Chapter 11
No POV:
"We need to go get some warmer clothes... before we freeze to death out here." Lucy Gray thinks to herself, still sitting beside Coriolanus on the ground.
Following the bonk on his head, he remains unconscious - definitely alive - but still unconscious.
"If we go back to the Seam, we need to be careful. Whoever told Billy Taupe where to look for us- they might be dangerous."
Finding the 'rat' essentially becomes a side-mission.
Lucy Gray's decisions say a lot about her character. Despite having more scarce clothing, she shows more concern of whether Coriolanus is cold or not.
District 12 weather has a real tendency to use the good ol' one-two punch on its inhabitants. Ever-changing temperatures and randomly hammering everyone with heavy rain. Thus, giving her reason to want to keep him warm.
Help me - my car doors were frozen shut this morning. That, and
C-R-U-N-C-H-Y ~ G-R-A-S-S
Let's hope the Great War doesn't actually happen. Keep it the U.S of A, Panem doesn't sound fun.
I'm not about to head to the mines in below-freezing temperatures every morning, just to earn my bread.
-Skinttt
Lucy Gray carefully drags Coriolanus underneath the overhang, covering him with a blanket before heading out to set the traps.
"Then we'll have to deal with that body." She mumbles, stepping over a defeated Billy Taupe that lies on the dirt.
"I wonder what kind of chaos he caused back at the Seam. Surely he had a death wish if he was planning to blindly wander off into the woods."
She goes out anyways, trying to bury the thoughts until they actually matter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hellooo..? Lucy Gray?"
His eyes dart around the area, frantically looking for any sign of her. "Where are you!?"
It doesn't take long until the fast-paced footsteps approach the camp- this time, he's happy to see who emerges from the woods.
"You're awake!"
The sound of relief is clear through her speech
"What happened!? All I remember was getting snatched up and slamming my head into the ground... he didn't hurt you, did he?"
Lucy Gray laughs uncomfortably
"Not physically... but I flipped out on him after I thought he'd killed you."
"...and I gave him absolute hell for it."
...
"You didn't have to do that. I'd be happy to know you were safe- even if it meant I had to die."
She huffs, then sits down with him on the blanket
"Maybe I didn't have to... I wanted to."
Coriolanus tries to lift his head but is stopped with a sharp sting in the back of his skull. Placing a hand over the source of the pain, he finds evidence that he must've hit his head pretty hard - dried blood can be felt in his hair, along with a considerably sized lump.
"You brought me in here?" He asks
Despite trying to force his brain to come up with a memory to explain how he got cozied up in bed- the effort brings no avail.
Lucy Gray places her hand in his- appreciating how he's now able to squeeze back
"Sorry- I thought you might be cold." She says
"I covered you up and hoped you'd wake up on your own."
She reaches behind where she's sitting and grabs a canteen
"Thirsty?"
Coriolanus takes the water and has a big swig. "Yeah."
"Thank you. I don't deserve you... I really don't"
All Lucy Gray can do is laugh "You were less of a pessimist before that knock on the head"
...
"Not even that, you just care. I'm not used to having someone truly care about my wellbeing."
Coryo's POV:
Now there's one more thing I need to make up to her. Why does she keep helping me?
I can't be much use to someone who has so many skills. She can sing, she can fight, she can hunt... and what can I do?
Basically nothing.
Seems like I have more to live for out here, rather than back in the Capitol. Someone actually loves me. I don't really know why... because all I do is take, take, and take some more. She does all the giving- I need to change that. Surely I can find some way to prove my dedication.
No POV:
"Can I talk to you about something?" Coriolanus asks
...
"Sure thing. Don't stress yourself out too much, though."
"...and no more talk of death. If you die, my heart will never feel whole again." She adds, then turns to give her undivided attention.
~
His head injury skews his judgement enough for him to open up - giving enough courage to explain some of the things that have been eating away at his soul.
...
"I never should have turned in Sejanus- Maybe if it weren't for me, he'd still be alive."
An expression of guilt comes over him
"After they strung him up, I went back to the base. Feeling nosy, I made a poor choice and looked through his secret box, where he kept the important belongings."
Lucy Gray nods, trying to show that she's listening, but also making sure not to interrupt.
"Inside it was a stack of cash, beside it was a photograph."
...
"Not long before everything went down with the Games, Sejanus pestered me to get a picture taken with him. That photo was important enough to him that he was willing to sacrifice some space in his box in order to have it. Mind you, Peacekeepers are only allowed to have anything they can fit in a small box, so he chose me over something else."
...
"On the back, there was a handwritten message. All he wrote was 'BEST FRIENDS' and as soon as I saw it- I bawled. The guy who believed me to be his best friend... he was just executed for something I told the Capitol."
...
"Even worse, I felt too ashamed to tell you the truth about it. I guess I just expected for you to never find out, and for you to accept that there was a heartless excuse for a human as your travel buddy."
...
"After our plan didn't work out, I was back to square one. Contemplating suicide, which probably would be a burden lifted off of everyone who knew me. With nothing else to lose, I hopped on the hovercraft that Dr. Gaul sent, and went back."
...
"Sejanus' father, Strabo, was so convinced that I cared, he offered to take me in like a second son. He offered to pay for my schooling, my political career, life expenses- you name it. Part of me wanted to accept the opportunity... but the other said that I shouldn't. I was stuck on whether or not to tell Strabo the truth about how I got his son killed, or to pretend it never even happened and move on."
...
"Not long until I ran away again... and I came back to you."
Before he could continue his confession, he's stopped by Lucy Gray planting a quick kiss on his lips. She follows up by hugging him as tightly as she can.
Coriolanus knows that he'll most likely end up regretting having shared so much, somehow, he doesn't really care. If anyone deserves to know, after all, it would be her. Lying won't help his situation, nor will it help her regain trust in him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When you're feeling a little better- I figure we should make a run back to the Seam to find some warmer clothes. Maybe some more blankets, too. If there's any food to bring back, we'll grab that."
"Do you think Billy stirred up a fuss before finding us?" He asks, fearing commotion that may ensue with their return.
"We'll keep our heads down until we find out. Besides, I might be able to sing a few songs at the Hob for some supply money."
"Good idea. I wish I could help." Coriolanus agrees, though, he feels sort of bad for not being able to contribute with any sort of talent.
"Even if that plan doesn't work, we can stop by the house I stayed in with the Covey. I'm sure they won't mind if I take some of my old stuff. I won't take too much, not enough to give them a hard time."
Lucy Gray's POV:
I worry about him. What if that head injury has caused permanent damage? I'll take care of him until he's doing a little better. Only time will tell.
...
Coriolanus. I'm so glad he's alive. Even if it meant I had to kill again, it wasn't in vain. Anything to protect him... I know he'd do the same for me.
No POV:
(Past Tense)
Lucy Gray had really killed two birds with one stone. 1.) She saved Coriolanus 2.) Her abusive ex is no more.
Although the afternoon ended up being an uneventful one, she kept occupied, trying her very best to take care of her 'lover' -a new word she's found to describe him.
On top of everything, she got a vivid explanation from Coriolanus about how he truly felt through everything. He's even further out of his shell, a very good sign.
She's happy with him, and he's loving his new life by her side.
After their long talk, Lucy Gray relaxed beside him while he rested.
Only one thing remains for them to do before they leave for their trek back to the Seam... to dispose of Billy Taupe.