my little dove - sejanus plinth

(012) died, dead, death

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MY LITTLE DOVE.

(chapter twelve, died, dead, death)

the academy, 2248. 

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WHILST THE FACT THAT Sabyn had killed someone should have surprised Dorothy, it didn't. It didn't surprise her, for Sabyn did say she would kill people in the arena. 

And so, Dorothy watched as Reaper walked out of the barricade. He cocked his head at the bodies of Tanner and Lamina. He walked around them for some time before he lifted Lamina up, carrying her to where Bobbin and Marcus laid, arranging the three in a row on the ground. Then, he dragged Tanner over. And then Dill. And then Sol. But he had left Jessup out, probably afraid of contracting rabies. But either way, he had made a makeshift morgue.

As Dorothy watched the screen, she concluded that Reaper had gone crazy. He had cut off a second piece of the flag, draping it over their bodies (this caused another outrage). He then took Lamina's piece of the flag and tied it like a cape around his shoulders. He began to spin slowly, watching it fly over his shoulder and then he ran, spreading his arms out as the flag flew. After this, he climbed into the stands and waited.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, feed him, Clemmie!" Festus groaned from beside Dorothy.

"Mind your own business," Clemensia snapped.

"You're heartless," Festus told her.

"I'm a good manager. It could be a long Hunger Games." She turned around and smirked at the twins. "And it's not like I've abandoned him."

Dorothy closed her eyes and sighed at her words. She knew it was probably the snake's venom that was causing Clemensia to be like she was, but seeing her best friend in such a state hurt her. Dorothy really needed to get some peace and quiet.

Five o'clock came and the student body was dismissed whilst the nine remaining mentors gathered for beef stew and cake. Dorothy and Coriolanus hung around each other, for Clemensia was eying them as if they were her dinner, they didn't know Vipsania, Urban was a ticking bomb, Festus was flirting with Persephone, Persephone was a cannibal, and Hilarius's woeful tales of being a Heavensbee had become annoying. And so, the twins had to stick together. They were all happy when Satyria released them, but they remembered their appointment with Dr Gaul. Apparently, Coriolanus had to get his stitches checked and so they went together. 

The guards recognised them once they reached the Citadel, and after searching their book bags, they were allowed to go down in the lab unescorted. They wandered for a bit before finding the clinic and the two sat there for half an hour before two doctors appeared. Each doctor checked each Snow, examining their stitches and studying their vitals. They soon left and told them to wait. 

And as they waited, Coriolanus and Dorothy exchanged glances at each other. Outside of the clinic, quick footsteps, raised voices, and impatient orders were heard. But before they could even eavesdrop on what was happening, Dr Gaul appeared.

"Another few days," she said as she did brief checks on their stitches. "Tell me, Mr and Miss Snow, did you two know Gaius Breen?"

"Did we?" Coriolanus asked. Dr Gaul had used past tense. "We do. I mean, we're classmates, the three of us. I know he lost his legs in the arena. Is he—"