Timber

Chapter Twenty-Three: Consequences

"What do you want?" Hazel kept her voice as flat as possible.

"Ok, no small talk." Caleb's smile widened as he straightened to his full height, "You've had quite the eventful day, haven't you?"

"You could say that." Her gaze darted around the empty kitchen, searching for an escape route or any sign of assistance, but they were alone.

He leaned in. "I heard a little rumor that not only did the Capitol love your little rescue of Senator Snow, but he also gave you a personal ride home."

"And your point?" she tilted her head back, taking a subtle step backward.

Caleb's proximity was suffocating. "I'm curious... What did he give you?" he probed as his dark eyes searched hers.

"Excuse me?" Hazel raised her eyebrows and took another step back.

"You disappear for hours. You get dropped off here by Senator Snow himself, and now you are walking around the place with what sounds like a bottle of pills in your pocket. Now you are down here getting some water and food. I'm guessing you should wash whatever it is down with."

Hazel's heart pounded in her chest. She hadn't noticed the sound of the pills. She tried to keep her composure, even as fear knotted in her stomach.

Caleb's breath brushed her face. "So, what did he give you?" His eyes raked from her head to her feet and back to her eyes, "Or maybe you gave him something? A little favor for some extra sponsor funding?"

Hazel attempted to move past him, but he grabbed her injured arm. She grunted as a hot wave of pain shot down her left side. He pushed her back against the fridge, muffling her cry with his hand. The metal handles gored her spine and aggravated her still-tender injuries.

Pain seared through Hazel's arm, the sensation was so intense she was certain the wounds had reopened. She sucked in a inhale, trying to steady herself. Caleb's grip was heavy, his other hand fishing the pill bottle out of her pocket. She tried to push back against him, but her one-armed efforts weren't making much progress.

Holding the pill bottle aloft, he peered inside. "Wow, Snow really does like you, doesn't he?" As he emptied most of the pills into his hand, "Can't say I blame the guy," he added with a wink, pocketing the pills.

Leaving only a few in the bottle, he closed the gap between them once again. Caleb reached towards her, placing the pill bottle back into her pocket, his gaze locked onto hers in a smug challenge. "I'm not a total asshole, you know. Figured I leave you a couple."

"How generous," she spat, shoving him away with all the strength she could muster. "You know, I'm looking forward to you dying."

Caleb didn't resist her push. "Aww, you're breaking my heart." He straightened up, still smiling. He let her push past him and toward the kitchen's entrance. "Sweet dreams, Red," he mocked as Hazel gathered her items and made her escape.

She dashed past the group of tributes huddled near the fireplace. Reaching her room, she slammed the door behind her. For a moment, she waited to see if Caleb would follow.

The sound of running water met her ears. The bathroom door was ajar. Thin wisps of steam escaped into the room.

She moaned lightly. Her arm and neck throbbed.

I am such an idiot.

Her hand trembled as she unscrewed the cap of the water bottle, taking small bites of the apple and bread. She managed to swallow down one of the lavender pills with a large gulp of water. Setting the remaining food items on Silus's bed, Hazel crawled under her sheets, lying on her stomach to ease the discomfort on her left side.