CHAPTER FIVE:

SNOW IN FLAMES

Twilight had settled over Twelve, and a small fire glowed through the open windows of the Covey's home. Coriolanus sat on the worn woven rug, admiring Lucy Gray as she tended to the hearth. She was wearing her purple cotton dress, and her curls decorated with fading primroses hung loosely about her shoulders. Throughout the afternoon, she had taken them from out of the bouquet to place in her hair. In hardly a day, everything had changed for her. She had woken up this morning with usual dread, counting down the days when Coriolanus would have to leave for Two. Now, she would be going with him. It all seemed like a dream to her, living in a fine apartment, maybe owning some new clothes, eating three meals, and having a fresh crowd to sing for. It was only the Covey that she was going to miss dearly. However, ultimately, she knew that through Coriolanus she was securing a better future for them, too.

"It's done," Lucy Gray announced, her face glowing golden as she leaned over the hearth to pull out the steaming loaf of bread. She carried it over to Coriolanus wrapped up in a cloth napkin along with a knife.

"So, I'm to do the honors?" Coriolanus asked, uncertainly taking the knife from her.

"Well, that's how it's always done. Then, you give the piece to me and I break it in two for us," she explained, her mouth tugging upwards as she watched her civilized boy grapple with this strange custom.

"But why don't I just cut two pieces for us?"

"Because-once we eat from the same piece, we become one," she responded quietly, catching his blue gaze dilate in the dim firelight. He cleared his throat, taking the loaf in his other hand.

"Okay."

He sliced a large piece for them and gave it to her. She tore the piece in half, initially giving him the bigger part when he abruptly stopped her.

"No, you take that piece. Give me the smaller one," he insisted. She laughed, but then he seemed so serious about it that she consented. It made her feel somehow embarrassed and loved at the same time that he always sought that she ate enough. Then, they each took a bite. In the awkward silence between them, something felt sealed. A promise. An agreement of love and trust. It had been sworn by the two of them through this ancient ceremony that went further back then the days of Panem. And yet, it was so simple.

"Is that it?" Coriolanus wondered.

"Yes."

"Well, now I just have to kiss you," he announced, leaning towards her. At least this part made sense to him. But Lucy Gray bashfully turned her head away, her hair flicking his cheek.

"Oh, no. That's not part of the toasting," She quipped, backing away from Coriolanus with twinkling eyes.

"What?" He exclaimed aghast. "Yes, it is! I'm making it a part of it," he declared as he watched his girl scamper over to the other side of the kitchen table with a laugh. She attempted to make a break for the back door, but his stride was double hers and he caught her by the waist with ease. She relented, allowing him to swing her around to face him. Her hands crept up his chest, clasping around his neck. He leaned down over her and gently brought her chin up so that their lips met. His hands moved down to her waist, and he lifted her off of the floor, engulfing her in his arms.

He swayed while holding her, the floorboards creaking beneath them. She latched tightly onto him. There became no space between them and yet they were too far away, each struggling for air between their fervent kisses. An insane hunger threatened to devour them both. Before the moment became too urgent, Lucy Gray broke away from him. Her feet found the floor again, and she looked over her shoulder.

"We can't tonight. They're in the other room," she murmured to Coriolanus with reddened cheeks. Although he burned for her, had desired her since the moment he had laid eyes on her, he reluctantly nodded.

"It's okay. We'll be together soon," she assured him, reaching up to caress his cheek. He leaned into her touch, intertwining his fingers with hers and kissing the inside of her wrist. It was unfortunate that they couldn't move in together until they relocated to Two. They still had papers to sign at the Justice building, and Coriolanus was still subject to his strict evening curfew. Tonight, he had to leave her again soon.

"You comin' to my final show tomorrow? You know I'm not sayin' goodbye to Twelve without a bang," Lucy Gray declared with a faint smile.

"Of course. I couldn't miss it," Coriolanus promised her, heading over to his bag on the floor to extract a few of his gifts for her.

"In fact, I have some things for you to wear on your last night," he announced, revealing her repaired purple boots and his mother's precious orange shawl. Lucy Gray stood there agape.

"Coriolanus Snow, you fixed my shoes! I didn't even know you had them!" She exclaimed, reaching out to touch the smooth and clean pointed toes.

"I had little Maude Ivory sneak them to me," he revealed with pride. "And this, well, this was my mother's. I'd like for you to have it," he offered, passing her the shawl. It was one of his most valuable possessions, and yet he believed it should belong to her now. Another beautiful woman needed to wear it. Lucy Gray took it timidly, looking over its delicate stitching before bringing it up to her face. It felt smooth and cold, like water against her skin, and it smelled like flowers. Roses. Like Coriolanus.

