Okay, I'm just going to skip to the individual training sessions. And I'll probably limit the POVs to a few people, so it's easier on me Bear with me here guys. -------------------------------------------- -Chapter 14- The Scores are Revealed Tiffany's POV The training sessions are today...it's all going by too fast. The day that I die in the Death Games is coming closer. The clock is ticking. Every second is a stab in the chest, preparing me for the real thing. All of the tributes sat in the waiting room according to their district, with a small space between each district. The girl sat first, the boy second. District One sat closest to the big metal doors, while District Twelve sat the farthest. Daniel and I were somewhat close to the middle. "Blaire Herrera," a robotic-sounding female voice chorused through the room, giving a bit of an echo. Blaire stood up confidently after giving a thumbs-up to Victor, strutting her way into the room with her pursed red lips ready to impress the Gamemakers. One by one, the tributes were called. We were each given 10 minutes to impress them, so it wasn't until about an hour later that I was called. "Tiffany Odair," the same voice echoed. Butterflies started churning in my stomach as I got up from my red velvet seat. When I reached the double doors, I looked back at Daniel, who was still sitting there with his elbows resting on his knees. Good luck, he mouthed. I gave him a small smile in return, and headed inside. Show 'em what you've got, my mentors' words echoed in my head as I walked towards the tridents. Show them everything. Use the tridents. Use the swords. Use the bows. The Gamemakers sat up in their chairs as I put my thin fingers around the golden trident. I threw it with all my might at the target, piercing it perfectly in the middle. Bullseye. I heard murmurs among them, some nodding their heads in agreement. I smirked to myself, knowing that I didn't need to show them anymore of the trident. I moved on to the bows, grasping a dark sea blue one and picking up an arrow, placing it perfectly on the bow. I pulled the arrow back and released it, sending it flying through the air into the second ring of the target. These bows were slightly different than the ones I used in training. The Gamemakers murmured slightly more negative words as I put another arrow in place. I drew my breath, giving myself more time to aim, squinted my eyes, and let it fly. I almost felt nervous waiting that split second to see where it landed. My nervousness left as I saw it pierced the bullseye. I smiled again, and moved onto the swords. I looked at the time: 2 minutes, 34 seconds left. The dummies were set up in two straight lines, so I grabbed two of the sharpest-looking swords I could find. I found that I could move myself very fast and swift. I had cut off all of the dummies heads except for two, and the buzzer rang, signaling my time was over. I gave my 'thank you's' to the Gamemakers, and let myself out the door on the opposite side I came in. And right at that moment, I realized that this will be the difference between life and death for me. If I get a high score, what will my allies think? Will they assume that I'm a serious threat, even to them? Will the Careers make me their first target? Will my own brother kill me? Daniel's POV I watched as Tiffany gave me a small smile and headed in. It happened a while ago, but what Victor had said still buzzed around in my mind. "We kill Odair in his sleep." My mother always told me Gale Hawthorne, Victor's father, was a sweet, sensitive man. I wondered if Gale had changed, or Victor had just hung out with the wrong kind of people. After about ten minutes, the speaker came on. "Daniel Odair," the annoying female robotic voice chimed. I stood up and walked to the metal doors, not having anyone to turn to for good luck. I walked almost expressionless to the tridents. Let's show 'em what I've got. I picked up the first one I saw, and threw it briskly at the target, penetrating the bullseye. Seeing that I'm flawless with the trident, I decided to move onto knives. I figured that knives are like tridents, only smaller. I pierced every dummy in its head, right between the eyes. The last thing I did was swords, since I knew I wasn't commendable with a bow and arrow. Lord, if you threw me and a bow together, it'd be like...a lion and a bird. I did great on the swords. The dummies were in two straight lines, so I picked up two swords and moved swiftly, decapitating each dummy. The Gamemakers were thoroughly impressed. The buzzer rang, signaling for me to leave. I gave the Gamemakers a bow, showing that I was as confident as any other. Look out, Careers. Echo's POV You know, that Tiffany from 4 is starting to grow on me. She could make a good ally. After spying on her in the training center, she could definitely be useful. Her brother...Daniel, I think it was...he's going to be powerful. I mark him on my mental list of people to target when the games start. Sorry, Daniel. Savannah's POV I dread being from District Eleven. The Gamemakers will be bored from watching seemingly nameless tributes try to unsuccessfully show off. But I'm different; I can use pretty much every weapon. They will definitely be watching when I come in. Look out, Gamemakers. Here comes Savannah.
