Gray Snow

The lie

Lucy Gray sat with her back against a tree, looking into the moonlit clearing. They'd have to get going soon. Coriolanus had talked her into continuing their journey at night, citing that the darkness would better hide them from any pursuers. But she knew the real reason; it was cooler then during the day.

She looked down at the sleeping face of Coriolanus Snow, head laying in her lap as she stroked he's head soothingly. She knew this trip was hard on him, but he's being there only helped to deepen her love for him. And yet, something nagged at her. Something he'd said in passing but had stuck with her throughout their journey; three kills.

She knew about two of them, and understood the reasoning behind them. First was Bobbin, who he'd killed in self defense while rescuing Sejanus from the arena. Second was Mayfair Lipp, who she'd had no sympathy for to begin with. But then again he had shot her in a form of self defense, as well as to protect herself and everyone present.

But who was the third? She mulled over this quandary for some time, since the moon would need to be at the right spot in the sky to navigate the dense woods ahead, so she wouldn't have to wake Coryo for some time. Her mind went through certain possible candidates. She knew for a fact he's first kill was Bobbin, so worked from there.

First she considered both Billy and the man who'd shot him down, thinking he might feel responsible for one of their deaths. But that didn't seem right to her. Both of the kills she knew of were due to he's own actions, not the actions of other people. So that ruled out Lil as well. Was there anyone else she knew about?

She briefly considered that he'd been serious when he'd said that he had killed himself, but brushed that off. Her Coriolanus was blunt and straightforward, not the sort to use metaphors. Maybe he'd accidentally shot a stray cat during target practice and was too embarrassed to admit he felt bad over it. But again, that didn't sound like him.

Then a sickening thought struck her; Sejanus. She had been there at he's hanging, as had Coriolanus. She's noticed a few glances that Sejanus shot towards he's friend. At first she'd just taken the sadness at face value, but as she replayed the memory over again in her head, was she making it up? Or was there a look of betrayal in the terrified boy's eyes?

She looked down again at her lover, wondering if he could do something as heartless as that. She didn't want to believe it, but if it had been to protect himself...Lucy Gray shook her head. She was overthinking it, that was all. She trusted Coryo, as she hoped he trusted her. He'd tell her, in he's own time. For now, she conjured up the image of an ugly yellow cat she's seen when the Covey still traveled. The thought of the creature being struck by a stray bullet still caught at her heart, but it was more soothing then the alternative.

Meanwhile the young Snow's dreams once again showed him he's dead friend, staring accusingly at him as he swung from a rope. In the distance he heard the cries of Jabberjay's, repeating Sejanus' final word infinitely. A bright orange cloth was tightening around he's own neck when Lucy Gray jostled him awake.

It was time to move on. He smiled up at her, and she smiled back. As Coriolanus collected their meager supplies for the journey ahead, he made a promise to himself never to reveal the truth to Lucy Gray. She was suffering enough already. Why should he add more pain?