72 tributes go in, only one comes out, right? So how do we get 9?
“On the seventy fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that those who survived to see defeat were by chance, each district will send in 3 males and 3 females and the number of victors shall be a number between 1 and 9, at any number the head gamemaker wishes.”
As 72 tributes prepare to fight to the death in the 75th Hunger Games, some of their stories intertwine with others. But, there’s one thing none of them can shake off.
These games are different.
They don’t know how, but it is. What these teens are in for, beside each other, is going to make these games, even for the most seasoned Careers amongst the tributes, an epic fight for survival unlike any other.
In District 1, there’s Marvel Sanford. The son of a former diamond miner who lost his job due to an accident while at work, he’s been forced to take out extra tesserae to help his family along. Along with the tesserae, Marvel has taken up to hunting with the spear in the woods on the edge of District 1 to help feed his family. Marvel is 18 years old.
Then’s there Adagio Dazzle. Daughter of one of the richest people in District 1, she’s a natural District One beauty. The eldest of three daughters, she’s been trained for the games in case one of the other two sisters get reaped. Her favorite weapon of choice is the bow, and she’s quite a fine user with it. Adagio is 16 years old.
In District 2, there’s Cato Hadley. Born into a family of well-to-do stonecutters in District 2, his family already has had Cato’s cousin and older brother reaped for the games. Neither of them survived. Ever since his brother died in the 69th Hunger Games, Cato’s been training hard for the games. Now it’s his year to volunteer. Cato is now 18 years old.
Clove Kentwell is known as the “Girl with the Knives” who never misses. Daughter of a wealthy businessman, she lives in luxury compared to others in District 2. Considered to be the “pride and joy” of the District, adored by many, the thought of the District losing their pride and joy leads to added pressure for the other District 2 tributes with the mission of making sure Clove survives. She is 15 years old.
Cameron Spears, Cato’s adopted younger brother. Only a year younger, slightly shorter and not as built as Cato, Cameron is about as equally deadly as Cato is. Preferring long ranged weapons compared to short range weapons, he trains extensively with the bow and spear. Just in case he does have to fight close range, though, he’s trained for a lot of hours with his adopted brother on the sword. Cameron is 17 years old.
Urchin Hook may be a very small 12 year old boy, but don’t let looks fool away. Give him a spear or a trident, and he’ll land a wound guaranteed to slow a person most of the time. Out of all the 12 year olds in District 4, he has a lot more muscle compared to the others, and a considerable amount of experience throwing spears and tridents while catching fish with his father, who was a Victor of the Hunger Games himself. Overall, he has a better chance than most kids his age, especially among Career Districts.
Finch Silvers had a survivalist father for a dad in District 5, and he taught a lot of things that would prove valuable in the Hunger Games. Known as “Foxface” for her distinctive face, she’s probably one of the most prepared teenagers out of any in District 5. She is 17 years old.
Jackie “Applejack” Smith was one of the best farm workers in District 10. Part of a family of experienced farm-hands, her family was regularly recognized by peacekeepers for being one of the most hardworking families of the entire district. As such, the Peacekeepers of District 10 generally left the Smiths to handle family matters as they so pleased and largely stood on the sidelines, ready to offer a hand in case they required extra help. She is 16 years old.
Mina Carolina was originally from District 2, but since her father was a peacekeeper, her family transferred to District 12 around the time of the 70th Hunger Games. Being in District 12 has given her a new aspect on life. At first viewed as an outsider by the citizens, they gradually accepted her as part of the society due to her father working with the assistant head peacekeeper to root out the outlier brutal peacekeepers in favor of the more lenient approach adopted by Head Peacekeeper Cray. She became a friend of the Everdeen’s and the Hawthorne’s during the 74th Hunger Games. Despite being a peacekeeper, Mina’s father genuinely cares for his daughter and in accordance with Katniss and Gale after the 74th Games, teaches her how to survive in case she gets reaped, due to her being 15 years old.
Of course, given the wide field of tributes, there are obviously going to be some that’ll be the biggest threats, and worthwhile allies.
In District 11, there’s Rye Ash. A descendant of the family that hosted 10th Hunger Games tribute Reaper Ash, Rye’s been training for the games ever since he discovered the truth about his family’s past with the Hunger Games at age 11. 7 long years of working and training have brought him to this moment. To him, winning the games not only means helping his family, but restoring the honor of Reaper Ash. He’s 18 years old.
In District 7, there’s Wolfgang Hickory. Like Rye, he’s being training for the games. Sick of the repeated failures of his district’s tributes year after year, he’s taken upon himself to give his District a Victor this year. He may not have the cunning of Johanna Mason, but he’s willing to go to any lengths to win. He’s 17 years old.
Fortunately for Wolfgang, he has a key ally from his own district. Oak Whitaker is, at age 17, one of the smartest minds of District 7. Due to her dad being a well-known fur trapper and hunter whose regular customers included many of the District’s Peacekeepers as well as District 7’s Mayor, she has been taught the skills to survive and knows how to use the environment and camouflage to her advantage. As such, she is the strategist to Wolfgang’s tactician.
Rook Marshall may have been from District 1, but beneath his typical Career look, he holds a few secrets. He is secretly a fan of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark and despises how more often than not, the Career Districts. While he wants to win the games, he’s decided that to do it, he’ll have to cripple his fellow Careers any way he can. It’s a very risky strategy, but if it succeeds, he’ll give the win to the outlier districts and possibly go down in history as the Career who sympathized with the non-career districts. He’s 17 years old.
Finally, in District 6, there’s Mark Terrell. Like Wolfgang, Oak, and Rye, he’s been training for the games. His reasons, however, are far different than the others and as such, make him the biggest threat to anyone in the arena, and even the gamemakers. He hates the fact that both Katniss and Peeta won the games without either of them dying and leaving the other to be the Victor, and the Quarter Quell twist this year has left him fuming. In his mind, there’s only supposed to be one person emerging from the Hunger Games every year. That’s always how it worked. In an attempt to preserve the status quo of the games, Mark volunteers for the Quell, prepared to kill any one or anything that stands in his way of being the lone Victor.
In District 1, the citizens look on with greater enthusiasm than usual. This year, there’s a chance they might get all of their tributes back. Among the few who think differently about this is Rook, standing near the front of the 17 year olds. He knows he’s going to volunteer, if he’s going to precede with his plan. As he waits patiently, the District Escort reads off her usual stuff about the Dark Days and all that. Rook isn’t listening. All he cares about at this point is volunteering. She reads out the first female’s name and since she is one of the academy’s strongest 18-year-olds, no one has to volunteer. Then, it’s on to the first male tribute. She calls up a wimpy 14-year-old to the stage, but he’s barely gotten to the front of the section when Rook hears a voice calling out.
