Snow
Chapter One – The End
Coriolanus stood behind his desk, sounds of his staff scrambling to prepare the building for evacuation filled his ears. Looking out the window he sees the distant image of smoke, outlined on the distant horizon. 'My city on fire. Guess its only right for what I did to yours. My My Miss Everdeen, I never thought it would come to this.' A man dressed in the iconic white of a peacekeeper uniform walks to his side.
"Sir, they have broken through the wall. We must evacuate you to a safe location." The mans face hidden by his faceplate, however the edginess of his voice offset Coriolanus.
Without taking his eyes off the distant smoke he speaks, "Is my granddaughter safe?"
"Yes sir, she is being transported to the safe house as we speak."
"Good." Snow turns to his desk, picking up a small photo. 'I'm glad you didn't have to see this occur. You would have never let me take it this far.' He brushes his fingers over an image of Himself, his daughter and her husband, and his granddaughter. His eyes begin to water, allowing a single tear to fall from his cheek. The peacekeeper takes a silent step towards Snow.
"Sir, are you-" His arm reaches and touches Snow's arm.
Snow retracts, pulling his arm away quickly, and quietly says "Get out."
"We must leave now, it isn't safe-"
"GET OUT." Snow's voice echoes through the office. His assistants stop for a moment and the office becomes silent, the echo of a hovercraft is heard in the distance. The staff scurry out of the room, and the peacekeeper takes a step backwards.
"Sir, it is my duty to keep you safe."
Snow coughs violently, a speckle of blood forms from his mouth, then lands on the photo. "Just wait outside. That's an order. I'll fetch you when I'm ready." The peacekeeper nods, then walks out the door, shutting it behind him.
He slouches in his office chair, still holding the photo. 'Oh Caelia. I will never earn your forgiveness for what I have done.' Snow closes his eyes, only wanting to hear his daughter's laughter one more time. He sets the photo down, and reaches down to the bottom drawer of his desk. 'Is it finally time? Ten years is plenty long enough.' Snow gives a soft laugh, causing another small coughing spurt. He wipes away a small drop of blood from his mouth on his handkerchief. 'Besides, we'll be together soon enough darling. Maybe then I'll beg for your forgiveness.'
His hand freezes on the drawer, a second passes, then he opens it. His hands reach down and grasps a small envelope. He picks it up and sets it in front of him. In neat cursive writing on the front reads: "For daddy." Snow smiles, remembering his daughters' attention to penmanship. He flips the letter over and breaks the seal from the back of the envelope. He takes the paper from inside, and unfolds it carefully. He begins to read;
"For Coriolanus Snow,
Dear Daddy, Congratulations on your big day, it's not every day that you are appointed to the Presidents council! Tonight is a night of celebration and happiness. I am so proud of you, and your accomplishments. Maybe you'll sit in the big chair some day! 'May the odds ever be in your favor!'…"
Snow smiled, how ironic that sentence was now.
"…I wish you the best of luck.
~Caelia Hale
More importantly, Your daughter, Caelia Snow."
His eyes read the next line and he froze. "No… No. No…"
His head filled with a fog.
He couldn't believe it.
"P.S You're going to be a grandpa, again!"
Snow leans back and tears fall from his eyes. His mind races back, to the last time he saw her…