You did an awesome job! ^•^ Thank you for continuing this for Tiffy. ^•^ Everyone now loves you forever •.~ Keep up the good work!
-Chapter 15- The Scores are Revealed Tiffany's POV I watched intently as Piper Pattilon's face appeared on the oversized television screen. Butterflies churned in my stomach, waiting for the agonizing moment that brings me my score. "Let's begin with the scores," she said in her affected accent. "District One...Blaire Herrera...with a score of 9!" Everyone in the room murmured in response. "Victor Hawthorne...with a score of 8!" I almost gasped in surprise. Victor would be absolutely furious that he had gotten a lower score than his district partner, Blaire. I could see him punching a hole in the wall out of anger. "Now for District Two," Piper announced boldly. "Solin Raven Pryde...with a score of 8! Kai...with a score of 9!" The Careers were now over with. The highest scores were only 9s; I couldn't believe it. My district was coming up soon. "District Three: the first set of siblings. Zazia Sparks...with a score of 6! And Bolt Sparks...also with a score of six!" I felt happy for them. After watching the twins in the training center, I would've thought they would get less than a 5. "Now, District Four. Another set of siblings. Tiffany Odair," Piper kept going. My district. My name. My score. "With a score of...10! Well done!" My head was spinning. I had beaten all of the Careers! This would definitely earn me more sponsors, but also gain me more enemies in the games. It was a win-lose situation. Daniel's POV Tiffany got a ten! I knew she could do it. But this means the Careers would go after her...that...I would have to go after her. I've got to sacrifice myself before they have a chance to get to her. I have to kill them. "Daniel Odair," Piper, the chirpy little announcer echoed. I was so nervous I felt like throwing up. "With a score of...11! The highest score so far! Well done!" Everyone in the room cheered and ran over to me, jumping with giddiness. I didn't even have time to react; everyone was all over me! The highest score in the games...this was bad. The Careers will definitely be after me now, even as an ally. Victor's POV An 8. I got an 8! What I want to know is how in hell did the Odair twins both did better than me! They're going to pay for making me look like a fool. An 8. Psh. When I'm done with these games, they'll be wishing they gave me a 12. Savannah's POV The Odairs got a 10 and 11...not bad. Now I know why the Careers wanted Daniel...to lure him in and kill him before he becomes a serious threat. Tiffany seems too smart to fall for that kind of trick...but she already trusts me. What I need right now is an alliance. I made a promise to myself to sit with her and the tributes from 8 and 9 tomorrow and get myself in. I'm going to be golden. Tiffany's POV As I'm excited that Daniel got an 11 in training, I can't help but feel scared for him. He's allying with the most dangerous people in the games. Careers are known for their alliances with each other, but never with an outlying district. These thought were buzzing around my head as Piper continued with the scores. "District Five," she said. "Chayse Reyes...with a score of 7! Virus Foxx...with a score of 8!" Virus spent most of his time at non-weapon stations, like plants and survival skills. I wondered if he was already perfected in a couple of weapons, or if he just won the Gamemakers over with his intellect. "District 6," Piper continued. "Greta Halis...with a score of 4!" I had seen Greta in the training center...I'm sad to say that she has no chance. I'm almost sure she will die in the bloodbath tomorrow. "Aries Tate...with a score of 5!" Aries wasn't very skilled either...in much of anything. I felt bad for him. "District Seven," the television boomed. "Celeste Jones...with a score of 5! Tanner Lester...with a score of 6!" Neither from District Seven were skilled in anything. I wouldn't be surprised if they died in the bloodbath. "District Eight," Piper said. The Capitol really doesn't give you much time to react. But this was my allies' district. "Midnight Everia...with