I woke up in easily the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on in my life, not that I've felt that many of course. I looked at the clock staring at me with glowing red eyes in the shape of numbers. 9:00 A.M. I rolled out of bed and opened my closet doors to see what the Capitol has given me to wear during training. Looking at the black wooden wardrobe made me remember just how luxurious this room actually is. I thought the train was nice, but it's just a minor room-side bathroom compared to this. I was in awe the first time I stepped into it.
As for the training outfit, I'm surprised to something perfectly normal hanging in the wardrobe. It would be considered normal for the Districts, but extremely abnormal for the Capitol. They were simple leggings, comfortable boots that fit to my feet, and a dark blue t-shirt. My Avox arrived and took me down to breakfast. I walked with her silently, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. We walked the flight of stairs to the dining area, where I saw Amora, Valeria, Woof, Ryler, and Charm sitting primly and properly.
"Good morning, Paige!" Amora greeted excitedly.
"Good morning," I replied not as cheerily, as I sat down at the table.
"Where is Cecelia?" I asked.
"She's downstairs in the Training Center talking to the other mentors, bonding on Hunger Games related topics only," Amora answered.
Avoxes brought platters of delicious-looking food. Scrambled eggs. Hard-boiled eggs. Omelets, french toast thick with butter and syrup, waffles, pancakes with whipped cream: All of it a District 8 kid's dream feast. After filling my plate completely, I realized that eating a lot before going through strenuous exercise might not be such a good idea, but filling myself before the Games is. With that in mind, I decided to eat half of the contents of the plate.
I had my first cup of coffee, and after my first sip, it seems that my senses were slapped awake and every word coming out of Woof's mouth was crisp and clear.
"A common strategy during the training would be to not entirely to show off your skills," The sound of Woof stirring his coffee loudly made my head hurt, for some unknown reason. "To be honest, you need to find your middle ground. If you have skills based on weaponry and you show them all of, then by all means, you'll be a primary target of the pack that consists of One, Two, and Four. Show no skills at all, and they'll leave you alone. But this would hurt your scores with the Gamemakers, and possibly, potential sponsors," Woof informed, staring at Ryler.
"We can use that to an advantage, though? Appearing weak and helpless?" Ryler asked skeptically.
I can't help but make an impressed face at what he has just said.
"Yes. But I guess, it all comes down to your preference. If you have believable acting chops, then you can act helpless and rip their throats out as soon as the gong sounds," Woof replied, with a slight shrug.
"Oh my! You two must be leaving now or you'll be late!" Amora exclaimed from across the table.
"Okay," we both said in unison walking towards the door that leads to the elevator.
As soon as we are in the elevator, Amora spoke quickly, "Now you're supposed to be there at ten but now, it's half past nine," we noded as Amora continued. "Most tributes will already be there. Once you get in there they'll pin your numbers on your back and you'll join the circle where you'll be explained what stations there are," Amora informed. "Have fun darlings!" Amora sang, before the doors closed.
I pressed the button named 'Training Center' and we go down, but not before we stop at floor seven. The elevator doors opened. Amora was right almost everyone was there, but fortunately, Ryler and I were the fourth last pair to arrive. I am a little scared to face the rest of the tributes. Once the number eight got pinned on our back, we both went forward to the circle of tributes where everyone was silently observing each other, making the whole circle tense. I glanced at Ryler, who was looking anywhere but the rest of the tributes without any clear expression that he's scared or anything. He just looked like he didn't want to be there.
I on the other hand, did look at the rest of the tributes. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11 were all there, meaning 3, 6, 10, and 12 were still to arrive. The career tributes were all looking around at us with smug looks and all had that over confident vibe coming from them. Typical Careers. They probably think, that one of them will continue on the winning streak that the Careers have made in the last four games.
They won't.
Not this year. They are being too smug about it.
As I'm observing the Careers, I noticed that District 12 and 3 had entered. I also noticed the amount of looks both Ryler and I were getting. Must be because of the tribute parade. We actually got more screen time than any other pair. Amora was delighted about it, she couldn't shut up about how lucky she was to finally get a pair that could actually win afterwards. I happened to make eye contact with the muscular boy from District 1, what was his name again? Lucian, that was his name. He shot me a terrifying glare which I flinched away from.
As soon at District 6 and 10 arrived, Atala, a woman who was very fit and athletic started to explain to us the Training Center.
