Chapter Ten: Show Your Strengths
Our alliance is subdued during training the day we're scheduled to receive scores from the Gamemakers. We stick together as a group, hitting various stations, but our conversation and laughter is more forced than the previous two days. I stay near Glimmer, mostly, wary of Cato and Clove. I do my best to insert the occasional not-so-witty remark, but for the most part, I stay quiet.
The thing is, I'm a bit worried.
It's irrational. It's stupid. But it's true. I've been training for this for five years, but the whole time I never really thought about what would happen before the arena. The pressure isn't eased by the fact that as the boy from District 1, I'll be going first out of all the tributes.
Glimmer rolls her eyes when I quietly voice this concern to her while the others are distracted. "Relax. Being first means they'll remember you, and everyone will have to live up to you. Quit being such a girl."
It's quite a change, not having Glimmer constantly scowling at me. I think she's even smiled once or twice today – though that might have been because I slipped on the tile. Cato and Clove got a kick out of that one, which would be annoying except that the more pathetic they think I am, the better.
So far, no one has called me on it. It's as if nothing has changed from the first two days, besides the fact that Clove seems bent on killing me the second we hit the arena. But I expected that, and she hasn't commented on the fact that I'm really not acting all that different. Maybe she does think I'm an idiot. Of course, it might just be that she's distracted by the fact that we may be gaining a new ally.
This morning, the tributes from 2 suggested that we ask Thresh from 11 to join our alliance. I glance over at him now, the giant who's even bigger than Cato. We were all enthusiastic about the opportunity – Thresh could help us out. People from his district generally know what they're doing when it comes to harvesting, so having someone who knows what's safe to eat in the arena will be a plus – and of course, he might be able to lead us to the other tribute from 11.
Lunch arrives quickly, and at a signal from Clove we all head over to where Thresh sits alone. "Hi," Cato greets him, and Thresh looks up but doesn't reply.
Glimmer and I exchange a glance as Clove offers up a spot in the alliance, assuming that it's just a formality and that he'd never even think to refuse. She doesn't seem to notice the glare that's forming on the giant's face.
"It would benefit you to join," she finishes with a smirk.
Thresh leans forward, and Clove flinches as a tidal wave of profanity, along with a refusal, is unleashed upon her. "We will never be allies. You kill me, I don't care. It's better than what you want. You go now," he spits, glowering at each of us in turn.
Looking affronted, Clove spins on her heel and leads the rest of us back to our table. I have to hold back a snicker at her expression.
"That little shit," Cato snarls. "He's going to pay."
"Definitely," Clove hisses venomously.
Glimmer does her best to calm them down, and my mind wanders ahead, thinking about what'll take place ten minutes from now.
Spears are my best bet, my best chance of getting a high score that will attract sponsors. The problem with this plan is that Cato will certainly choose the same tactic, and I can't deny that he's superior in that area. Still, he's going after me, so it's not a huge deal.
The tributes are all led outside the training room to wait to be called. I sit next to Glimmer, watching her fingers drum impatiently on the table, a nervous habit that Diamond has as well.
"Marvel Hawkwood!"
I glance up in surprise. The door has opened, and there's a Gamemaker motioning for me to follow her.
"You're up, Marvel."
I stand and turn around, giving my allies a smirk before sauntering through the door. Only Glimmer responds, giving me a small nod.
The Gamemakers are all seated at a high table that's risen above the rest of the room – the same place where they've been lingering all morning. I give them a nod, and one of them tells me, "You may begin, Mr. Hawkwood."
Without hesitation, I head towards the spears. The Gamemakers are watching me intently, a few of them taking small sips from glasses of wine. I pick up three spears and jog over to the range of dummies, throwing each at a different one.
Stomach, thigh, and stomach again – they're not fantastic throws. I don't hit any of the three dummies in the head or the chest, which are ideal, but they go deep enough that any of the wounds would be fatal. I smile to myself and repeat the process a few times, eventually hitting two in the neck.
"Can I get a sparing partner?" I call out.
