Chapter 50: The Ides of March

Disclaimer: I don't own THG.


Cato:

Outside, the air was cool and dry. Hundreds-perhaps thousands- crowed the City Circle, all of them waiting for the main event to begin. The majority of the audience members were rebels; the Capitol citizens had yet to recover from the shock of having their way of life ripped away. Cato didn't sympathize with them, they'd adjust.

The victors were allowed front row seats, as some sort of compensation. It would make up for nothing, but the view would certainly be pleasing. To his left, Clove remained silent. Not a word had left her lips since the voting.

"She would have gone on with the new game idea, regardless of the vote, Clove." He told her.

With a shrug, she replied. "The only reason I said no was to spite her. Coin wanted a yes, I gave her no. Honestly, not that big of a deal. These people are nothing to us."

Cato didn't trust her answer, it was unlike Clove to do something without giving it some thought. "She'll reveal the votes when she needs leverage. Voting no makes it look like you'd side with the Capitol."

She smiled. "So? The districts already hate us, we murdered their children. The Capitol hates us for taking their city. We'll always have enemies."

They spent a few seconds in silence, Cato watched the giant screens around the circle. He could see the crowd, the many faces. This would be historic, no doubt.

"I think Beetee was partially right." Clove confessed. "We have to learn to forgive if we want there to be peace. But that won't happen overnight. Never, if Coin wins an official election."

Coin was the self appointed President, but who would want to compete against her? She would be credited with initiating a rebellion, that would earn her the title. Forgiveness was another issue. It wasn't something Cato would accomplish. Nor could the rest of the victors, surely they'd always hold the memory of the arena. More profound were the memories of their lives post-victory; they left deeper marks.

"Have you forgiven Snow?" He asked Clove.

She snorted. "No. Not even close. He's not the one working against now, though. We have a whole new set of problems."

Please, don't think about trying to be rid of those, too. We're done here.

Her words made Cato uneasy. If it were within his power, he'd dispose of Coin and her group. There would be anyone but her at the head of the government. Preferably, someone who had no information on him or Clove. Seeing that such a thing was impossible, Cato refused to launch into a another war so prematurely. They had no idea what they were up against, Coin had given only a taste.

Their conversation was brought to an early end by the appearance of the President herself. She stood high above them, in a balcony, accompanied by Plutarch, his secretary and other officials. The audience cheered, their sincere and blind appreciation for her left no doubt in Cato's mind; Coin would indeed win an election.

On another balcony, Katniss Everdeen stood ready to play her part as executioner. A bow was handed to her, and a single arrow was loaded. That arrow carried the hopes of the entire nation, it was a huge weight to carry. The people sung their praise, proclaimed their undying gratefulness for the young girl.

The praise morphed into cries for blood the second Snow was marched out into the circle. Soldiers tied him to a post in the center for everyone to see. On the screens, it was his image that was shown; his weakness and failure put on display for all of Panem to see. The screams of joy intensified, leaving a buzzing sound in Cato's ears.

He didn't want to miss the event, his attention was on Katniss. The girl raised her bow and took aim. The string was pulled back, providing the force necessary to transport the arrow into the target. The giant screens were split: Katniss, Snow, Coin, and the audience. He saw, they all saw, how she lifted the bow at the very last second.


Clove:

Her vote was for Max. Coin promised one year of the Capitol Games, but what if the districts demanded 74 more to make amends? They'd call it justice while it would be hypocrisy.

I can imagine how hard it would be to justify our actions when Max is older. To admit we wanted peace and vengeance, all at once...

Truthfully, Clove didn't want to stay in the Capitol. Enemies, she had told Cato, were everywhere. She'd face the ones she had in Two first. Then, anyone else who threatened the safety of her family. They would come, she was certain. A life like that was never what she desired, but she earned it.

It seemed that everyone held their breath when Katniss raised her bow. Her face was on one of the screens, Snow and Coin on the others. Clove wanted a more real look, she kept her eyes on the old man tied to the post. This was the last time she'd enjoy such brutality. Oh, yes, she'd enjoy it.

But Snow was enjoying it, too. Clove frowned, thinking the distance made it difficult to make out his face. She checked a screen, and there it was, the smile on his red lips. He watched Katniss take aim at him, and he was amused by the prospect of death.

Gasps, screams, and sobs broke through the air. Clove, still focused on Snow, saw him throw his head back in laughter. Full on cackles as fresh blood spilled from his mouth. It happened in that instant, the transformation from people to wild stampeding animals. Around her, everyone pushed and shoved, anxious to leave. They ran toward the mansion, away from it, hoped over the stands and onto the streets.

Shocked by the events, Clove glanced at the screens again. Katniss's balcony was blocked by a wall of gray. Other screens were blank, and a couple showed the empty space Coin should have occupied, some people looking down into the crowd below. Plutarch was yelling into some sort of phone. His Capitol assistant was following his example, spewing out a separate set of instructions. Clove knew, the President was no more and the arrow had missed it's intended target.

Energized by the death of Coin, Clove resolved to deal with another tyrant. Snow wasn't going anywhere. She weaved through the sea of people, shoving and pushing like they did her. She could see him, hunched over and coughing, tied to the post that miraculously remained buried in the ground. That was the only thing saving him from being swallowed up by the frightened crowd, but it would be a temporary defense.

Standing before him, Clove realized the amount of blood leaving his body was unhealthy. He was choking on it, dying a slow death. Her finger tips met the cold steel of the knife hidden in her sleeve. With her free hand, she lifted Snow's head, forcing him to look at her. He didn't register her presence; warm blood hit her exposed face and neck. Disgusted and fully aware that her window of opportunity was closing, Clove took a stab. Underneath the ribcage, her district would be proud. Straight through the heart.

Snow's body went limp as death claimed him. And then, someone was pulling her away, toward the mansion. Cato and Enobaria, had they been close enough to see her become the executioner? They didn't say a word about it, dragging her up the stairs and into a bedroom, shutting the door behind them. The sound of more people seeking shelter made it through the walls.

Enobaria crossed her arms over her chest and studied her.

"You need a shower." She complained.

Clove smirked. "You saw?"

"A lot of people did." Cato said calmly. "But you're not the one who shot Coin with an arrow. I can't promise they'll remember you."

Clove laughed, Enobaria stared at her like she had lost her mind. "I'm fine with that. You wanted to know if I had forgiven him? Still a no. But he's dead, Coin's dead, and we're alive. I'll take it."

Cato beamed at her, pressing a kiss to her lips and pulling her close. She basked in the affection. Finally, it was within reach. A future, bright and worth defending.


Ta-Da! Snow died due to trampling or choking, they aren't sure in the book; but I felt that meant he got away with all his crimes. Just forgotten. So, I had Clove kill him. Its a small victory, but I wanted there to be some happiness. Next chapter: the consequences of Coin's murder. Thanks for reading guys! :)