers will give you some extra insight before you submit your sponsorships! Without further delay, Viticus fill us all in on how this works."

"Well, Vindan, as you know this year's batch of tributes have been training hard for the past few days in our beautiful Training Center. This afternoon each of them was given the opportunity to share what they have learned in front of a panel of Paneem's finest. They were then assigned a score between one and twelve, with twelve being high," Viticus says a matter-of-factly. I wonder if he's new, that would explain the nerves. I can't remember seeing him before but then again I tend not to concern myself with things that don't affect me. And, well, before this year the Hunger Games weren't playing a huge role.

"Let's begin with District One, the lovely Aquila Titurius and Amstel Hafelin!" Vindan grins.

A screen with pictures of each of the named tributes appears behind them and Viticus reads from his notes. "Miss Titurius has been awarded a strong score of nine , Mr Hafelin matching it and then some with a score of ten."

Way to start off strong, I guess. Part of me feels worried, but then again these tributes are supposed to be the best. No one could possible expect me, a District Five kid, to get a score like that. But if I want to be considered on the same playing field as them do I have to compare with scores? I think back to my own private session. Did I do everything I could to get a good score? Probably not.

"Moving on," Viticus speaks again and the pictures behind him mould into the pair from District Two, each of the tributes looking in opposite directions in their photos. "From District Two we have the courageous Kiera Wentz with a solid score of nine and Kilin Shicts falling one below with a score of eight."

Wow, I guess the District two guy isn't as terrifying as he looks. Good to know. Viticus continues on with only a slight pause, the pictures rushing to change behind him to the pretty girl from District Three and her young district partner. "District Three brings us Cosmic McKee with a score of seven and Dallon Argal receiving a score of two."

Ouch, I know he's the youngest one of all of us but still...a two? That's got to be putting a dent in any confidence he might have for himself, I feel pretty bad for the kid as it is. He's doomed.

"Moving on to District Four we have Baye Darlucan receiving a score of seven and our young volunteer, Maynor Richman with a surprising score of six." Surprising is right, I figured the guy was just stupid or something for volunteering. First of all being from District Four whose stance on volunteering is clear, second of all being so young. Maybe he's not as dumb as I thought, he's nowhere near the Careers but he is up there.

Can feel the tension in the room as the pictures behind Viticus change to Briar and I. I grip the cushion beneath me and clench my teeth as he introduces us, not even able to bring myself to listen to what he says about us. My eyes just focus on waiting for the numbers to appear on our photos. When they finally do I let out a sigh, neither of us did well at all. Up beside our pictures are two matching, red four that seem to linger there forever.

"It's okay, scores hardly matter unless they're good," Aderyn mumbles over the introduction to the next district.

"Then why was it so important to be quiet for them?"

"Shh!"

I slouch back into my seat and try not to dwell on my score. It's just a number after all, right? How much could it really matter to how well I'll do in the arena? I am able to plant the smile back onto my lips just as the scores for District Six are revealed, a five for the girl and a three for the boy. At least there are a few more low scores to mix in with. If everything goes especially well we might even be average by the end of this. The thought is enough to make me actually interested enough to keep watching.

Ashidel Heprin, 15, District Seven

As the pictures of the pair from District Six fade I find myself holding my breath. It was my plan to just ensure each of us gets an average score for our private sessions, and already Briar has delivered on that with her four. It would be just perfect for me to ruin the entire idea of the whole group of us just sliding under the radar by getting a better score. I did my best during my allotted time to focus only on survival skills, because let's face it the weaponry is what they want to see. I hope I wasn't too good for a four or five, that would be just like me to ruin things with a better score than I tried for.

"From the whimsical District Seven we have Miss Amita Spruceford receiving a score of five and Ashidel Heprin matching it also with a score of five."

I let out the breath I had been holding and smile towards Amita. I have to say I am shocked that we were given the same score, but she must have been really trying to get up there with the rest of us whereas I had to dull myself down to stop from standing out. Betony grins as we celebrate. "Nice one, you two."

