La ballade d'une Ballerine : a Treech fanfiction

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Twenty-two tricherie

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Delyth fixed a glare on Coriolanus, her teeth gritted in frustration. The truth dawned on her – he had cheated, evident in Lucy Gray's decision not to take the water. Instead, the distraction of hunting Wovey allowed Dill to unwittingly consume the tampered water.

Feeling the weight of accusing eyes, Coriolanus turned to meet Delyth's harsh gaze. The intensity in her eyes held a knowing certainty. She could always see through him. He gulped nervously before shifting his gaze back to the screen.

"Dill?" Reaper's repeated calls shifted Delyth's attention away from Coriolanus and back to the screen. Reaper's questioning gaze revealed a disconcerting scene – Dill appeared to be either asleep or unconscious, the unknown truth awaiting discovery.

As Reaper turned her onto her back, revealing a bloody nose, he began frantically checking her. Upon confirming her lifeless state, he erupted in shouts of pain, the poignant scene evoking tears in Delyth's eyes.

A hushed silence enveloped the entire room as Reaper solemnly started gathering the fallen tributes, placing them in a somber row. Confused gazes swept across the room, many struggling to decipher the meaning behind his poignant display. Reaper solemnly removes his hat, his gaze fixed with sadness on Dill. A weary sigh escapes him as he wipes the sweat from his forehead, the weight of the moment etched in his expression.

How ironic, Reaper collecting the souls of the fallen children.

Reaper strides purposefully towards the Capital flag, tearing it down with a powerful gesture. Roars echo through the room, causing people to rise from their seats. Disgust is evident on many faces, including Lucky Flickerman, known for his humor, who now wears a look of disbelief. "He just tore down the flag," Lucky comments, his tone reflecting the astonishment shared by those witnessing the unprecedented act.

Reaper strides toward the fallen tributes, gently draping the flag over their still forms. Turning to the camera, he raises his arms slightly, a silent tribute to the lives lost in the arena.

"Are you gonna punish me now?" he questions, the words rising in volume until he's abruptly cut off by the haunting appearance of Dr. Gaul's face on the screen.

Dr. Gaul announced Felix Ravinstill's death, the boy's injuries from the rebel bombings leaving him on life support. A chilling image of Felix, covered in burns, flashed on the screen, etching his lifeless face into the girl's thoughts.

She turned to Festus, finding him equally disturbed by the sight of his once close friend's demise.

"Before the sun goes down tonight! A rainbow of destruction will engulf our arena!" Dr. Gaul spoke with venom, her anger palpable. "Even if it means there to be no victor in these games!"

Delyth's heart sank at the notion of no victor. Glancing at Coriolanus, he appeared unfazed, as if he had unraveled something significant.

He swiftly exited the auditorium, bolting out the door. Delyth, seemingly the only one to take notice, promptly followed suit.

He disappeared into the male restroom, and Delyth waited discreetly outside in the shadows. Her ballet lessons had made her light on her feet, alleviating her concern about inadvertently following him to the toilet. She breathed a sigh of relief as she observed him moving away from the auditorium.

However, she halted in her tracks when she witnessed him entering Dr. Gaul's laboratory. A slight edge of apprehension crept over her as she navigated the delicate act of sneaking around in such a forbidden space.

Peeking into the room, she discovered Coriolanus fixated on the floor, wincing intermittently. Dr. Gaul stood behind him, meticulously stitching him up, her attention wholly absorbed in the careful task at hand.

Deciding to sneak into the room, she seized the moment when Coriolanus's attention shifted to people inspecting a large black container.

Concealed behind one of the pillars, evading Gaul and Coryo's notice, she watched with curiosity as people manipulated the black container within the room.

Coryo's unwavering stare at the black container hinted at its significance.

"I look forward to seeing you at the finale," Dr. Gaul declared before departing the room. It was only then that Coriolanus abruptly stood up, making his way to where they had moved the container.

With Delyth closely following, she paused behind him as he delved into his pocket and produced a handkerchief.

As he headed toward the container, poised for transportation by helicopter, Delyth finally spoke.

"And what on earth do you think you're doing Coriolanus Snow" she had her arms crossed with her eyebrow raised.

The mentioned boy nearly jumped, eyes wide, only to relax upon realizing it was Delyth, not Dr. Gaul.

Attempting to muster an excuse, he failed. Observing this, Delyth spoke again. "Listen, I don't know what you were about to do, but I don't think Dr. Gaul would be too happy about it," she warned.

"Go away, Delyth. You have no idea what I'm doing," he retorted, moving away before her words halted him.

"Cheating?" she accused, his gaze swung back, his expression now seething with anger.

Before he could unleash words at her, the loud whir of the helicopter departing diverted both their attention. The black container soared through the air as the helicopter distanced itself.

"No!" Delyth heard Coriolanus whisper, his repeated words resembling a chant, muttering to himself like a madman.

Without sparing a glance at Delyth, he bolted away.

Coriolanus Snow had failed to place the handkerchief inside the black container..