Electric Heart (Coriolanus Snow)

19

For the first time since their arrival in the capitol, the tributes were allowed to leave the zoo enclosure. It was one day until she would be thrown into the arena.

Sally's arm was pained as she was ripped away from Wybie by the hand of a peacekeeper and thrown into the back of a truck with the rest of the tributes. Wybie soon followed suit.

"Where the fuck are they taking us?" Coral demanded, her eyes landing on Sally. "You're from the capitol, tell me runt." She lunged, choking Sally up against the wall, who tried to fight against her.

Wybie stepped in, pushing Coral to the ground of the truck, promoting her three allies to stand, ready to kill him.

But before an all out riot could break out, the truck came to a stop, and the doors opened. Peacekeepers lined the perimeter as the tributes were yanked from their seats one by one.

Sally recognized the large white steps in front of them. Across the way, was the academy. A place she suddenly yearned for. Sally forced her gaze away from the all too familiar building and looked straight ahead at the white building in front of them.

"Where are you taking us?" Sally asked, and the peacekeeper had seemed to have lost his patience for the day, responding by slamming her into the concrete below.

Wybie tried to fight his way to her, but he was dragged up the steps and through the doors of the building with the rest of the tributes.

Sally fought the peace keepers grasp, slinging her arm back and punching him in the stomach, although seconds later she came to regret it when he was violently ushering her through the doors of the building.

She had no time to check her surroundings, as the Peacekeeper threw her on the floor, and she felt something crack in her wrist.

Groaning on the ground, she heard Coriolanus, sounding very far away.

"What the hell?!" He demanded. "You can't hurt the tributes!"

In seconds he was beside her, rolling her into his arms delicately. Despite her negative feelings towards him, Sally couldn't help but crave his touch, reaching up to hold him by the neck.

"Sally are you alright?" He was holding her chin with his fingers, turning her head to check for injuries.

"I'm fine." She insisted, but allowed him to help her up, leaning against his body with his arm wrapped securely around her.

Sally immediately felt her face flush read, seeing that they were in a room constructed of stone, and tables sat all around the room, each one sitting a mentor and a tribute.

They all stared at the two of them. Sally gulped just before Felix Ravinstill whistled from the back of the room, prompting some laughs from the other mentors.

"Ignore them." Coriolanus whispered as he lead her to an empty desk.

Once everyone was settled, the doors opened, and entered Dean Highbottom. Sally felt her breath hitch as she tried to look away from him. All of the mentors stood at his presence, in matching red uniforms.
Sally couldn't help but remember what it was like to wear it.

But now, she would've been ashamed to.

"In spite of recent tragic events, the president has decided that the Games must go on." He said, referring to the death of Arachne and the tribute. "To show everyone that the capital is unafraid of such acts of terror. To which end, Dr Gaul wishes you to preview the arena this afternoon with your tributes. Then later this evening there will be a special televised presentation of each tribute to our audience to, you know, get to know them more. You have an hour to discuss strategy."