Tarragon Layland – District 6

My father being our mentor isn't the best thing in the world. At home, he's pretty distant, but when he's not he can be a little harsh. Soon, I'll be living in my own home in the Victors' Village. I won't have to be with him anymore. Freedom.

Vecturia bounds into the room, her high heels clicking. She's chattering with our stylists as she sits on the couch. She picks up a drink in one hand, smoothing the creases in her skirt with the other. As I finish my dinner, an Avox clears the table. My father sighs, leaving the table to join Vecturia and everyone else.

Sage hops off her seat, twirling her pigtails in one hand. It takes me about two steps to catch up with her.

"Ready to see our scores, Squirt?" I ask, wrapping an arm around her.

She smiles at me, shrugging. "I suppose so. I'm just a little nervous. And you?"

"You should be nervous. I bet everyone else got a higher score than you," I say. I know I did well in my training session with the Gamemakers. I gave it all I had. "Even the Screw-Up will score higher than you." I laugh sarcastically. The screw up of this year's Hunger Games is District Five's Nayeli Morte. Apparently, a couple years ago her brother was in the Games. He was much more skilled than she was.

"I wouldn't count myself out just yet," Sage says strongly.

Ever since Training, Sage has appeared to be tougher. She's stopped crying in her sleep ever since the second day when she got her allies. She smiles sweetly, skipping to the living room area.

I collapse next to my stylist and Vecturia. The television isn't on yet, but everyone talks about the chariot rides that were a few days ago. They weren't anything special and I hated my outfit. Every year, the costumes are silly. There may be a couple of tributes with good outfits, but that's rare.

"So, I think that the tributes from Two are the biggest threats, as usual," my father says gruffly. "Just about every year those damn Careers win."

"I think the girl from One has a pretty good chance," Vecturia says.

I don't understand how they can talk about who has a chance with us sitting right here. It really lowers the little self-esteem I have. "Thanks for the vote of confidence," I tell them.

"No problem!" my stylist chimes in.

Obviously, she doesn't understand sarcasm. On the inside, I can't help but laugh a little. Suddenly, the television screen comes to life. Artu Regelo laughs as he sits at his anchorman desk with Hunger Games commentator, Fia Zione. Her tomato red hair is in a high bun with braids all around. Artu is dressed in bright yellow this year.

"Hello! Hello!" he says cheerfully.

I lean back in my seat and scoff. He's always so happy. He's the perfect ray of sunshine, isn't he?

"This year we have an interesting handful of tributes, don't we, Fia?" Artu says. He grins to her, then back at the camera.

"Yes, that is very true, Artu," Fia adds. "I think there are a lot of potential Victors this year. I'm not very sure who will be the Victor this year though."

"Well, let's see. Over the last few days, the tributes have been training and had their private training sessions with the Gamemakers. Tonight, we're going to see what the tributes scored. Are you ready?"

Fia grins, nodding. "I think all of Panem is ready to see this."

I close my eyes for a while as the two Capitolites continue conversing. Finally, the dramatic music sounds and the scores begin to appear. It begins with District One. The guy flashes across the screen first. Sorren Princeps is awarded a nine next to his sister.

District Two gets high scores too. The guy gets a ten and the girl earns an eleven. It's been a while since anyone's earned higher than a ten and no one has ever earned a twelve. The nerds from Three receive a five and six. The tributes from Four receive high scores as do most Careers. The boy a ten and the girl an eight.

What surprises me greatly is Screw-Up's score. I gaze at her tribute picture and gawk at her score. How she pulled a ten I'll never know. I suppose the Gamemakers wanted her to become a target and gave her a high score. She'll be hunted by the Careers if she's not killed in the Bloodbath.

My district is next. "A seven! Look at that," Artu says, shocked. "A son of a Victor earned a good score."

"I'll say. And look at his partner! A six. I wonder how she was able to pull that off," Fia says.

The scores don't matter I decide. What matters is not dying in the arena.

Rilly Jarson – District 8

I run a hand through my hair, which stops short, just above my shoulders. I always forget that the stylists chopped most of my hair off. It's a constant reminder that I'm not home. I want to be home so badly. I miss Lyssa, my mom, and Benson. I even miss Pan a little.

My hand gently touches my cheek where he kissed me. With a soft sigh, I sit down next to Corduroy on the couch. Tellia touches my hair, babbling on about how pretty it is. Then, she turns to my stylist, telling him that he'd have to design some of her clothes.

