Chapter 23

Rose Tyler's POV (Capitol)

I'm sat in front of the TV with Martha, with my tribute notebook. Caesar Flickerman is about to announce the scores of the tributes in their individual training. This is where it counts. This is where you know if your early bet was smart, or the most stupid decision you ever made. This is vitally important.

The screen turns on and Caesar Flickerman turns around in his chair, flashing us a winning smile.

"Welcome, Capitol viewers, to the results of the private training!" He begins and I can't help but smile back. He's been presenter for years, and you can understand why. He has a very magnetic, friendly, personality that you can grasp even across screens.

"I wonder is Mickey's watching…" Martha murmurs and I smile.

"He'll be watching." I reply, knowingly. Mickey loves the games usually, but considering his early bet this year, this could be a very worrying broadcast for him. There's nothing worse than finding out your tribute isn't going to do well after you've bet on them.

"As usual, we start with District 1!" He begins and I hold my pen poised over the paper of my notebook .

"Cedric Diggory receives a score of…" Caesar leans forwards and shuffles his card for suspense. "10!" He announces and I'm not at all surprised. Looking at the little moving shot of Cedric on the screen it's easy to see he's athletic, and he's from District 1, so clearly he's trained for this. I jot down the number 10 next to his name. Martha peers over my shoulder.

"You're very committed to this." She says, clearly holding back a laugh. I shrug.

"I'm interested."

"You're obsessed."

"Go big or go home." I mutter and she laughs, tucking her feet up on the sofa.

"If you say so." She chuckles as Cedric's picture dissolves and is replaced by Alice's.

"And now, Alice Kingsley, with a score of… 8!" He calls and my eyebrows shoot up my forehead. That is surprising. District 1 tributes rarely get scores under 9. But then I had my doubts about Alice from the beginning. She always seems so far away, like she's not really concentrating. Even now, on the moving image behind Caesar, her eyes are glazed and unfocused, and she keeps looking around at (seemingly) nothing. I jot down her score nevertheless. This does not rule her out.

"From District 2… John Smith!" Caesar announces and the picture of the tall bot that Mickey bet on appears.

"He's handsome." Martha comments and I grin.

"He's also 18. And from the districts." I reply, scolding her lightly and she chuckles.

"A score of 10!" Announces Caesar and I watch as the number spins around John's grinning face. I note it down and wonder how hard he had to try for that. Of course 2 is typically career based, so a high score was expected, but you have to wonder sometimes…

"I bet Mickey's happy." Martha murmurs and I only hum in response.

"Cedric got 10 too, remember." I remind her, gently. We focus our attention back on the screen and I watch as Clara's energetic and determined face condenses onto our screen.

"Clara Oswald!" Caesar calls and I hold my pen ready. I have high hopes for her. "With a score of… 10!" He announces and I make a small, satisfied noise.

"Thought so." I mutter writing it down.

The district three tributes are next, and this is very interesting. The older one, Sherlock Holmes, is by far one of the mos tintresting tributes there. He looks sossmug on the moving image of him and I can't help but smile.

"Sherlock Holmes…" Caesar begins, dramatically. "3!" He announces and my mouth droops open.

3? What on earth did he do, or not do, to deserve that?

"That's preposterous." Molly mutters from the seat next to me, and I look down at her.

"Not really." I dismiss, disinterested.

"But-"

"I didn't use any of the weapons."

"I know but you did the thing on them." She retorts, rather more bravely than I'm used to.

It makes me remember the faces of the astonished Gamemakers as I just stood there and bled out every detail I could about their life. I read them and they couldn't help but want revenge. Their secrets, no longer theirs, and they couldn't bear to see me walk away from it without facing the consequences.

I smirk to myself.

"But they can't do that!" Molly cries and I roll my eyes.

"I won't win the games by analysing the other tributes. Focus on yourself, Molly." I scold, and then turn my full attention back to the screen. She manages to pull a 6, which obviously surprises her. All hope is not lost for Molly Hooper. And I won't need sponsors.

"I didn't expect that." I murmur, writing down the numbers of District 3.

"Didn't you? District 3 isn't a career district. They don't train." Martha points out, and I shake my head.

"No, but he must have been clever enough to fetch a higher score." I say, tapping the pen against the notepaper.

District 3 is clever. Very clever. There's no way someone who looked as smug as Sherlock does would ever allow themselves a low score like that.

Unless of course it was deliberate.

So we finally have some of the private training scores in! What do we think? Please let me know in the reviews, because no only is a great pointer, it's really encouraging, especially if you want more updates ;) Follows and favourites are much appreciated, and I would love to know any ideas you have about the story to come!

Stay as excellent and beautiful as you already are,

Lucy XXXX

P.S: REMEMBER TO REVIEW!