“I volunteer as tribute!”
It’s Marvel. Rook isn’t surprised about this. Since his close friend Glimmer died last year in the 74th Games, Marvel has more reason than most in the District to volunteer this year. As he put it, it was a matter of avenging Glimmer’s honor. Still, the fact that he may have to kill Marvel to win does bring a couple of tears to Rook’s eyes. The escort calls out the second female’s name and this time, someone volunteers. Now it’s his turn. The moment the District Escort starts reading the name, he acts.
“Brian-“
“I volunteer as tribute!”
The escort acknowledges the fact that Rook volunteered, and Rook ascends to the stage with an expressionless look on his face.
“What’s your name, dear?” asks the Escort.
“Rook Marshall.”
Deep down inside though, he’s smirking hard. At least until he hears the next name and the voice of the person who volunteers.
"Sonata Dusk-"
"I volunteer as tribute!"
It's Adagio Dazzle. Now, Rook feels like he's sweating internally. If he gets Adagio killed, he'll certainly have his entire district pissed off at him, not to mention one of the most powerful people in the district angry as well. Fuck, he thinks to himself. This shit just got harder than I wanted it to be.
—————————— District 2 views the Quell in a similar way to District 1, yet they are more eager to avenge their honor from the last games. They had sent in Hunter, the academy’s chosen male volunteer for that year, and he had blew it. This year, they’re determined to prevent the same mistakes. This year, they determine the volunteers based on who learned from last year’s mistakes. Among the trainees, it’s perfectly obvious which of them has learned. Cato, Clove, and Cameron had formed a unique friendship ever since the lost of Cato’s older brother in the 69th Games. After the 74th Games, the three of them had spent countless hours outside of training watching the replay of the 74th Games over and over again. Now, they believed they understood why the Career Tributes last year lost, and had taken steps to prevent these mistakes. All three had made notes to make sure that if they did come across someone that could rework the mines, that they didn’t place them too close to the supplies. They had also taken time training in climbing trees, camouflage, and hunting. The idea the three had in mind was becoming self-sufficient so that in the case of loosing all their supplies, they weren’t completely undone. The three of them worked well together, a fact that many of the District 2 Victors backed up. As such, the reaping was a formality. ——————— In District 4, it's no secret that Urchin is going to volunteer. Before, everyone in District 4 believed it as impossible that a 12 year old as scrawny as Urchin would even have a chance at winning the Hunger Games. After Finnick Odair's win at the age of 14, they're not so sure of that now. But, Urchin is well-built, and practically the strongest, most prepared 12 year old in the district. This is his year, and they know it. As such, no one tries to stop him as he volunteers for a blind 14 year old boy. When his district escort asks him his name, he replies with a boast that'll make him a instant point of interest.
"My name is Urchin Hook. And this is the year District 4 is going to win the quell hands-down."
--------------------- In District 5, no one volunteers for Finch when her name is called. In the outer districts, getting reaped for the games is the equivalent of a death sentence for those that are reaped. Most people in the district do not know about Finch's knowledge of survival, which is more than most of the district. They just see her as the next dead tribute in a long line of dead District 5 tributes. ------------------- In District 6, Mark volunteers, a fact that surprises all of the district. The same could be said for District 7, where both Wolfgang and Oak also volunteer. In District 11, it's no secret as to Rye wanting to volunteer. Even the peacekeepers have taken note of it, and they're not surprised. From the family of a dead tribute, wanting to avenge his fallen family member and win the games, it's a no-brainer. In fact, all of the Peacekeepers of the District lift their guns up over their heads when Rye volunteers. ---------------------- In District 10, it's an exact repeat of Katniss Everdeen volunteering the year before. When Jackie's own sister, Apple Bloom, is reaped, she rushes forward to volunteer, a move that shocks everyone in the District like District 12 was a year before. They view Jackie as dead on arrival, but to Jackie, she views herself as the girl determined to get back to her family, at any cost. --------------------- If District 10 is an exact repeat of Katniss volunteering, then in District 12, it's nearly deja vu all over again. Once again, Primrose Everdeen gets reaped for the games. This time, instead of Katniss volunteering, it's the small pig tailed girl Mina that volunteers, causing her father to take off his helmet and literally cry for all to see. Even the other peacekeepers are so moved by the daughter of one of their own volunteering for the Hunger Games that they do the Mockingjay salute, catching everyone else by complete surprise. It's a sign that for once, both Peacekeepers and Citizens of District 12 are united in their wish to see one of their own come out alive. -------------------- In the Capitol, Snow is slightly livid and amazed at the sight in District 12. The fact that a peacekeeper's daughter had so moved the other peacekeepers was astounding. He had never seen anything like it. Still, it was a sign that in such circumstances, peacekeeper and citizen could show unity in the face of the games, a rarity in the outlying Districts. He has a gut feeling that this year's tributes are special. What he doesn't know is just how far some of these tributes are willing to go to achieve victory in this year's games. Even more so, he has no idea about the bonds about to form between 9 of these tributes.
It becomes very obvious to the mentors of nine particular tributes that they pay attention to each other either by intently watching the screen at the moment the other volunteers, or through their physical interaction. The District 2 Victors on the train can't help but notice how Clove is smiling and blushing in the presence of Cato, who in turn is staring intently at Applejack as the TV shows her volunteering for her sister. Likewise, Adagio can't look away from the TV Screen when Urchin volunteers in District 4, Marvel does the same for Finch, and most surprisingly of all, Cameron just stares at Mina. It's the same vice versa.
As all of these tributes stare at each other, their mentors can't help but wonder a lot of possibilities. Possibilities about where this could go.
At the Parade, all 9 tributes are the names shouted by the Capitol the loudest. It's here that each gets a good look at the other, and at the sight of the boy that has caught their fancy, the girls can't help but blush at the sight of them. Their mentors look at each other, and just stare in disbelief at what is happening. Meanwhile, one man observes this as well, and thinks about how he can use this to the Rebellion's advantage. He knows that the time isn't right to start the rebellion yet, but he does see some interesting characteristics in these teens' that would be useful to the rebellion. His name is Plutarch Heavensbee, the Head Gamemaker.
A half hour later, Heavensbee is being interviewed by Caesar Flickerman on what the plan is for these games.
"So I have to ask you, Plutarch.." Caesar says. "Can you give us any hints about what can expect for these games?"
Plutarch nods. "Well, Caesar. After the twist was announced, we looked at the design of the arena we had and had to actually scrap it, and build a new arena completely from scratch. I believe you'll find this new arena that we created in the time frame of 3 exhausting months of work very, very interesting and far more superior to the original one that was originally envisaged. We had to look at events of the past for inspiration for this arena, and I believe you'll find all the digging we did for inspiration paid off very well in the end."
