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MY LITTLE DOVE.

(chapter six, and we can fly far from here)

the citadel / the academy / capitol arena, 2248

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DOROTHY NEARLY FAINTED WHEN Clemensia gave a scream that caused chills to run up her spine. She shook her hand to rid the snakes and all that was left was puncture wounds that oozed pus the colour of the snakes.

Lab assistants came running in, two pinning Clemensia to the floor whilst a third injected her with a needle filled with a black liquid. The girl's lips turned purple and then bloodless before she got knocked out. They put her on a stretcher and led her out of the room, Dorothy watching in horror. What did she expect? Dr Gaul was crazy.

"She won't die, will she?" Dorothy panted, looking at the woman with wide eyes. She already saw Arachne die. She couldn't watch Clemensia die as well. Clemensia was one of Dorothy's best friends. 

"Anyone's guess." Dr Gaul shrugged as she dipped her hand into the tank, petting the snakes. "Clearly, her scent was not on the paper. So, the two of you wrote the proposal?"

"We did," Coriolanus told her, Dorothy nodding. There was no point in lying.

"Good. The truth, finally. I've no use for liars. What are lies but attempts to conceal some sort of weakness?" Dr Gaul wrapped one of the pink snakes around her wrist, admiring it as she cooed at it softly. "If I see that side of either of you again, I'll cut the pair of you off. If Dean Highbottom punishes you for it, I won't stand in his way. Are we clear?"

"Very clear." Coriolanus nodded.

"Yes." Dorothy sighed.

"It's good, the proposal," Dr Gaul said as if she didn't just kill a student with her pet snakes. "Well thought out and simple to execute. I'm going to recommend my team to review it and implement a version of the first stage."

"Thank you." Dorothy nodded at her, begging to leave the lab.

"Oh, go home. Or go see your friend if she's still there to see." Dr Gaul laughed at the discomfort on her face. "It's time for my crackers and milk."

Dorothy practically bolted out of the lab, rubbing her forehead as she heard Coriolanus hurry out after her. He seemed to take the wrong way whilst Dorothy was adamant to find Clemensia. She couldn't be dead. Dr Gaul was crazy, but she wouldn't kill a student of the Academy, a mentor. And Dorothy was just coming to terms with Arachne's death, a girl who she never was friends with. If her best friend died? She would have Lysistrata, but the hole that Clemensia would leave would be massive. 

Dorothy made it to the elevator and waited for a few minutes for Coriolanus, who came rushing to her. With a hand on her shoulder, Coriolanus escorted her into the elevator whilst she tried to blink away the tears that Clemensia could be dead. She couldn't be. She couldn't be, right?

The Peacekeepers met them above, returning all of their book bags including Clemensia's and marched them out of the Citadel. Dorothy and Coriolanus made it down the street and around the corner before her legs gave way, the girl crumbling onto the kerb.

"Dottie..." Coriolanus muttered as he kneeled beside her. But Dorothy didn't respond, for she had wrapped her arms around her twin, sobbing into her shoulder as he sighed, hugging her back. "She'll be fine..."

"How can you say that?" Dorothy cried as she felt tears run down her cheeks. "You saw those snakes bite her! They had to be something awful knowing Gaul. She could be dead, Coryo! She could be dead because of us!"

And it was true. Dorothy should have let her read the proposal before they handed it to Dr Gaul because at least her scent would be on it. They should have gone to the library before the zoo, before Arachne died. And if Clemensia was dead, she would be dead because of their lies. And Dr Gaul would place the blame on Dorothy and Coriolanus, blame them for covering her. If Clemensia died and Dr Gaul put the blame on them, it would be over. 

"Come on." Coriolanus stood up, holding his hand out for his sister to take. 

"Where are we going?" Dorothy asked as she took it, eyeing him.

"To the hospital."

And so, the twins ran to the Capitol Hospital. Once inside, they followed the signs to the emergency room and as soon as the doors slid open, Dorothy's fears that Clemensia was dead disappeared as they heard her screams echoing around the halls. But still, hearing her screams made Dorothy feel dizzy as she dropped into a nearby seat. Coriolanus said something to the nurse and sat beside his sister, the staff bringing them both packets of nutritional crackers and a glass of a sweet, fizzy lemon liquid. Coriolanus gulped all of his down whilst Dorothy sipped it slowly, rocking herself slowly in the chair. 

When the attending doctor came out, Coriolanus got up and spoke to him, coming back and saying that there was every reason to believe that Clemensia would survive since the antidote had been administered quickly. It made her feel a bit better.