"Welcome to training," Atala greeted, wearing completely white announced to us. "Here you can try out the skills and weapons you will use in the games, but I warn you not to avoid the survival skills. We have trainers who will provide help when you need it and through the day we will provide challenges for you. You cannot engage in a fight with any other tribute, there will be plenty of time for that in the arena.
I had to suppress a scoff for that, "There will be plenty of time for the Careers to kill you off, you mean" I thought.
She started listing off the stations. This was when I started to look around the training room. There was a bunch of equipment, targets and obstacles set up, every single one of them had a person standing beside it to assist us, if we needed it. Then I saw a room above us that overlooked the whole training room.
The Gamemakers.
I studied them. They were all looking over us on what looks like very comfortable chairs. They all looked untrustworthy. Well I thought that until, I caught one looking at me. He stood next to a bowl of punch. He didn't have a look that the rest of the Gamemakers had. His looks were more friendly, but somehow he looks concerned as well.
Like he doesn't want to see us all die.
He seems trustworthy.
I tilted my head to the side in curiosity towards him, trying to convey the message of 'why are you looking at me'. He actually copied my actions afterwards with an amused smile. 'I'm a Gamemaker, of course I will look at you'. Well, this was weird. I'm creating a relationship with a Gamemaker from afar. I quickly averted my eyes from him and looked back at Atala.
"Off you go," Atala said dismissing us and walked up a set of stairs to where the Gamemakers are speculating us and jotting down notes.
I turned to Ryler who does the same, "What are you doing first?" I whispered so the rest of the tributes don't hear.
"I might go learn how to camouflage," he responded in the same tone with a shrug. "You joining?" Ryler asked.
"No, I think it's better if we join up later," I replied, watching as the other tributes moved around us. "Considering most pairs have stuck together," I observed.
He nodded, "Later then,"
We both separated and moved off. Him going to the camouflage station and myself, going to the fire station. As I made my way towards the fire-making station, I felt my body slam against the sturdy form of another being. I stumbled, trying my best to regain balance before I felt a hand wrap itself around my wrist. I looked up into the face of Bran Miller the boy from District 9 who looked so stunning in his golden costume during the Chariot Parade the previous night. He is already popular with Capitol citizens. And I can see why, he is handsome. I know he has already stolen the hearts of an unnameable amount of girls.
He ran a hand through his chestnut brown hair, "Sorry, I'm such a clutz," He apologized, rolling his eyes jokingly.
I felt my face heat up and let out a small chuckle.
"Keep calm, Paige," I thought. "This boy will probably be the one to kill you in the next few days,"
But somehow, this doesn't seem right. The look in those grey eyes showed a sense of innocence I could not place. He's not a killer. Or at least, I think not. You could never be sure when you're placed within a situation like the Hunger Games.
"Oh...it's fine, really. It was probably my fault," I reasoned.
He laughed softly, "That was a good entrance yesterday in the parade," he commented smiling. I felt a smile playing about my lips but fight it down, forcing the corners of my mouth to remain flat. "See you in the arena," He said, with a dry humor that relaxed me slightly, despite the clear meaning behind his words.
I nodded my head with a nervous smile on my face before continuing my journey to the fire station. I smiled at the assistant as I got there and he started to teach me how to start a fire with two sticks. I spun it a few times but spark nor smoke rose from the sticks.
"You should move your hands downward," the instructor suggested. "And faster, too," he added.
So, the trick was downwards. I tried that and soon smoke starts coming off the tip of the stick. I began to spin the sticks even faster and a small fire started and I blew on it.
I made a fire.
"Not bad for your first day working with fire," He commented.
My eyes widened, "How did you know it was my first?" I asked, incredulous.
He shrugged, "I can't imagine you starting many fires with a needle and thread in your hand in District Eight," he pointed out smiling, before leaving to assist a skinny blond haired boy with pale skin.
I pushed myself off of the floor and slowly made my way to the station where you learn about the type of edible insects that could be in the arena. I arched my eyebrow at the thought of why have station like this, there wouldn't be any bugs I'd have to eat in the arena. Right? The logical part of me didn't think there would be a fluke station full of poisonous and non-poisonous insects, but it's the Hunger Games anything is possible.
