Belle Cyrus’s POV:

‘’ Welcome tributes to the third and final day of training. The time has come for you all to impress our Gamemakers in the single tribute sessions. You will each have ten minutes to impress our judges in the training centre in whatever way you can. Then, this evening when the training has completely finished, you will each achieve a score. You will get a number between twelve and one, one being the best. This will be done in categories of gender.

You will wait here until you are called, then after you have entered the training centre you may return to your rooms and get something to eat. Tomorrow is the day you are entering the arena. So simply wait here until it is time. Good luck, I will see you all later!’’ Smiles Piper Papillon as she escorts to a large waiting room – with couches scattered about the place and Peacekeepers standing at attention around the room.

I take my seat beside Margo on a couch as Adaline Trunkette is called into the training centre.

‘’ We can do this. If we both get a one in the training, we will be assured sponsors and that will make winning easier.’’ Promises Margo as he places him muscular yet gentle hand on my face. I smile has he does, and place my hand on his.

‘’ We can do this.’’ I repeat. ‘’ We’ve trained our whole lives for this.’’

Margo nods in agreement. We sit quietly for the next few minutes, watching the clock in front of us count down ten minutes. As it hits zero, my name is called over an intercom and the two Peacekeepers at the door open it and politely usher me inside. I kiss Margo on the forehead and step inside.

I stride quickly into the room, my mother always told me that a woman with a quick and confident walk is a successful one. I smile and wave at the audience of Peacekeepers and other officials before me and introduce myself. As they see me, they lean forwards in their seats – Adaline obviously bored them to death.

‘’ My name is Belle and I am from District Two.’’ I smile cheerfully.

‘’ We know who you are.’’ Smiles one of the people before me.

‘’ This should be good.’’ Whispers another excitedly – although I can’t quite find the face for the voice.

‘’ We take it you wish to display your throwing knife skills to us?’’ Questions the Head Trainer that had been in the centre for the past two days – Esmeralda.

‘’ Of course.’’ I laugh and she nods her head.

‘’ Prepare yourself.’’ She warns, then pushes a button in front of her.

All at once, the room comes alive with orange figures of light – the ones I’ve seen before. Three of them appear about ten meters away and come charging at me, all three of them have deadly weapons in hand – one has a sword, another has a metal club and the third has an axe.

I smirk and take aim with my first knife – gripping it by the tip of the blade – and send it zipping through the air towards the axe-wielding orange figure. Surprisingly, the figure drops to the floor, and the knife instead impacts the skull of the sword-wielding figure. It erupts into an explosion of orange light and disappears.

‘’ More!’’ I call, and Esmeralda smiles as she pushes the button – three more of the figures appear, again with the same weapons.

With one throwing knife per hand, I send two of the blades whizzing through the air and take out the two figures from the first wave together. They too explode and vanish from sight. I smirk as the next three sprint eagerly towards me.

I run forwards to meet them with a throwing knife gripped in my right hand. Just before we reach each other, the middle figure swings its sword towards me. I skid along the floor and jam the blade of my knife into the figures leg as I fly past it along the floor. There is a smaller explosion of light from where the blade impacts, but the whole figure does not disappear. Instead, it falls to its knees.

I take advantage of this and quickly toss a throwing knife in its direction as I get to my feet. The knife sticks into the back of the figures head and it falls forwards. It erupts into orange light as it hits the floor of the training centre.

‘’ Very well done.’’ Beams Esmeralda excitedly as I get to my feet and take aim with another knife.

‘’ More! This time some long-ranged fighters.’’ I ask as the second figure bursts into orange light – leaving just one more as three new foes appear.

I glance at the new arrivals; one wields a bow, the second has a spear and the third has throwing knives like me. I smirk and sidestep a blow from the one remaining close hand combat figure as his orange axe impales itself in the floor.

I glance at the other figures and notice that the bowman is loading up an arrow. I stand in front of the axed figure and as the arrow is fired, I drop to the floor. The orange arrow sails above my head and into the gut of the axe-wielder. It erupts into nothingness after an orange light explosion and I get back to my feet as an orange throwing knife whips through the air past my head.

