The next day brought Arachne's excessively, luxurious funeral. Coryo had been chosen to sing the anthem and showered with heroic praises. But, all Vera got were pitiful looks. Great, Everyone thinks I'm pathetic, she thought as she took her place next to Sejanus.

"You okay?" asked Sejanus, leaning in so only she could hear.

"I'm good. Just want this to be over with," she replied with a huff, downing a glass of Posca.

"Should you really be drinking this early?" Sejanus questioned with a laugh, but Vera just shook her head.

"I might need it for this shitshow."

 But before Sejanus could reply, Coryo began to sing and the ceremony began.

Gem of Panem
Mighty city
Through the ages you shine anew

Vera's eyes teared up as she and Sejanus fought back holding back their laughter at the sheer absurdity of it all. At one point during President Ravinstill's speech, Vera couldn't hold her tongue anymore.

"Her death was as valiant as any on the battlefield, her loss more profound as we claim to be at peace," said the president in all seriousness. And from the looks on everyone's faces, Vera could tell they all believed it.

"You'd think she's a war hero with that speech," Vera whispered to Sejanus as the boy tried to suppress a laugh.

"I still have no idea what he means by getting justice," Sejanus whispered back with an eye roll at the extravagant speech.

"I guess we're about to find out," Vera replied, as the 'mourners' rounded the corner for the funeral procession. In front was a large battalion of Peacekeepers, but what really grabbed everyone's attention was what was behind them.

Vera's eyes widened in shock, covering her mouth in horror as she watched a truck containing all the other tributes in it, chained and dirty, pull up behind them. Everything got even worse when she noticed the dangling body of Brandy hanging above them.

"What the fuck," Vera stammered as her body went stiff and her feet stopped moving. Her eyes remained glued on the young girl, watching her body sway in horror as her mind played the events from a few days before. 

And once again, Vera's hands shook ferociously as she recalled the red blood from Brandy and Arachne on her skin, the image so vivid that she didn't even notice Sejanus's arm wrap around her. 

 And then, Dr. Gaul began to speak.

"Arachne Crane, we, your fellow citizens of Panem, vow that your death will not be in vain," spoke Dr. Gaul with a vindictive glimmer in her eye, finally drawing Vera out of her trance.

Vera's jaw clenched as she watched the woman spread lies, talking about avenging Arachne and serving justice, just as the president had. Only this time, Vera knew what that meant. Dr. Gaul was going to everything in her power to make these games as brutal, and long-lasting as possible.

After that comment, Vera's eyes flashed toward the tributes, scanning for Treech. Treech was huddled toward the back, crouched with his head down, avoiding her gaze. The sight of him only disgusted Vera further, to the point it took everything she had not to cause a scene and make things worse for everyone.

Vera then turned her attention toward her other friend, Coryo, who looked just as disgusted as she did as the funeral came to an end. She'd needed to talk to him. Now. He'd understand. 

As the group made their way toward the special buffet set out for Arachne's funeral, Vera ran toward Coryo.

"Coryo!" the girl yelled out, embracing him in a hug.

"Vera, how are you?" asked Coryo, examining her hands for any signs of blood left.

"I feel sick after that funeral," Vera breathed out, wiping her palms on her skirt as she once again remembered Brandy and Arachne.

"How could Dr. Gaul do something so evil?" she whispered, dragging him toward a table so they could talk alone.

"Vera. Dr. Gaul is much more sinister than you think. You need to be careful what you say to her," Coryo warned, causing Vera's face to control in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"You cannot tell anyone this, Vera. But, Dr. Gaul is the reason Clemensia is in the hospital," Coryo admitted, whispering so only Vera could hear. Vera shook her head. Clemensia was in the hospital because she got really sick, right?

"What are you talking about?"

"Dr. Gaul called us into her lab about the paper that we were supposed to write the day Arachne died. I wrote it and turned it in without talking to Clemensia, but I said that it was both of us. Then, Dr. Gaul said there was a mistake and asked us to retrieve it from her weird, rainbow snakes. At first, they didn't disturb me, but when Clemensia reached her arm in, they attacked her," Coryo whispered, causing Vera's eyes to widen in horror.

"Why did they attack her and not you?" Vera asked him.

"The paper had my scent on it. Clemensia's wasn't because she didn't write it and the snakes only bite if they're not familiar with your scent," Coryo explained. Versa shook her head in disbelief.