While walking to the station, I looked up to where the Gamemakers were. That one Gamemaker was still looking at me, but once I met his gaze, he slowly moved to where the Careers were. The careers were all laughing and throwing spears into the training dummies. They were pretty good at it especially Lucian and it looked like all of them have teamed up. It looked like the Career pack are together this year like every other year. Even if sometimes, District 4 doesn't join them. I thought about how to defeat them. You can either keep away from them, but most people are dragged to them by the nature, obviously done by the people above us; or we give them an equal amount of force.
And so the first alliance has formed.
The second station I go to the knot tying station, I was relieved when I saw it was free. For the next hour I learnt different knots. Ones that could tie together long twigs and leaves, to ones that could be easily undone and according to the trainer I was a natural. A small smile made its way to my lips, it was preferably easy because knot tying slightly reminded of the thread I worked with back at home.
As I'm tying and untying the perfect knots I created the trainer just stood back and admired my fantastic work.
"Hi," a voice called softly next to me. I looked up from my knot and saw the small girl from District 11 next to me. "Do you mind helping me?" she asked hopefully, and my lips curved into a smile.
"Sure," I agreed, as she picked her line of rope. She watched me carefully and try to replicate my techniques as I explained the motions I was going through, but she failed dismally. "What's your name?" I asked, while tying the knot.
"Sage," she answered.
"That's a pretty name," I smiled, looking up at her.
After a few more minutes of knot tying and talking with Sage I left the station to to edible plants. I quickly start sorting out the berries. I waited while the man checked to see how many I got right out of twenty.
"Nineteen correct," He said plainly, before scattering all the berries together.
"What?" I said dumbfounded. How could I have got one wrong? I was almost certain, maybe I rushed it. "Which one did I get wrong? Wait don't tell me I'll just do it again," I said frantically, taking the berries from him and beginning to rearrange them into the two piles.
Once I'm left with just a black bryony and a damson, I really didn't realize where I had gone wrong the last time as it is clear that the damson is edible and the black bryony is poisonous.
"Congratulations, twenty correct," the man said in a boring tone, and to my delight.
"It's lunchtime. We'll continue training after ninety minutes. Renee will lead you to the cafeteria and back," Atala announced.
Renee is at the door, a servant with a normal look to her, with her short black hair and red uniform.
I headed towards the door, where several tributes had started gathering. The door opened and Renee led us out. The walk to the canteen was fairly short, less than a hundred steps. I wondered why we even needed a servant to direct the way. We reached another door, and Renee pushed a button next to it. The door opened, and she stretched out her arm inside, instructing us to go in. I realized that I'm starving when a delicious smell wafted out of the room. All of us waste no time and go inside. My stomach made a faint rumbling sound.
The canteen brings me back to District 8. It's just like the canteen at the factory I worked at, with bare walls and hanging lights, long tables and benches that could hold up to five people each. The only difference is that this canteen had carts and carts full of food, from soups to bread to meats and seafood and various bits of other scrumptious food. When I passed by a table, I notice that its centerpiece is a basket of bread. The sound of plates clinking as the tributes took their food filled my ears. It made me even hungrier.
I headed over to the cart for soups. There are about fifteen varieties of soups, some with ingredients I've never heard of. I scooped the crab and corn soup into a bowl and placed it gingerly on my tray. I made my way over to the cart that had the meats and select roasted beef. A few minutes later, my tray is filled with my soup, the roasted beef, a serving of buttered mashed potatoes, a small plate of vegetable salad, and some apple juice.
Now I just have to find somewhere to sit.
Well, I can't sit with the Careers since they are looking at me like I'm their prey to do what they want with and to be quite honest who would want to sit with those self obsessed assholes. I quickly scanned the tables and see Sage, Ryler, the girl from District 3, and Bran.
I walked over to the table and sit next to Sage.
"Hi Paige," Ryler greeted.
"Paige, this is Tera from three," Sage introduced.
"Hello," I said smiling. "It's nice to meet you," I added, thinking how sad it will be when we both perish in the arena.
"Nice to meet you Paige. You're from eight aren't you? Must be nice up there, being the fashion district and all," Tera commented, flashing me a quick smile.
"I suppose. And three? Technology right?" I asked, and Tera nodded.
During the lunch we all talked about our Districts and weapons and skills for a while. We chatted lightly about each of ours progression with the weapons or survival stations within training center.