‘’ Bring it bitches.’’ I smirk and send a throwing knife whipping through the air again. It meets its target, implanting itself in the chest of the other knife thrower and causing it to explode as the others have before it.

An arrow whips towards me but I dodge it easily. The spear wielder runs at me as I try to take aim with my knife and I am forced to dive to the side as it jabs its weapon at me. It narrowly misses my shoulder, but I manage to get behind it and ram the blade of my knife into the back of its neck. It lodges into the figures neck, and it explodes into an eruption of orange light.

I then turn to face my final opponent and I feel an electric shock run up my leg. I’ve been hit by one of its arrows.

‘’ Dammit.’’ I mutter and sprint at the figure angrily.

It fires three arrows in quick succession however I dip and duck beneath them and come out unharmed. I then dive forwards as it tries to reload again and I plant the knife in its skull. It erupts and I turn to the applauding audience.

‘’ Very well done Belle! It’s a shame about that last hit, but this isn’t the real thing. Just make sure to be more careful in the arena, OK?’’ Says Esmeralda and I nod understandingly. ‘’ Very well done, now go get something to eat and make sure to get plenty of sleep, you’ve a long day ahead of you tomorrow.’’

‘’ Thanks.’’ I smile and exit through a second door with my head hanging in shame.

Brutis Glaze’s POV:

I sit with Pious outside the training centre, not bothering to talk with him. Although I am happy I was paired with him over some District Twelve reject, there are plenty of other tributes I would have happily gone with as opposed to him. I listen to the conversations going on around me. Some of the other tributes seem nervous, a lot however seem confident.

‘’ So who do you think is our biggest competition here?’’ Whispers Stitch to Min, she simply shrugs her shoulders as Odhan is called into the training centre.

I glance over at Alistair and Arianna sitting in a far off corner of the room alone. He is sitting on the couch, and she is sitting on his lap, her legs resting on the arm of the chair. She has her arms wrapped around him and she is whispering in his hear.

I glance around the room as I think of Stitch’s words, who is my biggest competition here? Margo? Gauze? Echo? Yeah right! I would never lose to a girl! Especially not to a some nerd from District Three!

The ten minutes fly by, and soon enough I hear my name being called over the intercom. ‘’ Brutis Glaze.’’

I am ushered inside the training centre and I approach a small ‘X’ on the floor in front of quite a large audience. Before me sit a group of people, government officials, trainers, Gamemakers and the Head Gamemaker Esmeralda from yesterday and the day before.

‘’ Hello Brutis.’’ She smiles. ‘’ We’re very excited to see what you have in store for us!’’

‘’ Can I get started?’’ I reply eagerly, grabbing a sword from a large weapons rack in front of me.

‘’ Ready? Three...two...one...go!’’ Calls Esmeralda as she pushes a large button in front of her.

Immediately following that, two figures appear on either side of me, both with orange light swords in their grasp. Without warning, they charge forward with their swords swinging and I grin as I swing mine to meet theirs.

I block the blow of the closest figure with my sword and lift it up towards the roof, forcing the weapon to be knocked out of its hand. As he runs to retrieve it, I pivot on my right leg and slice through the orange figures stomach, ripping across it in an eruption of orange light. As it begins to fall forwards, I jab my sword forwards and impale it where a human’s heart would be.

I don’t take time to relish my small victory as the figure explodes in orange light and disappears. Instead, I quickly turn around and dive forwards with my sword, plunging the blade into the figure’s back. It too explodes in a blast of orange – almost glass like – light.

‘’ Well done Brutis!’’ Calls Esmeralda. ‘’ How many this time?’’

‘’ I’ll take on four.’’ I grin and she smiles excitedly and then pushes the button in front of her twice.

Instantly, two orange figures appear either side of me and I spring into action quickly. They surge forwards with their swords at the ready, but rather than letting them come to me and surround me, I run at one of the pairs and dive forwards. Both swing for me but I manage to block one blow and dodge the other. I then impale my sword in the throat of one figure – which explodes immediately – and then I swing my sword to the side, slicing through the figure’s hip. It falls to the side, and I bring my sword through its neck with what would decapitate a normal human. The figure explodes and disappears, just two left.