Caesar chuckles. "Fascinating" he exclaims. "I honestly did not believe it's possible to build a new arena from scratch in three months' time! Oh ho! You can sure move people to work harder than ever before, Heavensbee."
Plutarch only chuckles. "Yeah, before I start discussing the tributes, I do have to thank all the hardworking men and women that serve under me for their hard work. This arena that will be used for these games couldn't have been completed without their dedication and perseverance. You all deserve the credit for this arena" he says joyfully.
Caesar nods. "Yes, indeed. Thanks should go out for the assistant gamemakers and the people that build the arenas, folks. They are the keys to making the Hunger Games Arenas you've come to see. Moving on, Plutarch. What do you think of this year's tributes? Certainly, there are many interesting things about them, including the fact that we have a good percentage of volunteers this year."
"Well, Caesar, you're right" Plutarch says. "We do have a good number of volunteers for this year's games. But what strikes me definitely is the character of these volunteers. From your average well-trained careers to people volunteering for their sister or someone else's sister. Hell, we even had the daughter of a peacekeeper volunteer for the same person Katniss Everdeen volunteered for last year! What are the odds?"
Both men laugh. "What are the odds indeed. It is a very interesting pool of tributes" Caesar says. "Now, I want to ask you personally, who do you think are the most interesting tributes this year?"
Plutarch thinks long and hard before he gives a response. "If I had to choose, I would have to say the volunteers from 12 and 10, the 12 year old volunteer from 4, and the biological and adopted brothers from 2. Looking at them from a distance, they seem to have more than meets the eye. Take the duo from 2, for example. I honestly have not seen a games when a legacy tribute and his adopted brother have both volunteered. That almost never happens. So, I do consider these two particularly interesting because of that."
Caesar nods again. "Quite right, especially since he lost his cousin in the 66th Hunger Games and then his own older brother in the 69th Hunger Games. Poor kid, must be yearning to avenge their loss."
Plutarch decides to end the interview by offering a very intriguing statement. "Then I guess we'll have to see whether these two can do. Win or lose, it's still a Hunger Games and you, my friend, have a front row seat figuratively for possibly one of the most interesting Hunger Games you'll ever see in your lifetime."
It just so happens to be a coincidence that the particular 9 tributes Plutarch had noticed and the 4 strong challengers all happen to end up in two elevators. On the elevator of challengers, Rook sets the tone oddly enough by being friendly with the other 3, surprising them.
“I’m just going to let you know, I fucking hate the Careers and my own District. So I sympathize with you guys. Not lying.”
It’s Wolfgang that speaks up and breaks the silence that follows.
“A District 1 tribute that sympathizes with us and hates the Careers. That’s a first.”
Mark is equally surprised, and he immediately sees the advantages this could give. So, he decides to come clean about his motives. “I’m in this solely because there should be only 1 Victor. That’s how it should have worked.”
Wolfgang instantly sympathizes with Mark. “That’s what we were going with. Oak and I were going to volunteer in consecutive years, like Cashmere and Gloss did. Then we heard the Quell twist and decided we volunteer this year and both become victors. But, we’re perfectly prepared to survive without the other if things go deadly. I’m Wolfgang, by the way.”
“Mark. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Rook. So, I guess we’re the anti-Career alliance?”
Mark chuckles. “I guess you could call it something like that. I’m in.”
Wolfgang chimes in. “Me too. If Everdeen and Mellark could take down the Careers, who’s to say we can’t do the same?”
All four of them talk about each other’s lives as the elevator rises to their respective floors.
————————————————— In the other elevator, the awkwardness is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Everyone, except Clove, is staring dumbfounded at the sight of the other. Eventually, it’s Cato who breaks the silence.
“Okay.. um.. god, this is so awkward. So um, I’m Cato.”
“Finch, District 5.”
“Marvel, from District 1.”
“Mina, District 12. Lived in District 2 before my peacekeeper dad transferred to 12.”
“Clove, from District 2.”
“Applejack. Born and raised in District 10.”
“Urchin, District 4.”
“Adagio, from District 1.”
“Cameron Spears, District 2. Cato’s adopted younger brother.”
The conversation ends there as all nine resume staring at each other in the awkward silence.
—————————————————————— After seeing Plutarch’s interview with Caesar, Cato and Cameron head to the roof to talk and think over the game plan for the Careers. Up there, they unexpectedly find Marvel and Urchin up there too.
“Well, fancy running into you two again” says Cato.
“Likewise, come up here for the view?” asks Marvel.
“No, we come here to discuss strategy” Cameron answers.
“Well, my district’s fucking split. Fucking dipshit named Rook decided to ally himself with outliers since he apparently hates the Careers” Marvel sneers.
“Ah well, his loss. Means we can kill him without angering your district” Cameron chuckles.
“Yeah. Also, honestly, that elevator ride was just extremely awkward” Marvel continues, which makes the other three nod their heads.
“Like, what was wrong with me? I couldn’t stop staring at her, like she was a goddess” Urchin says.
“Same here, pal” Cameron says.
“Yep, same here. Only it’s two people for me” Cato mutters, which makes the other three look at him funny.
“What?!” he retorts. “It’s the truth!”
“Yeah, I suffer from it as well” Marvel says a couple seconds later. “Either way, alliance?”
“Yeah sure” Cato says. “I’m good with Swords and Spears, and I already know Cameron’s hella good with bow and crossbow and sword if need be, what are you two’s strengths?”
“Tridents, Spears. Swords as well” Urchin states.
“Yeah, Spears here too. Maybe good with a knife, but not in throwing” Marvel comments.
“So do we include the girls?” Cameron states, to which Cato sighs.
“We ask them tomorrow if they want to join. With the way they were looking at us back there, I have a feeling they’ll say yes. I mean, Adagio and Clove are no-brainers but I don’t know about the other three” Cato booms, causing the other three to accept his judgment.
“Guessing your pack leader this year?” Marvel asks.
“Well obviously” Cato retorts. “With Cameron here as my second in command.”
“Fine” Marvel sighs. “Well, I’m off to bed.”
“Yeah, me too. Hope you two get some sleep.”
“Thanks. We will.”
One by one, the four boys exit the roof, not knowing that the five girls from the elevator and the 4 challengers were hiding in different spots on the roof, listening in to the four Careers’ conversation.
As the 72 tributes filed in, Cato, Clove, and Cameron veered over towards Marvel, Adagio, and Urchin. Marvel was too busy glaring daggers at Rook to notice.
“So what’s the verdict?” Cato asked Urchin.
“All the other three said yes to joining, just like you said they would” Urchin replies. Cato smirks in reply, just as the trainer starts her speech.