a score of 8!" I involuntarily clapped for her, cursing myself as a few people gave me confused looks. I hadn't told anyone other than Daniel that I was allying with 8 and 9. "Saori Winters...also with a score of 8!" Hm. Saori looked really good in the training center; I thought he would've gotten a ten. I wondered if he hadn't shown the Gamemakers everything, to put him off the radar of the most dangerous players. "District Nine," Piper announced. "Our third set of siblings. Echo Saluna...with a score of 7! Faun Saluna...with a score of 9!" I mentally cheered for both of them. Echo looked somewhat strong, yet not strong enough to be a threat to the Careers, which means they won't go straight after her. But Faun, on the other hand...I just hope we all stick together to end the Careers' dominance. "District 10," the television boomed. "Katherine Velvet...with a score of 3! Tony Bardifirlay...with a score of 4!" I hadn't really noticed either of them in training. But I remember from the interviews that they were nervous and didn't look like they had much upper body strength, which is extremely important in The Death Games. "District Eleven," she said. Savannah's district. "Savannah Jones...with a score of 10!" I could see that coming. Everyday, every single dummy was chopped up from Savannah with the knives and swords. "Vine Cotton...with a score of 5!" Vine was a very small and timid person. It didn't surprise me that he had gotten a five, except I thought he would have gotten lower. "And now, our last district," Piper said. "District Twelve. Kitty Marie Coalton...with a score of 4! Caleb Elwood...with a score of 5!" Neither of the District Twelve tributes looked strong. I can almost guarantee their parents should be saying their goodbyes now. "And, that's it for our scores! Good luck to all tributes. Remember to tune in for the start of the games after lunch tomorrow." With that, the television shut off automatically. Everyone in the room was ecstatic from our scores, patting us on the back and giving us a little toast. That night was the hardest to sleep. Dying tomorrow is a possibility. Savannah's POV A ten. Hmm. I can work with that. It's better than the Careers', who are probably kicking themselves in the butt for doing that bad for their districts. I smirk at the thought as I fall into a deep sleep. The next morning, my mentors let me sleep in, for this is the day that starts the determination of my fate. When I wake up, I find that it's almost lunchtime. I get ready, take a shower that gives me a sweet nature smell. I almost start to tear up, which I never do, because it reminds me of home. I shake it off, step out, and dry myself off. I pull a red sweatshirt and jeans out of my closet amd brush my hair, which forms into its naturally straight state. I remember my promise to myself to ally with Tiffany and the 8 and 9 tributes, so I sit with them at lunch and try to act sweet and friendly. Little do they know. "So, Savannah, what brings you to our table?" the girl from 8, I think Midnight, asked. "Well," I said, gulping down my bread. "I...was wondering if I could join your alliance? I know it's late and all, but I really don't want to go out there alone." Ha. Perfect. "Well, sure!" Tiffany smiled. "We could always use another strong ally." I fake a smile and sat through the rest of lunch wondering why Saori never spoke. He's probably nervous..I mean, who isn't? The bell rang. The signal to go to our 24 different holding areas. The signal to enter The Death Games. Universal POV The clock started counting down from 60 as the tributes rose up from under the ground. This year's arena is filled with thick forest. The Cornucopia is in a big grassy area. In the Cornucopia, there are crates and backpacks and weapons and food, pretty much everything you can think of. The tributes are lined up, giving glances and signals to each other, saying which way to go. "10..." Here comes the games. "9..." Who will get through the bloodbath? "8..." Will the Careers dominate yet again? "7..." Will there be romance? "6..." "5..." "4..." "3..." "2..." "1..." "Let the games...BEGIN!"
