A/N: This is a redo of the training scores chapter because some things weren't correct. I am so sorry for not updating since August. I just haven't been able to see this going anywhere. I've been thinking over things and I've noticed errors and I'm not sure how to carry on. For now, this story is on a break and I will be starting my next story: The 105th Hunger Games. This story will be my main focus from now on. The tribute form is on my profile so please send me some! Tribute forms will only be accepted through PM. Forms in the reviews WILL BE IGNORED. You can send me as many as you like but I will only be taking the best ones. The deadline is the 24th of January and I will be writing the prologue soon.
Fallow Coulter, 18, District 11
This is it. The last half-day of training before we get to show off our abilities to the Gamemakers, do our interviews, then do whatever it takes to go back home. It's all gone so quick. In just two days, I'll be finding out whether I will be dead within the next two weeks.
I wake up to an unpleasant feeling in my stomach and I know what's going to happen. You know when you start feeling like you're going to throw up and you are given a mental 10 second warning before your insides become outside? Well, I'm in that position right now. As I'm rushing towards the toilet, I feel the sick climbing my throat. Gross, I know. You try being in this situation. I lift the toilet seat up and... I think you can guess what happened next. Morning sickness. One of the painful parts of being pregnant.
"Fallow?" Someone's at the bathroom door. "Are you okay in there?" It's Aika, my escort. Surprisingly, he's actually quite nice. Supportive and helpful.
"I'm fine," I reply, "just a bit nervous for the individual training sessions later." I swear my lying ability is getting better. I place both hands on top of my head, while still sitting in front of the toilet, as I feel like my head is about to spring off. Why do people get pregnant? It's so painful!
"Bless you. I know they seem daunting but you'll be fine, I promise. Come to breakfast when you feel better. Training starts in an hour."
Thinking about the individual training sessions actually makes me feel more sick, like that's possible. I rise up, trying to be steady, and make my way back to my bedroom. While I was in the toilet, my avox laid out my training clothes. I've never been a fashion freak so I don't really care what I look like. I stumble into the living room and greet everyone else. Robert seems terrified. He has every right to be, though, he's only 12.
Breakfast goes by like a blur as I quickly scoff anything I can down my throat as I have nothing in my stomach after this morning's incident.
I still have about 20 minutes until the training session so I watch a bit of TV. Obviously, the only thing on TV is the reruns of previous Games. So, I decide to watch one of the first. The Games have changed so much since the start. It took tributes so much longer to die and there wasn't really a bloodbath. Only one or two died right at the start. Nowadays, you'd be surprised if the tally was below six for the bloodbath.
When the 20 minutes is up, Robert and I are led to the lift that will take us down to the Training Centre for the last time. Once we get in, the District 12 tributes are already there. To be honest, I have high hopes for both of the tributes from 12. They both volunteered, which is a first ever. Plus, they're both 18. I have a good feeling about 12 this year. I wish I could say the same about my District, but, no offence to him, I'd be surprised if Robert makes it past the bloodbath. He's one of the only two 12 year olds. The other being Jasper from 9. The pair from 10 join us and the boy, Desmond, I think, looks more scared than the girl. As we descend further towards the Training Centre, more tributes join us in the lift. I am right up against the wall and this really isn't helping my claustrophobia. I can't even hear the Careers trying to intimidate the rest of us due to being so far away from them.
Once we get out of the lift, we have our briefing and then are sent straight off to do what we want. The supervisor instructed us to go over everything we've learned and not try and learn new things. So, I go back over to the weapons section and pick up my favourite weapon. The sword. I like other bladed weapons but the sword feels the best for me.
The instructor gives me a 30-second time limit to "kill" as many dummies as I can. It's really hard because it's difficult to get your sword out of the body once you've put it in there. I manage to get through four by the timer ends but that doesn't say anything. When I'm in the actual Games and I'm against four other tributes, I don't think they'll be standing around waiting for me to kill them. I give the test another go and I manage to kill six. Slight improvement but it still doesn't mean anything. All it tells me is that I can stab six inanimate objects in 30 seconds.
After that, I go over to the sprint test. I know for a fact that I'm quick when it comes to running as I've had to run to work several times because I always overslept. After doing my sprint, I look at the table and see where I came. The sprint test is compulsory so everyone has to do it. Starting from the bottom, I try and find my name. I get to 5th place and I still can't find my name. 4th, no. 3rd, no. 2nd, no. I came first! That's such an amazing feeling! At least I know I will be able to run away from other tributes.
I hardly even hear the bell telling us that training is officially over and we now have to do our individual sessions. Already, I'm petrified as I don't know how to handle myself in front of an audience. It's been OK for the past three days because I haven't had anyone focusing on me entirely. The whole group of game-makers will be watching me as I fail.
