Coriolanus Snow || The Poem of Power and Love

6 - The games

I immediately felt an icy cold wind blowing through my hair. I quickly got an overview. There was snow everywhere. A frozen lake in the middle with weapons and food on it, lots of big rocks on the left, tall trees on the left and a small wooden hut at the very back. The hut wasn't safe enough, everyone would want to go there first. I would freeze to death in the forest. The only solution: the rocks with hopefully a cave inside.

The countdown started: 10, 9, 8, 7... a tribute started running early and immediately his platform exploded. I tried not to be distracted. 3,2,1... I ran as fast as I could. Just as I was about to turn left, a tribute with an axe stood in my way. I dodged wide-eyed and was pushed into the middle. There were combs all around me. The boy chased after me, but was then hit by a girl with a sword. I kept backing away and almost tripped over a rucksack. I quickly picked it up and ran to the right, towards the trees. That wasn't such a good idea, but the way to the rocks was blocked so that was the best option. After a while I stopped to catch my breath. I opened my rucksack curiously. An apple, a bottle of water and a knife. That wasn't bad.

Suddenly I heard a voice. "Juliana, you there?" It was Zinc. I thought about what Coryo had told me. Trust no one. But I needed an ally, so I slowly emerged from behind the trees. He started running towards me and pulled me into a hug. "You're still alive."

"So are you", I answered.

"We should seek shelter in the cave", he suggested and I quickly nodded. He took my hand and together we started running again. As we were about to reach the cave, I looked over my shoulder and saw two girls coming after us. They were armed with swords and looked really dangerous. I squeezed Zinc's hand tighter. He looked at me confused, but then noticed them and started running faster.

"Run away, I can fight them", he whispered. "No, I won't let you fight alone. We are a team."

"Okay, but stay behind me."

The girls had caught up to us and one of them tried to attack Zinc. He could defend himself, but the other girl was now attacking me.

"Leave her alone!", Zinc shouted. I was able to push the girl away. She dropped her sword and Zinc grabbed it. With one swift motion, he killed both girls. Blood started dripping from the weapon and he dropped it in disgust.

"Don't look at them", Zinc said and turned my face with his finger. "Look at me. It's over for now." He leaned in kissed my forehead.

We ran on and finally reached the rocks. And sure enough, there were several entrances. We chose the one on the right and went in. It was dark and freezing. I shivered.

"Are you cold?", Zinc asked.

"Yeah, a bit." He started taking his jacket off.

"No, Zinc, don't. I can't take it."

"I insist." He wrapped it around me.

"Thank you." I threw him a smile. We walked deeper into the cave so that we were better protected. Then, we sat down on the floor and waited. "You should sleep, Juliana. I'll keep the first watch." I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I wished Coryo was with me now, he could have calmed me down. But it was good with Zinc too, he was so kind and caring. Coryo would say again that I shouldn't trust him, but Zinc had already proved himself to me several times today.

When I woke up, I blinked and tried to remember where I was.

"It's okay, you're still with me."

"How many are dead?" "The half." I sighed and stroked his arm. "Zinc, you're freezing." I immediately took my jacket off again and handed it to him. "Take it. Please." He hesitated but then took it and put it on.

"You don't need to do this. I swore to protect you, not the other way around." I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I will protect you, too, Zinc." He pulled me close and stroked my back. "We should find something to eat." "I have an apple", I replied. "That's not enough. Stay here, I'll go." "No! I won't do that." "Please. It's dangerous." "That's why I will accompany you." He rolled his eyes and looked me straight in the eyes. "No offense, but you're not a fighter. Let me go alone." I bit my lip. I had no other choice.

"Fine. But be careful."

"I will. See you soon."

He walked out and I was left alone.

After an hour, he still wasn't back. I was so worried and I decided to look after him. I ran out of the cave and discovered Zinc lying on the ground. The snow around him had turned red. Startled, I rushed to him and knelt down next to him. "Zinc, oh no. What's happened?" "The boy from two. He was waiting at the entrance." I looked at his body, trying to find the wound, but it wasn't just one. The boy had stabbed him five times. A tear started rolling down my face, I knew it was over for him. "Thank you, for everything," I whispered and pressed my lips to his. He smiled painfully and stroked my hair. "Win, Juliana." Then he closed his eyes. I was just about to think about the best way to bury him when I spotted a boy standing just 10 meters behind me. "Oh hello, little one. I will take good care of you." He came closer. With a heavy heart, I left Zinc and ran back into the cave. Suddenly he overtook me and put a hand over my mouth so that I couldn't scream.

"You are a pretty little thing", he hissed and then threw me against the wall. I screamed in pain. He walked towards me.

"What do you think, should we have some fun?" He smirked.

"Stop, please", I cried, trying to free myself.

"Not yet, beautiful."

He was getting closer. My hands started shaking.

"You killed Zinc! You are a monster!", I screamed.

He laughed and pulled me closer.

"Yes, and I will kill everyone. Including you."

He pulled out his dagger and held it to my throat.

"But first, I'm going to have some fun with you."

I couldn't believe what he was saying. My gaze fell on my knife which was lying at the floor. "Okay", I said and he relaxed. I pretended to be submissive and moved closer to him. He grinned at me and pulled me to his body. I was disgusted by his touch but I needed him to get even closer.

I knelt down and he copied me. He pushed me firmly to the ground and sat on me.

I quickly tried to grab the knife, but I couldn't reach it. One or two inches were still missing. He started kissing my neck, going further down. I stretched as far as I could, but it was still too far away. His one hand was still holding the knife, but the other was stroking my body. Finally, I reached the knife and without hesitation, I plunged it into his stomach.

His eyes widened.

"You bitch", he hissed and tried to stab me with his knife, but he missed. I jumped up and ran out of the cave, without anything but my bloody knife.

Disoriented, I wandered around in the forest. I was afraid to stay at the cave. What if the boy wasn't dead and was already waiting for his revenge? Tears started to build in my eyes, but I didn't allow myself to cry. I couldn't afford to lose more time.

Unexpectedly, the loudspeaker system went off. "Congratulations to the six tributes who have made it this far. We've decided to take a break here. You will be taken out of the game for a few days to recover so that you can continue fighting at full strength afterwards." Confused, I looked around and saw a white mist that was now everywhere, making me black out...