Labyrinth Games
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Chapter Three
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There wasn't much to see in District Eight. Near the urban area of District Eight there were a few trees, but nearly everywhere else was sparse and baron, just endless seas of amber colored long grain and occasional blotches of farmland. I was really bored of just mindlessly staring out, but I was scared to turn around and have to face everyone else. I was still scared to come to terms that I might- no, will compete in the Hunger Games just a few days. I was trying to stay in denial by telling myself lies that I will somehow be okay. I was simply scared.
But I had to return to reality eventually. I felt a light tap on my back about an hour into the train ride. I turned around to see Chike standing over my shoulder. In her fervent capitol accent she trilled, "Jasper, you can't stay secluded over here and stare out the window the whole trip. Get up, up, up and join the party!" Of course, Chike the cheery little shrew is making me become part of society. I knew I couldn't protest; I would have to coincide with all of these people until the games began so I can't do anything to make me an outcast. I stood and followed her to a long granite table where everyone else was seated and took a seat as far possible from anyone else, a fair compromise I believe.
A television hung on a wall by the other end of the table. The show on was a 'Reaping Day Recap Special' for the 'Pre Hunger Games Special' that came on every year. It was hosted by two sports analyst, since in a twisted sort of way it was a sport or at least made a sport by the Capitol, who talked about who was chosen and first impressions of every tribute along with their mock twelve-point scores they got just by a quick assessment of the video and background research. The scores were definitely subject to change as time went on and became official scores when the actual judges gave them. Since we were not required to watch the Pre Hunger Games Special I never did, but this year was different.
One man on the television with a ridiculous Capitol haircut leaned forward and said, "Now Dmitri and I will go over our top pick to win it all this year.
The other man on the television, Dmitri apparently, began to speak. "My top pick is Evander Fox, the seventeen year old District Eight tribute. Great athleticism and highly prepared. He has apparently been training for years in hand-to-hand and close combat. He's a good outdoorsman with good instincts. He also has fairly good camouflaging ability, a skill that is uncommon but very useful in the Hunger Games. My current score for him is eleven."
"Thank you Dmitri for that wonderful bit of information. But I am afraid I have to disagree. My favorite this year is District Two male tribute Dez Cutler, the oldest tribute this year at eighteen years, seven months, and twenty-three days. He is physically a brute and has good speed. An excellent outdoorsman and can handle any situation with ease."
"So what are you going to give him, Marcello?" Dmitri asked.
"I'm going to be bold and give him a twelve out of twelve," Marcello said in an audacious tone.
Dmitri sighed and huffed out, "I don't know, Marcello. He's second on my board at a high ten but twelve; that must seem pretty high to you."
"Cutler is one of the best tributes I've seen in years. I don't think he's overrated at all. In fact I would like to rank him higher, but that's not possible!"
"Alright then, let's move on to our underdog of the games. So Marcello, who'd ya' have?"
"Dahlia Slate, District Twelve female tribute," the screen suddenly switched to a video of the District Twelve reaping where presumably Dahlia looked rather brave and not that scared; not like me. Marcello's voice continued over the video. "You can immediately tell she's a fighter by the she stands and that look of confidence. And from her record it looks like she's an athlete. My score for her is an eight, but keep an eye on her."
"Mine is certainly a long shot, especially considering how recently the district won, but I'm gonna say District Eight tribute Jasper Cozine. He's a local track star and possibly has the best athleticism in these games. I'll give him an eight to match yours."
I couldn't believe what I just heard. I was giving myself no chance, but others were. Maybe, just maybe, I could survive. I became ecstatic, but stayed silent. Well, until Chike began to open that damn trap of hers.
"Well, looks like we got a little competitor on our hands Eugene and Cortona," Chike peeped at me in her always happy voice. Eugene seemed to snicker. Eugene is so full of himself; he's like and over grown ten year old.
"I don't know about that…" I muttered.
"Don't be so modest. Mr. Dmitri the sports analyst even said you showed promise. Well, tell me what you got, both of you."
"Uh, I guess I'm a little fast…" I did not want to give the bitch what she wanted by responding to her.
"You long distance or short?"
"Long, but I sometimes fill in for short." Why am I still responding?
Chike seemed to raise an eyebrow, "What your fasted mile?"
"5:07."
"Eugene and Cortona, any strategies he can use to employ this?" Chike snapped her fingers a couple times, almost as if to wake the two mentors up.
"With that skill you should keep moving so you elude all other enemy tributes, but don't go in a pattern or you'll sure to be caught by some smart trackers. If you keep moving this will allow you to stay alive longer and hone your skills. That's what I did," Cortona lectured.
"Yeah… umm, sure. What she said," muttered Eugene. He sure made a huge contribution!
"And let's not forget our June over here. So June, what are you good at?" Chike asked.
June snorted and replied with, "It doesn't matter I'm good at, I'm going to die anyway, why not die now?" How depressing, but horribly true. I didn't want to die now, but I knew probably would. June is such a downer.
"June, there's no need to be so negative about your situa-" Chike was cut off by June.
