#tasks 109

[gina-heller]

“- the land was ruined by the flies”

Gina didn’t know what to do as the insects came closer and closer towards her. So she ran. She didn’t know where to run but all she knew was that she had to get away from them, having no doubt that the gamemakers were behind this. They were into sick things like that. What would happen if the insects caught her? Would she die instantly? Would they make her suffer? She didn’t know, but she didn’t want to risk it. She saw the blood red water coming into her view as she was running. But what if that was poisoned as well? 

The internal debate Gina was having with herself concluded that death by the bugs would be far more painful then by the river. Besides, one of the trainers showed her how to swim, maybe that could help her survive longer? So with that thought in mind, she jumped into the deep red water, holding her breath, waiting for the pain to start. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. She counted the seconds in her head, but the pain didn’t start. So she dived up, noticing that the bugs hadn’t followed her into the water. So she was safe from the bugs here. But for how long?

[gina-heller]

Skill presentation

Her aunt had told her about what things she would have at her disposal for the skill presentation so Gina wasn’t worried about that at all. What she was worried about though, was how they would rate her. She didn’t care what they thought, not really; but the sponsors cared and those she would need to survive. When it was her turn, she moved toward the training room confidently, a mask of indifference on her face. The redheaded girl took a deep breath and cleared her head before she stepped into the room. Assessing it with her eyes for a moment the bow immediately caught her eye. This was what she was good in. She’d start with that, get their attention and show them what else she was capable of. 

Gina moved over to the bow, taking that and 5 arrows with her. She moved quickly, but she didn’t rush. The first arrow landed a few millimeters of the bulls eye. The second, straight in the middle. The same with the third and the fourth. She’d practiced with the bow and arrow for over 6 years now, she was good with hitting a target-but she had no gurantee that it would work on a real person. With the last arrow she moved towards one of the dummies, aiming straight for the heart. Vidia said that she should show them that she had the potential to be lethal. She took a deep breath, releasing the arrow. It hit exactly where she wanted it to. A small smile appeared on her face. 

Next, she moved onto snares and traps, her small hands quickly replicating the ones she could practically produce in her sleep now. Did it impress them? She had no idea, but she hoped that they saw the potential in her. That they didn’t dismiss her. 

At last she moved towards the spear like one of the ones Rosaline and her practiced with. It was lighter than the one she used practicing and when she aimed it at the next dummy’s heart it landed more towards the stomach region. Gina cursed inwardly, but didn’t let her anger show. Before she left, she decided to address the gamemakers, she had no idea if they could even hear her. “I don’t plan on giving up easily. I’m going to fight until the very end.”

[gina-heller]

Task 003

What was your first thought when you arrived at the Capitol? 

That it is very.. colorful.. compared to my district.

Where is your favorite place in the Capitol?

Choosing just one is simply too difficult.

What is your favorite thing about the Capitol?

That I can spend time with my aunt.

Least favorite thing?

Not seeing my parents.

What is the biggest difference between the Capitol and your district?

 Hmm.. The people. They are very different here.

Would you live in the Capitol if you had the chance to?

Only if my family would want that. 

[gina-heller]

Task 002

hand to hand: good. practices since she was 10.

Bow and Arrow: great. she feels better about using that than low range weapons as that makes it more personal, she prefers the distance the bow provides

knot tying: great. she got a books about different techniques when she was a child and often spends her time tying various knots.

cooking: basics. her mother cooks at home and she helps her sometimes, but she isn’t very experienced

[gina-heller]

Task 001 - Reaping

The day of the reaping had been a dark one in her family ever since her Aunt Vidia had been reaped. Even though her aunt had been debateably lucky enough to survive her games, it felt all the more real for the Heller family. There was no safe distance in which they could pretend that the games wouldn’t affect them. Gina knew that the odds did not stand in her favor due to her aunt being a victor, oh how they liked to bring a victor’s family into the games.. it gave them a sick pleasure to revisit that family members games and she knew that they enjoyed watching how the victors reacted to their loved ones in the games. It was sickening. Her fate was sealed when her father stopped hiding his involvement with the rebellion. The Hellers did not know that at that time, however, too blinded by the desire to stop the games and put it all to an end, but that did not work. The rebel forces were not strong enough and everyone knew that it meant that the games would be worse that year. Gina tried to talk herself into believing that she would not be reaped, even though a large part of her, the rational and logical one, knew that this year could very well be her year to be reaped. She had this unsettling feeling in her stomach the week leading up to the reaping. The girl was glad that she asked her aunt and Sebastian to train her years ago. If she should be reaped she would not be helpless. That comforting thought sadly did not help her restless nights.

Gina stood in front of her mirror, wearing one of her finest dresses especially for the reaping. It disgusted her, but she knew how often the reaping ceremony would be replayed each year. She was feeling more like a doll than a person when she put the finishing touches on her hair and make up. She looked good, but then again everyone had to look their best during the reaping. The people chosen would be walking into their deaths anyways, so what did it even matter? But the Capitol was clear with their rules and disobeying them at times like these was just plain stupid.

A blank expression hid her disgusted one as the ceremony began. Showing her fear or her distaste with the Capitol was unwise. She needed to fade into the masses and not stand out. She met her aunt's eyes and allowed her mask to break for a few moments as she smiled at her. She could not imagine being in her aunt's place, being forced to watch so many young people die each year. Her aunt tried hard, but sometimes that just wasn't enough. A silent prayer was sent as she watched their escort go through the names in the bowl before taking one out and reading it in a clear tone. "Gina Heller!" The escort called out and her heart stopped for a moment. Panic filled her as everyone stared at her with various degrees of pity in their eyes. She did not miss how many other girls let out breaths of relief. It was none of them this year. It was her. The victor's niece would be going into the hunger games. Gina focused hard on not displaying the fear she was feeling as she walked towards the stage trying to appear as confident as she could. Do not let them see your weakness, she reminded herself.  All she wanted to do was turn around and run away, but she couldn't. It was too late. Running away was not a possibility anymore. She was going into the hunger games. Her life would never be the same again, no matter how the games would go. She heard her aunt talk about how the games changed people and she had no doubt that they would change her as well.But there was one thing she was sure of. She was not giving up. She would never give up, she owed that to her family.