Slowly, they made their way out of the hospital. Dorothy was about to munch on her crackers when suddenly, Coriolanus took a turn, heading to the zoo. He was going to talk to Lucy Gray, but Dorothy doubt he would even get in with what happened with Arachne.

"Coryo!" Dorothy called out, Coriolanus turning around. She threw him the packet of crackers that was in her hand, the boy catching it swiftly. "Give that to Sabyn, would you?"

"Don't you want to give it to her yourself?"

"Not today." Dorothy sighed. "I just need to go home... because of what happened."

Coriolanus nodded his head sadly as he walked out of view. He would be lucky if he even managed to see Lucy Gray, but nevertheless, Dorothy let him go. But she didn't turn onto the road that led back to their apartment. She turned to where the park was just a few blocks down. 

She didn't really want to go home. Tigris wouldn't be there and would be home at around dinnertime and the Grandma'am would be absolutely appalled with her situation, obsessing and worrying. And so, Dorothy walked down the blocks, hands in her suit jacket's pockets as she sighed. Arachne was dead. Clemensia was as good as and if she wasn't, she would never be the same. 

When Dorothy reached the park, many memories came rushing back. She had spent her youth here, her and Coriolanus always on the swings as they competed to see who got the highest. Her mother would bring her here when she was younger, playing with her in the sandpit. It used to be a busy place, kids running around and playing, but now, Dorothy was the only person who stood.

There was a soft orange glow that radiated around the place from the setting sun, a breeze winding its way through Dorothy's hair as she placed herself down on one of the swings, swaying light as she rolled back and forth with the heel of her shoe. As she did, tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. Arachne was dead. Clemensia was in the hospital.

"Are you all right?"

Dorothy snapped her head to the side, internally sighing when she saw that Sejanus Plinth was the one asking if she was all right. Of course she wasn't. Arachne was dead. Her best friend was in the hospital. Couldn't he see she was crying?

"Yeah..." Dorothy muttered as she reached up and wiped away the tears, sniffling as she looked up at the sky. "I'm fine."

"I think your tears say otherwise," Sejanus said softly as he walked over to where Dorothy sat, dropping down into the swing beside her. "Is this about Arachne?"

"Mhm..." Dorothy nodded as she looked at the boy. "She did die in my arms..."

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Sejanus muttered. "I know that's that's not enough, but I am sorry."

"Arachne was a cruel person for what she did... taunting a starving child, but she didn't deserve to die," Dorothy explained. "None of them deserve to die. And now Clemmie is in the hospital—"

"Why is Clemensia in the hospital?" 

"She got bit by Dr Gaul's snakes," Dorothy muttered. "Don't tell anyone I told you... if it gets out, I don't want Gaul to put the blame on me."

"Well, I'm sure whatever happened," Sejanus said. "It wasn't your fault."

"Then it's good you don't know what happened." Dorothy sighed. "Or you'll definitely think otherwise."

"I don't think you of all people are capable of injuring someone." Sejanus smirked. "You're too innocent for that."

"Sejanus Plinth, you don't even know me." Dorothy laughed. "You never know, I could have a bunch of carcasses in my wardrobe. I could be a serial killer."

"If you are a serial killer, Dorothy Snow," Sejanus began to say. "I'll keep it in mind to stay on your good side."

Dorothy laughed, wiping her eyes as she did. Sejanus was slowly rocking himself on the swing in the same rhythm that Dorothy was. It made her smile.

"What are you doing out so late?" Dorothy asked.

"I was going to see the tributes." Sejanus shrugged. "But then I remembered what happened... I doubt they'll let anyone in."

"Coryo's gone to try now," Dorothy murmured. "I would have gone with him, but they probably won't let him in."

"At least you can say you tried."

"Fair point." Dorothy smiled. "But I can't see Sabyn... not like this."

And it was true. Dorothy was supposed to help Sabyn, be the calm, cool, collected one. But yet again, Sabyn did say she did not want Dorothy's pity. 

"I just wish for all of this to be over..." Sejanus whispered. "I wish we can just carry on with our lives without the need for revenge."

"Mm, agreed." Dorothy sighed. "And I think it is a bit idiotic to put teenagers as mentors. Too much pressure, too much stress."

"Yeah..." Sejanus nodded his head. "I wish I can just fly away like a bird, leave this place behind."