"Thank you. I know how special this to you. I'll take good care of it, I promise," she swore, draping it over her shoulders.

Time hardly passed when Coriolanus returned to the base that evening and his thoughts became fixated on Sejanus again. Him and Lucy Gray often fought to take control of his thoughts. Sejanus' suspicious activity had been oddly non-existent since their last conversation. Coriolanus hoped that Sejanus had been knocked back to his senses, if he ever had any to begin with, but he could never be too certain. He didn't want to let his guard down and be swindled. That was Coriolanus' problem when he stayed away from the base too long. He missed certain beats, became easily distracted. It was this love spell he had fallen under. He didn't want-he couldn't pull himself out of it, but sometimes it bothered him. It bothered him that he struggled to have more control over himself.

Sejanus had been avoiding Coriolanus the past day, but in the morning he had revived his old irritably friendly self over breakfast and offered to accompany Coriolanus to Lucy Gray's final performance.

"Thought I'd be there to support the both of you. It'll also be our last night of fun as bachelors before you head off to become a refined married officer," he said, nudging his shoulder. Coriolanus looked him over, taking a bite of toast.

"Alright," he swallowed. "Sure. But actually hang out with me instead of sneaking off to gossip with the locals," he entreated. Perhaps it was smart to take Sejanus up on his offer. After all, at least he could keep an eye on him in case he decided to sneak off.

"Of course. We can make it a final celebration with our squad."

That evening before the show began, Coriolanus, Sejanus, and the rest of their squad finished their afternoon tasks early and met up for drinks at the Hob. Despite Coriolanus' desperate attempts to keep it quiet, word had gotten out that he was to be married or "hitched," as they liked to say in Twelve. His guys wouldn't leave him alone about it, and he found himself subject to their stupid yet harmless jokes.

"Well, Gent, seems that you've won the finest little lady in town. I know about ten guys just in our rank who'd give their last cent for a kiss of hers," Smiley cracked before tossing back a shot of whiskey.

"Watch yourself, Smiley," Coriolanus warned, grabbing a cool beer from the counter. He didn't appreciate his squad members suggesting certain indecent things about his girl. It made him uneasy. No, he didn't know everything about her past, but he would defend her image nonetheless.

"What? All I'm saying is that she's always been sought after. She's one of the most charming, attractive girls around," Smiley contended innocently, leaning back against the bar with his elbows up on the counter.

"Well, she won't be around here anymore. We're leaving this week for good," Coriolanus declared, trying to cut down any fantasies roaming about Smiley's mind.

"Yeah, yeah, with your fancy officer position. Do us a favor and recommend our names to the commander in Two, will you? I'd do anything to get out of this dung heap, same as you," uttered Bug, Smiley's bunk mate, with a disheartened glance around the grimy Hob. "I miss the fresh air," he added.

"Certainly. I'm sure you could get transferred eventually."

"Yeah, but I ain't no Capitol boy. Best I can do is get to Four or Two. Wish I could get outta the districts entirely," Bug grumbled.

"Two is a decent place. My family is from there. You and Lucy Gray will be treated well," Sejanus spoke up to Coriolanus.

"What about you, Sejanus? Ever think about going home?" Smiley wondered.

"I'm not sure. My family doesn't live there anymore, and I'm not going back to the Capitol. My home might become here," he revealed quietly, avoiding Coriolanus' gaze.

"Not sure why'd want that," Bug scoffed before taking a swig.

"Oh, there's your singsong girl. Doesn't she look snazzy!" Smiley whistled as Lucy Gray approached the stage, clutching her precious guitar. She looked fresh and fiery, with her hair woven with bright blue feathers. She was wearing a dark dress that glittered, and the orange shawl that Coriolanus had gifted her hung loosely about her bare shoulders, clasped with a small gold pin over her heart. She was ready to perform wonders, and yet a mournful trace shone across her face. How she would miss this place.

"Well, hey again District Twelve! Thanks for makin' it to my final performance," she began, ensuing some laments from the crowd. Some of the Covey behind her faltered upon hearing the sad murmurs. A stray tear fell down Barb Azure's cheek, but she quickly wiped it away and clutched her instrument to steady herself. "I know, I know, but sometimes life gives you a ticket to get on a new train. And I've gotta trust that. But tonight, let's have a good time!" She encouraged. To Coriolanus' dismay, Smiley gave another loud whistle.

