Chapter 5: As The World Caved In

'As our world caves in...'

~~~~~

  You and Coriolanus both sighed before getting up and following Sejanus to join the rest of classmates and your tributes.

Once they got to the Arena they heard a peacekeeper say: "All right, let's go."

  As Emme found her place next to Dill, Dill stayed close to Emme. There were peacekeepers stationed next to each pair of tribute and their mentor which had her in such a tense position. Emme let her cling to her hand as the lead peacekeeper announced that they would be entering the arena.

"Enjoy the show." The automated voice repeated with every figure passing through the security bars making Emme cringe at the saying.

Dill let go of her hand momentarily but took it back again as Emme passed through. A singular camera crew was stationed inside the arena. Their flashing light illuminates the dark space.

"Where's your friend?" Reaper speaks up behind you, most likely asking about Clemensia.

"She's not feeling too well." Emme frown as she recalls the earlier events, feeling Dill move closer.

  Reaper simply grunted as a response, not being affected too much by the loss. Dill tried pointing something out to Emme, but it was far too dark to make anything out.

  Emme, Dill, and Reaper move across to the left side of the arena, trying your best to navigate through the dark before the windows are revealed with the groaning of the metal machines. Emme held the young girl still, waiting for the noises to stop.

"Welcome to the arena for the tenth annual Hunger Games. Tributes, mentors, you have fifteen minutes to survey the space and discuss strategy." Another automated voice spoke through speakers.

Dill slowly peered up into Emme's eyes "What's the plan?"

"You can stick by me, understand?" Reaper spoke quietly, not wanting others to listen in.

   She nodded as Emme rubbed her shoulders. Dill looked around the arena, noticing how organized and clean it was.

"Hey, lumberjack." Emme heard Coral the girl from District 4 start to recruit 'allies'.

"Lamina." The boy she thinks his name is Treech. If she remembered correctly.

"No, no, just you." Coral said to the boy from district 7. "Just you."

Emme felt bad for the girl from district 7.. it felt like some familiar.. She quickly shook it off before turning her focus back to Dill.

"Don't let me die here tomorrow." Dill whispered softly. Emme bent down to the girl and said "I will try everything to help you get out of here... both of you." Giving a glance to Reaper.

"I know it's not much but, reaper is here to help protect you." Emme said to Dill hoping to give her reassurance.

"I know it's scary and I'm sorry that this happened to you.. to both of you." Emme said looking between Reaper and Dill giving the duo a sad smile.

"You're not as bad as I thought you were." Reaper said. Emme looked at him surprised. "Don't let it go to your head." He said sternly going back to his usual self.

"Noted." Emme hummed a laugh. Reaper gave her a slight smile.

  But as they shared a moment their whole world collapsed as bombs went off in every direction. Emme fell to the ground smacking her head hard against the ground and ears ringing as more bombs went off. Emme coughed out as she stood up feeling disoriented thought everything was okay until she heard something start to break she looked up and over and saw a piece of the arena falling and her eyes trailed down to Dill who was still struggling to get up.

  Without thinking Emme used all of her muscles to fight off the disorientation. She pushed Dill out of the way as the debris fell on her. She heard somebody shout her name. Emme looked with blurry vision to Reaper who was looking at her.

"Get dill out of here.." Emme coughed out weakly before everything went black. The last thing she remembered was hearing her name. In a panicked yell.

~~~~

"Coryo." Tigris asked softly. Blinked his eyes adjusting to the light. He gasped at the sudden realisation.

"Lucy Gray? Is she..." Coriolanus asked.

"She's alive." Tigris reassured her cousin while holding his hand.

"What happened?" Coriolanus asked.

"It was a rebel bombing." Coriolanus looked over at the voice to see Sejanus.

"They must have been planning it for months. Four tributes were killed. Everyone's terrified, Coryo. People are locking themselves inside their houses. Felix Ravinstill's on life support. The rebels released a message. They said they wanted to tear down the symbol of the Hunger Games on live TV.." Sejanus said. Looking between Tigris and Coriolanus.

" ...savagely and cowardly attacked us..." Luckys voice sounded throughout the wing. "gravely injuring the president's..."

"Marcus got out. He's the only one.." Sejanus said. "Peacekeepers are hunting him in the streets but at least he has a better chance out there than he would tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? They're not still going ahead with the Games?" Coriolanus questioned. The pair gave Coriolanus a sad look.

"Oh, no, Lucy Gray.." He said trailing off, "Lucy Gray could've run. But she saved me.."

"And now our final tribute. I first met this young lady in the zoo not too long ago. From District 12..." Lucky said as he was introducing Lucy Gray. Coriolanus got up immediately limping over to the tv.

"Coryo." Tigris said worriedly. As her and Sejanus helped him.

"Good evening, Capitol. Districts. I wrote this song about a boy back in 12, and I hope he hears it." Lucy Gray announced as she started playing a few strings on the guitar.

"♪ When I was a babe I fell down in the holler ♪ When I was a girl I fell into your arms." Lucy Gray sang. Coriolanus looked at the screen with a feeling he couldn't really understand.

"♪ Tomorrow, I wonder ♪ For when the bell rings Lover, you're on your own..." He looked over at Tigris as she sniffled and looked around the hospital wing to see others sniffling as well.