"We want the two of you to be in our alliance," Bran stated, after placing his cup down and pointing to Tera. "It's only us three, and we want to round it off with you two," Bran informed, his eyes shifting between Ryler and I.
"Why? We only just met today," I blurted out, confused on why he would trust us so easily.
He shrugged, "Because from all the tributes I've seen excluding the Careers, I believe the five of us have a good chance making it far into the Games," He explained, looking at everyone at the table.
I nodded in understanding and get back to my fire, which is finally starting to work. Alliances sounds like a good idea, but in the end, you'll still have to kill each other. Just like what Ryler and I discussed already. I glanced over at him again, I guess I could use the extra help. The guy looked as though he could cause some serious damage. And he was right if we help each other out maybe we could make it that much farther in the Games than tributes from our districts usually do. Ryler and I stared at each other, silently agreeing this would be smartest option to do.
Ryler and I accepted Bran's offer of alliance, and we somewhat evened the odds against the Careers with this alliance, but we didn't make it obvious that all of us were together now as soon as lunch finished we all went our separate ways. I walked over to hand to hand combat. I tried my best, but the assistant still has me pinned and helpless after only about five minutes.
"Well," he sighed, "You have two choices. One, you could try it again and I could show you some techniques, or two, you could go off and find another strategy,"
"Can you show me some techniques?" I asked meekly.
But, for that day, I do. I spent the rest of the training session trying to conquer hand-to-hand combat. And, at the end, I've beaten the assistant six times and now we were having our final sparring session.
We backed away from each other, and I stood waiting for him to make the first move. He ran towards me with a sword, then sliced up my neck and I narrowly missed it before ducking, then saw I him swing towards my legs and I jumped. I landed on the ground and swiped my leg under his and he fell, then I leaped on top of him and we tackled each other. I ended up with my arm up and my back laying on the floor, I kicked up as hard as I could feeling him become limp from pain, then I pushed him off and pinned his arm up behind his back, and joined a leg with it. He screamed in pain and I pushed harder, this is a person from the Capitol. I feel bad, but not bad enough because he's excited for the games. The sword he was using was about five feet away, so I ran for it, I felt him grab my feet. I kicked with all my might and lunged, pushing him away, then grabbed the sword as he clung to my ankles.
He tried to get up, and I "stabbed" him as he ran into the rubber sword, then he let go and I relaxed from exhaustion still laying down and finally I stood up.
"Excellent!" he praised me, "I've never seen such progress!" He probably said that to all the tributes, but that doesn't stop the compliment from making me happy.
"Thank you," I smiled, and handing him back the sword, then walked away for more water.
That's when I realized all eyes were on me, with some jaws dropped. They eventually went back to whatever they were doing. I felt secure in knowing that if I am found, I will be able to fight. I've had made a lot of progress today and hopefully I will do even better tomorrow. Atala dismissed everyone to their floor and was escorted into the elevator. All the tributes from 1-6 get into the elevator. Since the elevator is only so big and its carrying capacity was 12. When the elevator came back down we all go inside and go to our District floors.
Ryler and I walked out of the Training Center and punch in my district number in the elevator. It was a five minute ride as soon we arrived on my floor I went straight to the shower after my shower I walked to the living room to eat dinner.
"So how was your first day of training?" Amora asked excitedly.
"I learned hand to hand combat and how to tie different knots," I answered. "And even some edible insects," I remembered.
"That will be useful," Cecelia stated.
"How was your day Ryler?" Woof asked.
"Paige and I formed an alliance with Tera from 3, Bran from 9, and Sage from 11," Ryler answered.
When dinner was over we all watched the news about training, meaning it was broadcast for the first time. It had footage of everyone, but had the whole combat thing for me. Everyone congratulated me forever, then we went to bed sore and exhausted from the long day. But there's another one coming up tomorrow.
We were released for the second day of training. Surprisingly the District 1 tributes are at the camouflage station. I made my way to the climbing station and stood in line. All of a sudden I heard a BOOM from the camouflage everybody looked at the station. The tributes from District 1 are covered in paint and screams are heard throughout the room. Trainers from all different stations rush over to the District 1 tributes who are so covered in paint that I can't distinguish which tribute is which.
"My eyes," Ruby suddenly squealed and lashed out the trainers.
"You can't let something like this happen!" she screamed.