I brush her hand away and turn to Corduroy, who's waiting impatiently for our scores. He bounces anxiously in his seat. "You okay?" I ask.

"Do you really have to ask?" he replies. "I feel nervous." He sighs softly, grabbing something to drink. He un-tucks his shirt as he falls back down on the soft couch.

"Don't be. I'm sure you did great," I tell him. I smile halfway and glance at our mentor, Vinny. "Right? He did great."

"Uh-huh, sure," Vinny says, looking at the blank TV screen.

"It'd be nice if you actually showed some support," I say, folding my arms across my chest. I narrow my eyes at him.

"Okay. Well, Rilly, you're downright awesome." He gives a sardonic thumbs up. "And Corduroy, you did awesome, too." He smirks and turns back to Vecturia to talk about irrelevant things.

I scoff and turn my head away. "Don't listen to him," I tell Corduroy.

Panem's anthem sounds through the speakers and Artu Regelo is on screen with Fia Zione. They have pointless commentary at first. Then, the interesting part comes up. The scores. Corduroy instantly perks up, sitting on the edge of his seat.

"I think all of Panem is ready to see this," Fia says, grinning.

The Careers get high scores as usual. My eyes open wide when I realize Nayeli received a ten. Many people said that she was a screw up, but I know she's smarter and stronger than they realize. I wanted to be her ally, but she said she'd rather work alone.

The boy from Six, who is the son of a Victor, scores pretty well. A seven. Sage pulls a six. She's good with plants. She probably passed the edible plants test with flying colors. She's small so she'll be stealthy in the arena, especially if the arena has a lot of shrubbery to cover her.

"Can you believe that! Sage earned a six," Fia says. "And Tarragon did well, too."

The tributes from Seven are next. They score well, pulling an eight and seven. Next, it's the moment of truth. Corduroy moans when he sees his score, a three. I smile a little once I realize my score is a five. I find it to be a good score. If you're not a Career, then you usually score in the middle range, about a four to a seven.

I've got good allies. Pietta can make traps. Sage can help us find food. Trenton knows how to make shelter and start a fire. I stand a chance. I can do this. I could make it home to my friends and family. I could make it on time for my date with Pan. I could become District Eight's next Victor.

I'd say something to Corduroy to cheer him up, but I don't think it'll make things any better. I could make him feel even worse.

I sit on the edge of my seat now, watching the other tributes and their scores. The boy from Nine, Dustin, scores a nine, a high score for his district. I wonder what the girl from Ten did to deserve her seven. The tributes of Eleven have okay scores. They're not high enough to call threats.

"I think that Bailey boy is good news," Fia tells us. "And his partner is quite pretty. Maybe she can use her feminine charms in the arena." Artu pushes her playfully, chortling. Fia bats her eyelashes as the scores continue rolling across.

The boy from Twelve is a different story. Creepy Cabot is what the other tributes call him. When he grins, flowers die and animals hide. My skin crawls every time I see him. He earns a seven, and I immediately call him a threat. He's the number two person to stay away from. Number one is still the red head, Gabrielle.

Both are people I don't want to run into in the arena.

"A three. A three…I got a three," Corduroy mumbles. He puts his face in his hands and sighs. "I'm going to go to bed." Before the Games, he seemed much happier and even a little sarcastic. I suppose the reality of the Games and facing eminent death is making him depressed.

Tomorrow, we have the interviews. We have to continue some training to win over people. Sponsors can mean the different between life and death. I have to get as many sponsors as I can. If I can get a bunch of sponsors to send me things, I could survive.

Home. It's so close now and yet so far away.

Parrow Hosira – District 10

I have two allies, Bailey from Eleven and Clara from Seven. The slingshot shooter and the axe wielder. I'm not sure how long the alliance will last, but hopefully we'll break just before the final eight. I don't want to end up getting close to them and then have to watch them die.

When Larkspur approached us at lunch the other day, I'd asked Clara to join us, but didn't ask her. Honestly, I regret nothing. Lark is small and not very fast. She'd hold us back and at the Bloodbath, we won't have time to wait for her. Bailey and Clara didn't think of asking her to join either. I'm the leader of our alliance.

My mind wanders back to home where Fleese is, probably thinking about all the wedding decisions she's got to make. Without me. She deserves to live though. I gave her that chance. She's safe and will get to marry the love of her life. All I can do is pray that I'll get to find my soul mate, if there's such a thing.