I feel the relief flooding over me even as our pictures fade from behind Viticus and Vindan, swiftly replaced by the pretty blonde from District Eight and her partner with the crazy-eyes. "District Eight brings us to Melinoe Casra with a score of four and Violan Jadeth with an impressive score of nine."

Wow, first of all pretty disappointed in the girl; only a four? Unless she is trying for the same strategy as my alliance than that is not a good sign for her. Everyone knows that the more attractive tributes tend to be given a few bonus points in things like this, so I can only imagine what she would ranked in at should she not been gifted in that way. Her district partner quite obviously was going to get a high score just because of the image he has been giving off throughout the Capitol. No surprise there, it was all probably rigged to make him seem like more of a target. The Gamemakers aren't usually fond of keeping the insane tributes too long in the arena.

"Now moving on to District Nine we have the lovely Erin Callahan with a very surprising score of eight and Goran Pavlov following with a solid five."

I have to admit I am surprised at the girl's score, she didn't seem like the type to get that kind of number. I guess the Gamemakers like to throw in a few wild cards, it is all for storylines and viewer ratings after all. The boy is nothing special or worth commenting on, he's average at best and probably won't be lasting too much longer than most.

"District Ten brings us to Calic Wefton whom has been awarded a score of five, and yet another surprising score from Brett Draven whom has received an eight."

I don't get what's going on with all these high scores, but there is no way someone like Brett could possibly deserve an eight. Anyone who saw him in training could tell he's nothing but a shy guy, letting the girl from District Four drag him around like a dog. The Gamemakers clearly want to test something about high-scoring low district tributes, maybe how quickly they die compared to average-scoring tributes. That's the only reason I could see for all these inflated scores for average tributes.

"Nearing the end now folks, from District Eleven we have Fleur Aisley being awarded a score of three and Valerian Eldridge give a strong score of seven."

Yet another inflation lends itself to me that the Gamemakers are up to something. The girl is obviously useless without her district partner holding her hand all day long, and I have no doubt in my mind that she will be an early one to go. Her partner is another story; just two crumbs shy of s fruitcake as my aunt would say. He seems set on keeping her in his sights, and the only thing I can say is I pity the fool that kills the girl. He'll probably have a knife in his neck before he can blink. His score is the only one of the inflations that kind of makes sense, and yet it's on the lower end of the spectrum still.

"And finally from the glorious Capitol we have Arissa Talos with a score of five and Cicero Lovett with a score of seven."

Oh how the mighty will fall, if I remember right these two are supposed to be in the Careers this year. And I thought the District Two guy's score was a half point over a failure! The girl got the same score as I did, granted I wasn't trying. Quite honestly it means she has the same prowess and skill that Amita has, which is hardly a feat to brag about. The boy's score matches with the girls from Three and Four, which have little going for them except for Three's pretty face. If I had been trying I am almost positive I would have had him beat in a minute, and to think I had considered him a possible threat. Just seeing all of these scores makes me feel a million times better about my alliance's chances.

"And that brings us to the close of our training scores broadcast. Tune in tomorrow night when I will be personally sitting down with each of our brave tributes in the Interviews!

The artist theme for this story will be Coldplay

Song: Only Superstition

The blog for this story can be found on my profile. The training scores have been updated.

A question or two will be asked at the end of each chapter and I would be very grateful if you could answer them for me as well as giving me a general review on my writing, your thoughts on plot and development, etc.

Did any scores surprise you?

Who are your favourites out of the tributes you have seen?

I apologize for the wait, first it was exams and then this past week I have gotten lost in the magical, addicting world of video games from which it took a certain person (cough, Fin, cough) to make me leave long enough to do anything at all. Oh if any of you play Dota 2...message me we must dominate together!

Enough nerd talk, next chapter for all will be up when I write it. Only two more until the Bloodbath!