I turn in their direction and sprint towards them, like the other two they both swing, I duck below the first sword and sidestep the second. I attempt to repeat what I did with the other two figures, however they somehow anticipate my move. They dodge my blow and swing back at me. I bring my sword up and shield myself from their hits. As one of their swords clashes against mine, it sends a shower of orange light over me, however it doesn’t have any effect on me.

‘’ C’mon.’’ I mutter with a grin across my face.

The second figure begins running towards me as I wrestle swords with the other. I realise that if I don’t move now, the figure running at me will impale his light sword into my thigh. I curse and jump backwards, my weapon clatters to the ground.

‘’ Shit.’’ I mutter, realising I am screwed if they overpower me now that I have no weapon, along with the fact that this has probably screwed up my chances of getting a good score.

I run backwards as the two figures advance on me. I need to somehow get around them and reach my sword without them hitting me. I decide to take a risk; it’s the only chance I have to redeem myself. I gulp and dash forwards – straight at the two figures with nothing but my bare hands.

I leap into the air and punch the closest figure across the face. It feels weird. Unexpectedly, my hand pierces through the figure and there’s a small explosion of orange light. However the figure only falls backwards slightly, he is still very much alive.

I run towards my sword as the two figures run right behind me, swinging their swords at me frantically – inches away from my back. I can feel the air being slashed at behind my head and this adrenaline pushes me to run faster. I bound forwards and grab my sword, I then turn to face my pursuers with it in my hand. My risk paid off, thankfully!

I notice that one is slightly closer to me than the other, it’s now or never. I lunge forwards and pierce the stomach of the closest orange figure with a jab of my sword. It erupts into an explosion of orange light, like so many of its companions have before it and I rip my sword back towards me.

Just one left.

I smirk as it dashes towards me with its sword swinging. I rush forwards to meet it and our swords clash loudly, sending a spray of orange light shards across the floor that quickly blink out of existence. I swing my sword at the figure’s hip, but it intercepts my blow and slashes its sword at me. Our swords clash again as I block its blow and more sparks of orange light fly.

The figure jumps to the side and swipes its sword towards me, I duck to the floor quickly and the sword slashes through the air where my head had just been. As I duck, the figure raises its leg and kicks me in the stomach. I yelp in pain as an electric wave surges through my body and I fall back onto the floor.

The figure stands above me and raises its sword over me. Just as the figure brings the weapon down towards me I roll across the floor – the sword smashes hard against the ground. Quickly, I get to my feet just on time to shield another blow.

‘’ Come on Brutis! Kill him!’’ Roars Esmeralda excitedly and I lunge forwards.

My sword pierces the figure’s stomach and it explodes into a shower of orange sparks which fall like smashed pieces of glass to the floor and disappear from sight. I place the sword back in its holster on the weapon’s rack and turn to my audience. They all smile at me.

‘’ Thanks Brutis! We’ll see you later, get some rest because you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.’’ Instructs Esmeralda and I exit the room with a broad smile across my face.

Bliss Dixon’s POV:

I get to my feet as my name is called, leaving Gauze sitting on the couch beside Alistair and Arianna. I walk past the two Peacekeepers stationed at the door nervously and enter the training centre. Apprehensively, I approach the ‘X’ marking on the floor and stare at my audience quietly.

‘’ Good morning Bliss, what are you going to be showing us today?’’ Asks Esmeralda, the Head Trainer and I gulp nervously.

‘’ Ehm...a dagger.’’ I say and the crowd laughs in front of me, not even bothering to try hide it.

‘’ As you wish.’’ Says Esmeralda and pushes a large red button in front of her.

Without warming, three orange figures appear and charge towards me, each have large orange light swords clutched in their hands. I yelp as they run towards me, instead of fighting I just run.

‘’ C’mon Bliss! Fight them!’’ Yells Esmeralda encouragingly, although I can’t help but sense a hint of maliciousness in her tone.

‘’ I can’t! There’s too many of them!’’ I yell as one of the swords just about misses my back.

