Ember (THG Mockingjay sequel)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10-

The days go by like this:

Eat,

Training,

Eat,

Bed.

It is a simple and annoying schedule. It's always the same thing. I always have to pretend to be weak, and its no fun. I begged my mom to let me show strength, but she just said keep going with it. Finnick has pointed out many times that the tributes think low of me, and they were even making bets on who would die first. I was always voted on first, then The girl from 11. Finnick told me The girl from 11 has been following us to some stations. She watches us. Finnick believes she is figuring out a way to kill us, I think she is harmless.

As the days go by, the private session with the gamemakers comes nearer, and nearer. My mother brings me a knife from dinner and brings me to the rooftop to practice throwing. She gives me tips and helps me to improve, since training is doing nothing for me. Soon the private session comes. We all sit in a room waiting. District 1 goes, then 2, and 3, and so on up to 11's female. I sat and looked at the ceiling. Then Galen speaks.

"So. Do you think you're going to get a good score."

"Probably at least a 7. I don't expect anything higher." I say.

"I'm probably going to get a 2. I have no strength."

"I'm sure you're not that bad." Then he's called. He gets up. "Good luck." I tell him.

"You too." He leaves and I'm all alone. I honestly don't know what to do. I wish mom or dad were here. They would hold my hand and tell me I know what to do. But I don't. And they're not here.

In about 10 minutes I'm called in. I walk in and state,

"Primrose Mellark. District 12." They immediately stare at me intently. I slouch down, but then walk to the camouflage station. I paint myself into the leaves that scared Finnick. Then I scale the tree with a bow and sheath of arrows I picked up earlier. I position it and then send it soaring throughout the air and straight into the dummy's heart. I hear a couple whispers. I shoot a couple more then jump down. Then I go to the spear station and throw them at the dummies. It pierces one in the temple, another goes through the body and comes out the other end. When I decide I'm done I put everything away and bow. Once I leave I can hear them talking. I don't know what they are saying though.

I board the elevator that takes me up to the 12th floor. My performance deserved at least an 8. Though everyone's probably hoping for a 2, to help in portraying me as weak. I hope to get a higher score though. They can hope whatever, but I want a 9.

The elevator doors slide open and I run straight into my mothers arms. She puts me down before asking,

"What did you do?" I look at her and then say,

"Well, I shot some arrows from a tree in camouflage, then I threw some spears." My mom sighs in relief.

"Thank god you're not as stupid as me." She says.

"You're not stupid."

"If you only knew. If you only knew..." She whispers the last part. Dad told me to shake her when she gets like this. I shake her body and she snaps out of it.

"Shall we go watch the training scores?" She asks. Arm in arm we skip to the TV room. She looks like an oversized kid. It's actually really funny. I let out a slight laugh which turns into giggles that left me gasping for breath.

When we reach the TV room Galen, grandpa, and the old Effie lady were there. I took a seat next to mom and she placed her arm around me. I curled into her. Then the training scores started. Shimmer gets an 8 and Velvin gets a 9, while Clana and Cresen earn a 9. Finnick gets an 8, which is good. The others get assorted numbers around 5 and 6. The girl from 11 gets a 6. Then Galen earns a 3, and everyone says its ok to him. My face appears on the screen, a flashing number circling my head.

The number is a 10.

A 10! The number 10! 1 next to 0! Everyone cheers and my mom spins me around and hugs me close. I hold her like a little kid until she let's me down. Then I am sent off to bed with Galen close behind. He grabs my shoulder.

"How did you get a 10?" He asks.

"I don't really know. I did nothing out of the ordinary." I shrug.

"Well congratulations." he sighs, then heads to his room. I feel bad for him. He's 18 and a 12 year old got a better score than him. That 12 year old being me. I open the door to my room and fall onto it. I decide to sleep in my training jumpsuit, it was comfortable enough. The covers are pulled over me and I nestle into my bed. Two more days until I'm in the arena. Two more days until I'm in Hell.