Reprisal

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

   It only takes a few seconds to realize what's just happened, all the delicately proper and polite Gamemakers and scientists that grace the Citadel daily, turn chaotic and panicked, most of which hitting the ground as more shots ring out toward the stage.

Those who don't duck down are rushing to the doors, nearly trampling over one another.

Tawny stays down, trying to gather her bearings.

She looks to her left on the floor, eye to eye with Dayla who is in shock, staring off wide eyed where her husband has shoved her to the floor.

He's still covering her as more shots come.

Tawny hears a familiar voice shouting in the ruckus.

Dyess, covered in Ravinstill's blood, is being dragged away by two Peacekeepers, while three more fire back in the direction of the gunshots.

Martia's been shot, as well as Dr. Gaul.

Upon this realization, Tawny's springing up to rush to her aunt, but a harsh grip on her wrist stops and yanks her down.

She's nose to nose with Coriolanus who is far too calm at this moment.

"We have to get out of here, we're sitting ducks." He grits out.

"My aunt, Coriol — "

" — She'll be fine. We have to get out." He speaks it so surely that it makes her mind swim further, relenting as she nods and allows him to yank her toward the closest door on the wall parallel to them.

"Livia!" Tawny struggles it out in the midst of her heart pounding in her chest.

"Mr. Marius has her. She's safe." He states as they get free of the room.

There's too many people trying to cram down the hallway toward the front of the house, only making it more difficult on themselves, Coriolanus' grip on her hand tightening.

"This way." He mutters, going the opposite direction, heading deeper into the house.

They find one of many staircases, and she's stumbling along as she follows him.

Once they find an empty room, he's locking the door behind them as she tries to catch her breath while more gunfire echoes through the Presidential Palace.

Tawny feels as if she's unable to calm herself, the image of Ravinstill's body hitting the ground, her husband's face smattered in the President's blood, Martia's dead body collapsed beside Ravintill's, her aunt. . .

The more she thinks of it, the more frantic her breaths become, Snow's words becoming muffled in her ears as she struggles to get enough air in her lungs, grasping ahold of his arm to keep from falling down as her head feels too light, the floor sinking underneath her.

"Tawny," He says, following her to the floor, his hands grasping her face, gently shaking her until her eyes meet his, tears soaking the palms of his hands. "Slow breaths." He states sternly, but it's no good, Tawny feeling as though it's impossible to do it.

He's tempted to slap her, to bring her out of her episode and back to reality, recalling hearing that shock could disperse such spells.

Now certainly is not the time for her to be acting like this.

He doesn't slap her.

Instead, he tells her the truth, which he hopes will have a similar effect.

"Dr. Gaul is safe – we planned this ." He hisses out to her, frustrated with her behavior, wishing he had told her sooner so she wouldn't get in such a tizzy.