Real or Not Real? ~Coriolanus Snow AU

10-Halen

Halen's POV:

I was dropped off at the town hall, I was expecting to see Coriolanus here and that brought me joy. I walked into the building and smiled to myself, "Coriolanus?" I questioned.

"No, my dear," Instead standing to my left was Dean Highbottom, "Search her, please,"

I took a step back just because I had been startled. The peacekeepers felt my sides, my legs, my arms, and up to my neck. I was uncomfortable but it wouldn't matter what protest I made because they wouldn't stop. The peacekeeper put his hand on my waist right where I kept the silver and I froze. "There's something here,"

"Hand it over, Ms. Storm," Highbottom spoke. I didn't refuse and grabbed the silver from my dress with a shaky hand. I set it on the table before I backed up, "Interesting, I've seen that before. Care to share where you got it?"

"If you already know, why do I have to answer?"

Highbottom sighed as the peacekeepers backed off of me and another one entered the room with a white cloth in his hand, he gave it to Highbottom before leaving. "Well that just confirms it, doesn't it? Peacekeepers, bring him here." The peacekeepers left and I was confused as to what was going on, "Ms. Storm, I know that Mr. Snow gave you this item, I know that the boy from 7 and the girl from 11 didn't die from illness or dust. Do you recognize this cloth? Don't you lie, I'll go through and have those you love murdered if you do," He asked handing it to me.

I saw the initials and nodded as fear coursed through my body, "Coriolanus used it to wipe my tears the night before the game," I whispered.

"Interesting, it all makes sense. That, my dear, was why the snakes didn't attack you. It has your scent on it and it was found in their cage within the arena. Now, I don't blame you and I don't intend to punish you. You're free to go back to District 12, I'm just glad you survived Mr. Snow,"

I drew my eyebrows together, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Highbottom and the peacekeepers led me away to the transport without a word. The transport took us to the train station. Highbottom broke the silence, "The first night, Mr. Snow was sent into the arena because his friend, Mr. Plinth, snuck in to pay tribute to the boy from 2 that died. Mr. Snow was to get him out, which he did but he encountered the boy from 8 as well. The boy cut Mr. Snow and in return, Mr. Snow killed the boy."

I was speechless, but honestly, I had just hoped that Coriolanus was okay. It then clicked in my mind, it was Coryo that I ran from when I was searching for food. The timelines matched up. The transport stopped and I got out, "W-What will happen to Coriolanus?"

"He's going to be punished for his offense, sent to District 8 to be a peacekeeper. Not to worry, you'll never have to see him again," That wasn't what I wanted. I want to see Coriolanus again, I need him to know that I'm okay. I need to know that he's okay. Highbottom handed me a pouch with more than enough money for the next few years in it. I stepped onto the train and looked back, "Farewell, Ms. Storm," I heard him say as the door to the train shut.

I just stood there for a moment before going further into the train car, this one was actually furnished and decent, unlike the one I was in when I was brought here. There was food and water for me and I accepted it gratefully but my stomach was also in knots over what had happened the last few days. I drank the water rather quickly and only stopped myself when I remembered that I had to make it last the next day and a half trip. I got up and looked around the train car, I was in there by myself, and there was a small bathroom that included a shower. I took a shower and there was thankfully a fresh change of clothes for me. I stood in that shower for what felt like hours, I was letting it all sink in and was grieving over the loss of my brother, Dill, and Reaper. I also mourned all of the other tributes, even the ones that tried to kill me because, at the end of the day, we were all still kids. It wasn't fair.

I sat back down and held my knees to my chest, I had prepared to never step foot back in District 12 and now I have to prepare myself to go back. To see those I never wanted to see again, but who knows, with this money, maybe I can afford to take not only myself but the Covey to District 8. There I can see Coriolanus again. I miss him, I probably shouldn't but I do. 

I struggled really hard to fall asleep, even when the sky was dark. I looked at the stars and thought of Kanan, I couldn't get my mind off of my brother no matter how hard I tried. That was enough to eventually send me into a poor excuse of sleep.

When I woke up, the train had just halted to a stop. I grabbed my few belongings and was led off the train by peacekeepers. It was early so no one was awake yet, it was nice. I wasn't ready to be back in a crowd, not yet. I was taken to where the trail started before being left alone by the peacekeepers. I walked the trail and held an ounce of hope that Kanan would be waiting for me when I got there, but he wasn't. I opened the door and it was just an empty cabin with what few belongings I had. I curled up on Kanan's bed and just stayed there.

The door swung open about an hour later and it made me jump. "You're back," It was Carina. I smiled at her and she ran to me where I met her embrace. Carina was the closest thing I had to family, she was a part of the Covey and she was like a sister to me. She was only a few years younger than me and I loved her. "I'm so happy you're back, are you okay?"

I didn't really respond, I just stayed in the hug for as long as possible. 

"So, I booked you a show!"

"What?" I asked, my anxiety was spiking.

"Yeah, tomorrow night, to welcome you home. Besides everyone is already talking about going, even some of the peacekeepers."

I sighed, "Okay,"

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head, "Just make sure I'm able to have a drink or two before the show,"

Carina nodded, "Of course," She paused, "You know, it really is good to see you,"

I smiled faintly, "It's good to see you too. What are you guys up to for the rest of the day?"

"Well today I had just planned on relaxing, there is supposed to be a public execution tomorrow, it's sickening," I nodded not missing those, "We are also prepping Aurra for being apart of the Covey. What did you want to do?"

I shrugged, "Aurra? She's joining the Covey?" Carina nodded, "I'm not sure, it'd be great to see the Covey again. I should probably practice as well if we have a show tomorrow. You're opening, right?" I asked giving her a light shove.

"Of course," She replied with a smile. "I'll go round up the others," She said getting up and walking towards the door, "Are you sure you're alright? You seem kind of off,"

I shook my head, "I'm fine,"

She smiled and left, how could I be anything related to alright? I was just in a tournament where we kill people for public entertainment, it's sickening. I hate that I had to be a part of it. Now I'm just a survivor and I was going to use the money after my show tomorrow to bring myself to District 8 to see Coriolanus. Even if it's just a friendly, 'you are alive' trip, and then I come back. I have to see him.

I never thought that I could miss the Hunger Games and technically I don't miss the games, but I do miss Coryo and how close I had gotten with him. I truly wish it could have been under different circumstances though. 

Then my mind went to Aurra, she was a bitch, even more so than Teagen and she sent me to the Hunger Games. Aurra was sneakier though, she would play like your friend then stab you in the back. She didn't deserve to be in the Covey and I'd make sure to keep a close eye on her after I get back from District 8.