The moment he said this, a little, white bird came fluttering across the sky, contrasting against the orange. It flapped its wings before settling on a tree branch a little further away from the two, gawking at them. 

"A dove." Dorothy smiled. "Dove's are my favourite."

"Mine too." Sejanus chuckled. "You know, they symbolise peace and freedom."

"Is that why you like them?" Dorothy teased.

"Partly." Sejanus smiled at her. "They're also just really beautiful... and they represent love."

"To me, doves are a part of my imagination," Dorothy mumbled as she gazed at the bird. "I always think that there can't possibly be any purity, or peace, or love in a world like this. Doves are like an illusion in some way... I'm sorry, that probably doesn't make any sense—"

"No, no, it does," Sejanus assured her as he swung. "I know what you mean..."

They admired the bird, the bird that represented peace and freedom. Sometimes Dorothy wished she were a bird so she could fly off from his world like Sejanus had said. She wanted to fly to a world where stress, pain, and death didn't exist.

"When I die, I want to come back as a dove."

Dorothy snapped her head to the side, eyeing Sejanus as she said, "Don't go dying on me, Sejanus. I can't handle anymore death."

"Well, I don't plan on dying just yet." Sejanus laughed. "But when I do die, I want to come back as a dove."

"I think you will, it makes sense for a dove to be your spirit animal." Dorothy hummed. "I hope, when I die, I become a dove too."

"We can fly around forever then." Sejanus nudged her.

"And we can fly far from here," Dorothy mumbled. She looked up at the sky and realised the sun was nearly set, faint stars dotted around. "Well, I better go."

"Of course." Sejanus nodded as he got up from the swing, helping Dorothy as well with an extended hand, pulling her up. "It's getting late."

"Thank you, Sejanus." Dorothy beamed at him. "Truly."

"Anytime." Sejanus nodded as she began to walk backwards. "Goodnight, Dorothy."

"Goodnight, Sejanus."

The moon was well high in the sky by the time Dorothy managed to get home and she swore she could hear Arachne's mother howling in the night, the Crane's apartment windows open wide. And so, with a sigh, Dorothy opened her own apartment door, walking inside.

"Oh, Dottie!" Tigris cooed as she came bustling over to her. "Coryo told me what happened to Clemensia. I'm so sorry. Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Tigris, really." Dorothy forced a smile. "Where's Coryo?"

"He's on the phone with Satyria. Must be important, she called three times. Anyway, have some dinner."

Tigris set a bowl of noodle soup in-front of Dorothy at the dinner table, patting her shoulder as she sat across from her. The butcher must have given Tigris her chicken carcasses for free again. Whilst Dorothy ate, Tigris was mumbling to herself about Dr Gaul and how cruel she was, that was until Coriolanus came into the kitchen. 

"They want me to sing at the funeral." Coriolanus sighed, smiling faintly at Dorothy. "She didn't mention Clemensia. They must be keeping it a secret."

"Then that's what you two do too," Tigris said. "Maybe they'll pretend the whole thing didn't happen."

"Hey, maybe they won't tell Dean Highbottom," Dorothy offered, beaming at Coriolanus.

He shook his head before a glint appeared in his eye, saying, "Dottie? Tigris? I just remembered, I can't really sing." Somehow, that was the funniest thing the three of them had heard. 

But the Grandma'am thought it was no laughing matter and had Coriolanus practicing, causing Dorothy to groan whenever she heard the old woman try and sing. It was amusing when she got up for breakfast to watch Coriolanus sing, the Grandma'am poking him in the ribs with a ruler at the end of every line, shouting, "Breathe!" And before they were set to leave, the woman sacrificed two of her roses, a pair of light blue rosebuds to press gently on their uniform jackets, muttering a, "There. They match your eyes, the two of you." And so, the two both set off to the Academy.

Even though it was Saturday, the entire student population reported to their homeroom before they assembled on the front steps of the Academy, divided neatly and alphabetically by class. And Dorothy was at the front row with the distinguished guests along with Coriolanus. Her brother was understandable since he had a special assignment to complete, but Dorothy was confused why she was there. When she asked Satyria, the woman said it was because as Arachne's tried saviour, Dorothy deserved front row. But Dorothy felt like she didn't deserve anything, she felt like she didn't deserve to sit next to President Ravinstill when all she did was hold Arachne as her life slipped away.