After she’s done, the Careers huddle up around the four boys. In addition to the nine tributes, there’s Diamond, Dollar, and Mercy from 1. There’s also Bronze, Isabel, and Raider from 2, and Davis and Shelby from 4.
“So what’s the plan, boss?” Davis asks eagerly.
Cato sighs. “For now, intimidate and watch the outliers carefully, both now and after hours. Can’t have anything slip through the cracks.” The other Careers nod and then all of them head to wherever they wish. Cato, Dollar, Urchin, and Cameron head over to the combat simulator. Adagio and Clove head to Knives, while Marvel, Raider, Davis, and Shelby head to spears. Finch and Isabel veer over to the survival stations, while Diamond and Mina head for tridents. This leaves just Mercy and Bronze at the axe area. Pretty soon though, everyone else’s attention is on the four Career tributes as well as Wolfgang, Rye, and Rook, who all ventured over to the combat simulator. Each of the seven were making mincemeat out of the targets, with Dollar, Cato, Rook, and Rye using swords; Wolfgang using multiple axes, Urchin using a trident, and Cameron with a bow. As more than a method of intimidation, it just showed to the other tributes, even to the other Careers, just how powerful these seven competitors were. Yet while Dollar was powerful, he was still getting hit a couple of times, whereas the other six were dodging everything thrown at them. Yet, it just about proved to the other tributes just how much some of the Career Tributes this year had learned from last year’s games.
When they were all called to lunch, Rook sat with his new found allies, along with a boy from District 3, and two of the remaining tributes from 4.
“That was amazing, guys!” Oak called out in applause. “I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“I mean, we all trained for the games” Rook states, then makes a correction. “..with the exception of Will over here.” He points to the boy from three. “No offense, kid.”
“None taken” Will replies.
“Either way, it’s clear we have our work cut out for us” Rye states. Wolfgang nods his head in agreement.
“You got that right. Like, those 4 main careers got girls following them around like puppies. The hell’s wrong with that?” Wolfgang hisses, only to be silenced by Mark.
“Relax. We’ll just pick them off one by one after their numbers have dwindled a little bit due to the bloodbath” he calmly states. “Hit and Run, remember?”
Rook smacks his head. “Oh yeah..” he says. “That’s a good one. Either way though, we gotta get through the bloodbath in order to get started on that first. The other Careers will be gunning for me certainly.”
“Don’t worry about it” Rye states. “We’re in this together, until we have to kill each other. As long as they’re too busy killing other tributes when we get our gear and make our escape from the bloodbath, we’ll be fine.”
“He’s right” Oak chimes in. “Most of the time, they’ll be too busy racking up kill counts to notice. We just sneak in there, grab what we need, get out. Piece of cake, if we’re fast and quick.”
“Still find that interview Head Gamemaker did with Caesar last night troubling” Rye mutters. “What inspiration did you find from the past that inspires you to create a new arena in 3 months’ time? It doesn’t make sense.”
Rook pats Rye on the shoulder. “Rye, the one thing the Games has taught me, if any, is that nothing makes sense when it comes to the games. But still, I get what you mean. These games do feel different. Just don’t know how, though.”
The other tributes at the table nodded in agreement, even as unknown to them, they were being watched as were the Careers.
————————————— Like Rook and his group, the Careers had no indication that they were being watched. They, oddly enough, were eating in two separate groups with the girls at one table and the boys at the other.
"I'm still freaking pissed off at Rook for betraying us this early" Marvel stated, which caused some of the other Career boys to sigh.
"Calm down, dude" Cameron told him. "Remember what I said last night? It's his loss, so when we do have to kill him, your District will understand."
"Yeah, your right, Cameron" Marvel replied. "You guys were doing good at the simulator."
All four Careers who had been at the point just smiled. Marvel chuckled and went back to eating his lunch.
"Bit of a injection here" Bronze said suddenly. "But did any of you find the Head Gamemaker's interview with Caesar last night to be a bit odd?"
All the other Careers looked at him, confused.
"Like, I'm just saying, there's obviously something that Heavensbee is hiding if he had to build a new arena in 3 months' time. It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense, really" Bronze continued. "Like, what the hell kind of twists does this guy have in store for us?"
Each of the other Careers at the table tried to come up with an answer. However, none of them could. They all looked at each other with grim looks on their faces.
"Okay, so it's clear. We're in deep shit, aren't we?" asked Davis after an awkward silence.
The others could only nod their heads in reply, before going back to their lunch.
"Whether is in there, it surely is going to be something we are not prepared for" Marvel stated, not knowing how close to the truth he was. ------------------------------ Meanwhile, while the Career Boys were discussing Caesar's interview with Plutarch, the Career Girls couldn't stop talking about boys.
"Okay, who's your crush, Finch?" asked Shelby. Finch turned red in the face, before answering.
"M-Marvel" she replied.
Shelby then turned to Mina, and she turned red in the face as well.
"I-I would have to s-say m-my c-crush is C-Cameron" Mina sputtered out.
Clove and Applejack both turned red and buried their faces in their hands when it was their turn.
"Cato" both said at the same time before looking at each other and smirking.
Finally, it was Adagio's turn and she was the most embarrassed out of all of them.
"U-U-Urchin" she finally said.
The other Career girls fan-girled at their fellow allies. "I honestly do think you all would make perfect couples" Diamond said, enthusiastically.
Mercy, Shelby, Raider, and Isabel agreed. --------------------- Plutarch gazed down at the two groups eating with amusement, noticing how different yet similar the two groups were.
“Seems to be shaping up to truly be a very interesting Hunger Games this year. What do you think, Twilight?”
His assistant, a Capitol teenager named Twilight Sparkle, gazed intently at the two groups as well.
“They both seem to be very interesting, especially the outcast from 1 and the bio/adopted brother duo from 2. They’re very interesting to me.”
Plutarch chuckled as he watched lunch end and the tributes go back to training.
While the Career Girls all headed over to various weapon stations as the Anti-Career Pack practiced at the survival stations, the Career Boys found themselves all just staring up at the Head Gamemaker, in an attempt to try to figure out exactly what he had planned for them.
"This is fucking hopeless. We're not going to get anything useful out of this" Dollar said after a while, to which a lot of the other Career Boys agreed.
"Yeah, you're right" Cato sighed, as the guys all trekked over to a random corner of the Training Center, where they could talk amongst themselves.
"So, what now? Basically, the only way we're going to know what the hell Heavensbee has in that arena is when the games start" Marvel said worriedly.
Cato thought about it for a moment. "The only thing we can do is, go into this games on full alert and hope there isn't anything that fucking screws us over in there. God this is so fucking stupid" he said a couple seconds later.
They all turned to look back at Plutarch for a second, watching the man smirk like a grinning idiot, except that they knew full well that Plutarch wasn't an idiot. Then, they turned back to each other, groaning.
