Let the 25th Hunger Games Begin

What?!

'What?!' I exclaimed. I didn't know what to think. I was sitting in the living room, the morning of our interviews. The eve of the Games. Our stulists, Mercilli and most importantly Opal were here with Keil and I to see our results. Mercilli was wearing all red and had his hair dyed gold to show us his spirit and "how much he loves us and our districts," as he put it. It was a Capitol- type guesture. For that I was thankful. Opal was normal- wearing an orange no sleeved silk shirt and long black jeans, her hair tied in a high pony tail. Although it was up, it still reached her belly button. The stylists were as per usual- giggly, excited and sometimes worried. Sometimes.

We had finished our breakfast when we went there immediately to see the scores. Ceasar was sitting there, in a studio with the Capitol symbol as a back drop.

'Now, since this year is the exciting Quater Quell,' He had started. 'We have decided to show highlights of the filmed assessments.' None of us new it was filmed. Of course, they had to review it to be sure of their score. Then he had begun.

'A stunning 10 and 9 from our District 1 Tributes!' He laughed. A video came up of them fighting. They were both very good, but I only paid attention to Cydney. She was handy with an axe, which was my weakness. I had to be careful around her.

'After that great score comes 7 and 6 for District 2.' Ceasar tuts. A video comes up of the tributes. Usually this District was brilliant, but this time they were showing off their smarts. Too much. They only showed one weapon choice each, but gave details on traps and plants.

We had sat there and waited for our score of over 10 minutes. The highest score was a 10 from Cydney and Madeline so far. Madeline had made life-sized traps and entered two simulators- archery and sword fighting. She was determined. Only two others had received a 9, but may scored around an 8, which was still good. Finally ours came up.

Keil was smiling and prepared to receive his score.

'Now for District 8! And... Wow! Some amazing scores here!' He exclaims excitedly. Keil smiled even wider. He nudged me hard. I pretend to sulk.

'A fabulous 9 for Keil! And look at those sword and wrestling skills!' It showed footage of him sword fighting and wrestling. I had laughed in my head. He hadn't visited the food or plant area often- only once for only an hour. If he had paid a little more attention to that, he would have scored a 10. Mercilli, Keil and the stylists roared. He punched the air and clapped his hands.

'And thats how you get a high score sweetheart!' He laughs to me. I stare at him smiling. I couldn't wait for my score.

'And now for Abigail- oh my!' Caesar gasps. Everyone looks at each other, puzzled. I hadn't told anyone, not even Opal, how I went. Caesar broke out into a grin.

'A BRILLIANT score of 11! That's the highest score yet!'

'What?!' Was all I could say. Suddenly an amazing feeling of victory engulfed me. I jumped up and punched the air, similar to what Keil had just done. He stares at me, mouth hanging wide open on awe. The stylists squeal in delight. Mercilli and Opal clap and cheer for me.

'Watch the video!' Mercilli instructs. It showed me talking about the plants, then cut to the Parkor simulator. Caesar spoke over this.

'Some amazing skills also demonstrated during the Chariot rides- and oh! Look at that shooting!' After it played my Parkor victory, it cut over to my bulls eyes in the assessment. They only showed one of my misses. Finally, it played my knife-throwing. It looked amazing seeing it. I was fast and athletic, quickly attacking and dodging. It finished on my final moment, when I was injured on the floor, spun and threw the knife straight at the robot, which collapsed. It looked amazing.

'You-but-crying-scared?' Keil stammers, stunned. I look directly at him and nod.

'Yes, sweetheart.' I reply. 'It was all just a trick. Happy Hunger Games, Keil.' That was one of the first times I said his name out loud. It sounded thick and sloppy-just like his personality. Opal sits me down at the dining table, in the room opposite the living room.

'I wouldn't act so smug Abigail,' she tells me. 'Keil is with the Carrers- they will definitely hunt you down first. Well, maybe not first with your high score.' She considers. Opal sighs heavily. She sighs lots. 'Look, if you were in a different situation, I would scream at you for the ways that you talked to Keil, like a death threat. But this is the Hunger Games. So I congratulate you. Just... Tone it down a bit. He will hunt you down, one way or another.' I gulped, but held my head high.

'I won't let him win- Madeline will win, and if not her then I shall.' I say, full of determination and courage. Opal grins.

'That's the Abigail I like. Now tell me- what exactly went on? Tell me all the good parts.'

Author's Note:

Sorry for the late chapter! I want to drag the Pre-Games out for a while- with the Train Ride, The Chariots, Training, Allies, Enemies, Individual Assessment. Here is the last Pre-Games component, coming out tomorrow- Interviews Askew. I really need some questions answered, so comment with your opinion of the book.

What should the arena look like?

Any new characters you want to add?

What events should happen in the arena?

And finally, in your opinion- who should win? Should Madeline die and Abigail take victory, or shall Keil win? Or will Abigail succeed in protecting Madeline and help her win? Or maybe the Carrer pack should interfere...

Any thoughts you have, comment! Any comments you have, well, comment!

😜, Alix