Lucy Gray wanted to forget what happen almost a year ago. She wanted to think that everything that happened during 10th Hunger Games could just be erased from her mind. But she couldn't forget anything. Not after the many deaths she witnessed first-hand. She witnessed the Capitol basically treat the tributes as nothing more than animals. She had watched as various tributes had turned on each other and were killing each other in cold blood in order to survive. She had watched Jessup die from the rabies virus that he had contracted. She had unintentionally killed Dill, a young girl who was just trying to survive. And she watched as Reaper and Coral died by the rainbow snakes, consumed and eaten alive. The only reason she wasn't dead was because of Coriolanus Snow. He had saved her life, and she highly appreciated that.
But in the end, Snow was expelled from the academy for helping her out. She eventually saw him a few days later, as one of the peacekeepers in District 12. She knew she had developing something deep with Snow and was waiting for him to admit his feelings to her as well…but he never did. The more time she tried to get Snow to open up, the more distant he was. In the end, Snow was eventually relieved of his position as Peacekeeper and was allowed to return as Dr. Gaul's protégée. All he did was say a quick goodbye and was gone…like he didn't mean anything to her. She had felt really betrayed by him, and how she felt used by him. She just wanted to feel some semblance of happiness with the despair that was trying to force her way in.
Those were the thoughts that was filling her head as she finished performance for the crowd at the Hub. She smiled for the crowd…but knew that it wasn't genuine. She waved to the people in the crowds as she walked down from the main stage and placed her guitar back in her case. She walked past the various people in the Hub as they were congratulating her, but she wasn't in the mood today to greet them back, only giving the group a small smile towards them. She then went back into the dressing room, where she began to pack up her belongings. She took a look at herself in the mirror…and saw the small bags under her eyes. To be honest…she hadn't been sleeping well. Especially since the next Hunger Games were coming up once again.
She tries to push down her feelings as she exited the Hub to make her way back to her home, and she had to be extra careful since the sky was started to darken and the visibility around her was lowering. In the end, the circus was home to her. She never knew her parents…and honestly, she didn't want to know anymore. They were probably long gone or had already forgotten about her. Besides, she had people here that would take care of her or would be there for her. She began to make her way back before two peacekeepers began walking towards her. She was nervous that she had done something wrong, but stood her ground as to not show the fear that was building up inside her.
The first peacekeeper was someone tall, with a bulky figure showcasing him strength. She couldn't see his face with the mask that was on him but could tell she could tell he was someone not to be messed with. The other peacekeeper was slenderer and have a slight sliver on their chest. This peacekeeper was a woman, and she looked intimidating in her outfit.
"Ms. Gray, I presume?" The male peacekeeper said.
"Yes…what do you want?" Lucy asked.
"Right to the chase huh? Well, we're here to escort you to the Capital." The female peacekeeper said.
"I'm not-"
"You don't have a choice in this. President's orders. Unless you want to die right here. Which can be arranged."
Lucy felt herself tense up at the situation. She wanted to run, to try and escape these peacekeepers and just go back to the way things were. But…if she did run, she could likely just be shot down by these peacekeepers right here and now. Plus…if she didn't accept, the people that she had met in the circus would most likely be hunted down and killed themselves. The only thing she was worried about the most was going back and facing Snow again…even after everything that they have been through. In the end, the choice was simple.
"Fine. Take me. At least tell me why I'm going to the Capital."
"Well…can't tell you much. But it's about- "
Lucy watched as the male peacekeeper bumped the side of the female peacekeeper.
"Ow! Yancy, what the hell."
"Elia, you know the President's orders. This information is confidential. No speaking of this until we're on the train. We don't want any of the rebels getting word of this." Yancy said.
"Yancy, I was only gonna give her tidbits. Nothing confidential."
"Shut your trap. Not another word until we're in the capital. Got it?"
Lucy blocked out the arguing of the now named Yancy and Elia. She was forced to walk in front of the two. So, they still didn't trust her at all…makes sense. The Capital didn't trust anyone in the district…and neither did District 12. It took a couple of minutes for the three of them to make their way towards the train. She noticed it was the same train that she had gotten on last year, when she and the 23 other tributes were put inside a compartment with nothing but the clothes on their back and some hay.
She was surprised when she was taken to the front of the train. She couldn't make out what was inside since the only thing she could see was the slick black paint of the train, but when Elia opened the compartment, and Yancy pulled out a flashlight, she was surprised to see a small bed on the far-right edge of the compartment, along with a small table and chair. On the left side, there was a desk where there was a small portable television set.
"Well, this is where you'll be staying for the time being. We'll make sure to get you some food during our stops." Yancy said.
Lucy looked to Yancy, confused as to why they were making multiple stops while on their way to the Capital. She was escorted into her compartment, and Yancy slid the compartment door shut, leaving her alone. She looked around her surroundings once more. She was slightly more grateful that she was given a bed to sleep on. Yet, she still was curious as to what Elia and Yancy were talking about. But that would probably take a bit before they got to the Capital if they were going to the other districts. In the meantime, she bided her time by placing her guitar next to her bed and got out her guitar to sing one of her songs. She carefully tuned her guitar so that the chords would come out okay. Then she began to strum her guitar as the words began to spill out of her.
I packed my bags as the daylight slipped,
Momma waved with a tear on her lips.
The scent of old pine filled the evening air,
As I rose from that worn-out rocking chair.
The diner's neon sign still flickers and gleams,
Flipping burgers and fries, chasing childhood dreams.
I shared my first kiss in that rusty old car,
Now I'm chasing visions, but they feel so far.
Down the road, where the wild winds dance,
Leaving behind what I've known at a glance.
With every mile, a piece of me stays,
In the dusty streets of my childhood days.
Down the road, where the sunset beams,
I'm finding myself in the place of my dreams.
The lilac blooms by the ancient oak,
And the creek where I learned as a child to hope.
I'll miss the nights with the stars by my side,
But every farewell whispers, "It's time to rise."
I'll hold your laughter, the tales we spun,
The warmth of your love, like the setting sun.
But I'm ready to wander, to explore the unknown,
To carve out my journey, to stand on my own.
Down the road, where the wild winds dance,
Leaving behind what I've known at a glance.
With every mile, a piece of me stays,
In the dusty streets of my childhood days.
Down the road, where the sunset beams,
I'm finding myself in the place of my dreams.
I'll hear your voices in the whispering trees,
In the quiet moments, when my heart feels free.
Every step I take, I'll carry you close,
In the echoes of home, that's where I'll find hope.
Down the road, where the wild winds dance,
Leaving behind what I've known at a glance.
With every mile, a piece of me stays,
In the dusty streets of my childhood days.
Down the road, where the sunset beams,
I'm finding myself in the place of my dreams.
So here's to new dreams, to the paths that await,
With a heart full of courage, I won't hesitate.
I'm off to discover, to laugh and to roam,
But no matter where I go, my heart is my home.
Hoped you enjoyed the tidbit from Lucy Gray's perspective. I don't know when the next chapter will come out, so I'm hoping to get that down by next week at the latest. Right now, I only have one submission form. I can understand the hesitation from others perspectives, since while looking through a couple of SYOT's, I noticed that a lot of them never finished. I don't want to leave people hanging, so hopefully this proves that I am willing to put in the hard work to finish this story out. Au Revoir.