The Hunger Games - One Spark

Chapter Four - Examinations & Preparations

The exam hall is full of weapons, mud and the scent of a recently put out fire. I continue walking towards the Gamemakers and announce myself.

"My name is Jasmine Andrews."
The Gamemakers glance over at me and then take a seat.

To show an example of surviving in the wild, I have made a sleeping bag out of a sheep's skin and fur. This show's that I can keep warm on the cold nights if I can find an animal with a similar coating.

Next I must show them a weapon of my choice to impress them with. My gut instinct is telling me to use the archery station. Yet, I feel like I should show off my knife throwing skills.

When I reach, the knife throwing station, I take a small pocket knife, and forcefully fling the knife straight into the head section on the target zone. I take the next and in lands in the red heart zone. I'm convinced that's enough for the Gamemakers, who are applauding me loudly.

I take a bow, smile and walk back out of the exam hall when my name is called.

I shoot back around and see a tall and fat man waving me to come forward. I gracefully walk towards him, no extra speed-walking, just an average pace.

"Miss Andrews." He addresses me, "I am delighted to give you the news you will be given a higher score than all of the other tributes. Your survival skill for keeping warm was astonishing, nobody from Bridgwater has ever done that before. Thank you!"

I shake his hand, and head back to the elevator door and then to my bedroom.

I change clothes from my training clothes and into some leggings and a tank top. I'm feeling extremely casual. But, it's time for seriousness. Where is Jason?

I walk down the hall, not covering the sound of my feet hitting the floor. I am a heavy-footed person. When I walk into the living area, my brother and our two mentors are sitting together talking, but when I am detected, the noise stops.

"Jasmine," says Kai.

"What are you guys talking about?" I ask, politely.

The three boys look at each other nervously, before all six eyes are back on me without an answer to my question. I repeat the question and Jason replies:

"Oh nothing Jasmine. Men talk."

Men talk? What is that? Talking about girls? Or, strategies?

There's a knock at the door and I rush to open it before Helena does. I didn't notice she was sitting painting her nails fall orange. When she opens the door, it's Katherine and Lukas.

"Jasmine, oh no." Katherine says as she begins to shake.

Now, I'm so confused. Everyone is acting so strange and it's making me, feel uncomfortable.

"Katherine! Hey, I'm so happy you made it!" Shouts across Jason.

"Jason, what on earth is going on? Everyone is acting so strange.

Jason takes one look at me, and returns his attention to Katherine.

In thirty minutes, our scores from examinations will be broadcasted to us and the public, this isn't a time for him to be ignoring me.

In the kitchen, I grab some water and return, then I rudely slam myself down onto the loveseat next to my brother.

"Look, whatever it is you're all hiding from me, you best open up, now."

"Jasmine, your brother has invited two of your allies over to go over your plan for tomorrow." Says our mentor, Kai. "He's also trying to devise a plan on how to..."