"♪ Too bad I'm the bet that you lost in the Reaping ♪ Now what will you do? ♪ When I go to my grave ♪" Lucy Gray sang wrapping up the song. Coriolanus felt almost jealous as he watched as the audience began cheering.

"Ding, ding, ding. Look at that. Record high for the evening. The Capitol is definitely watching. People sending in donations. See what happens when you do stuff?" Lucky spoke amazed at how many donations there are.

"Yeah." Lucy Gray said timidly.

"Now, I don't love your odds, but may they be in your favor. Ms. Lucy Gray, District 12!" Lucky announced closing up her interview.

"Thank you for being here. Both of you.." Coriolanus said looking at Tigris and Sejanus.

"It's what friends do..." Sejanus said, giving Tigris a look.

" How wonderful is this night that we all get to be here for someone's final performance. Ms. Lucy Gray, thank you. Go home, go to bed, get a good night's sleep. You've got a big day tomorrow." As Lucky closed out. Coriolanus eyes looked around finally realising who wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Where's Emme?" Coriolanus asked. The pair looked at each other as his cousin and 'friend' realised.

"What? What else happened?" Noticing the look between his cousin and his 'friend'. Tigris looked at him with the sad eyes. Helping him sit back down.

"During the bombing..." Tigris said.

"She got hurt... really badly almost as bad as Felix did. She's was in surgery and now is being watched.." Sejanus said with a sad gaze. Coriolanus heart seemed to have stopped.

"They weren't even sure if she was going to survive from it.." Tigris said with tears slightly perking into her eyes.

"Where is she now? Is she okay?" Coriolanus asked concerned.

"Ashe and my brother Marcus are with her. They're going to let us know when she wakes up." Sejanus said. A pang of Jealousy ran through Coriolanus at the mention of their names.

~~~~

  Emme let out a pained groan as she slowly opened her eyes. Her head feeling heavy, eyes burning from the light, and sharp pain radiating from her body. Once her eyes fully adjusted to the light and her surroundings she moved her head.

"Hey take it easy.." Ashe Warren said. Emme turned her head to the side to see him and Marcus. Ashe helped her drink some water knowing that she be thirsty after everything.

"W-what happened." Emme's voice coming out raspy as her throat burned.

"I'll go inform Sejanus and Tigris that she's awake." Marcus said, Ashe nodded before turning back to you.

"Well.. what do you remember?" Ashe asked, making sure she didn't any have any memory loss from the bombing. Emme looked off, closing here eyes. She opened them quickly remembering what happened.

"There was a bombing.. Right?" Emme asked looking over at Ashe.

"It was rebels. They attacked the arena sending out a message. They say that you are lucky to be alive.. you have a few broken ribs, a sprained ankle, and a minor concussion." Ashe said.

"Ashe I-" He looked at her. "What is it? What's the matter?"

"How long have I been out? Has my mum been by?" Emme asked. Ashe sighed.

"You've been out for a two days. And no she hasn't come to see you.." Emme's eyes saddened.

"I think she might've tried to see you.." Ashe tried to comfort.

"Is Dill.. Did she?" Emme asked brushing off what he just said.

"She survived but.." Ashe said as he trailed off. Emme's face scrunch in horror.

"They're still going on with the games.." Emme said and Ashe nodded.

"I shouldn't have pushed her out of the way.." Emme whispered but it was loud enough that Ashe heard.

"What do you mean?" He asked concerned. Emme sighed looking into his worried eyes.

"D-during the bombing, Dill was going to crushed by a pillar that was collapsing.. I pushed her out of the way.." Ashes eyes widened.

"If i hadn't she would have been gone before the games..." "Em you are a good person that's why you saved her. And even though the circumstances you care.. You are the most caring person I know.."

Emme looked at him with a small smile as an appreciation. She sat up ignoring the sharp pain and the backlash from Ashe and hugged him whispering a Thank you before pulling away. Ashe smiled.

"I'll let you rest." He said, getting up and leaving the room.

After Ashe left, the nurse and doctor came in to examine her. After they examined her they told her that she'd have to stay a night or two for them to observe her recovery and they left.

~~~~

After they left, Emme closed her eyes to rest them for a few before she heard someone come in. She opened the. And looked to the side to see Coriolanus in his black hat and jacket.

"Hi.." Emme said tiredly.

Coriolanus let out a sigh of relief but sounded a bit like a scoff. He walked over and sat in the chair next her bed gently taking her hand that had tiny cuts all over it in his.

"I'm glad you're okay.." He whispered, looking into her eyes.

"I'm glad you're okay too." Emme said giving him a small smile. She saw how tired he looked she moved over patting the spot next to her.

"N-no I couldn't.." His voice wavered betraying him.

"You're tired and I'm not going to have you sleep in that uncomfortable chair. While you're injured." Emme said sternly.

Coriolanus sighed in defeat as he got up and carefully got into the bed with you putting an arm around you as you both fell asleep.

(A/n: New chapter!! Also I just wanted y'all to know that I am going to be putting my own twist to the story but will still be following the storyline! I hope you liked this chapter and y'all are a loud to leave feed back as well! Just nothing to ouch okay?😂(im kidding! Y'all can be brutally honest))