Hi all! New chapter is up! Can't wait for you all to read this one!


Lucy runs quickly back into camp. Tears stream heavily down her face. She can't take it anymore. She needs to hide away from Snow. But where does she go? Maybe she could hide in one of the huts, or maybe–

"Oof!" She says aloud as she falls to the ground. She has bumped into something. She looks down at her knee and hisses, it was all scraped and starting to bleed. When she looks back up, it was actually someone she bumped into, the camp leader, Ms. Kiera

"Ms. Kiera! I'm so sorry!" Lucy exclaims, taking a deep breath in an attempt to seize her heavy breathing to a stop.

"It's okay, Lucy." The leader replies.

Lucy tries to run past her, but the leader holds out her arm to stop her.

"Is something wrong?" Ms. Kiera asks, clearly noticing, despite her best efforts to hide it, that Lucy is out of breath.

Lucy doesn't want to tell her what's wrong, but her mouth doesn't listen, words start quickly tumbling out before she can stop them. "Yes! There is this boy in our camp, but he doesn't belong–"

"Yes. I heard about him," the leader interrupted. "The one who was badly injured. Didn't you find him in the woods?"

"Yes but–"

"Nurse Johnson has already told me everything. I know that he wanted to leave. But unfortunately it is too risky. Sending anything back to the districts could give us away."

Lucy's words slow down. "Wait. He wanted to be taken back?"

"Yes, Nurse Johnson told me that he wanted to be returned to his family. But unfortunately it looks like he will either have to trudge his way back home or stay with us."

Lucy stands shocked in place. Of course he wanted to go back! He never cared about her for a second. How could she be so naive? Lucy can't take this.

Lucy quickly runs away, avoiding any more questions from Ms. Kiera. She wants to go somewhere quiet. Somewhere away from Snow. Why did he have to land here? Why did she have to see him again? She was doing just fine without him! Where could she go where Snow wouldn't follow? Her favorite spot is compromised. Snow knows where it is. Maybe she could hide out in the–

"Lucy!"

Lucy froze again. She knows that voice."Why won't he just leave me alone?" She thinks to herself. She can't just stand here, so she runs again. Lucy takes off into the forest as quickly as she could, her legs scraping against the tall, wild, grass. She flies through the trees hoping to lose him in the forest."This feels very familiar to our last encounter." She thinks as she runs, refusing to turn back. The sky turns gray as the clouds begin to cover the sun. With little warning, heavy rain starts pouring. Lucy feels as if she could drown. Maybe it would be easier that way.

Just when Lucy thinks she is in the clear, she hears heavy footsteps splashing in the rain from behind. "Lucy!" His voice calls out. She continues to run. "Lucy, wait!" His voice is closer to her ears. He is gaining on her. She hates that he is faster than her. She hates that he is here. She hates him.

The sounds of his trudging footsteps gain closer and closer until he grabs her arm from behind and stops her in place. Instead of holding on like she thought he would, he quickly releases her, as if he wants to show some sort of peace. Lucy doesn't have time for this. She is about to run again when:

"I'm sorry," Snow says suddenly. "I'm sorry about that day in the woods. You were right. I wanted my old life back. I wanted the money, the glory, the…" He took a deep breath. I wanted the power, and I saw you as an obstacle to get it."

Tears start flowing down Lucy's face. "If this is your way of saying sorry then–"

"Please let me finish," Snow interrupts.

Lucy sighs and crosses her arms together.

"It is true that I wanted those things, but seeing you again, it has made me realize that I don't want those things…not anymore. It made me realize why I checked papers from district 12 every day, or why my heart would beat faster when you popped into my head. It wasn't that I hated you, or looked for you to be dead. Lucy…it is because I love you. I wanted you to survive and you did! Now, I want to make things right. If you have any ounce of forgiveness left, even though I don't deserve it. Would you forgive me?"

Lucy doesn't say anything. She stares at his hair all soaked, and his lips quivering. She can see past the icy exterior of his eyes. He means all of this. This time Lucy grabs his arm. She pulls him into her and presses her lips against his. She kisses Coriolanus. It is pure she might say. Pure as the driven snow.


You weren't expecting that were you? I'll see you all next week with a new chapter!

-23LucyGrace