The Quater Quell: 50th Hunger Games

Chapter 12

        For dinner we are served one of my favorite dishes back home. Ive only had it a few times for special occasions. Pork chops and gravy with wild white rice, mashed potatoes and cowboy beans. We didn't speak much in dinner except for the occasional "Can you pass the salt, please?"

          Finally, Cicero broke the silence and asked what happened today. "Well, I seen that I'm not the only one who talks to anyone else outside of our district." Waylon looks at Dean then at Maizey. "Is this true?" "Yeah cuzzo, it is true. Im tired of being afraid of dieing in the games. Im tired of not getting any sleep and wondering how on earth I even stand a chance. So, after thinking about Raven and her friend from 12, I decided it might be a good idea actually to go around and make small talk and see whos up for a possiable alliance. After all, it is double the tributes this year."

        I gasp. "Dean! After all that arguing and yelling at me you did, you agree with me and not even give me an apology!" "Im sorry Raven! You were just so mad. I didn't think you wanted to talk to me" Dean lowers his head. I can feel my face turning red in anger but I forgive him. He looks up and smiles at me. "Im sorry to Rave." Squeaks Maizey.

          "So, tomorrow is the day of the private training sessions." Cicero says, adding an emphasis on the hiss. "Do you know what you are going to do?" "I think im going to show them how fast and quick I can be." Maizey grins and looks at Waylon for approval. Waylon smiles and assures her that she will do excellent. "Dean?" "Well, I havnt really decided yet. I was thinking hand to hand combat or wrestling." Waylon nods and looks to me. "How a about you Raven? Got any ideas?" "Not really. Im not great at anything but im okay at a lot of different things. So, I was thinking maybe show the game makers that im decent at a lot of different things and hope they see it as me being a pretty good opponent." "Hmmm. I don't think anyone's tried that before so I'm not sure how it will go. But the game makers do get bored so hopefully your creativity will inspire them." Hopefully. I think to myself and give Waylon a fake smile.

            The private training sessions took about all day. One by one we were escoreted to the training center where we would show the game makers what we were capable of. "Good luck" Dean whispers to me as they call my name. I walk with the peacekeepers to the gymnasium and glance around. They listen dto my request and had a few different weapons avaiblable for me. "Raven Blackmire. District 10." I announce as I pick up the glass spear.

           I toss the spear at the target and miss the bulleys bye and inch. Lucky shot. I sigh and walk over to the simulation of knife throwing. I hit the targets but not at the bulleys where I had hoped they would land. My luck was running out. I pick up the bow and shoot three arrows at the wooden target. The first two peirce the wooden dummys head and thigh. I steal a look at the game makers. They were getting bored. I shoot once more and hit the bulleyes dead in the center. I smile and walk over to a trainer where we grappled for a bit when I was dismissed. I exit the training center and am escorted to our floor where we will wait until tonight to found out how well we scored.

                                                                                                          ~~~~

            We gather into the living room and watch Caesar Flickerman as he announces each tributes training score. Demetria scored a 10 and so did Apollo. Most tributes averaged a 5 or a 6. "Larten Pasteur form District 10 with a score of....9!" We all cheer for Larten, he is from our District after all. "Dean Oaks with a score of...9!" we cheer even louder. "Maizey Cohen with a score of 7!" Wow I didn't see that one coming. "Way to go!" we all cheer. "Raven Blackmire, also from District 10 with a score of...8!" an 8? Wow! I was not expecting that. "Good Job Raven! You all did exceptionally well." Cicero coo's. Cesar finally gets to District 12. The olive skinned girls name is apparently Fauna Rosewood and she scored a 7. Haymitch ended up pulling a 9 as well. "Im proud of you guys. You did better than I had ever hoped for" Waylon congratulates us and head off to his chambers.

           Before bed, I take the many winding stairs to the roof top. I really wanted to talk to Haymitch about what happened but he was not there. We weren't allowed to go to another Districts floor but they never said I couldn't take a peek. I hike down the stairs to level 12 and peek through the glass window of the door that leads to his floor. I don't see anything at first but in their lounge I can just make out his auburn disheveled hair poking out the side of the couch. I look around to make sure no one is watching and twist the handle to open the door. An olive skinned girl with short dark hair enters the living room.

           "Haymitch?" "Haymitch!" she must be whispering because I cannot hear her. I spy Haymitch moving on the couch a little and rolls over. He must be asleep. The olive skinned girl tip toes over to Haymitch and kisses him until he wakes up. He reaches his arms up as if pulling her in for another but I do not stay to watch anymore. I race down the stairs and into our living quarters. I start a shower and just sit, thinking. Why am I upset that he is kissing that girl? It's not like I like him, do I? No. I have Walt back home. I quietly think as I let the hot water roll over my body. I might die and never see Walt again. These could be my last few days alive and I have a right to act irrationally and like another boy if I want to. Who am I kidding. I'm not that type of girl. I'm not high maintenance and I don't need a love interest. He's just one less person I need to worry about.

           I stop sulking and get out of the shower. Why was I getting so upset anyways? It's not like we will both make it out alive. One of us must die, which we probably both will. I've never gotten upset over a boy before, I've always made sure I kept my distance from them. Now, I've let myself get somewhat close to one and now look how that turned out. No wonder why my sister and all of the girls at school were always crying over boys. I've got to get my head in the game.