In a book, I read that everyone has one soul mate. They're linked together by a single, silver thread. And when you meet that person, you just know they're the one. I'm not sure if I'll know, but by the way Fleese describes it, it sounds pretty great.

Lana tromps into the room, bickering with Mabilis again. They're always arguing about stupid little things. "I'm just saying, you really need to—" Lana cuts Mabilis off and begins going off about Artu and how "dapper" he looks.

"Ah, they're fighting again," Trenton says, limping into the room. Because of his leg, he's louder when he walks. You could hear him fifty feet away. In the Games, he's dead. I don't want or like to think about it, but it's the truth. That's why I didn't ask him to join my alliance. He doesn't stand much of a chance. I pray he has good allies though.

"Why do you care about Artu? He's never going to go after a thing like you," Mabilis retorts.

Lana gasps. "Excuse me! I happen to be a person! A real person! And one day—"

"Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? I couldn't tell if you were humanoid or a seaweed monster this morning," Mabilis says, laughing to herself.

I can't help but chuckle a little as I study Lana's outfit. She's wearing a light green wig that falls down her shoulders and has a dark green outfit on. There's times that I actually prefer District Ten. I get to miss out on all the "lovely" outfits and food. The food is great once you get over its odd appearance.

"Like clockwork," I tell Trenton. He laughs as the two continue their fighting. "I'm surprised they're not related. They sound like sisters." Fleese and I used to bicker when we were younger. But, as I got older and our situation at home grew more difficult, we finally understood each other.

"My brother and I argue like that," Trenton says with a laugh. "Funny to know that two middle aged women can act like such children."

"I am not middle aged!" Lana snaps, turning her bright turquoise eyes on him. "I am a young adult."

"I'll believe that when you take off all that make up and we get to see how you really look," he says. We glance at each other, laughing. Then I think, if I want to live, he'll have to die. I wish it wasn't like that, but it is.

Lana is about to return the favor when Mabilis turns on the TV. "How about we all shut up now and watch the scores?" she says. "Oh, look, your 'boyfriend' is on. Looks like he's flirting with Fia. Again."

Lana scoffs, rolling her eyes. I lean towards the television, biting my lip. A coppery liquid fills my mouth and I realize how hard I've been chomping on my lip. "This year we have an interesting handful of tributes, don't we, Fia?" Artu says, grinning. I nod slightly, agreeing with him. We have the Preppy Princeps, Dictating Dictatrix, Lame-Jokes Lucien, No-Good Nayeli, and many other names, ending with Creepy Cabot from Twelve. It's funny hearing all the nicknames for all the tributes. Trenton is Tripping Trenton or something like that and mine is Petty Parrow. I don't really mind the name because it doesn't be crap in the arena.

The scores begin rolling across the stage. Clara has a seven, a good score seeing she comes from District Seven where they traditionally don't have that high of a score. My stylist cheers as she sees my score, a seven as well. I sigh in relief and smile a little. Climbing and taking the edible plants test did have a good effect on the Gamemakers after all.

Tears fall down Trenton's face. He got a three, a pretty low score. We're graded on a scale of one to twelve, one being the worst and twelve being the best. Many tributes score in the middle, making me average. Higher districts score higher on the scale since they train for a longer about of time.

I hug Trenton as he sobs into my shoulder. I try telling him everything's okay, but he and I both know that he's a goner.

Larkspur Fisole – District 12

Ector is now Creepy Cabot according to all the other tributes. I'm First-to-Die Fisole as Gabrielle Dictatrix calls me. She laughs whenever she sees me and so do all of the other Careers. Even the boy from One who actually seems nice. Apparently I'm wrong.

My allies will protect me hopefully. I'll be home in no time I tell myself. I joined the group with Pietta, Sage, and Rilly. And Trenton. We can still do this. Ector keeps telling me I'll die and that he's going to kill me, but he won't. During the Bloodbath, I'm just going to run. My allies and I will meet up after the fighting. Ector won't get a chance to kill me. No one will kill me. I'll be home soon.

"So, what did you do for the Gamemakers?" Nessie asks in an up-beat attitude.

She glances at Ector. His lips curl into a smile and he shrugs. "Nothing really. Just did some handy work with a knife. What about you, Larkie?" He gazes at me, mischief twinkling in his eyes.

"I just did a little bit with gathering and climbing." I look down at my feet. "I think I did okay."

"I'm sure you did absolutely wonderful," Nessie says, looking somewhere else.

