May the odds be ever in your favour

Chapter 7

Once the interviews are done, we are all packed and delivered to the evaluation room which is even deeper than the training centre, underground. We are all changed from our formal clothes and are wearing the same outfit, a black T-shirt with olive green trousers and boots. One by one the tributes go and the room is getting slowly emptier and emptier. Wren and I sit side by side trying to remain calm. We both know that this is the last chance we have to impress the sponsors to keep us alive.

This time, Wren goes first. His name is being called alongside our District number. Before he goes I squeeze his hand reassuringly like he has done for me in the past days. I would hug him if we were alone, but the room is still filled with other tributes and I don't want to be perceived as weak or that I have a special connection with Wren. He squeezes it back and he lets go.

Time passes so slowly, it's getting torturous. I'm about to lose my patience when I hear my name being called. I don't have Wren with me to support me but I have to count on myself. I fix my posture and go inside the evaluation room. It's a small replica of the gymnasium. It's filled with all kinds of equipment ranging from spears, tridents and javelins to bows, slingshots and clubs. Far in the right corner, there is a balcony where the Game makers and potential sponsors sit and have a feast.

I announce my name and my District and begin searching for a bow and arrow. It's my safe choice out of all the weapons. I put the quiver in my back and take the bow in my hands. I move to the targets and stand a few metres away from them. I remove an arrow from the quiver and secure it in the bow. I string it back and I figure that this bow is a bit tighter than the one I've been practising in the training centre. I try to relax my grip and aim. I let the arrow go and it lands a few inches away from the target. I've ruined it. I've ruined my chances of getting sponsors. What little attention I have, it's gone once they see my arrow miss.

The frustration is building up inside me and I load another arrow on the bow. I remove every thought from my mind and let myself focus on a dummy right beside the target I missed. I open my legs a bit further and fix the position of my arm holding the arrow. I keep both of my eyes open as I let go of the second arrow. It lands right on the dummy, where the heart would be. I quickly glance at the balcony but still no response. No one is paying attention to me.

No. I can't let this be the end of me. I won't let this ruin all the effort Wren, Leander, Darion, Charlotte and I have put in. I take a deep breath as anger fuels me. They are all too invested in their conversations. I can't believe it. Here I am, literally fighting for my life and they don't give a damn. My anger shifts to them now. I clear my throat and address them.

They all turn their heads around to see me, standing there with my bow lowered. I ask one of them if they can lend me their tie. Everyone seems sceptical until one of the men removes his tie and throws it at me. At least now they are paying attention to me. I wrap the tie around my eyes, blinding me. I know that I'm acting spontaneously in a desperate attempt to have at least a small chance of surviving.

I take the third arrow from its sheath and place it on the bow. This is my last chance. My true last chance. If only I pull this off. I take aim and my hands begin sweating. I can hear my heartbeat drumming in my ears. They don't exaggerate when they say that once you're deprived of one of your senses the others will enhance. I'm about to panic, but I remember my approach to the games. The one Darion thought so slyly. Even the most harmless person can release a dangerous side.

I take a deep breath and hold it. In an instant, I let the arrow fly away and the land echoes in the room. I try to hear reactions because I'm too afraid of removing the tie from my eyes. I can't distinguish anything though. I can't avoid the inevitable forever. I quickly remove the tie and to my surprise I see the third arrow having split the second one in half as it's stuck right in the heart of the dummy. I made it. I pulled it off! I turn my head to the balcony and see shocked faces looking at the dummy and then directly at me. They are speechless.