The 122nd Annual Hunger Games: The Anti-Careers

New Threats

XVIII - Gray Devon, District 4 Male

I was practically dragged out of bed.

"Get up, Gray!" the mentor called out, an elder man who was thought to be the perfect mentor for me; Finnick Odair. "Scores are about to come out. You've had a good three-hour nap!"

I jerked my head up, my vision trying to quickly adjust to view the once golden treasure of The Captiol. I've heard others-the stylists specifically-make comments that I could have been the next Finnick if I played my strengths right. Because he was outdated by a few decades, his position had become open.

"How long have I been out?" I coughed out scratchy.

"Three hours," he repeated. "Now let's go and see the scores; this is important."

I rubbed my head and hurried myself into the standing position. Without me, Finnick marched off into the living room of the District 4 compartment, leaving me to find my own balance in the room and quickly head out to join the rest. For someone who had around seventy years on him, Finnick was as speedy as he probably was during his younger years.

In the living room were our personal stylists, Blye who was River's mentor, our district escort Calipurn, Finnick, and then myself. I sat myself in between Finnick and River, still trying to recover from an immediate wakeup.

The television blared the Panem Anthem with the update to be read to the public by the host for all of my life, Maximus Avitus, the Master of Ceremonies. For a minute he rambled on about how we were monitored for three days and then evaluated finally at a private session to tug at the suspense of the scores. I really wanted to know and I was sure others really wanted to know as well. He finally proceeded to the scores after another announcement about the upcoming interviews and games.

"From District 1, Castle Marskhaven, with a score of nine."

I wasn't surprised for a second. "He could have done better," I commented. In fact, if he had waited another year like he should have, he could have easily gotten a ten or maybe even an eleven. Twelves are hard to come by and you usually see only one or two during your time in the reapings.

"Silver Agnes, also from District 1, with a score of nine as well. And Hentis Vanelli from District 2." He paused for a moment to take a good look at the paper in front of him. "Ten," he said, seeming impressed with Hentis. "Fern Aventin with a score of nine."

He had said those four scores easily as if they were expectation-which they were-so I had to hope for a good score like theirs to stay in their ranks. I had to be impressed with Hentis as well, as I expected no less than a nine from him. I didn't trust Silver, Castle or Fern; they had to go first, but it was important to keep Hentis on the kill list as well.

"And from District 3, Ethan Ruff, a score of six." That score was a little high for the average District 3 tribute. "Jade Klein from District 3, seven," Maximus said with a little more edge. Two tributes from District 3 with an average score of six and a half is decent, I'd assume.

Then, it was time for my score, my long awaited score.

"Here it comes, everyone be quiet!" Finnick commanded, hushing everyone's comments around the room about the other tributes.

"From District 4, Gray Devon." He paused for a moment much like the way he did with Hentis; it had to be a good score. An eight? Maybe a nine? The year before the boy tribute from my district got a five and the girl as well, unfortunately. "Gray Devon," he piped again, that time with more energy. "With a score of eleven."

I shot out of my chair to gasp. "Yes!"

"That's amazing!" Blye said.

"Good job, Gray!" River spouted.