Our mentor, Ardor Frassino, dumps himself in a chair across from us. "I hope you two kiddies are playing nice," he says, laughing.

"Oh, we're playing nice," Ector replies. "Me and all my friends just love Larkie." Friends? What does he mean? Then, I recall Ector talking to people at night. People that don't exist. He would have conversations during half the night. Most of the time, I can't understand what he's saying, but the way his tone is, it scares me.

I shudder, sinking back into the soft cushions. "It's so good to know the tributes this year are so tight knit," Nessie says as she starts to hum to herself. "I hope the scores come on soon. I'm just so excited for this year!" She giggles and calls an Avox to fetch a drink.

A few minutes later, the TV roars with Panem's anthem. Artu Regelo laughs with his partner, Fia. "Hello! Hello!" He cheers and I can imagine every Capitolite cheering with him. "This year we have an interesting handful of tributes, don't we, Fia?"

They go back and forth for a while. Finally, the scores come up. Ector smiles as he waits for his score. We're in District Twelve, so we're last. The tributes from One both score nines. The tributes from Two receive a ten and an eleven, exceptionally high scores, especially the girl. She scares me just as much as Ector. District Four also scores high.

"Wow! Look at those scores. Especially Gabrielle's," Artu says. Fia nods her head in agreement, adding extra comments.

The other tributes score in between. Average scores. A few score sevens and eights. The girl from Five even pulls a ten, a score to match the boy from Four. I look to see what my allies get. Pietta scores a five, Sage scores a six, and Rilly scores a five. I sigh, slightly relieved. My allies scored well.

"Have they ever given a tribute a zero?" I ask.

Ardor shrugs. "I've never seen it. I don't think the Gamemakers ever want to give a tribute a zero. No one's ever gotten a twelve either. A few might have gotten ones."

"This is all so exciting! Did you see that score from the girl from Five? I've never seen such a high score from a lower district. Have you?" Fia says. Artu laughs, shaking his head no. "Well, let's move onto the even lower districts."

District Twelve swoops across the screen. Ector's up first.

"Let's see!" Artu says. He glances at his paper. "Ector Cabot from District Twelve receives a…oh! A seven!" Ector smiles as our stylists cheer. Nessie puts in a little comment and Ardor pats him on the back. "Next, we have little Larkspur Fisole. She's got a two. I wish you the best of luck little Larkspur."

My hands go numb. Everything starts to spin. My forehead has a thin layer of sweat. "Don't take the scoring to heart," Ardor says.

"Yeah, don't take it to heart, Larkie," Ector says. "Not that you'll have a heart for long."

Tears are threatening to burst. My lip quivers. I dig my nails into my palm, telling myself not to cry. I can't cry. Not here. Not now. Not with Ector here.

"Well, there you have it! The tributes of the 35th Hunger Games. Stay tuned for the interviews tomorrow night!" Artu says, waving to the camera.

"Good night, Panem!" Fia adds.

"Good night, Larkie," Ector says, laughing maliciously. He shoves his hands in his pockets and saunters out the room. "See you tomorrow, First-to-Die Fisole." His laugh echoes down the hallway.

Finally, I can't hold it anymore. I scramble off the couch, running for the elevator. Tears stream down my face. I sniffle, wiping them away in the elevator. My shoulders quake and I lean against the wall. In a few seconds, I'm on the roof. Besides the people downstairs cheering as they watch a recap of the scores, all I hear are my sobs. My heart pounds inside my chest. I sit on the floor and can't help but think I'm going to die.

The Scores

District 1:

Sorrenson "Sorren" Princeps – 9

Sapphire Princeps – 9

District 2:

Conrad Avtlift – 10

Gabrielle Dictatrix – 11

District 3:

Maxwell Hoover Demonico – 6

Pietta Carmelle – 5

District 4:

Lucien Ritsert – 10

Morgan Colliet – 8

District 5:

Kage Hatenn – 5

Nayeli Morte – 10

District 6:

Tarragon Layland – 7

Sage Freedan – 6

District 7:

Washington "Wash" Hayner – 8

Clara Lignum – 7

District 8:

Corduroy Dowlas – 3

Rilly Jarson – 5

District 9:

Dustin Proelia – 9

Geminus "Gem" Minx – 6

District 10:

Trenton Cedar – 3

Parrow Hosira – 7

District 11:

Bailey Fera – 6

Maize Koranon – 4

District 12:

Ector Cabot – 7

Larkspur Fisole – 2