All of the trainers looked from one to another as if something like this was impossible and as none of them knew how all the paint got everywhere they are obviously thinking it is their fault.
"How did this happen?" one of the trainers suddenly asked Ruby who has managed to wipe all the paint on her face.
"I don't know, I was just painting and then BOOM!" she said, sounding extremely shocked by the whole situation.
Soon enough the District 1 tributes are taken out of the room and the District 2 and 4 begin to burst into laughter. Soon enough most of the tributes are laughing at the situation and I am as well.
"This survival station is unavailable for the rest of training today," a speaker suddenly said, and a few men come out taping the place so it is out of bounds.
Soon everyone is back to their usual business of training and any sign of the tributes all joining in a laugh is now distinguished. I started to climb up the fake tree. Once I got to the top I looked out over the training center. Ryler was talking to a trainer at the hand to hand combat station. The girls from District 2 and 4, Vika and Zelda were at the archery station. Cavail was sword fighting. The boy from 3 was making fire. The girl from 5 was tying knots and two tributes that both looked very pale and thin was desperately reading about edible plants.
I was still at the shelter making station when the District 1 tributes were coming back in. All attention turned to them. They looked extremely pissed any tribute they would look at would cower in fear.I made the tracking instructor impressed by waiting to be last in the center before lunch and then I ran a forest path rigged with traps, no problems at all.
Then I decided I had no other choice but to walk over to the weapon stations. Something I had carefully avoided since we got there. I knew I was lousy at handling a weapon.
So I swallow my fear it was quite a lot to choke down and strode to the knife station. I passed a few scared tributes on my way, silently pleading to no one in particular to release them from this hell. As I approached the knives, some of the Careers looked at me quizzically. I'd probably do the same thing in their position, honestly. The table of knives is simply a metal table with a array of knives, surprise, surprise. I bowed my head inspecting the knives. I picked one long and particularly deadly looking one, and it turns out to be not very heavy.
After deciding and picking up the knife that was probably best suited me I prayed that I wouldn't miss the dummy. I took a deep breath, aimed, and threw! It hit the dummy's wrist. I aimed for the chest...
"You know, 8," said an arrogant voice behind me. "It's easier if you aim,"
Of course, I thought.
It was Vika, a career, that knew all about knife throwing and was just about to show it off.
Like I just said, she walked over to the set with knives and picked out the biggest one. She threw it so hard that it fell down on the floor right after the knife had hit it in the heart.
"See?" Vika said sarcastically, and gave me a false smile, while Ruby and Zelda laughed.
Don't answer! Don't answer! DON'T answer! I thought.
I grabbed my second knife and threw it with all my might, and to my surprise it landed in the mid-torso. I improved slightly in knife throwing, my best hit so far was in the stomach. I looked back to her and raised one eyebrow, and she looked away throwing another knife. It wouldn't be enough to kill someone but enough to get away. Luckily a trainer made his way over to me to help.
"Don't put your weight in the front leg," Finn, the trainer said, as he showed me again just how it is done. He bent his knees, stretched his left arm, and gripped the handle of the knife with his right. "When you put weight in the front from the very beginning, the momentum gets lost. You only do that when you swing,"
I did as he said. Don't put the weight in front. Put it in the back, where the dominant leg is positioned. I poise myself to throw. When my wrist is in line with the target, I let the knife fly. Excitement filled my chest until I hear the knife clatter on the floor.
Finn raised his eyebrows, "At least you got the legs right,"
"Thanks," I replied, although I know that the principle regarding the right placement of the legs will be rendered useless once I start panicking.
"You can always try again and again," He suggested in a warm tone, like a parent to their child. "Here," He handed me another knife. I take it graciously and position myself yet again. I've been great at the Gauntlet, like Ryler said. I was fast enough to avoid the flying obstacles and those gigantic sacks.
I let knife fly out of my hand to the dead center of the target and I smiled.
"Nice job!" Finn complimented.
The rest of the day passed much easier, I ended my day by going to the snares station. The trainer their taught me some snares using ropes and grass.
Later, after dinner, when Ryler and I started to get up Cecelia stopped us. "We should really talk about your training..."
I cocked my head to the side confused, "Why?" I asked curiously.
"Well tomorrow you'll be meeting with the Gamemakers...Woof and I want you both to be prepared,"
"Tomorrow?" I'm taken aback.
