Timber

Chapter Twenty-Two: Rides & Revelations

Percy scowled at the body bag, then turned toward Hazel like he was hoping she'd give him an excuse. "I want her handcuffed and blindfolded immediately."

Leo stiffened next to her, "I'll blindfold her, but handcuffs aren't necessary." When Percy did not move, Leo lowered his tone, "I'll take responsibility for her. Hold me accountable if anything happens."

Hazel pulled Snow's coat tighter, shrinking into it like it might absorb her completely. She didn't miss how frigid the atmosphere had gone, or how Percy seemed to be deciding whether or not to gut them both.

Eventually, he clicked his tongue, annoyed. "Fine." He leaned in toward Leo. "Don't think I won't."

With one last glare, he turned on his heel and stalked toward Dr. Gaul. She didn't even wait for him to sit before lighting into him. Percy hardly put up any resistance.

Senator Snow, breaking her train of thought, turned to her with a reassuring nod. "You are in good hands," his eyes flickered to Leo.

Festus waved a finger, "Careful with my tribute, Drayton."

The two of them settled into seats across from Gaul and Percy.

Leo exhaled as he reached for more gauze. Hazel let him work, but her eyes kept sliding back to the body bag at her feet. A black fabric shell wrapped around what used to be a person.

A grown woman who'd survived long enough to earn a seat at the table and ended up zipped into vinyl, at the hands of a district boy.

Hazel swallowed hard.

She'd known something was off about Ian. But this?

No wonder the Capitol hated them.

Leo's gloved fingers navigated her marred, sensitive skin. After a few more moments, the rotors picked up speed, and he murmured near her ear. "I need to put this on you."

She didn't need to see what he held.

Hazel knew he was referring to the blindfold without needing to look.

"Go ahead," she sighed. It wasn't like she could actually object.

He didn't respond, and the cloth came down over her eyes, pulled snug and knotted at the base of her skull. Darkness took over without ceremony.

"There are no sutures on board this craft," he informed. "I'll have to use glue."

Hazel inhaled."I guess being glued back together in a moving helicopter is better than being stitched up anyway."

"We'll see. A word of warning: the glue might sting a bit."

She nodded in understanding, bracing herself for the sensation. As Leo applied the glue, the heat rolled in slowly, then turned mean. Hazel gripped Snow's jacket tighter, dragging the collar up to her face like it might filter the pain. It smelled faintly of roses and wealth, way too clean for a place like this.

Leo kept going. Neck. Shoulder. The ridge of her back. Her upper arm. Each sweep of the glue brought more fire.

Outside the blindfold, the world rattled. The engine screeched, then steadied into a dull roar. Wind clapped against the windows. Hazel swore she could hear every screw holding the aircraft together trying to work itself loose.

"You know, I never would have guessed he was your brother," Hazel forced through her teeth. It was a hopeful attempt to distract herself from the unsettling jerking of the helicopter and the burning of her skin.

Leo paused in his task. Then the sound of tape tearing. "I get that a lot."

"I can relate."

"I imagine you do." His voice came through the purr of rotors. The helicopter climbed, each shift pressing air deeper into her ears.