Author Games - When In Rome

Task 2 - Male Entries

Tyberius Mitango:

I woke up especially early. I had a few things on my mind.

Number 1: the Hunger Games would start in a few hours.

Number 2: this huge alliance that I apparently organised.

Number 3: I got an 8 as a training score.

And number 4: Phae.

I’ll walk you through so it’s not so confusing. The first is self-explanatory – the Games would begin today and who wouldn’t be nervous. The second is that I organised an alliance. As well as the Careers we also have 3 useless girls joining us – mind you they did get higher scores than the District 4 careers. And the District 6 girl – an 11! She got the same as Phae. Maybe I would have to watch my back. The third is my training score – an 8. I mean, sure I cut my finger off with that damn flying axe but that’s worth extra points, right? I didn’t mean to do that. In fact, I had a bad feeling about that axe in the first place. And last but not least, Phae. She was the one who made me look so stupid. Then again it helped my act but Careers didn’t team up with weaker Districts. What the hell? I don’t need this. I walked out the door and ran into Phae. I gritted my teeth and quickly put on a charming smile.

“Hey baby,” I said coolly. She giggled and fluttered her eye lashes, “You should have taken up my offer last night, I was a little cold all by myself,” I had expected her to keep up the act, since we both know each other’s secrets but she ignored my attempts to distract her last night.

“Sorry! But I have to get ready; I have to look perfect for the Games. Ta ta.” She gave a flimsy wave and walked off in her ridiculously short skirt. I couldn’t help but stare at her ass. It wasn’t just her looks, she was actually smart too. But her whole act said otherwise. But she knew who I was and I knew who she was so I was content to let her be. I shrugged mentally. She’d be fine. Everyone would see her true colours in the Games.

**

“1 minute remaining.” A robotic voice told me. I had already been in here for a while so I took a final drink of water.

“Tyberius, I just want you to know..” my stylist started to get teary and came towards me with open arms,

“Save it, egghead,” I shoved him away and couldn’t help but grin when I saw his shocked face. Capitol people were like humans without brains, thus the reason I refer to them as eggheads. They have eggs inside their heads – possibly scrambled eggs. I did a few warm-ups before entering the tube.

“30 seconds remaining,” the voice said. 

“I’m waiting!” I hissed impatiently. Even in front of my stylist I couldn’t show the real me, but this façade I put on was almost natural to me now. The glass door trapped me inside the tube.

 I felt a little claustrophobic and nervous now. No matter how hard we trained, nothing could prepare us for the arena layout. I felt the tube slowly rise. I took some deep breaths to calm myself. I still gasped as I took in the arena. It was ancient. Columns went down one way and concrete debris lay around the place. It was like a green meadow where the Cornucopia was, along with concrete and stone walls. Part of me wanted to study the place so badly and find out more about it – but it wouldn’t help me. I had to be a typical Career. I was a District 1 male which meant I was in charge. I made the plans. I had control over my allies. So, ultimately, I had the biggest advantage. A small forest was between a few ruins on both sides. Enough cover to be stealthy. The countdown from 60 had already started. It was at 46 seconds. I could see my weapons. Of course, my favourite was there – the kukri knife. There was also a scythe and a spear with a silver end. I wanted them. I then searched for my allies. Phae was about six tributes to my right, I couldn’t see Eden. The District 4 tributes were several tribute to my left and Nicki or Nixie (I couldn’t be bothered to remember) was between me and Phae.