Rising Flames

Chapter 11: Individual Assessments

The second day of training passed by almost uneventfully, the only oddity during the torturous training was one of the 18 year olds challenged James and Samantha, prodding at them, teasing them.
"The only way both of you are going to get out is if you find one of those keys, and if I have my way," he was definitely jeering at them now, bullying if you will, "neither of you will get away from the cornucopia alive."
He was pulled away from them by peacekeepers, stopping James fighting him before the games. I had to remind myself that that boy was from district 2, hence his aggressive attitude.

The last day of training, today, is individual assessment day, and only hours before we get our final scores - the scores that could determine who lives and who dies. We'll also have our interviews with Caesar Flickerman, which are almost as important as the scores. Almost.
A voice coming through the speaker snaps me back into my current situation, "Thomas Darbe, District 12, report for individual assessment." Everyone else had been and gone, he was the only one left before me.
"Well, here I go, possibly walking to my death" he wanders towards the door heading to the training room. Just before he walks through the door he turns to me. "Good luck in there, Maysillee."
I smile at him before speaking, "You too, Thomas. Good luck to you too." He passes through the doorway into the training room, and I sit in silence, waiting for my name to be called.
After about fifteen minutes of waiting the speaker announces that it's my turn. I stand up and meander into the training room for the last time. The Gamemakers are behind a table - and a forcefield as I can now see - and all look pretty drunk and out of it. The tortures of being last.
I call out to them since they don't seem to realise that I'm here, "Maysillee Everdeen. District 12." They turn to me and I take that as a good sign.
I clear my throat and then stride confidently over to the fire station. I hear them chuckle behind me and the scuffing of moving chairs, signifying their lack of interest and attention. A grin spreads over my face; boy were they on for a surprise.
Stoking up the flames of the bonfire till they began to turn blue, I check to see if the Gamemakers have noticed me. No, they are still busy with their meal, laughing amongst themselves. Good.
I stand up and edge towards the weapons area. Picking up a the bow, an arrow and a knife, I sneak back to the bonfire station and check on the Gamemakers. None of them even looked my way. I set the point of the arrow in the flames and check how much of my allotted time I have left. 7 minutes. Plenty. The metal of the arrow begins to glow orange, and the flames promptly start licking up the shaft.
Setting the bow aside, I quickly throw the knife at the chink in the forcefield , sending it straight through and destroying the forcefield without alerting the Gamemakers. Perfect. Lifting the arrow, I place it on the metal bow, making sure not to touch the flames, point it at the wooden table in the centre of the platform, pull back the string, aim, and... Let it fly.
The table catches easily, which finally gets the Gamemakers attention, screeching and trying to put the fire out. Someone eventually came up with the brilliant idea to put it out with their wine, which work remarkably well considering most of it was spilled on the floor in the process of bringing it over.
After the flames dissipated, all the Gamemakers looked at me, standing there as I had been throughout the entire catastrophe, with a grin on my face and bow by my side. Their expressions ranged widely; some stood there open mouthed at me, some scowling, few even smiling at me.
I had done what I came to do, so, placing the bow back on its stand, I bowed and declared, "Thankyou for your consideration," and walked out of the room, hearing an argument erupt behind me, and the smile on my face grew even wider.

A/N: Ok, so I know I said I wouldn't do authors notes, but it makes things easier. Anywho, my friend KaylaLaing is also a hunger games fan and helped me get past my writers block, so, Thankyou HEAPS! Also, she has wonderful stories and it would be awesome if you could follow her. Thanks, love you all. I hope you're enjoying this story.