Across the avenue, the stands were filled with people in black. Everything was black. The banners were black, sporting the Capitol seal. Numerous camera were positioned in many angles to record the event whilst Capitol TV reporters stood talking in a mic as they streamed live. It was quite a show they had put on for Arachne. Arachne, the girl who's death was inevitable. Arachne, the girl who barely had any talents except being able to project her voice very well and balance a spoon on her nose during lunch times. Arachne, the girl that had been in Dorothy's life since birth. When the clock struck nine, the crowd felt silent, and Coriolanus rose and walked to the podium.

He more talked than anything, Coriolanus, but he managed to do well, never missing a note or running out of breath. He sat back down to a generous applause and an approving nod from Ravinstill, who took the stage.

"Two days ago, Arachne Crane's young and precious life was ended and so we mourn another victim of the criminal rebellion that yet besieges us," he said. "Her death was as valiant as any on the battlefield, her loss more profound as we claim to be at peace. But no peace will exist while this disease eats away at all that is good and noble in our country. Today, we honour her sacrifice with a reminder that while evil exists, it does not prevail. And once again, we bear witness as our great Capitol brings justice to Panem."

The drums began a slow, deep boom and the crowd turned around as the procession rounded a corner onto the street. There was more than a hundred Peacekeepers standing shoulder to shoulder as they stepped in rhythm to the drums. Arachne would be blooming if she knew this was the funeral she got.

And as Dorothy thought this, she had to refrain her jaw from dropping as she saw what followed the Peacekeepers. A long, flatbed truck with a crane fixed to it held the corpse of the District Ten girl, Brandy, who had killed Arachne. Her bullet-ridden body was hung from the hook, high in the sky. And shackled to the truck bed were the remaining twenty-three tributes. With the length of their chains, they couldn't stand and so they sat or crouched on the metal floor.

Dorothy scanned the truck for Sabyn and saw that she was squished beside Lucy Gray and Marcus, looking utterly defeated in her shackles and dirty clothes. For a mere second, the two caught eyes and Sabyn gave her a soft smile before looking back down again.

Another battalion of Peacekeepers followed, horses behind them as they pulled an ornate wagon with a white coffin draped in flowers on-top of it. The Cranes rode in a horse-drawn chariot and looked highly uncomfortable. But Dorothy forgot that as she stared at Arachne's coffin, which now laid in-front of the podium. Arachne's body was in that.

Dr Gaul, who was sitting on the other side of Ravinstill, approached the mic and the pure rage Dorothy felt for the woman was unexplainable. It must have been a mistake to have her speak considering she just put Clemensia in the hospital, but the woman spoke stern and clear as she said, "Arachne Crane, we, your fellow citizens of Panem, vow that your death will not be in vain. When one of ours is hit, we hit back twice as hard. The Hunger Games will go forward, with more energy and commitment than ever before, as we add your name to the long list of the innocent who died defending a righteous and just land. Your friends, family, and fellow citizens salute you and dedicate the Tenth Hunger Games to your memory."

Whilst Arachne Crane should not have been killed, it was inevitable. Arachne didn't die defending a righteous and just land. She died because she was a cruel person, taunting her starving tribute with a sandwich. Arachne died because she wanted laughs. Arachne Crane was no innocent person. 

There was a special buffet in the school dining hall and whilst Dorothy yearned to load her plate with fried chicken and to pluck the largest wedge of pie, she didn't. She organised a very small plate, continuing her gift for self-control. And as Dorothy ate slowly, Lysistrata was pushing it around with her fork, staring down at her plate. Dorothy should have said something, improve the mood, but all she did was rub the girl's back before going back to her pie. No words could fill the void they felt with Arachne dead and Clemensia in the hospital.

As lunch finished up, Satyria gathered the twenty-two active mentors to inform that not only were the Hunger Games still on, they were supposed to be the most visible yet. With this, they were to escort their tributes on a tour of the arena that afternoon. It was to be aired live to the entire country. The tributes would be handcuffed, but not fully shackled. The Peacekeepers' top sharpshooters would be among their guards. And with this in mind, Dorothy snatched a napkin, sliding a piece of chicken and a few biscuits into it before folding it up. The sides of Lysistrata's mouth perked up as she nodded. If someone were to know Dorothy was stealing food to give to her tribute, that would be the end of it all. 