"It's true though! I probably have no chance, but neither does Jasper!" I suddenly realized what she was doing. She was trying to get the attention on her so the mentors would help her pathetic plight more and maximize her chance of surviving with her extra training. If I wanted an extra boost, I knew I had to play her game.
"You're right June. Why even try if," I stood up in a dramatic fashion, getting more attention, "we are probably going to fail. Of course training will better my chance, but it's still only delaying the inevitable."
Cortona was smart. She seemed to catch on with the little game I was playing and decided to play along, luckily in my favor. "Then we will help you Jasper. I wasn't sure I would win but," she drummed her fingers on the table, "I did."
Eugene was still clueless. "Well, I don't know if either of you have the talent I had, but our jobs are to help."
I flashed a look at Cortona to try and get her to help me. I did want extra attention, but not from Eugene. That would probably hurt my chances. She got the message and responded with, "I think June and Jasper should train separately. How about, oh I don't know, you train June and I got Jasper?"
"Well I think that's a wonderful idea. I do see quite a bit of resemblance between June and Eugene and Cortona and Jasper. How about all of you make chit chat and get to know each other until dinner arrives. So, chop chop!" Chike made a click noise with her heels and sauntered off into the kitchen, probably to the chefs complain for no apparent reason. Chike was a terrible escort, even for her first time.
Cortona moved over to the seat right in front of me. She put a finger in one of her curls and started twirling and stared at me, not saying anything. I guess she wanted me to speak first. After awhile I broke the silence and said, "All this seems kind of surreal."
She shook her head. "I know how you feel. I really doubted myself. I thought this was a nightmare at first, and I'm serious. I even closed my closed my eyes really tight and opened them like I was waking up on stage.
I started chuckling a bit. "I remember that, though I don't think I laughed then. I remember the capitol making fun of that too on a Pre Hunger Games special."
"See, the point is that you might doubt yourself and everything else happening, but keep some faith, okay?"
I paused and said, "Sure." Then after another awkward silence I decided to change the subject. "I guess thinks we need to strategize or something."
"Chike is not a mentor; she doesn't know anything about trying to teach a tribute. I'm sure she would get killed instantly if she ever competed. I can't do a lot of strategizing until I can get a better grasp on your strengths and weaknesses, Chike just doesn't understand that. Why don't we just… chat until dinner, 'kay?"
Cortona and I talked for a long while about almost everything. About life, about friends, about school, about family, and a little about the Hunger Games. Cortona was pretty nice and funny too. She was in my grade, but I never really talked to her. She was very popular, and not just because she won the games.
After awhile Chike came tip toeing out making a horrible click clack with her high heels. "Dinner's served!" She squealed. Immediately after tons of platters brimming with gorgeous looking food was placed on the table by the chefs.
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I leaned back in my chair and placed my father's hat on my stomach. I couldn't believe how delectable that feast was. Every sauce perfectly complemented the dish, and every dish was amazing. Desert might have been the best part though. When they came out with the chocolate cake I almost lost it, and by the looks on Chike, Cortona, and Eugene's faces this was good even by their standards.
Eugene burped and declared, "That was sure one hell 'o a meal!" Cortona leaned across the table and elbowed him. He turned around and scowled at her.
"Well, tomorrow is a big, big, big day! You two better get to bed and rest up," Chike announced.
"Alright, I'm pretty tired anyway," I said. June just grunted in approval.
Chike clapped her hands three times. A couple of peace keepers arrived and helped me up and nudged me down a hall. When we came to a door one said, "In you go." I turned the knob and entered.
The room was actually not that impressive by what I've seen today. There was just a wardrobe, a television hanging on the wall, a night stand with a lamp on it, and a bed. I closed the door behind me and walked to the bed. Quickly, I ripped off my clothes, placed my hat on the foot of the bed, and plopped down onto the fluffy and comfortable sheets. I dug my way under them and put a pillow under my head. I was exhausted to say the least.
I closed my eyes briefly and when I opened them I felt a tear run out. That's when it really hit me. "I'm going to die," I said softly. "I'm going to die," I said again, this time louder. "I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to die!" I was hysterical now. "I'm going to die…" I whispered it the last time.
I was subconsciously aware of my evident death, but I didn't give it a whole lot of thought. I was mainly just thinking about how bad the games were. I began to cry. I thrashed my arm out, smacking it on the night stand. I began writhing around in the bed, sobbing, cursing, panicking, and quivering. Suddenly I swung my arm out to the foot of the bed and grabbed the hat. I stopped crying as soon as I felt it. I picked up and held it to my nose. One word came to mind, only one word, one word that made me feel alright. I closed my eyes and calmly opened my mouth slightly as if I was about to recite a speech. I whispered very faintly, "Father." I wrapped my arms around it and drifted off to a dreamless sleep.
Author's Note: I know, a little boring, and once I get to the fifth chapter I'll go over all of the chapters so far and reedit it. Just stay with me, the next chapters won't be so boring. And just wait until I get to the games! This chapter was important however even though it was dull because you know have a better grasp on the character's personality and made it made them a little more three dimensional. So, adios until next time and keep reading.
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