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ACT V
CHAPTER LXVI
new plans
TO SAY THAT president Snow is happy with the results booked is a total lie. He already threatened his torturers because he needs to know what the captive victors know. He needs to be at least one step ahead of the traitors who ruined his games, who ruined his rule. The plans his tortures come up with are just laugh worthy. As if killing one of them would make the others speak. Of course not, they would be even more resistant to tell them- him what he wants to know. The incapability of Luke Wells and all the others he set on the case was shining through. No, Coriolanus Snow isn't blind. He even respected the resilience of Thana and Johanna who clearly know things. The determination of the former even shining through when they tried to play on her heartstrings. But as not even Johanna, and Snow is certain the girls care deeply for each other, could break her into talking. And the other way around didn't work either, it seems he himself needs to come up with plans.
There are two knocks on the big mahogany door. They echo through the large room.
"Come in," Coriolanus' voice sounds painful, as if he just coughed hardly. Through the door, come the Wells twins with in between them a beaten-up Thana Jardin. "Welcome miss Jardin." The girl lazily looks up at the president, blankly looking at him.
"I am sure you are wondering why I have summoned you," Snow starts, "I am here to offer you one more chance." The man puts his hands on the table, "please sit down."
As the brothers push Thana into a chair, the girl winces at the harshness of their touch. There is only one mantra going through her mind; 'stay strong, stay strong for everyone you care about, stay strong for Johanna'.
"As you know," the president smiles softly at the beaten victor, "your life lies in my hands. Your treatment here lies in my hands."
Thana slowly nods her head, trying her hardest to keep herself awake. With the beating going around the clock and the screams echoing through the rooms and hallway, it was no secret she barely got any sleep. And if sleep finally did reach the girl, it is filled with the horrors of the games, tear stained cheeks always greeting her if she looked into the very small mirror present in her room.
"So please, Thana," the man smiles at the girl, they used to have some kind of understanding of each other, but all of that disappeared as soon as he announced the quarter quell. "For the good of Panem, for the good of your family and friends. Do tell me what Rohan, Haymitch and Plutarch are up to."
"I wouldn't know, and I never have known," Thana says, "all I have known is that I wanted my br... my brother to win." She smiles sadly, "and after his, you know." Thana looks up and blinks fast, "all I've wanted is Johanna or Finnick to get out." The girl can't even cheer at the disappointed expression the president caries on his face.
"Seeing as you still don't want to speak up," Snow pauses, "I have decided for some important changes. First, you will be in a photoshoot, a silent one, with the other victors here." His grin becomes a little more devilishly, "secondly, we will restart our search for answers with a different approach."
Thana stares blankly at the president, slowly nodding her head. Her eyes almost closing as for once her body is left in peace on a chair.
"Get Mr. Gold in here," Snow says, nodding at Luke Wells' brother, "we should start immediately, the others are almost done I hope."
...
Thana is half asleep as some prep team made the marks her skin carries disappears. And thank the lord they let her doze off. The removal of hairs wasn't even painful in comparison to whatever she had been through the past time. No, it was something familiar that made tears appear in Thana's eyes, a feel of normality. There was no doubt on the girl's mind that this godforsaken photoshoot would be with Peeta, Johanna and Enobaria. The four captives that participated in the quarter quell. The scoffing at the watery eyes of the Jardin by the prep team made it worse though. There was no pity in their eyes, no they neither seemed to enjoy nor loathe their task, a task that they used to be able to brag about. Because they are prepping the Thana Jardin, the flower girl, the sun.
If she could, Thana would cry all her mascara away, making her a panda-like mess. There was nothing more she wanted than to just be in her parents' arms, to be safe at home... if there even was a place for her there after everything.
"Hello, my little sunshine," Arthur Gold stands with his arms open, and without hesitation the girl runs into them. Not paying the purple mark on his face too much thought.
"Oh, Arthur," she looks up at the elderly man, "I am so sorry that you are a part of this."
"If it weren't for you, I would've anyway," he grins softly, stroking the girl's cheek. "My darling granddaughter has left a traitor." He casually says.
"That must be harsh on your family," Thana smiles sadly at her stylist, squeezing his hand three times. "But I heard you have one more piece for me."
"Of course not," Arthur sadly turns to grab the covered dress. "You have become my muse, my darling." He turns around, "I have many dresses left for you to try. And I'd hoped to one day design your wedding dress with your thoughts, I know you always dreamed of that."
A small tear slips over Thana's left cheek, "I never deserved you, especially not now."
"Let's try on this white number," Gold smiles at the young girl, "Capitol's order, but only the colour." He reveals a stunning white dress, and for a moment Thana feels like it is the first time meeting her stylist after her first games.
"Arthur," she smiles, "it is beautiful, like always." She steps into the dress with the man's help, who tightens the corset on the back.
"I am sorry for your loss," Arthur whispers in her ear, "don't forget to show it, you are allowed to still mourn him, okay?"
"Thank you," Thana hugs the man another time, trying to make her mind remember the feeling and smell of comfort. "Thank you for everything."
The Wells brothers come in again, taking Thana's arms with a sturdy grip as more peacekeepers fill the room. Thana looks at Arthur in confusion and he shares the look.
"What a lovely little moment," Luke sarcastically says, loosening his grip on the victor.
And just like that, he pulls a gun out and points it at the elderly stylist. Arthur looks at him for a split second before smiling at Thana. Trying to comfort the distraught girl who is fully held by the Wells twin.
"Keep it together," the man sneers into Thana ear as Luke readies his gun.
"It is okay," Arthur smiles at the girl, "I love you Thana."
"No, no, no," Tears threaten to spill again, "you can't do this. You can't... you can't also take him from me."
"I won't if you start talking," Luke grins maliciously at the squirming girl in his brothers' arms.
"I have told you everything I know," Thana pleads, "please, I am telling the truth."
BANG!
"You left me no choice," Luke says, dragging the girl further away from her fallen stylist.
....
Nora speaking here!
Thank you for the love you all give this story <3
I cherish each comment and vote <33
Love from me and sorry for all the sad chapters lately, but I am afraid it will still take some time before they are saved from the Capitol.
And yes, I know that Arthur death mirrors Cinna's very much. I was just writing, and then at once, his death appeared in my mind. So, I want you all to know that Arthur Gold (played by Micheal Caine) is based on Michael's character Victor in Miss Congeniality.