The Hunger Games Begin

Tribute assesments

Training is over, the next time I use a weapon will be in the arena. Today is the day that we will all be assessed by the Gamemakers, aka the sadists that will be adding supernatural twists to the games. The Capitol and the Districts are not allowed to see what each of us shows the Gamemakers, but they will level us on a scale of one to twelve. High scorers are likely to earn sponsors who can send us gifts to help us in the arena, so today is the time to show the Gamemakers what I can do.

Everyone is sat silently in a bland waiting room in District orders. The girl from One is called up first, Silvina, I think her name is. I know for a fact that she, the boy from One and District 2 have an alliance so they will be very tough to take out. Unless someone does it for me...

Soon enough, the loudspeaker booms out my name and I am in a circular room with a raised balcony to my right where the Gamemakers feast on roast lamb. Once again, butterflies are partying in my stomach. Think of it as a normal day in training, I tell myself as I pick up a sash of knives, don't let the Gamemakers scare you. A dummy is illuminated with orange and in a moment, one of my knives is lodged in its head. Streaks of silver fly through the air spearing the helpless dummies until my sash is bare of all knives. Silence follows. Snapping the moment, a plump red haired Gamemaker begins to clap, a couple following suit. Clearly, this is the point for me to exit, however, I stand my ground and stare each and every one of those despicable Gamemakers right in the eyes, asking them how they could do this? How could human beings find pleasure in watching us kill one another? How could they show no mercy?

~~~~~

Huddled intensely around the enormous television installed in our living quarters, Selma, Emmet, Harp, Darla (Emmet's stylist) and I wait anxiously for the broadcast of our assessment scores. Next to me, I notice that Emmet has nibbled his lip raw and it has bled in several places.Part of me is incredibly curious to know what skill he performed... I am just pondering over the possibilities when the TV bursts into light, the anthem playing and the Capitol seal is displayed on the screen. A clear, emotionless voice begins to speak as the picture of Silvina replaces the screen. Apparently she scored a six. Her district partner scored seven. The girl from Two managed a seven whilst the boy got a ten. Something tells me that he will be a problem standing between me and District 3. Taking me by surprise, I appear on the screen and I feel the friendly squeeze of Selma's hand. Beside me is the number ten, confirmed by the strange voice emitting from the speakers perched next to the giant TV. Selma squeals with excitement and begins a gushing river of words about how a score like this will earn me tons of sponsors, how it means I have a chance of returning home. But soon I am replaced by a picture of Emmet, the shadowy light bringing out his eyes. Dread fills me as the number eleven also materialises. As before, Selma is shrieking, Darla too, but the noise goes straight through my mind. How did Emmet get that? This makes me wonder about the remaining tribute scores... If there were two tens and an eleven in the first three districts, how many more of those scores will there be? Will ten just become an average score? Will the screen be filled with elevens and twelves? Emmet's score may have a dramatic effect on my chances of survival. Despite this, I manage to choke out a hoarse "well done". I later learn that there are five tens in total (including me), yet Emmet is the sole achiever of an eleven. What if the Games come down to me and him? I don't think I could face murdering the Browning's only living child. But could I to see Tommy and Mother again?