Chapter 17

Today they are releasing the rankings. Blake still doubted her abilities, if she couldn't throw a kunai, how would she survive in the arena. Blake ran her hands through her hair, it was greasy, too greasy. She opened her shower curtain, and fiddled with the faucet and soap. She turned on the shower, then went in. She felt the warm silky water wash down her back, it felt cleaner than usual. The feeling of the water, she wanted it to last forever. It sort of reminded her of home. She sat down in the shower, letting the liquid fall in her face. I just want to go home, she told herself. The tears falling down her face were masked by the rays of water. What is it like to die? Is it really bad? Tons of people die, It can't be that bad. She rinsed the suds out of her hair and turned off the shower. Blake grabbed a towel for her hair and body. She dried herself off and put on a clean pair of clothes. The towel fell on the floor, the one that was wrapped around her hair. The brunette hair fell on her face, curly and knotted. She took a brush and combed through the mess until it was straight. It was time for Caesar Flickerman to announce the training scores. She entered the living room to see Koland, Finnick, the mustard lady, and the two stylists sitting on the couches.

"Good, you're awake. Ready to see your score?" The escort asks excitedly.

"I don't really have a choice, do I?" Blake says gloomy. Finnick sighs, he hated the depressed side of Blake. She was going to be just fine, her score would be better than most of them. All of a sudden, Caesar Flickerman appeared on the screen.

"Hello ladies and gentlemen! I am proud to announce that all training scores are released. Let's start, shall we." Blake's heart was pumping really fast, this could determine the rest of her life, does she live or die?

"Starting off with district 1, Lalo Smith, with a 10! Wow, he must be lethal. Keep your eyes open for him! Ottilie Miller, with a 7." A seven was pretty low for a career, they must not be celebrating right now. Since she cried in her judging, how was Blake's score going to be affected?

"Next is district 2. Eloi Banks with a 9 and Adele Williams, with a 10."

"District 3, Conroy Adams with a score of 6. Serpen Hazel, with a score of 11. We have some dangerous teens on our hands!"

"And District four. Koland Elrod, scored a 9." Everyone was congratulating him, he must have really impressed them, though he is a career. Blake's heart was pumping again, faster than before. She wanted to run to her room, and close her eyes. Her family should be with her here, supporting her. Finnick noticed her distress, he held her hand. The warmth of his touch slowed down her heart a bit, it comforted her.

"Blake Grey, with a score of...10" Her eyes widened, what did she do? Did the capitol just want her to win? Or want her dead? Blake didn't care, she scored the same as Lalo, that was good enough for her. All of the capitol borns were cheering her on. They were giving her hugs and jumping up and down. Koland congratulated her, he didn't have a happy expression on his face though. Finnick motioned her to his bedroom, she followed him. What did he want? Was he going to 'congratulate' me or warn me? She thought to herself. Blake quickly flushed those ideas out of her head as he shut the door. This was serious. He placed his head in his hands, then pulled his head out.

"I'm scared for you, what exactly did you do in that room?" he questioned.

"I shot a few arrows and spears, then I asked what they wanted to see next. They suggested kunais, I missed the shot. They started to laugh at me—I ran out of the room in tears. I thought I didn't do very well." Blake admitted, she never told anyone what happened. Cowardliness and failure was difficult to admit for her. Finnick frowned.

"They liked your bravery and determination, they saw how vulnerable you were to failure. They think you'll be perfect and the key to a 'good show'" Finnick sighed. Blake was perplexed. Why was it a bad thing? This means she has an advantage compared to others, she could go home.

"Why is that bad? I could survive and go home" she questioned.

He scoffed, "It just makes you a bigger target, by getting a higher score, they either want you as an ally or to kill you." Her eyes widened, this is bad. Blake was now adamant that she wanted to survive these games, to show them that she can't be controlled. Some kids deserve to survive, but as Finnick mentioned, it's better to die than survive. she stares at his sea green eyes. She pulls him in for a hug, even though I still had negative feelings about him. He has comforted her when Blake's family couldn't, it's good to have someone who understands what she is going through.