Timber

Chapter Twenty-Five: Interviewing the Lucky

*** Author's Note: I just want to thank my follower aedior. She created some lovely art for my book which I will show off in the next couple of chapters. Thank you so much for your support and your lovely art!***

The sickly sweet perfume of Sapphire's Breath still lingered in Hazel's mind as she awoke, a haunting reminder of the night before. The events replayed behind her eyes like a macabre film: the beaten appearance of the tributes, their bruised faces, the look of defeat in their eyes, and the way their bodies slumped from exhaustion and pain. These images refused to be pushed aside. The dull thuds and Leo's muffled cries still rang in her ears, a relentless loop that chilled her to the bone. The thought of closing her eyes and slipping back into sleep was almost as terrifying as the reality she was living, so she stayed awake, her gaze fixed on the wall.

The sound of the lock clicking open snapped Hazel back to reality. The door swung open, and Indira stepped in, her bright yellow dress glowing in the sunlight streaming into the room. Sequined flowers adorned her shoes and sparkled, while similar embellishments wove through her long braid.

Indira's elegant eyes swept over Hazel. "It's time to get ready for the interviews." She stood tall, her voice calm yet assertive. Peacekeepers flanked her, and she turned to them with a firm expression. "I don't need your assistance."

A particularly burly peacekeeper, clearly not Leo, seemed equally uninterested in being there. His bloodshot eyes, and dark circles under his eyes were drastic in the bright light of the sun. "Commander Drayton has ordered that the tributes are not to be left alone and unsupervised with anyone."

Indira's irritation was unmistakable, her jaw tightening. "If you insist on staying, then so be it. But I trust you'll do your best to stay out of the way."

"Understood, ma'am." The peacekeeper stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. He slumped in the corner, rubbing a wide hand over his face.

Indira's gaze zeroed in on Hazel's hands before she whirled around. "I want these handcuffs removed immediately."

His tired eyes widened at her command. "Ma'am, Commander Drayton has ordered that—"

"I don't care about Percival's orders right now," Indira cut him off, her voice sharp. "I can't dress her for the interviews with those on."

The peacekeeper's eyes darted between Hazel and Indira, clearly conflicted.

"If you don't remove these cuffs right this instant, I will personally ensure we all have a meeting with the Commander."

Reluctantly, the peacekeeper stepped forward and unlocked the cuffs. He then retreated back to the corner with an irritated sigh.

Indira shot the peacekeeper a stern look before taking a seat beside Hazel on the bed, her expression softening. Hazel rubbed the faint red lines circling her wrists like unwelcome bracelets.

"Thank you," Hazel mumbled.

Indira gave a gentle nod, her voice hushed. "I've heard about the recent events." Her expression turned somber. "That terrible incident with the escape attempt, that poor girl from District Eight... and then, of course, Iris Overstreet." She shook her head, her braid swaying, sadness flickering in her eyes as she stared out the window.

Hazel could only nod in response.

"How are you holding up?" Indira asked, her tone softening.

Hazel hesitated, searching for the right words. "I'm not sure, to be honest," she finally admitted. "Do you know what happened to Leo?"

Indira shook her head. "All I know is that he's no longer on this security detail."

"It's my fault." Hazel dug at her cuticles, avoiding Indira's gaze. "Because of me, he was beaten by the Commander. I'm not sure if he is even alive."