Timber

Chapter Twenty-Three: Consequences

"What do you want?" Hazel kept her voice as flat as possible, masking the unease bubbling within her.

"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, his taller frame casting a shadow over her. "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, his height towering over her as he closed in. "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. His frame was even more imposing under the kitchen lights and this close.

"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?"

Repulsed, 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. In one swift motion, he pushed her back against the fridge, muffling her cry with his hand. The fridge handles dug into her spine and aggravated her injuries.

Pain seared through Hazel's arm, the sensation so intense she feared the wounds had reopened. She sucked in a sharp inhale, trying to steady herself. Caleb's grip was firm, his other hand fishing the pill bottle out of her pocket with a triumphant smirk. 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. Hazel was trapped, her back against the cold surface of the fridge, unable to retreat any further. Caleb's hand stretched towards her with deliberate slowness, placing the pill bottle back into her pocket, his gaze locked onto hers in a silent challenge. "I'm not a total asshole, you know. Figured I leave you a couple."

"How generous," she spat out, 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, their quiet conversations fading into the background as she ascended the stairs. Reaching her room, she shut the door behind her with a hard click.

The bathroom door was ajar, allowing thin wisps of steam to escape into the room. The sound of running water filled the small space. Her arm and neck throbbed.