I thought there was more time. I counted backwards in my head, trying to track the days back to our arrival here. Has it really been a week?
I'm suddenly astounded by my lack of time. Our week of hesitant friendships is speeding towards a close and I can't help but think it's my only time left. I'm not ready for my life to be over. Ryler recovered far faster than me and I wondered if I'm the only one who lost track of the time.
"What can we expect?" Ryler asked, intently focused on our mentors.
Woof looks like he's about to nod off into his soup so Cecelia answered, "It's not too formal," she said, distributing her gaze evenly between us. "You enter, show off a few skills then leave,"
"That's all?" I asked skeptically.
"Yes," Cecelia answered, nodding her head.
Ryler leaned forward in his seat, "So what do you think would impress them the most? How can we set ourselves apart?"
"There are plenty of things to do. Any skill could be deemed important in relation to the arena, since they're the only ones who know, so go with what you do best," Cecelia suggested. She smiled her motherly smile and clasped my hand over the table. "You're going to do great Paige," she took Ryler's hand too, "And you Ryler. I can just feel it,"
I swallowed hard at her heartfelt words. How many tributes has she said this to? How many of us has she watched die so soon afterwards?
I see the line of tributes waiting for their turn at the private sessions. The careers were not scared at all. Their faces show that they're ready. Tributes come and go and it's almost District's 8 turn.
"Ryler Kemp," a robotic voice said, and he goes into the room.
I waited and waited until finally my name is called and I am shaking like a leaf. I tried to keep myself sturdy and it doesn't work. I walked through the gate and see the Training Center is empty of life besides the Gamemakers. The smell of alcohol makes my nose cringe as I entered. I immediately know the Gamemakers were wasted as crap. Great. They're going to be more interested in their drink than a tribute who will be dead in a few days. Well don't I feel special. I stood in the middle of the gymnasium and stated my name and district.
Some are looking at me but others are just ignoring.
I scoffed "Excuse me!" I shouted.
They get startled at my outburst.
"Just because I'm from District 8 doesn't mean that you can just ignore me!" I shouted again.
Now I've got their attention. I walked towards the throwing knives. The knives were so light and small so easy to maneuver. I picked up the knives and turned them over and then turned towards the Gamemakers. They are watching me, then I turned back around and grabbed the knife. I threw them at many different targets that showed up out of nowhere. They all land right where the heart would be, and I am relieved.
I looked over at the Gamemakers certain that I must have made a good impression. I had garnered a little more attention, but it went away when one of them started pouring more wine for everyone and then to add insult to injury most of them more focused on the pig that was just brought in I was furious. Furious that I was forced to do this, furious that I was being sent into an arena to kill or be killed, furious that these people weren't even giving me the time of day. My life was on the line, all of the tributes' lives were, and they didn't have the decency to stop and pay attention for fifteen minutes? My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt my face heat up.
Fueled by anger, I quickly walked over to the knife throwing targets and sling a vest of knives over my shoulders. I examined them and noticed that a lot of them are wearing bright yellow tuxes, which seem to be the current fashion in the Capitol. My lips curled with an idea, I quickly ran over to the camouflage station and grabbed a can of yellow paint. Running back to the knife targets, I paint a sloppy imitation of their tuxedos on the targets. Most of them are now paying attention to what I am doing, curious about my strange behavior, so they turn pale when, satisfied with my painting, I grab the knives from the vest and proceeded to stab the skull of the dummy effectively breaking it. I continued to needle the targets with knives, ignoring the nervous muttering behind me. It felt both satisfying and exciting to do this.
When I ran out of knives I turned around and I dramatically curtseyed, "Were you not entertained?" I asked smirking.
I walked out of the gym, leaving a stunned silence and several punctured models of Gamemakers in my wake. I walked into the elevator and pushed the button 8 before it shoots up and I remember when I left, the Gamemaker that I had eye conversations with. He winked at me before whispering something into Publius Nero's ear.
The elevator came to abrupt stop at my floor, "You have reached your destination," that stupid robotic capitol voice said happily, and I stepped out the elevator.
"What did you do?" Amora demanded immediately, stepping over so she's inches from me.
"What?" I ask distractedly.
"Ryler's been back for less than three minutes," Amora snapped. "If you upset them they will blow you up!"
When you're in the Arena, you're completely at the mercy of the Gamemakers. They don't usually kill people, but sometimes they will just to remind us they can, or if the person starts to get out of control.
