THE HUNGER GAMES: the taste of Whiskey and Snow // CORIOLANUS SNOW

Eleven

"You'll be staying with me," Snow informed Whiskey from the other side of the bars. She looked even more exhausted then before, the poison climbing in her system, but she put on a calm face for him. "You'll be getting proper medicine for your poisonous bite too."

She frowned, confused. "How did you know I was poisoned?" She withdrew back.

Coriolanus paused, raising his eyebrows to try and think of an answer. "Uh.. Does it matter? You're dying and you need help."

"So is everyone else in here," She said harshly, wincing through the pain. "Why should I get special treatment?"

Snow clenched his jaw, annoyed with her constant remarks. "Can I see your hand?"

"Sure," She hesitantly slipped her hand through the bar towards him. He gently rested it against his palm, her hands cold against his skin. He studied it intently, his fingertips brushing over the surface.

Whiskey froze up, mostly from shooting pain, but partly from the feeling of his hand against hers. He breathed out cold puffs of air against the night sky, keeping his eyes glued to her injury.

"This is worse than I thought," he concluded. "You need medical attention or you're going to die within the week."

She thought about it for a second, quiet. "How did they allow this? What did you have to do?" She waited for him to reply, eyeing him down suspiciously. This was no small request.

Coriolanus brushed off her questions. "Can you just trust me?"

She reflected to herself, eyes glazing the barren ground and sighed, defeated by the thought of death so soon. "Okay."

A group of guards entered the cage and told her to put her arms out and she obediently followed. Her feet pressed firmly into the dusty ground for the last time and her eyes wandered slowly over the small wretched zoo. A rush of wind brushed the edge of her dress on the way past, saying goodbye.

Cold metal clasped around her wrists and locked her in place. They were heavy and the sudden temperature change burned her hand, but she stayed silent, eyes trustingly trained on Snow.

By now, the other tributes to starting to watch. Some complained but others simply stood and stared. Ratley ran up to her, but a guard pointed his gun, telling him not to go only further.

Whiskey smiled at Ratley, letting him know everything was okay. She was uncomfortable with the idea of leaving him alone in here whilst she was being treated in the capital, but there wasn't much she could do. He crossed his arms and nodded, understanding.

The sound of clinking followed her out as she passed through the exit, towards Coriolanus. For the first time in all week, she took a breath of fresh air, not feeling weighted down by her poisoned limb.

Coriolanus smiled as she stood in front of him, showing off his dashing teeth. "You're stuck with me now."

Despite Whiskey's stubbornness and disapproval of special treatment, she looked up at him and whispered, "Thank you."

Snow smiled, "What did you say? Can you say it louder? I didn't hear you."

Whiskey rolled her eyes. "I said thank you!"

Coriolanus touched her shoulder, "you're welcome."

Suddenly, Lucretius Flickerman jumped out of the bushes with his giant camera. "Would you look at this, people of the capital, Snow and Everdeen are touching! Care to explain what's going on? Why is your tribute leaving the zoo?!"