Coriolanus Snow, 76
President of Panem
A light summer rain dripped down on the black-clothed flock of people, pattering against the umbrellas and soaking everyone's shoes. Snow's delicate hand rested on Celeste's shoulder as the little girl clung to his coat. Gentle funeral music filled the air as Randolph Farrow led a procession through the cemetery.
Four men dressed in all black carried Rose Snow's coffin. About a month ago, his daughter died in a violent car crash. Authorities said the driver who hit them had been intoxicated, and had also died in the accident. His identity was that of a minor actor who was known for his love for alcohol and parties.
President Snow knew the truth. Aaron Madix was a celebrity with a penchant for a good drink, but the man's accident was orchestrated by Elizabeth, Snow's most skilled assassin. After tampering with his tires, she was able to ensure his vehicle careened into Rose's, eliminating them both. After all, Aaron was funding mining safety reforms in District 12. Two birds with one stone, as the saying went.
Snow did feel for his granddaughter. Growing up without a mother was challenging. But his son-in-law was a doting father - despite having very little brains - and the President would not let Celeste suffer. She was the light of his life.
The funeral procession came to a stop and Rose's coffin was lowered into the ground. As the four men began to dig, Randolph began his speech.
"Rose Snow was an intelligent and driven woman. Her positive impact on our country cannot be denied, and her love for her people was strong. Rest in peace, my love."
Good man, Snow thought. Randolph wasn't intelligent, but he knew how to play the game. The news of his formerly pending divorce would never reach the light of day. Even little Celeste did not know.
His granddaughter sniffled and fisted his coat in her little hands.
"It will be alright," Snow said. "Your mother is in a better place now."
"I miss her," Celeste whimpered.
"I know," he said softly. "But you still have me. I will always be with you."
He forced back the bloody cough forming in his throat.
I don't know if anyone will ever go back and read this prologue after reading the previous one, but if you did, this is indeed a different prologue. Some things got moved around in my universe and Snow's age was wrong, so I'm finally changing it. I did lose my previous author's note, which is why I'm writing this.
This story is one of the works in the collaborative Organized Chaos/Chaos Reigns project. Everything has been organized by LadyCordeliaStuart, so go check out her page for more details. But to sum it up briefly, all the participating authors have the same cast of tributes but different stories. So a tribute who dies in the bloodbath in one story might win another. It's our second time around; the first time my Games were won by Oberon Murdoch of District 9.
So, keep reading to see what unfolds...
Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!
- Fiona