"God, words cannot describe how much I want to wipe the smirk off his damn fucking face" groaned Bronze.
Marvel looked at him like he was nuts. "He's the Head Gamemaker, dipshit. There's no fucking way he's going to like just fucking tell us what he has planned for us if we just asked him. That's not how this fucking works."
Bronze turned to Marvel, annoyed. "I mean, so what? We're snagged either way."
The male Careers all went silent for a while, until Cato decided to speak up.
"Hey Marvel, what did you say Rook's strengths were?" he asked.
"Um... I think it was Swords, Axes, and he can run fast. Why do you ask?" Marvel replied, confused as to why Cato would ask.
"Nothing really, just wanted to remind myself" Cato replied, even as in his brain, a plan was forming. In the meantime, he went back to being silent as the other Careers stood there silently, thinking over Heavensbee's interview again and again. Soon, before long, the Career Girls walked over to the Guys.
"Hey there, you all" Isabel commented. "Seems you all are deep in thought."
"Yeah, we are. Trying to understand what the hell the Head Gamemaker has planned for us in the arena" Bronze replied, to which Isabel chuckled.
"Well, I think your thinking can wait. Check out this doofus from 8 over here" Isabel giggled, as she led the guys with the girls following between Isabel and the former over towards a particular spot. There, she pointed and laughed. Over at the spear station, one of the scrawny kids from 8 was trying - and failing miserably - to hit a lethal blow on the target 40 yards away. He could throw a spear, he managed to learn that part surprisingly, but his aim was terrible.
"Look at this sucker. Can't even aim a spear properly" Isabel chuckled, and Mercy, Raider, Diamond, and Shelby all laughed as well. The rest of the pack remained silent, as Adagio, Clove, Mina, Jackie, and Finch all stared back at the guys, who were again looking in the direction of Plutarch. Even though Twilight was clearly visible in their field of view, the guys cleared acted as if she wasn't there, preferring instead to study Plutarch like hawks. At the same time, while Oak, Will, and the two District 4 tributes were practicing in the Simulator, the other four anti-Careers were also staring intently at Plutarch. Each group had the same question in their brain.
Just what the hell are you planning, Plutarch Heavensbee?
----------------------- After training, the Career Girls all headed back to their floors, and the Anti-Career Pack and most of the rest of the tributes did as well. Only the guys in the Career Pack stay in the empty Training Center, doing some extra training and still trying to figure out Plutarch. Dollar groaned after a while and clutched his head.
"Ugh.. I think I hurt my brain from thinking too much, guys" he muttered.
"Good thing it's just us in here, and no one else" Marvel stated, to which Cato and Cameron nodded.
Urchin was back in the simulator at the moment, using a sword this time instead of a trident, and he was doing about as good as he was before. Davis decided to spend his time in there on that particular night lifting weights, while Marvel and Bronze had decided to go spear throwing.
So far, it was quiet in the area, except for the Careers still in there. Then, as Urchin stepped out of the simulator, they heard a clapping sound behind them. All of the Careers in there turned around to find none other than President Snow himself, flanked on each side by three Peacekeepers each.
"The President Of Panem himself.." Cameron whispered. "Holy shit.."
The others didn't have time to respond as Snow spoke up.
"Greetings, fellow tributes. I see you're putting in some extra training tonight" he said, as the eerie, faint smell of blood began to become apparent in the room.
"Yes sir" Cato replied. "We figured that a few more hours of training couldn't hurt."
Snow chuckled, which oddly enough, put the Careers on edge, and caused Cato to cut straight to the point. "What do you want, Sir?"
This caused Snow to chuckle some more before he stopped and got down to business. "I'm here to give you a few words of advice for these games, if you so choose to take it. First off, I hope you all realize the serious situation you all are working under. I only allowed Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark to live last games because if one of them died, it would have upset the morale of the nation. Despite the direct act of defiance towards the Capitol, I had to let it slide at the moment to give the nation their victors. Now, I'm not entirely pleased with how the reaping of this game has turned out. Primrose Everdeen should have gone into the arena to die, as punishment for her sister winning. Now, it seems, I'll have to take a less obvious approach, one that I ask of you to keep secret. Do I have your word?"
The Careers looked at each other nervously, not sure if they wanted to or not. In the end though, they all reluctantly nodded their heads.
"Good. Now, the approach I have to take is making sure all of the tributes this year die, including the Everdeen's friend, Mina Carolina."
The mention of Mina's name caused Cameron to snap and tear forward like a wild animal, only to held back by the combined efforts of Cato, Marvel, and Bronze. Cameron snarled and hissed at Snow, fueled with hatred.
"You piece of shit! You harm her, I will fucking kill you! Do you hear me?!" Cameron screamed.
"Cam, get a hold of yourself, dude!" Cato shouted at him, while Snow just chuckled.
"Seems like I have struck a nerve. Good day to you, gentlemen" he said before leaving.
After he left, the Careers turned to each other with wide eyed faces.
"This just got real, hasn't it?" Davis muttered.
"Yep, it just got very, very fucking real" Cato answered, and then all the other Careers turned to look at Cameron, who still had a murderous expression on his face. This Hunger Games had become more than just a game to them. It was now going to be a fight for survival and a defiance of Snow's will which was something that before now, none of the Careers would even consider doing. Now that Snow had dragged Mina into his plans to punish Katniss and Peeta, the ones that hated them for winning last year were now finding themselves as the only ones that could save one of the Star Crossed Lovers' first mentored tributes from Snow's wrath. Failure was not an option.
The Careers just stood there for a while, each seemingly trying to wrap their heads around the shocking truths that had just unveiled themselves to them. Each of them dared not look at the other for once, as if ashamed of themselves. Finally, Bronze broke the silence and spoke up.
"I feel fucking betrayed, guys. Like, that was just cold hearted, even for me. That was just fucked up. Like, the President of our country wanting to get a district's tributes killed just because he hates the previous two victors for defying the will of the Capitol. That's just totally wrong" he states.
One by one, the other Careers nod their heads. "Agreed" says Cameron after another silence. "What are we going to do?"
Cato had to think hard about his next course of action, and the one he found that he needed to do wasn't one he felt comfortable with. "I guess we're going to have to tell District 12 about this and hope they don't rat us out."
The other Careers' mouths fell open with shock, but they nonetheless followed their leader toward the elevator, unaware that Plutarch was watching them from the shadows of the Gamemaker area.
------------------ "So let me get this straight.." said Haymitch, the drunk District 12 mentor, about 10 minutes later. "..you're telling me that Snow wants to get all of our tributes killed specifically because Primrose wasn't aloud to die in the arena like he wanted?"
