UPHILL BATTLE (Cato)

Five: My heels try to kill me

Individual assessments.

Pure terror. At least, however, I had a plan. Although, Ben hated me even more that he normally did for existing. He was jealous that the Careers had offered me a place in their pack. Jenny said to accept the offer, too.

Most mentors would probably tell you to stay as far from the Careers as possible, but in her games Jenny had actually allied with them. Also, she told me herself that I would be fine as long as I split off from them before they began to turn on each other.

Ben ignored me as we waited for our names to be called. He was mad at me, I knew, so I ignored him too. The boy from one was called; "Marvel Sanford, District One." He got up, and walked confidently through to the doors, which closed behind him.

Then Glimmer Belcourt from District One went through. Then the boy from Two, 'Cato Hadley'. So that was his name. Before she went, 'Clove Kentwell' came up to me.

"Decided, Ten?" She asked. I looked at her, with a short smile.

"I accept your offer." Ben scoffed. Clove ignored him, simply smirking at me with a nod as she walked through the door like the others before her.

It didn't take too long for my name to be called, having a blissful amount of time without my grumpy district partner beforehand.

"Rhea Aaron, District Ten." My name was called. The little girl from Eleven gave me an encouraging smile as I got up. I sent a small smile back her way, internally crying because I knew the sweet child wouldn't survive the Hunger Games.

I strode through the doors, face emotionless. High up, the gamemakers were sitting, drinking and eating. By the last couple of districts, they lost interest. I cleared my throat to get their attention, "Rhea Aaron?"

They turned, and some of them at least focused on me. Seneca Crane, the head gamemaker, looked at me intently. I felt like his sharp eyes were piercing through my head.

I calmly took up the sickle in my hand. I stood, still and silent, before jolting into life. In a series of perfect and precise movements, the dummies lay decapitated at my feet.

Murmurs broke out behind me. Those not paying attention now looked on in surprise. I didn't turn around, but walked without a word to the knives.

I clasped multiple in my hands, and as with the sickle, the dummies were 'killed'. A gasp, a laugh of shock.

Then I went to the whip. Not one tribute had attempted it at training, and my fingers had burned to hold the familiar leather in my hands. The Capitol whip was finer made, but generally the same.

I held it in my fingers, turning to face the gamemakers for the first time. They all looked surprised to see the unused weapon in my hands. I turned back, straightening.

I executed one sudden movement. The whip curled around the dummies neck, I tugged sharply and it was decapitated with ease. I repeated this several more times, bodies fell to the floor. Then, I pulled over some of those still standing, and showed off my close combat skills.

I chopped and sliced until I was standing alone, surrounded by bodies.

I dropped the whip, turned around, and bowed gracefully. The gamemakers stared at me in surprise and delight.

"You may go." And I walked out of the room.

A nine. I got a nine. Ben got a six. He was mad, of course, but Jenny literally hugged me.

"You must be pretty good with a whip!"

I tugged nervously at my dress. I had endured several painful hours with Aemilia, perfecting my manners, and several also with Jenny sorting out my 'personality' for the interviews.

I was going with mysterious and sassy, which I actually wasn't that bad at.

Nona had pulled out a outfit for me. I was wearing a silky, bronze coloured summer dress, in a similar style to my reaping dress had been. Paired with it, a black leather jacket to match some of the produce of my district.

I was also forced into a pair of very tall, very painful high heels, which felt like they were attempting to kill me, by Aemilia. However, thanks to Aemilia's training, I could at least walk in them. So I had to wear them.

I got in line with Ben, who was in a dark grey suit with black trousers and a matching black shirt underneath. He looked annoyed.

I inspected the Careers from afar, as they chatted amongst themselves. Glimmer wore a suggestive, pink dress with lots of frills and a high waist. Marvel was in a blue and yellow suit. Clove wore a poofy, coral pink strapless dress - or was it orange? Either way, she clearly wasn't convinced by it. Judging by the scowl on her face...

Cato was in a silver suit. It was tight fitted, and showed off his bulging muscles. As I watched him, he noticed me.

"Ten! Come here." He called. I jolted with surprise, but instantly fixed my face. Couldn't let my feelings show. I stalked over, catching the other Careers attention.

"Hello." I stated calmly. Marvel jumped.

"There you are! Glad you joined the our alliance.."

I nodded, "I'm not a Career though. Just an ally." My face was emotionless.

They nodded in response, but were cut off my Caesar beginning to speak out on the stage, accompanied by loud music. They quickly got into line, and I darted off without a word to stand back by Ben. He ignored me. I ignored him.

Glimmer was flirty and suggestive, just like her dress. Marvel was funny and friendly. Clove was sadistic and sarcastic. Cato was brutal and viscous.

Whichever personality they went for, each of them had an underlying murderous feel. It scared me. I was reminded that, although I was an ally, they wouldn't hesitate to kill me.

The girl from Five was mysterious and clever. I realised that she was faintly similar to me. Just way smarter. But my turn came all too quickly.

"Next up is Rhea!" Caesar Flickerman stood up with a grin. I took a deep breath, and stepped up to the stage with a smile easily stuck to my face. The harsh, bright lights blinded me for a millisecond, but I blinked it away and stopped next to Caesar. The crowd cheered, I waved gently and smirked.

"Hello, Rhea! Are you well?" Caesar asked me, smiling.

"I'm very well, Caesar," I replied, lying with ease, "The Capitol is ever so generous."

The crowd cheered again, I sat down elegantly in the chair next to the presenter as he asked, "So, how are you looking forward to the games?"

"Oh, I'm very excited." I said, screaming the exact opposite inside my head, " What about you? Are you excited?"

Caesar grinned, "Very, darling. This year we have a very good lineup of tributes! So anyway, do you think you might win?"

I sighed, and honestly replied, "No Caesar, no I don't. But I will try my very best, for my father." My face was solemn and I knew Caesar could tell I was dead serious.

"Oh - okay..." he faltered for a moment, but picked up again with, "How is your father? Your mother? Any siblings?"

My face was serious, voice flat. It seemed like the temperature in the room had dropped. The crowd was silent.

"My father needs me. My mother is dead. I have no siblings."

Caesar was taken back, but quickly came in with, "Well anyway, our time is up! Good luck, Rhea!"

I walked off stage.

Mood change, though.....

(Her mother died giving birth to her, by the way..)