The Third Quarter Quell

Chapter four - Taking Chances

I look at Prim as we grow near the exit. She smiles, and grabs my hand, standing slightly closer to me. I look back at Peeta and he gives me two thumbs up. 

As we leave the small room and enter into the larger room the light almost blinds me. The are so many people. Not a spare seat in sight. The crowd goes wild. I look at Prim and see her costume not flaming. I guess the thought of Katniss sister alone makes the crowd wild. Then I see myself, in the large banners hanging above. Myself and Prim have just burst into flames. Our costumes burn slowly, and as I look down the long road I realize why it burns so slowly. Because for the finalle to be at the end it actually has to burn slowly. The audience grows restless and Prim and I burn away. Roses, red and yellow, come flying towards us. I catch one and give it to Prim. She raises it in her hand, which causes more cheers. Finally, our dresses are gone. 

We are left in suits as black as night. Then the flickering starts to happen. It looks like hot coals just pulled from a fire. Burning and blacking out. Its mesmerizing. Prim and I look amazing. Suddenly the plaits in mine and Prims hair also start to glow. I realize that braided into our plaits are a material very similar to our costumes. Which have started to glow. Here goes the finalle. As we near the end of the road our costume burst into flames, then die down, glowing slightly, before blacking out completely. 

They have done it. Cinna and Portia have pulled it off. They have managed to pull off several amazing costumes which make the crowd go wild. We have kept Katniss' legend going. Primrose; Katniss' sister, has kept her alive.

"That was fantastic!" Peeta cries out as he nears the carriages. Cinna and Portia also have large smiles on their faces. 

I look around. Almost everyone is looking at us. I don't blame them. Cinna and Portia have made us look very good. I notice some of their costumes, and they aren't nearly as good as ours. Flynn and Blaine, from district four, are wearing net dresses. Blake and Holden from district seven are dressed as strong wood cutters, holding axes and looking dirty. I must admit, they do look good. District nines Sierra and Nate look like grain. Sparkley grain. 

"I liked, when you gave her the rose." Cinna says. I smile and follow Effie and the others. Obviously we are going to our floor. 

"So, this is the floor you will be living on for the next few weeks." Effie tells us. We have the penthouse, and a fantastic view. 

"Wake up Crimson. You have training in an hour!" Effie shouts happily. I pull myself out of bed and see a black suit with 'Distrist 12' written clearly on the shoulders and back. I pull myself into it and go into the bathroom to wash up. I brush my hair and pull it into a pony tail. Pinning my fringe out of my face. I pull my boots on, and walk to the kitchen to eat. 

"Goodmorning everyone." I say as i see Effie, Prim, Peeta and Haymitch around the dining table. 

"Goodmorning sunshine." Peeta chuckles. 

"What?" I ask, slightly confused.

"You just so cheery. I don't know how, nor do i know why.  Your like a ray of sunshine in a dark gloomy room." Peeta says.

"Thanks?" I ask. I understand why they are all so gloomy. I dont understand why i am so cheery. 

"So, Haymitch told Katniss and myself the same thing im about to tell you last year. Don't show any hidden talents you have." Peeta tell me and Prim as we walk to the elevator.

"I don't have any hidden talents." i tell him.

"Sure you do, Haymitch told me your parents taught you some basic skills." Peeta smiles and then walks away.

Prim and I follow Effie into the elevator. 

We are the second last tributes to arrive. I think Kray and Rian have not arrived yet. 

When they arrive the lady starts to talk. Explaining to not disregard the smaller tasks, like making a fire, knowing your plants, blah blah. I know i'll get around to it all. First though, I have to throw a few knives to make sure I still can. 

Peeta's voice runs through my head. 'Don't show any hidden talents you have.' Guess I'll have to pretend to be bad. 

When the lady stops talking I see Prim start to walk to the plants. Guess she is really going to take in what the lady said. I find myself walking straight towards the knives and dummies. 

I pick up a knife and get my hand used to it. At home I used the same knife every time. My hand got used to it, I knew where every grove was, I could draw it with my eyes shut. 

"You going to throw that? Or are you just going to hold it?" I hear a voice say to my left. I look slightly to my left and see a familiar face. Grayson, from district 3. He picks up a knife and continues to watch me.

I aim for right between the knees of the board. With the flick of my wrist the knife leaves my hand and burrows deep into the board. 

Right between the knees.

"You have the technique correct. Just your aims a bit off." Grayson flicks the knife from his hand, landing in the small circle drawn on the head. 

"Your aim is a little bit to good." I say as I pick up another knife. I aim two inches from the left elbow. When I hit the place I'm aiming I realize my aim is just fine. I walk away. I go over to the bow and arrow knowing I have no practice and probably suck. Which is good. Make everyone think I suck. 

I pick up the bow and pretend to know what I'm doing. I pull back the string arrow less and let go. I do it probably ten times before I hear another voice to my right. 

"Usually you use and arrow." he tells me.

"Are you following me?" I ask not even having to look to know the voice.

"No, but there are only so many areas in this small room." Grayson chuckles. I grab an arrow, aim for the heart of the board and let go of the string. I hit the right shoulder. I grab another arrow and aim for the head. Missing by at least three inches. 

"Your technique is a little raw. But you aim is better." He offers. I look at him in disbelief. He takes the bow out of my hand and grabs an arrow. Aiming he hits the red circle right where the heart is. Reloading, he hits the middle of the head. 

"You better watch yourself. Your making a target of yourself." I say. 

Picture of Grayson   >>>>>>>>