One of the trainers emerges, picking up a sword. I get a good grip on a spear, and we begin to circle each other.
I lunge first, narrowly missing his shoulder thanks to the block he sends my way. I try again – he dodges. The trainer doesn't try to attack in any way, so it doesn't take much effort to disarm him after what must be less than five minutes.
I turn back to the Gamemakers – I can hear the scratching of pens as they take notes.
"You're dismissed," one of them says formally.
I nod in thanks and walk out the door, leaving the spears in the dummies but putting away the one I used to spar. I grin as I reach the elevator – really, that went fairly well. It'll earn me a score that shows I'm a talented Career, which is what sponsors want to see.
"How did it go?" Jasper asks the second I arrive on our floor.
I shrug casually. "Good. I threw some spears and sparred with a trainer."
My mentor nods. "That's great."
I head to my room to try to pass the time before the training scores are shown. I go to dinner when the time comes and eat quickly, unable to fight the queasiness that has taken over my stomach. Glimmer keeps sending me odd looks, so I must not be being very subtle about it.
Lumina, as well as Glimmer's stylist, joins us to watch the televised scores. Glimmer and I both practically sprint to the TV area when Star announces that it's time, and I have to refrain from biting my nails like Em does when she's worried about something.
"Hello, Panem!" A voice fills the room, and the Capitol seal appears on the screen. "It's that time of year again, ladies and gentlemen, where we find out what kind of potential this year's tributes have!"
"Get on with it," I snarl.
After we hear the anthem, I see my own face projected onto the screen, the same picture they'll use if I somehow end up dead in the arena. However, in that scenario, the number one would be flashing in front of it – right now, it's a number eight.
Jasper nods approvingly, and I sigh with relief. And eight – not the best of scores, but still fantastic compared to what most of the non-Careers will come up with.
"Nice job, Marvel," Lumina comments.
"Thanks," I reply.
Glimmer scores a nine, and Cato and Clove both get tens. Shell and Zen each get eights, as well, and I'm glad to see I won't be the sole lowest-scoring Career. I keep my eyes trained on the screen as the mediocre scores fly by.
Only the last four tributes break the pattern.
Thresh, who refused our invitation to join our alliance, gets a nine. Glimmer scowls when she sees this, and I shake my head. We could have used him, but… there are six of us as it is, so I'm not terribly concerned.
His district partner, a tiny twelve-year-old, gets a seven, which is impressive for someone so young. The boy from 12 – Peeta, I remember – scores an eight, which causes a few raised eyebrows. However, that's nothing compared to what's next.
Katniss Everdeen is awarded an eleven.
"No way," I hear myself say. "That's not possible."
"District Twelve?" Glimmer shrieks. "There's got to be a mistake!"
Jasper is shaking his head slowly. "The Gamemakers don't make mistakes, Glimmer. She must have impressed them somehow."
"It's can't be," I say dumbly. "It just can't."
"Unfortunately for you, it can," Jasper says curtly. "Get rid of her early, Marvel. I don't care what it takes. Kill her before she gets a chance to kill you."
"I will," I say quietly. I look at Glimmer, and she stares back at me. It's as if a silent agreement is made – we're going to kill her. Katniss Everdeen will not have a chance in these Games – nothing is going to stop us from eliminating the tribute who the Capitol calls the girl on fire.
Hey, guys. Sorry this has taken so long, and that it's a bit rushed - I wrote this quickly in the last hour or so because I knew I really needed to post a chapter. It'll get better when we get to the arena chapters. Anyway, I should have updated this ages ago - thank you to everyone who's still following this story and leaving reviews, it means a lot. I thought moving would give me more time to write, but actually, there's been a lot going on, especially since I've just started high school. Also, I've been working on a lot of original writing, so TCMS has taken the back burner for now. Hopefully I'll be able to post more frequently now that I'm getting settled into a routine - plus I finally got a house, so that makes everything better. I hope you liked the chapter... leave a review if you have time! :)
~ What the Quell