Zahir Ashford, 18, District 7
This is it. The individual training sessions. This is what determines my chances of winning, among other things. After lunch, I walk down to waiting room, along with the other 23 tributes and await our judgement. We are given a pep talk before we actually go in and it's pretty much the same as the normal training session pep talk.
We have to wait outside the training centre and then go in one by one. The girl has to go first, which gives me about five-ten minutes extra to prepare. However, that does mean I'll be on my own for a while. So far two tributes have come out crying and the rest have come out confident, most notably the Careers. I have no idea how the pair from Five are in the Careers and not the pair from Four. Anyway, the boy from Six is about to come out, which means it's Velora's turn. For a 13 year old, she is good. She can throw knives well, run, is fairly strong and is alright at using axes. She may be a reliable ally. After the boy from Six comes out, Velora goes in.
"Good luck," I whisper just enough for her to hear but no-one else, "show them everything you can do."
The next five minutes go by so slowly. Every ten seconds I find myself looking at the clock. After what feels like hours, my name is called to go into the training centre. I stand up slowly and avoid eye contact with the other tributes. For all I know, they could be trying to put me off. I walk through the door and I look up to see about 20-30 gamemakers getting ready to judge me.
"Zahir Ashford, District Seven."
"You may begin, Zahir," the head Gamemaker says. I don't know what to do first. I had a plan in my head but I've completely forgotten it. I look around and find exactly I've been looking for my whole time here. The axe. I walk over to it and the trainer sets up five dummies around me. I grab the axe and swing it right into the first dummy's stomach. I struggle to pull it back out but when I do, I drop it. Well done, Z. I pick it back up and start slashing at the other dummies. I miss a couple of times because I didn't account for the weight of the axe. Once I'm done, I go to the weights station. Here, my plan is to prove my strength. I grab a large weight and throw it straight over my head. It goes a fair distance before landing with a huge bang and making the ground shake. I want to show off my accuracy too, so I go over to the spears and knives area.
Now, I'll admit I've never been good with knives so it won't come as a shock to you that I have a deep gash in my forearm from not handling a knife correctly. I had to be taken out of the training centre before I could finish and get taken to the emergency room. I have to have a huge bandage around my arm to stop the blood flow.
It hurts so much and I can't put much pressure on my arm. I hope it will heal before the Games otherwise I'm screwed as I won't be able to lift my axe, or do anything remotely useful. I am now in my bedroom, where I'm meant to rest my arm. I can come back into the living room when the training scores are announced.
"Why can't I rest it in the living room?" I'm really angry now, as you might have guessed.
"Because you can rest easier in your bedroom," says one of the past victors.
"I don't care. Let me bring a pillow in and I'll be able to rest it there!"
"No. Stay in here and get some rest. Have a quick nap or something." With that, he slams the door shut. I swear I heard the door lock. All I can do now is wait for my score. It's just hit me that I'll be getting a very low score. Damn it!
Jasper Morgenstern, 12, District 9
Seeing the boy from Seven come out with a huge gash down his arm really puts me off for my session... I didn't know it could be that brutal. Maybe he made a mistake. What if I make a mistake? Oh God! I can't stop shaking.
My name has just been called and I'm about to go in. How do I present myself? Do I introduce myself or do I just go straight into it? To be safe, I'll introduce myself. I walk in, trying not to show my nerves and stand in front of the Gamemakers.
"Jasper Morgenstern, District Nine," I say as loudly as I can without shouting.
"Welcome Jasper, you may begin when you are ready."
That takes a load of pressure of my back. These people seem nice, even though they want to see 23 children die... Right, I need to focus on my priorities. I need to show off my archery skills, my camouflage techniques, climbing and, if I have time, cooking.
I walk straight over to the archery station and pick up the bow that feels right for me. It's silver with flickers of gold at each end. The string is so thin but so strong also. This is the one for me. I pick up the silver arrow adjacent and place it into the string. I balance it on the ledge and pull the string back next to my face. I shut my left eye and squint so I can get a better aim. Once my eye and arrow are lined up with the target, I let go and the arrow splits through the air and lands straight in the heart of the target. I can't help but smile at what I've just achieved. I pick up another arrow and walk over to the next target. I try to speed up so I can show the Gamemakers that I would be able to shoot at a moment's notice. I pull the string back towards my face and let go instantly. The arrow wobbles a bit in the air and lands on the left side of the body. Just off target. That won't look good for my score. I try again once more and I take my time. The brush of the string on the side of my face feels so good and when my eyeline, arrow and target are all lined up, I let go of the arrow and it shoots fast, straight into the heart of the target and straight through the other side.
The climbing station is the next thing on my agenda so I walk over to it and tell the trainer I won't need a harness because there obviously won't be any in the Games. I climb about four meters before my foot slips and gives way. I come crashing down to the floor with a thud and realise I can't waste time. I give up and go straight to the camouflage station.
