The Ballad of the Bloodline

Who Am I?

My dear Covey,

It's me. Again, not sure if you will ever see this but it makes me feel like I have some sort of connection to home. Where did I even leave off at?  My arm is feeling a ton better but the bullet wound is still a piercing pain every time I think about it. I need to be patient, it's only been two days since they removed it, of course it is still going to hurt. 

I have a meeting with Alexandra today, I am hoping to be able to get some answers as to what in the world "Everdeen" is. My stomach is feeling better and the anesthesia has finally worn off completely, I am ready to explain my whole story. 

They have yet to read my journal, not like they will find anything "juicy." Just these letters to you all. Oh, and I have a check-in with the medic in town to see how I am doing. 

I have spent one complete day in this tiny town and I cannot seem to grasp my surroundings. There is a small market, a few restaurants, a neighborhood, and children playing everywhere. It is the perfect place. I do wish Corio could see it. I know it is bad and I know I shouldn't be thinking about him but I am. I think he would love it here, we could've raised a family here. This could've been our life. Past tense. Those thoughts need to be long gone.

Talk soon, 

Lucy Gray

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Dear Coriolanus, 

I will never let you see this letter, I will never let you see me, ever. I am in a small town named "Everdeen" up North. It is so beautiful here, there are children playing and people smiling. No tyrants and no Hunger Games. I met with the "community guides" today. I told them about us, our entire story. From holding hands on the big screens, to sneaking me food, poison, and saving my life. Real or not? You asked me that. You said "Because if I am willing to risk it all, then it needs to be for a good reason."  You were willing to risk it all then, why not now? Why lie when you said I could trust you? I loved you, I think. Be good, our paths will cross again one day, I hope.

Love,

Your Songbird

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God, her letters get shorter and shorter, put some more time in it! I guess I forgot to mention, my name is Cora Rose, and today I have to go to school. Ugh. My mom will not stop singing and Quinn Everdeen is on his way here to walk with me to school. So as you can tell, I am a tiny bit stressed. Maybe I shouldn't have stayed up late stealing the journal and reading the letters but I need to know the real story, I don't believe the myths. And yet, nobody around here will give me the truth. 

"Cora Rose, Quinn is here!"

"Coming." I was not ready whatsoever. 

Quinn was standing at the door, a piece of toast in his hand and a fake smile on his face. His eyes were glossy, he probably got about as much sleep as I did, staying up smoking out his window or playing video games. He always acts so nice in front of my mom and then makes fun of me our entire walk to school. "The perfect friend" my mother always says, little does she know what we actually do on those "study sessions."

"Have a great day at school, lovebirds!"

"Mom, gross."

She has been wanting me to date Quinn since we were born. Our moms are best friends and always have been but he is like a brother to me. I must admit, he's got the looks. That smile, just wowza, but no. Can't. Won't. Nope. Stupid fucking hormones. 

"So, Rosie, how has the journal search been going?" Quinn said, trying to break the silence. He knows I hate when he calls me that.

"Found it and read three letters."

"Your mom didn't see you take it?" 

"She never reads that thing, it just collects dust in the cabinet." 

"Still, wild that you just took it."

"You wanna smoke after school and read with me?"

"Or we could, you know."

"Quit it. I was drunk, meant nothing."

Okay so maybe we hooked up once but it meant nothing and should never be brought up again. We got to school and walked into class, I threw my books in my locker, along with the journal, fuck it's gonna be a long day.

I met Quinn at his house after school to smoke and chill. His dad is never home because of the whole "running the town" thing and his mom is always off doing other shit. My mom would absolutely murder me if she found out about our "extra curriculars." She's so damn strict and so conformed into this small town society, never defying the rules or making mistakes. I wish for once she would just adventure and bend the rules a little. 

"So are we doing this or what?" Quinn pulled out a little wrapped blunt. I have no idea where he gets this stuff but man it's good. I pulled out my journal and read the first three letters out loud to him. The fourth was new to both of us. 

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Dear Covey, 

I met with the "community guides" today, I told them my story and about Coriolanus. They were a little shocked to hear about all the rules he's broken and how I survived through my adventure. I love this town so much. It has the most kind and trustworthy people I have ever met. I still need to meet with Alexandra later but I have some time before I need to walk over.

I went to the medic to check up on my health and the gunshot wound. Turns out I am severely malnourished, not shocking considering 12 doesn't have much to eat. God, I hope you all are doing well, surviving at least. 

There's one more thing. I am not super sure how to say this. I am still quite shocked. Well, I am pregnant. 

Talk soon, 

Lucy Gray Baird

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Wait, what the fuck.