"This first song I wrote for somebody very special in my life. I want to open the night with it. I hope..." her eyes met Coriolanus and, unexpectedly, became pricked with tears. It was for him. "Well, I hope he enjoys it and you all do too. I think it's real pretty. It goes a little somethin' like this..."

Everyone's born as clean as a whistle

As fresh as a daisy

And not a bit crazy

Staying that way's a hard row for hoeing

As rough as a briar

Like walking through fire...

This world, it's dark

This world, it's scary

I've taken some hits, so

No wonder I'm wary

It's why I need you

You're as pure as the driven snow

Upon hearing the word 'snow,' his word, his name drawn out so delicately from her voice with its ebbs and flows, a great force blew him backward. It seemed as if the world had been blown to bits. His back slammed into the wall and he crumbled to the ground, slumping forward. The entire Hob had erupted into flames. A series of screams rung in his ears, and he heard the frenzied stampede that followed. A sea of conscious people scrambled to flee from the scene, squashing the fallen bodies sprawled across the floor.

"Run!" Cried one of his squad members. Coriolanus struggled to pull himself to his feet, his right shoulder aching. A wash of smoke and fire blurred his vision. He felt someone reach under his arms and drag him upwards, causing him to cry out in pain.

"Coryo, come on! We need to get out!" Sejanus yelled, tugging at him. The realization of what had happened struck him, and with squinted eyes he searched the mass of remaining people for a flash of orange. Oh no, she was still up on that stage somehow. Behind the destruction and flames.

"Lucy Gray," he murmured, shoving Sejanus off and stumbling forward. He had to come to his senses and find her. He didn't try and safe her life in that arena for nothing. He began to sprint, plunging through the thick cloud of smoke. The sight of limp figures spread all around him sickened him with worry. Not her. Not her. He kept moving, eventually knocking into the front of the stage. He clambered onto it and began searching with outstretched hands. He shoved aside a splintered guitar, a burnt section of fabric, a snapped bow.

"Come on!"

He caught the tassel of a boot and pulled. It led to an extended foot. Her foot.

"Lucy Gray!"

He found lying there, her costume singed and hair all astray. She didn't respond to him. He crouched down over her and looped his arms around her waist. To his relief, she stirred and murmured something unintelligible.

"Can you put your arms around my neck?" he spoke into her ear. Though delirious, she somehow understand and she weakly wrapped herself about him, her head tucked into his chest. He gathered her up and stood, immediately racing in the opposite direction. He forgot about the stage drop and plunged off of it, but somehow managed to stay upright and not drop Lucy Gray, which was fortunate because she wasn't doing a great job at holding onto him. He staggered forward, searching blindly for the exit.

Just when he thought that they were both trapped, he at last he discovered an opening to his left. A shaft of light. He ran towards it, emerging into the fresh, clear air outside. An old siren blared and a rush of commotion surrounded the ignited Hob. He heard several women sobbing, someone calling meekly for help, a gush of water spraying down the remaining structure. He needed a medic quick, but they hardly had any of those in Twelve. Hopefully, some healers would arrive. Coriolanus searched for a safe place for him and Lucy Gray. There was a bed of grass near the street, away from the crowd. He laid her down, hearing a faint whimper from her lips.

"Maude Ivory. Maude Ivory... Barb..."

The others. Her family. Were they still in there? He was torn between going back to look and making sure that Lucy Gray was alright. If they hadn't made it out by now, he was almost certain that they were dead. Then, there was also Sejanus, Bug, Smiley... He stood, surveying the mass around him. Several peacekeepers now swarmed around the Hob, putting out the fire and tending to the wounded. Suddenly, Lucy Gray spoke.

"Please, go look for them. Don't wait here with me," she begged, her voice small and dry from the smoke. He bent over her, caressing her face. "Please." Her hand shook as she placed it on his chest. He nodded.

"I'll do my best. You stay right here, okay?"

He turned and sifted through the crowd, wincing as he passed horrible scenes of charred limbs and the smell of burning flesh. He just needed to find a little girl with blond hair... two boys... a willowy dark haired woman... There were too many people around him and none of them familiar. He saw several peacekeepers desert quickly, hitching onto the back of an officer's truck. He caught one private by the arm who was running towards the vehicle.

"Hey, hey what's going on?" Coriolanus demanded.

"There was an alert on base. An emergency. A bunch of fugitives broke out and weapons were stolen," he relayed hastily, freeing himself from Coriolanus' grasp. He watched him go, standing there frozen with his shoulder now searing with pain. So, Billy Taupe's plan had come through.