I don't use the paints because there is a very low chance of there being face paint in the Games. I grab some leaves and dirt from the woods area and come back. I start chewing on the leaves to give them the stickiness and mix it with the dirt. I plaster it over my face and exposed parts of my body. I make sure the Gamemakers are watching so they can see my accuracy when I put myself against the ground and trees. I get some impressed looks which only makes me feel good. Although I know being able to camouflage won't contribute much to the score.
I sense that I still have some time left before I have to finish so I go over to the cooking station. After a couple failed attempts at making a fire, the wood bursts into flames. That's part one done. Next, I grab the food rations and put them in the pan. It takes about two minutes to cook through and I give the food to one of the Gamemakers. The look on their face shows I've done well. Once the Gamemakers finish writing their notes, they allow me to leave. I think I've done quite well, despite my slight errors. I just have to wait for the results now.
I go up to my room and greet everybody else. I tell them all I feel I did alright and that I might get a fairly high score, in my opinion. I tell them exactly what I did and they all agreed I might get a seven or even and eight. That's good considering I'm from District Nine. The scores will be announced in a few hours so for the meantime, I have a shower and relax in my bedroom. I have a little nap and wake up just in time for the scores.
Killian Edwards, 18, District 5
This is it. The scores for our individual training sessions. I think I did quite well considering I'm in the Career Pack, just about. If I don't get a high enough score, I'll be surely thrown out. I don't want that to happen. I can't be separated from Bianca. I know you can't have relationships in the Games but I can't help but feel something for her.
The TV turns on and the Head Gamemaker's face appears on the screen. "Good evening, people of Panem. Today, 24 tributes showed the Gamemakers their skills that they believe would help them in the Games. The tributes were judged based on their accuracy, their skill and performance. One by one, the tributes came into the training centre and showed off their preferred ways of survival. We had skills such as archery, cooking, fighting, climbing and knowledge. The scores range from 0-11, with zero being the worst. Without further ado, here are the scores."
My heart is beating through my chest right now. Anything below and eight and I'm out of the Careers. They're starting from District One so I don't have to wait too long for my score. To be honest, I have to feel sorry for the tributes from Twelve as they have to wait ages. It's about to start.
"Coming from District One," Aaron Bennett, the Head Gamemaker, begins, "Grayson Aspen: 10. Hadley Rymerse: also 10. From District Two: Ratchet Binch claiming a staggering 11 and Cardamon Mason claiming a 10. From District Three: Jiffit Skeeter with a 5 and Wren Vinness with a 4. Reggie Elliam from District Four with an 8 and Veronika Slaton with a 6. "
Okay, my turn. My nails are clutching at the fabric of my chair. I have no idea what I'll get. Please, I just need an 8 and I'll be fine.
"Killian Edwards of District Five, 7. Also from District Five, Bianca Calder with a score of 7. Over to District Six with the twins, Dan and Kim Zadell..." Oh no! How will I explain this to the Careers? I hope they'll still keep me in the pack.
"...twinning with their scores as well at a 4. Now for District Seven. Zahir Ashford with a score of 2. Velora Demont with a higher score of 5." I wonder how Zahir got that 2. What did he do to get that score?
"District Eight: Aden Hanran with a score of 6 and Adia Reckless with a score of 5. Jasper Morgenstern and Leanna Gibbs from District Nine with scores of 6 each. District Ten with Desmond Cordus and Hypatia Cruslin. Desmond has been given a 6 and Hypatia, a 4. Robert Blade, from District Eleven, has an 3. Fallow Coulter takes a 7. Finally, we are at the final District, District Twelve, people. Eric Johnson takes home a very congratulatory 8 and Agnes takes a 5. Those are the scores of the tributes, which will base their odds of winning. The official odds will be up later and you can make your bets then. For now, here are the scores of the tributes coming up on your screen in case you missed them."
And there they are:
Grayson Aspen - 10
Hadley Rymerse - 10
Ratchet Binch - 11
Cardamon Mason - 10
Jiffit Skeeter - 5
Wren Vinness - 4
Reggie Elliam - 8
Veronika Slaton - 6
Killian Edwards - 7
Bianca Calder - 7
Dan Zadell - 4
Kim Zadell - 4
Zahir Ashford - 2
Velora Demont - 5
Aden Hanran - 6
Adia Reckless - 5
Jasper Morgenstern - 6
Leanna Gibbs - 6
Desmond Cordus - 6
Hypatia Cruslin - 4
Robert Blade - 3
Fallow Coulter - 7
Eric Johnson - 8
Agnes Burnghese - 5
Those are the scores for the tributes this year. I must say, I'm quite surprised at a couple of them, especially Eric Johnson and Reggie Elliam. One of the past victors starts writing down the necessary information, what score each of them got, who are Careers, who to look out for, who to ignore etc.
"Right, I think it's time for an early night for you two," Emma, our escort says. I feel so tired right now, especially after that intense moment waiting for my score. At least I can sleep easy, knowing I am still in the Careers.