‘’ Will we add some obstacles, so you can prove your speed and agility to us whilst you run?’’ Suggests Esmeralda, and laughs as I scream when one of the orange pursuers swing their sword at me.

‘’ Yes!’’ I scream, on the verge of tears.

Esmeralda pulls a lever somewhere out of sight, and the ground begins to shake. For the moment, the figures remain still – however I take the chance to put distance between myself and them and run.

The floor flashes for a second, and then a very realistic hologram of a ferny forest floor, with large tufts of grass, bushes and trees appears all around me. It is like I am in a jungle; however I am still in the training centre, and in plain view of my judging audience.

I glance over my shoulder as I run to cover behind a large moss-coated tree and see the three figures lumbering in my direction.

‘’ Crap.’’ I mutter as a few tears trickle down my face.

I listen to the footsteps of the figures approach, and I fight the urge to scream as the first runs past me. Despite the fact that he has moved ahead, I don’t move as the location of the other two are still unknown to me. A few seconds later, a second runs by, although moving a little slower.

Is this a test? Are they separating them to make it easier for me? I quietly ponder.

Before I have a chance to come up with an answer in my head, the third walks past. I gulp and trust my gut instincts to dive forwards and impale the figures back with my dagger. For a moment, nothing happens so I pull out the dagger and continuously stab at the figures back, crying out as each blow impacts. Finally, the figure explodes in an explosion of orange light and disappears.

As he vanishes, I can see ahead of me to where he had previously been blocking – the other two figures are sprinting towards me. I scream, turn and run back towards where I began, the two of them hot on my heels.

‘’ Stop this!’’ I scream as one of them smack me in the back and quite a powerful electric shock surges through my body.

I cry out in pain as I run, however they do not stop the test.

‘’ Please! Make them stop!’’ I beg and scream again as one of them smack my leg, causing my body to spasm in an electric shock.

‘’ Stop this!’’ I roar, throwing my dagger up towards them.

It lands among them, smashing onto the table of food amongst them but isn’t moving with enough force to do any damage. Esmeralda’s jaw drops and she pushes the button just as I am hit again.

I fall to the floor and shake as the forest around me vanishes – as do my orange pursuers. I sit on my knees with my hands in the push up position and cry. Eventually, I get to my feet and leave the room with the sound of laughter ringing in my ears.

Alistair’s POV:

‘’ I like you Gauze, you’re probably one of the only people – aside from Arianna – that I trust now. You and Bliss.’’ I say as Gauze suggests we form an alliance in the arena. ‘’ But I don’t know, I will have to speak with Arianna later about it.’’

‘’ Thank you.’’ He says. ‘’ I appreciate that.’’

Before I can reply to him, his name is called and he enters the training centre, leaving me alone with Arianna.

‘’ Do you trust him?’’ I ask, Arianna nods her head.

‘’ He doesn’t come across as the type of person that would betray us, plus he didn’t seemed angry to be paired with Bliss – he was almost relieved. I think a person like him would be a valuable extra for the arena.’’ She explains.

‘’ Agreed. Did you see him with that crossbow during training? He missed like one in a hundred shots. He could be the difference between us surviving or dying.’’ I continue. ‘’ I think we should team with him.’’

Arianna doesn’t reply she simply nods her head. We sit quietly for the following minutes, just holding each other tightly, today is our last day of freedom – relatively speaking because in Panem, whether you are in the Hunger Games or not, you are never free.

Gauze Weaver’s POV:

I enter the training centre and approach the audience of government officials, Gamemakers and trainers and step onto the ‘X’ marker beside them. They smile at me as I take the crossbow from the weapon’s stand and I return the smile.

‘’ Hi, I don’t want to fight the figures. Have you got any targets I can practise with?’’ I ask and Esmeralda nods excitedly.

‘’ I have an idea!’’ She beams and pushes a button to her left.

On the opposite side of the room, three orange figures appear with small holographic apples sitting on their heads. The apples are a blue colour and are made of the same holographic light the figures are.

‘’ Good luck.’’ Smiles Esmeralda and I step up to the marker.