The mentors piled into a few Academy vans and headed for the Capitol Arena, which had been built across the river to prevent crowds from swamping the downtown. Back in the day, the huge amphitheater had held many sporting, entertaining, and even military events. During the war, high-profile executions were staged there, making it a target for rebel bombers. The original structure still stood, but it was way too unstable and was only used for the Hunger Games and it was not well kept, for each year, the tributes would be locked in with nothing but knives, swords, and maces. At the end, the one who had managed to survive would be shipped back home, the bodies would be removed, the weapons collected, and the doors locked until the next Games. The blood would be washed away by rain and wind, but Dorothy knew that there would be some stains still left from last year's.

Professor Sickle, their chaperone, ordered the mentors to leave their belongings in the vans when they arrived. Dorothy stuffed the food-filled napkin in the side pocket of her skirt, hiding it with the hem of her jacket. It was unnoticeable, thankfully. 

As they stepped from the van onto the ground, they saw that the tributes were lined up with handcuffs, Peacekeepers everywhere. The mentors were directed to take their places beside their assigned planes, who'd been lined up numerically. Dorothy was near the front with Sabyn, Sejanus and Marcus in-front of them.

"Are you all right?" Dorothy whispered to Sabyn.

"I should be the one asking you that," Sabyn mumbled back. "You did just attend a funeral."

"Well, it was inevitable, her death." Dorothy sighed.

"Mm," she agreed. "I got the crackers from your brother. Thank you."

"I have something for you, something better than crackers," Dorothy told her. "I'll give it to you when we're in a secluded bit. I'll get in trouble if I'm caught giving it to you."

"Well, now I'm excited."

The Peacekeepers removed the heavy bars from the entrance. The doors swung open, revealing the huge lobby that had boarded-up booths and posters. The kids followed the soldiers to the far side of the lobby where a row of full-height turnstiles, each having three curved metal arms, stood covered in thick layers of dust. To enter, they needed a ticket and so Peacekeepers stood guard at two turnstiles as they repeatedly slotted tickets in so each tribute and mentor could pass without interference. At each rotation, a cheerful voice announced, "Enjoy the show!"

"Can't you override the ticket barrier?" Professor Sickle asked.

"We could if we had the key, but no-one seems to know where it is," a Peacekeeper said. 

"Enjoy the show!" The annoying voice piped as Dorothy passed through.

A squad of Peacekeepers marched into a passageway, guided only by the red glow of emergency lights on the floor. On either side, smaller arches leading to different seating levels were marked. As they moved into the darkness, Dorothy quickly slipped Sabyn the napkin, the girl quickly stuffing it into her dress, sending a grateful smile to Dorothy.

Dorothy took a deep breath as they walked through the main gate, beneath the enormous scoreboard, and onto the field. Most of them gasped at the size of the place, camera crew everywhere.

The Peacekeepers, who'd been walking beside them closely, spread out as the kids followed the lead squad around the inside perimeter of the oval. As they did this, Dorothy surveyed the arena for anything that might help Sabyn. The high wall that enclosed the field looked promising. The damaged surface caused foot and handholds, making it easier for a climber. There were tunnels as well, but no-one knew where they led, but Sabyn could easily get trapped in there. The stands were the safest thing. But Dorothy couldn't help but think back to when Sabyn said she won the fight that happened over bread. But no, she wasn't going to let Sabyn be reckless and fight headfirst into the carnage. 

"I'm sorry for this morning," Dorothy muttered as the line began to become more stretched out. 

"Well, what could you have done?" Sabyn sighed. "It was stupid what Brandy did. Even though the girl shouldn't have teased her with food, Brandy shouldn't have killed her. She must have known the circumstances."

"Maybe she did it on purpose?"

"I think so." Sabyn nodded glumly. "There's been talk amongst the others about doing the same. Dying before the Games even start. They're just trying to think of ways how."

"Well, I'm sure none of them want to be strung up from a crane for all of Panem to see." Dorothy sighed. "We have one dead tribute, one dead mentor, and one in the hospital."

"Who's in the hospital?"

"Clemensia Dovecote. The mentor for the boy from Eleven," Dorothy told her. "Let's just say that the Head Gamemaker isn't as pleasant as she looks."

"What happened?" Sabyn murmured. Dorothy could trust that she wouldn't tell anyone else and so she went into a full story of what happened. "God, you Capitol people are messed up. No offence."

"None taken." Dorothy rubbed her forehead. "I'll just be happy when all of this is over. Clemmie was — is — one of my best friends."

"And I'm not?"

"Oh, shush."

They both laughed genuine laughs, smiling at the other. Dorothy felt herself booming inside as she looked at Sabyn. And as she went to go say something, the booming that was inside her suddenly appeared around the stadium. Bombs.