Cato nodded. "As crazy as it sounds, yeah. I mean, I myself wouldn't be telling you all this if my adopted younger brother here hadn't developed a thing for Mina."
Everyone in the District 12 suite all glanced over to Cameron, who was staring out the window, with the same murderous expression he had shown Snow still on his face. Then, Haymitch turned back to Cato. "As much as it is surprising for me for a District 2 Career to be telling me this things.." the old mentor said. ".. you did the right thing, kid."
"Did what?" spoke a new voice over by the elevator. Cato turned and gulped. There, standing by the elevator, was the Career Girls, Finnick, Enobaria, Brutus, Lyme, Cashmere, Gloss, Augustus, and the District 10 mentor for Applejack.
There was an awkward silence for a while before Cato broke it, saying, "I really didn't want to have to tell you guys about what happened in the training center a few minutes ago, but since we're all here, guess I have no choice, do I?" ----------------- Needless to say, everyone else was shocked by Cato's story.
"Dear lord, I knew he was a monster, but this is just fucked up" Finnick said.
"Agreed. I find it petty that he wants to take out all of the District 12 tributes purely because his preferred victim to punish Everdeen wasn't allowed to die in the games" Lyme stated.
"I feel betrayed, excuse me" said Effie, the District 12 escort, as she headed for a bathroom to cry her heart out.
All around them, the other District 12 tributes, besides Mina, stared back at the Careers. They were stunned that a simple connection between Mina and a District 2 Career had led to this change of heart on behalf of the monstrous Cato. As Katniss looked on, she noticed a particular connection between most of the Career Tributes on full display. Cameron looked on solemnly and in pain as Mina cried into his chest over the revelation, Marvel couldn’t help but intertwine his hand with Finch’s while they stood by the dining table, Urchin and Adagio were sitting next to each other, and Applejack and Clove just wrapped their arms around Cato.
“Is it just me, or do I see a connection between these 9?” Augustus spoke up after a while, causing the other victors to look over at the connections between the Career Tributes. One by one, they saw what the Cavalier Career was seeing as well. Enobaria smirked, as did Finnick.
Augustus got a very stupid grin on his face. “My fellow victors..” he said. “I have a plan..”
Walking into the training center the next day, Cato had a lot of thoughts going on through his head. The most concerning of these was the deal Gloss, Augustus, and the other Career Victors had cut with their counterparts in District 12. They had agreed to bring the remaining kids from 12 into the Career Alliance and portray the 9 tributes as lovers in order to boost their chances of survival. Although some in the Career Pack, particularly Dollar, Bronze, Isabel, Raider, Mercy, and Diamond still considered District 12 tributes to be scum, Cato had to tell them to quit it as to not alienate their new allies. Since Cato was the leader, they all stopped. The new recruits to the pack were a mixed bag. The strongest of them, aside from Mina, was a 18 year old named Stoner. He had a decent build and could lift a considerable amount of weight, and was apparently a natural at throwing spears. The other 4 ranged from limited usefulness to just tributes to be left behind on guard duty. All in all, a bit of a letdown, but Cato didn’t mind at this point. All that mattered now was surviving and defying Snow’s intentions.
Needless to say, the other tributes were surprised and shocked when they saw the District 12 tributes mingling with the Careers. Rye visibly expressed his frustration with his allies over by the snares station.
“Great… now we got more of them to deal with” he hissed. “Fuck… this just got harder now.”
Mark, as usual, was calm and collected. “Patience, my dear Rye. Surely, with the amount of other tributes around, some of them will surely fall in the bloodbath.” Rook nodded in agreement, while trying to get an understanding on Cato.
What are you planning, Hadley?
On this particular day, the majority of the Career Pack was visually intimidating other tributes, in which Stoner from 12 also joined in. His district partners, with the exception of Mina, were all at weapons stations, quickly getting the hang of which weapon they were working with. Of the rest of the Career Pack, only Cameron and Urchin were doing anything else other than intimidating, with Cameron doing sparring with a trainer while wielding a sword, and Urchin doing the monkey bar section. Needless to say, the kid actually managed to get pass it, a testament to his training before the games. Cato, meanwhile, diverted his gaze from the other tributes to look at Plutarch. Between the new arena and Snow’s death proposal, the lead Career found himself on uneasy ground. His task had become exponentially harder than he had ever imagined, and he was wondering had he bitten off more than he could chew. Nevertheless, he acted cool and collected as a front and just intimidated other tributes. —————————— As lunchtime came, the Careers sat at one table this time around, keeping mostly quiet, aside from Bronze and Stoner, who were becoming fast friends.
“Feeling uneasy over this, bro?” Cameron asked Cato. The latter didn’t answer, just shrugged.
“I honestly feel creeped out about this right now” Dollar stated. “Like, really creeped out. I mean, we’re painting a big target on our backs for the gamemakers for helping the ones Snow wants to definitely not survive the arena. It feels weird.”
Cameron put his hand on Dollar’s shoulder. “This is for Mina, dude. I’m not letting her die. Not on my watch” he growled. Dollar went back to his meal and then turned to angrily stare at his district’s traitor, Rook. Rook was again eating lunch with his allies on the far side of the cafeteria.
“Oh how I hate him” Dollar hissed. Cameron, like his counterpart Mark over at Rook’s table, remained calm and collected.
“Dude, the more you do that, the more you’ll probably be off your A-game when we get into the arena. That’s part of the reason of what got Hunter, Savana, Chase, and Glimmer killed last year” Cameron said. “Ignore Rook. Focus on the bigger picture of how to win the games. We’ll deal with him when the time comes.”
“He isn’t wrong” Clove chimes in. “Cameron’s studied the performance of the Careers from the previous games more than Cato and I have. He knows exactly why they lost like the back of his hand. Arrogance, failure to take notice of their surroundings, falling asleep on the job, stupidity, and incompetence is what got them killed. Fire Girl’s skill with a bow was key in the deaths of Chase and Hunter, but either way, she had luck on her side.”
“Yep” Cameron states. “They weren’t the sharpest tools in the shed. No offense, Marvel.”
Marvel shrugged. “None taken. Just that.. I wish she had payed more attention.. and was a better shot with that damn bow.”
Stoner from 12 decided to speak up. “Still though, I wonder how Katniss got that score of eleven..”
The other Careers at the table all looked at Stoner, and then nodded in agreement.
“Fair point” Cato says, surprising everyone. “I’ll admit it, I actually wish I did know how she got that eleven..”
Dollar decides to butt in. “I don’t know specifics, but according to some of the guys I knew back in District 1, apparently it involved an arrow and the Gamemakers being too busy paying attention to something else than her..”
It only takes 5 and 6 seconds for Cato and Cameron respectively to put two and two together and look at each other before bursting out laughing.
“The hell is so funny?” Dollar asked.