-Chapter 16- Let the Games Begin Tiffany's POV "Let the games...BEGIN!" I ran straight for the middle, knowing this is my only chance. It felt like my legs were involuntarily carrying me towards the Cornucopia. I sprinted for a large packs and a trident; this trident had my name written all over it. As I reached down to pick it up without stopping a force knocked me to the ground. Kai, the Career from 2. Kai, who's supposed to be my ally. Daniel's POV "Let the games...BEGIN!" I ran straight for the Cornucopia, not once looking back. Even though I was with the Careers, I still had to go in and keep my guard up while everyone clears out. Screams surrounded me as cannons went off. People begging for their lives at the hands of a merciless tribute. People running away from their assailant. Knives plunging into friends' backs. Arrows piercing into aquaintances' stomachs. It was a hellhole. But one thing had caught my eye. Tiffany laying on the ground at the hand of a smirking Kai. Savannah's POV "Let the games...BEGIN!" Knowing I was one of the fastest runners in the games, I sprinted for the Cornucopia. All of the good stuff is there. I heard screams and cannons, signaling a death. Signaling a step closer to going home. In the corner of my eye, I saw Tiffany struggling to get up. On top of her was Kai, smirking like an idiot, knowing that he's got her finished. Little does he know that I'm watching. I picked up whatever weapon was closest to me, which was a trident, and ran straight for Kai and Tiffany. "Bye, Kai," I whispered, and plunged the trident into the back of his neck, signaling another cannon to go off. I guess he was trying to choke Tiffany, for she started coughing and gasping, thanking the lord that she could breathe. "We've got to get out of here!" Midnight, the girl from 8, and also my ally said. I pulled Tiffany up, and we both grabbed a couple packs. I handed the trident to Tiffany, and picked up a nice-looking sword for myself. I put each of my 2 packs on each shoulder, and ran to where Midnight, Saori, Echo, and Faun were standing. Tiffany came running behind me, with one pack on each shoulder, trident in hand. "Where to?" she huffed. "Anywhere but here," said Midnight. "The Careers will definitely set up camp here, and then they'll go hunting for tributes. We don't want to be anywhere near here when that happens." Hm. Midnight always seemed smart. She could be useful. "She's right," I spoke up. "We'll get a few miles away, and then we'll find a good tree to sleep in and sort through our packs." Everyone nodded and murmured in agreement, so we set out. After a few miles of walking, running, jogging, and hyperventilating for a few, we picked a couple of good trees to camp in that were next to each other. After seeing that the coast was clear, I opened my first and largest pack and found five packs of dried fruit, three sharp, curved knives, ten painkillers, some sort of cream, three packs of crackers, and a water skin filled with water. In my second pack, I found a nice blanket, a half a loaf of bread, a water skin with no water, pills to reduce your temperature, and a few apples. "I've got a lot of good stuff," I said in awe. "I'm glad I went to the middle." "I am, too," Tiffany perked up. "I got really good stuff. But if you hadn't been there, I would've been dead. Thank you." "It's what I do," I shrugged like it was nothing. "Anyways, what did you get?" "Well, in the first pack I got a few knives, a sleeping bag, and some assorted fruit," she started. "And in the second, I got 2 belts, another sleeping bag, painkillers, bandages, and a couple of pears." "Did anyone else get anything?" I asked. "I got a bow and a sheath of arrows," Midnight said. "Water skin," Faun said, hold it up. "It's empty, though." "Nothing," Echo said, disappointed in herself. "What about you, Saori?" Tiffany asked. He looked at her kind of weirdly, then showed us what he had gotten. I almost gasped at what he had. A huge dufflebag, filled with tridents, knives, swords, bows, and arrows. "Oh my god!" we all yelled in unison. He just set it back down, his face expressionless, even after all of the praise we've given him. The Capitol seal shown in the sky, about to give us the names of the tributes who died today. I don't know how it had already become nighttime. The first one was Kai from 2. I smirked. My kill. Zazia Sparks, the girl from three. Both Greta Halis and Aries Tate from 6. Both Celeste Jones and Tanner Lester from seven. Katherine Velvet, the girl from ten. Vine Cotton, the boy from my district. I knew he wasn't going to make it far. And both Kitty Coalton and Caleb Elwood from twelve. That made ten dead in the bloodbath. Ten lives lost. Now only 14 lives away from getting home.