𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒏𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝑨𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑼𝒔

𝑵𝒐 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔... - 𝑳𝒖𝒄𝒚 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒚

Lucy Gray knew what she had to do. She packed her bags, determined to follow Snow, who had seemed to abandon her when she was weakest.

But I don't need him, I could find my own way back, she thought as she looked into a round mirror. I don't know why I came here in the first place.

Maybe it had been the promise he had made that she sought. Maybe it was something else. Something deeper. 

She shook her head. There were enough thoughts to fill a whole paper, her main goal was just to make it back to her hometown. With or without punishment. She would accept it. She could imagine jumping into Maude's arms as the two spent endless nights talking about new music, boys, and her adventure into the Capitol.

That thought loosened her heart as if a new motivation had sprung into her. Once she could track down Snow and the other boy, she would be able to follow him back into the districts. Back home.

"Going soon?" A nurse said, placing down the tray next to the cot. "You might want to recover for a few days before you go."

Lucy Gray shook her head, "I'm okay, just need a little fresh air."

The nurse gave her a questioning look as she glanced over the bags and clothes all over the cot. "I won't ask girl, but whatever you're doing, I can tell it's going to be dangerous."

Lucy Gray shrugged. "I'm willing to take the risk."

The nurse tutted before leaving to the other cots where more patients were coughing. It seemed as though some would never truly recover from the fire.

As she packed her remaining clothes and assets, she caught wind of a pendant she was wearing. One that had belonged to her mother. On the other side, her mother's bright smile shone back at her. Lucy Gray smiled before placing the pendant gently into a napkin and into her bag.

The districts were never meant for her mother. She was something no amount of money could achieve. A voice of gold and honey, a voice that had allured her husband.

Lucy Gray slung the bag over her shoulder, going step by step to the entrance of the tent. She took a deep breath before stepping into the broad sunlight. The sun seemed extra bright that day, shining onto her bronze skin.

"Stay safe," Willa said, sucking her thumb. The young girl didn't dare step into the sunlight, as if aware of the dangers outside of the tent.

Lucy Gray turned around and gave a soft smile. "Of course."

Willa's smile broadened before turning back away from the tent's flapping door.

Lucy Gray gave herself a soft smile before making her way down the hill and toward the walls. As she walked closer and closer, she hummed a tune. A slow song that she had learned from her mother.

The walls were taller than she had remembered, growing larger by the second as she neared them. 

Peacekeepers gave her a thoughtless glance before double-taking again to admire her. Lucy Gray rolled his eyes as she continued to trudge along through the entrance of the wall.

"Stop right there," A peacekeeper said, placing a hand on her shoulder. 

Lucy Gray let out an angry huff before turning to face the man. Blonde with blue eyes, she observed right away. Tall, good-looking, and--she glanced at his hand that was still placed on her shoulder--and married.

"Hello, may I help you, soldiers?" She asked, batting her eyelashes.

The other brown-haired one took a nervous glance at the blonde man. "Leave it be Connor."

"It'll be fine, Orlo, you're always so on edge, lighten up." The man Lucy Gray assumed was Connor said, taking his hand off her shoulder and bumping it into his friend's side. "Anyways, what is a fine lady like you doing here?"

"Just trying to reach my husband who went over the wall with his friends earlier. He's fishing right now." She added, looking at the distance between herself and the wall. "I think my darling husband is looking for me, don't want to keep him waiting you know. As your wife too it seems." She glanced at his silver band. "Go home to your wife," She emphasized, shaking the same hand that had touched her shoulder.

"Why I outta-" Connor yelled angrily.

"Connor, drop it or else the commander's going to come. Stop causing a ruckus." Orlo said nervously looking around as if waiting for the commander to spring out and surprise the two of them.

"Alright, I'll drop it now." He turned towards Lucy Gray. "Sweet darlin' I'll see you around. When you come back, with your...friend."

Lucy Gray contorted her face into disgust before turning away from the man and stepping across the wall. "I thought the Capitol would be better." She muttered under her breath, shaking her head.