“She shot an arrow at the Gamemakers. That is both stupid and hilarious at the same time” Cato cackles.
Then, the other Careers realize what Cato and Cameron had figured out and most of them start laughing too.
At the Anti-Career Table, Mark can’t help but turn towards the laughing Careers.
“The hell is up with them?” Rye asks.
Everyone else in this alliance looks at Rook, who only shrugs.
“Don’t ask me. I’m the one that they don’t trust, so I have no idea” he mutters.
After the mandatory session of running the Gauntlet right after lunch ended, the Careers mostly stayed over by the weapons area, with the exception of Cameron who was too busy shooting bullseye after bullseye in the simulator. Soon enough though, Cato and Dollar trekked over there to meet him as he came out.
“That simulator your favorite training area in the Capitol?” Cato asked.
“You fucking bet it is” Cameron replied.
Then, all three Careers looked at where Plutarch was sitting, his usual smirk upon his face.
“So.. an angry president who wants to deliberately eliminate a district’s tributes purely because the daughter of one of the most recent victors wasn’t allowed to die in the games as punishment for her winning on one side.. and a head gamemaker with an arena that was built in 3 months for some reason on the other. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place..” Dollar whispered. Cato and Cameron nodded in agreement.
“Pretty sure our districts’ citizens will be fucking pissed at the fact that we’re allied with District 12..” Cameron whispered to Cato.
Cato really didn’t say much in reply, only thing he said was the following. “Oh, how naive they are..” ———————— After training, Cato and Cameron paid a visit to the District 12 Floor. First to greet the two of them on this occasion was Haymitch.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Change Of Heart and his possessive adopted younger brother” joked the Quell Victor, to which Cato and Cameron just rolled their eyes. “Oh come on? Nothing?”
Cameron just patted Haymitch on the shoulder. “Note to self, dude. Spend less time drinking and more time working on your jokes. That was awful” he whispered into Haymitch’s ear as Katniss and Peeta rounded into view. The other two District 12 Victors were not as much as surprised to see the two Careers as they had been last night.
“Hey Cato, Cameron. Nice seeing you two again” Peeta greeted them.
“Thanks. We just came up here to check up on Mina, which was his idea.. not mine” Cato said, pointing to Cameron. “And also, Katniss.. we think we know how you got that eleven last time. So, answer me honestly here.. did you or did you not shoot an arrow at the Gamemakers?”
Katniss gasped, but nodded in reply, causing Cato to chuckle. “How the heck did you two figure it out?” Haymitch asked them.
“Dollar from 1, apparently some of his friends back in the District told him some rumors about it, that it involved the gamemakers being distracted and an arrow.. so it didn’t really take long for me and Cameron to figure it out” Cato replied as Cameron trekked up to Mina’s room and went inside.
Haymitch laughed. “Well, I have to say, boy, I’m impressed. Didn’t think that a Career could think like that.”
Cato just rolled his eyes again. “Well, if your wanting to make sure the failures of last year’s games don’t happen again, you might as well get smarter.” ———————— Walking into Mina’s room and closing the door behind him, Cameron found the girl staring up at the ceiling, tears in her eyes. When she saw him, she got up, walked over to the taller boy, and hugged him, crying into his chest. “It’s going to be okay, Mina” he reassured the crying girl, petting her head gently.
Mina looked up at him, her gray eyes staring up into his partly icey blue ones. “W-Why me? W-Why does S-Snow have to do this? I o-only volunteered for Primrose because she was Katniss’ sister. Now he wants me and the other tributes from 12 dead as punishment for Primrose not being allowed to die in the arena. I-It makes no sense..” she wailed.
Cameron caressed her cheek gently, affection and empathy in his eyes. “That fucking piece of shit geezer is nothing but a monster. I used to think otherwise before last night, but after he said he wanted you dead, I-I just.. I don’t know what came over me. Right then and there, I felt like I had been betrayed by him and by the Capitol and felt the need to tear him apart right there.. Snow is a monster, and he deserves to die” Cameron said, letting Mina know the hatred that Cameron now held for Snow. “Like, fuck him. Fuck his stupid wishes. Fuck these stupid games. I’m getting you out of this arena, because I care and I wish to fucking defy his old ass. We’re in this together with Cato and the others. That’s a fact.”
Mina stopped crying and just stared at him. She felt adored, she felt joyful, she felt happy, she felt affection and.. love. That last one confused her. Why does he, a Career from her home District, make me feel love? Is it.. that I’m falling in love with him? She had to do a double take at that realization. She never had any boyfriends before, and really wasn’t crushing on anyone. All she had was her father, and everyone else she cared for out of generosity. With Cameron, though, here was a tribute that was literally turning against the Capitol.. all because of their attraction, and who seemed to be the first boy her age to actually care about her surviving or not. Sure, he was a Career, but he was a really handsome one. Just the thought of his name was sending butterflies through her heart and causing her to turn red like a rocket being next to him.
She turned her head away, embarrassed.
“You okay?” Cameron asked her.
Mina glances back his way, and she feels an overwhelming need to do something with her feelings. So, she stands up on her tippy toes, pulls Cameron’s head down to hers, and kisses him square on the lips. It’s only a second before the boy picks the smaller girl up by the waist and tilts his head back up and kisses her back. She wraps her arms around his neck and the two make out in bliss. At least until Cato opens the door just as Effie shouts out loud, “That is Mahogany! Are you nuts?!”
All three look at each other, then Cato awkwardly laughs and closes the door after looking back at noticing Effie yelling at poor Dollar for getting the type of wood on the table wrong. Cameron turns his head back to Mina, who smiled at him.
“S-So u-uh..” Cameron stuttered, turning red in the face. “G-Guess this makes us…”
He’s interrupted by Mina who pulls him in for another kiss, then pulls away a few seconds later. “Yes, we are boyfriend and girlfriend because the only one I want right now is you” she says before they start making out again.
When Cameron didn’t return to the District 2 Floor that night, Cato had to trek back to District 12’s floor to retrieve his adopted younger brother. But when he opened the door to Mina’s room, he was shocked to find his brother asleep in the girl’s bed with a sleeping Mina next to him. As quickly and quietly as he could, he closed the door and trekked back down to the District 2 Floor. Waiting for him was an anxious Enobaria, and the nervous District Escort Fabian.
“Well?” Enobaria asked.
“Kid’s definitely fallen for her. They’re sleeping together in her bed, clothes still on” Cato replied a bit too loudly, which causes everyone else in the apartment to peek out of their rooms, stunned.
Everyone except Enobaria, who just grinned. “Good” she said. “This will help us in our plan. He’s doing just fine. Now get some sleep, Cato. I’ll make sure to get your brother myself tomorrow morning.”