"That woman is foul, Coryo. You need to stay away from her," Vera warned, gritting her teeth.

"No, Vera. You need to stay away from her. She has it out for you, with the way you've been speaking out against the games. You're the one that needs to be careful."

-

After the luncheon, Professor Sickle pulled all remaining mentors to the side, explaining that they would be giving their tributes a tour of the arena today. Unlike the other mentors, who spent the entire time complaining, Vera remained silent as Professor Sickle explained their task, mind still stuck on the snakes Coryo had mentioned.

It wasn't until the group reached the arena that Vera finally snapped out of it, filing out of the van and walking toward the entrance. Once all the mentors had arrived, the group was escorted to their respective tributes. Vera stood next to Treech, sighing when she noticed the handcuffs on his wrists. Again.

Both Vera and Treech remained silent for most of the walk into the theater, only letting out a surprised gasp when the ticket collector first made noise as Vera slightly clung onto Treech, who had let her interlock their arms comfortably.

Faintly, Vera could hear Professor Sickle asking if there was any way to override the sound, but most of her focus remained on the arena itself. The rows of stands, the scoreboard, the tunnels. All of it was just so much more overwhelming in person.

"You've got fifteen minutes," warned Professor Sickle, shaking everyone out of their trance.

"Come on, let's find some shelter," Vera whispered to Treech, finally unlinking their arms as she made her way toward one of the tunnels and looked down. Empty, but seemingly safe enough.

Once she felt she got a good look, she made her way closer to the stands, turning her gaze toward the scoreboard; isolated from everything else and quite hard to get to. 

Vera reminded herself that Treech could climb and most likely would be able to make it up there.

Not everyone would be able to get up there, she thought. He'd have a huge advantage.

Carefully, Vera turned her head back toward Treech, meeting his gaze before nodding toward the scoreboard. She'd hoped he understood what she meant without having to say anything. It's not worth the risk of letting others hear.

Thankfully, Treech followed her eyes, noting the scoreboard and the posts that surrounded it as he sent her an understanding nod causing Vera to smile.

"Look at us communicating without speaking. I think we make a pretty good team," joked Vera, trying to take their minds off of their surroundings.

"I'm not sure what you said was hard to decipher," Treech countered.

"See, but that's just because we understand each other. Admit it, You're glad I'm the one you got stuck with," Vera argued with a knowing smile.

"Whatever you say, Darling," Treech answered, shaking his head as they both laughed.

"I knew it," teased Vera, "I'm just glad I have you too."

"You are?" he asked, growing serious as his eyes scanned her face for any sort of lie.

"Of course," Vera replied as she placed a hand on his arm. Treech stared at her hand for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

Then, came the explosions. And everyone went flying to the ground.

-

"Treech!" Vera called out with a cough once she'd come back to her senses, prying her body off of the ground. But, all the debris made it impossible to see him.

"Vera!" she heard the boy call back, sending her immediately in the direction of his voice.

"Treech," Vera cried out, looking around for the boy desperately.

"Vera! Where are you?" she heard him yell, turning her around. And for a moment, their eyes finally locked on one another. Vera sighed in relief at the sight, only for her heart to stop when she noticed the falling rubble coming down toward him.

"Treech!" Vera yelled out one last time, rushing over toward him in a hurry and shoving him away.

And then, it went black.

-

"No. No. No, Vera!" cried out Treech as he made his way toward the girl. Vera's body lay still on the ground, head bleeding from the hit.

Treech tried his best to stop the bleeding and lift her head, but the handcuffs on his wrists made him useless.

"Someone help!" Treech screamed, unable to stop the tears that had begun to pool in his eyes. He was useless and yet everyone else seemed too panicked to help, leaving Treech clinging desperately to Vera's unconscious body.

And then, he felt himself being dragged away.

"No! She needs help! Help her!" the boy cried, but it was hopeless. No one would listen to him.

-

a/n:
hi guys !!! I hope you enjoy this chapter,,, I don't mean to leave on a little cliffhanger but idkk it's kind of fun, isn't it?? I love Vera sm in this chapter,,, especially when she saves Treech <3 alright, guys have an amazing week !! I'm still debating whether or not posting three time a week will be too much for everyone or if it'll work better, so tell me if you like that idea or prefer this schedule.

thank you guys so much again for reading and all the support you've given me,,, as always it means sm !! trust me I read everything you say and giggle.

love you guys, hannah <3