I looked over to where Ryler was, he was sitting on the couch across from the TV, watching a tape of an old Games.
"I might've damaged some equipment and I might've threatened them," I started, looking back at Amora.
Suffice to say, Amora and Cecelia were not happy with my actions.
"You walked out of the room unexcused? You damaged a piece of expensive Capitol equipment? You threatened the Gamekeepers? What were you thinking?" Amora shrieked at me, waiting to see if she'll quiet down before I can respond.
"Personally, I think it was a rashly bold move on her part," Woof stated, sitting in the in the dining room.
I smiled at the support and glanced towards Cecelia, who was rubbing her temples with her thumbs, elbows on the table. Amora is still seething.
"The whole point is that you're supposed to make them pay attention," Cecelia explained.
"I did make them pay attention," I pointed out.
"By making them like you! You're supposed to get them to pay attention by making them like you! Not trying to - to rebel against the Capitol and threaten the Gamemakers!" Cecelia exclaimed.
"What did you do Ryler?" I questioned.
"Set some snares. Threw around some weights. Attacked dummies with a sword. Nothing special like what you did," Ryler joked, looking at me and smiling.
I rolled my eyes and smiled, "I'm going to go take a shower if you don't mind," I said, and walked to my room.
I hopped in the shower and then after I was done I put a dress on. I stepped out my room and headed towards the living room TV.
"Come quickly, Publius Nero is about to reveal the training scores!" Amora dragged me into a room where sure enough Publius is sitting behind a desk with a serious looking expression on his face.
I sat down quickly and waited for the scores to appear. The Panem anthem suddenly erupted from the screen and Ryler, Cecelia, Woof, and Charm and Valeria came rushing into the room.
"First are the District 1 tributes," Publius said in a voice that sounds a little too kind.
The Panem symbol appeared and then the District 1 tributes scores. Ruby gets nine and Lucian gets a ten. Really not too surprising considering that they have trained for most of their life. I would imagine that all of them will do well in these games.
"District 2," we hear Publius's voice say and the tributes pictures and scores followed.
Cavail gets a ten, Vika gets a ten. Once again very impressive scores. After Publius' words Tera and her tribute partner appeared on the screen with surprisingly good scores. Both get a score of eight. There is a few gasps throughout the room the District 4 tributes scores have appeared.
Kai gets a ten and Zelda gets the biggest score so far of an eleven. A small smile appears on my face at the idea of another argument between Kai and Zelda. During training I experienced quite a few and with Zelda's words it is quite hard to keep a laugh in whether she intended to make it funny or not.
"Zelda is the thirteenth tribute in history to manage to get a score of eleven," Publius shared this small fact which brings a few oohs and ahhs from the stylists.
I looked over to them and they gave a large wave like I'm sitting about one thousand meters away. I simply smiled back and looked towards the TV where District 5's scores are coming up, Callum gets a poor score four and Nina manages to get a seven.
"District 6," Publius said and the scores quickly popped up.
The boy manages to get an 8 and the girl, Kiva, manages to get a seven. The boy from seven, Apollo has a very disappointing score of two his partner Willow gets an eight.
"District 8," Publius said.
Ryler and I held hands and the score popped up. Ryler gets an eight while I got a eleven every single one of us in the room is in one massive group hug, but we soon settle down to watch the rest of the scores.
"Paige is the fourteenth tribute in history to manage to get a score of eleven," Publius stated again.
An eleven that in our District is unheard of. I didn't do the expected, quite the opposite really, I guess Publius Nero gave a shine to me I didn't see.
Also, I really need to have a proper conversation with this Gamemaker that I keep having eye conversations with, he may have been the reason I got that score and he also seemed like a great guy. So, of course I want to actually talk to him.
"District 9," Publius said, as the scores pop up. Bran gets an eight and his district partner gets a very low score of one.
When I saw everyone's score, I felt relief in knowing that I chose good teammates. I can just imagine people at home screaming that we might win this year.
"District 10," he said. The pictures appear shortly after revealing a three for the boy Wyatt, an eight for the girl Merona.
District 11 quickly appeared and disappeared with Aster getting a four and Sage getting a seven.
"District 12," the voice came again. The female gets a 5 and the male gets a 5.
Congratulations Paige you're the most targeted person in the arena.