Cato nods, and heads up to bed, but no matter how hard he tries, he spends half the night staring up at the ceiling, trying to figure out how Snow is going to react to the fact that a Career has fallen in love with a tribute he wants dead.
———————————— The amusing sight of Cameron and Mina is revealed the following morning by Enobaria to not just her eyes, but practically everyone else in the District 12 apartment.
“Well, would you look at that” Haymitch says. “Now there’s some young love right there. She truly deserves him..”
“Agreed” Peeta says. “Also shows you that Careers do have hearts sometimes.”
By now, the other members of the Career Pack, excluding Cato, have arrived at the District 12 Apartment to get their allies and practically all of them can’t help but feel awed and touched at the sight that greets them. The short, twin pigtailed girl in the protective comfort of the larger, skinny, medium built boy with black scar lines on his arms and legs. Then, both of them wake up, and everyone there then has to deal with the voice of a very annoyed Cameron.
——————————————— By the time the Career Pack has made it down to get in line, Cameron’s still a little annoyed at the others all staring at him sleeping with Mina.
“Like, what the hell, you all?” he asks, only to be met with chuckles from some of the other Careers.
“Dude, like, seeing you in that bed with Mina in your arms was like the coolest thing I’ve ever seen” Dollar says, excitement on his face. In the end, it takes a kiss on his cheek from a playful teasing and now joyful Mina to calm Cameron down, leading to his embarrassment while practically every tribute in the line actually chuckles at the red-faced Career, with the exception of Mark. Even the few Peacekeepers standing by chuckle through their helmets at the sight. Nevertheless, the sound of the speaker calling Adagio into the room for her private session jolts everyone back into focus, and it soon becomes painfully apparent to some, including Cato, that Cameron’s face has morphed into something that described a determined, adrenaline filled, love-driven persevering monster of a tribute. —————————————————————— Needless to say, when all the tributes’ sessions were said and done, in a process that on this occasion took most of the day, about half of the Career Pack had to ask Cameron why it looked like a tornado had ripped through there, with dummies parts from various weapon stations littered all over the place. The boy in question gives no answer and stays silent, puzzling his allies. As Caesar comes on the air to read out the scores, the entire Career Pack - tributes, mentors, stylists, and escorts - is all gathered in District 1’s apartment, with the exception of Rook who chose to spend it on Mark’s floor.
“Greetings, Panem, I am your host Caesar Flickerman and as we come on the air live at this moment, I am pleased to announce that we will be reading off the scores for the tributes of the Seventy Fifth HUNGER GAMES!” Caesar bellows on the screen. “Together with my co-host Claudius Templesmith, we do apologize to the tributes’ families and to those watching this on not being able to get this information out sooner. There was a.. shall we say, an incident in the Training Area.” Everyone’s eyes immediately turn to Cameron, causing the boy to start squirming in his seat. Only the presence of Mina sitting in his lap stops him from squirming any longer than several seconds. On this occasion, Adagio is sitting in Urchin’s lap, as is Finch with Marvel. Clove and Jackie, as before, cling to Cato’s arms on either side of him.
“Without further ado, let’s see these scores, shall we?” Caesar continues. “Starting off with District 1, Adagio Dazzle with a score of 10.”
Urchin decides then and there to kiss Adagio, much to the shock of everyone else in the room. Pretty soon, the two of them are making out.
“Get a room, you two!” Dollar shouts, causing Urchin to give him the middle finger.
“Marvel Sanford with a score of 10.”
This time, it’s Finch that kisses Marvel, causing another make out session to unfold.
“Oh for fuck’s sake..” Dollar says.
“Mercy … with a score of 9. Dollar with a score of 10. Diamond with a score of 9. Rook with a score of 10.”
Dollar facepalms himself and groans at Rook’s score. “Fuck that traitor” he mumbles, as Caesar moves on to District 2.
“Clove Kentwell with a score of 10.”
Clove and Jackie look at each other and smirk, causing Cato to sweat a little.
“Cato Hadley with a score of .. 11.”
The entire apartment goes into wild cheers.
“Isabel with a score of 9. Bronze with a score of 9. Raider with a score of 10. Cameron with a score of.. oh, oh my lord.. ladies and gentlemen, we are dealing with a first in Panem history.. Cameron Spears with a perfect score of 12!”
Cue Mina kissing Cameron as the entire apartment erupts in cheers. Even Katniss and Peeta can’t help but congratulate the kid.
“I’m impressed. I can see your fire in his eyes” Haymitch says to Katniss, who nods. Indeed, Katniss can see the similarities between herself and the boy from 2. Only in Cameron’s case, there’s real love and it’s pushed him to go farther than any Career has ever gone in their private session.
In the anti-career pack, the announcement is met with both disbelief, shock, and amazement. The only one who’s even fuming over it is Mark.
“How the fuck does that kid get a fucking 12?! He’s the next “Girl on fire”, only he’s male! Fuck this! Fuck him!” he screams.
Rook is dumbfounded. Oak and Wolfgang just stare at the TV with their jaws open, while behind them, their mentor Johanna Mason chuckles.
“Seems the boy from 2’s got some serious balls made of steel. I like him” says Johanna.
Rye is just silent, as if trying to understand that a Career Tribute managed the impossible.
Back in District 1’s apartment, the threes have gone by with relatively low scores, apart from Will who scores a 9. The three tributes from 4 not in the Career Pack have low scores.
“Now, Davis with a score of 9. Shelby with a score of 9. Urchin Hook with a score of.. 11.”
More excitement follows, as Finch’s District is next. When her score is shown to be a 10, there’s even more cause for celebration. Mark comes up, and the obvious threat of his score being a 10 is practically minor to the Careers. Wolfgang does manage to score an 11, but Oak comes up short and lands a 6.
It is now tense as it comes to District 10.
“Jackie Smith with a score of.. 11.”
As if on cue, Jackie and Clove both kiss Cato’s cheeks, causing the lead Career to go red-faced. Then, there comes District 11, where Rye, for all of his efforts, scores a 10. Then it’s the turn of District 12.
“Mina Carolina with a score of.. oh holy moly, this is more history in the making.. we have not only one, but two tributes this year with a perfect score of 12!”
Cameron kisses Mina again, and the two have one of the most heated make out sessions of the three currently going on in the apartment. By now, Dollar is losing his mind.
“Please, make it stop.”
While the rest of District 12’s tributes score 7 or 8, Stoner manages to score a 10, leaving the nation with no doubt that this games, there’s one hell of a high quality Career Pack in the arena facing a moderately serious anti-Career Pack threat. With the footage secretly being recorded in the District 1 apartment, Enobaria and Augustus’ Plan is cruising to perfection. All that’s left is the tribute interviews, the release of the footage to the media, and Snow’s reaction before the games.