Splintered

Chapter Two: Biting Time and Biding Tongues

"Ugg, I don't know how he stands this stuff." Rowan wrinkled his nose, grumbling as he stared at the shiny tin of pine butter. The shopkeeper's expression silently soured as he covered it in dark grey wrapping paper.

"It's always been his favorite. I don't think it's that bad." Hazel shrugged. The butter was thick, creamy, and infused with powdered pine needles, which gave it an earthy, if not dirt-like, flavor as well as a slightly unsettling green tinge.

Leo stared at it as well with a concerned expression. "I think I am with Rowan on this one."

Rowan's shoulders straightened, and Hazel swore his chest puffed out with the righteousness of his opinion being validated.

Hazel rolled her eyes, moving to another section of fresh produce, and picked out a flat of pickleberries. "What about these?"

Rowan stuck out his tongue, "I'll never understand where those two got their taste buds. I swear they're adopted."

"They don't look too terrible. At least they aren't green." Leo commented, eyeing the berries.

Rowan pointed at the berries as if they were horse dung left over on the street, "Trust me. Those things could curdle water."

Leo recoiled at Rowan's description. His face scrunched, and he tugged on the strap, holding a thick woolen patch over his missing ear.

"Wanna try one?" Hazel smiled as she held up the flat.

Leo hesitated, scanning the inviting-looking berries as if a monster was about to pop out.

"I think poisoning a peacekeeper is a crime," Rowan commented in a dry tone.

"If our eleven-year-old sister can handle them, so can a peacekeeper." Hazel challenged.

Leo met her eyes, studying her before looking down at the berries once again.

"Come on now, it's not that bad." Hazel smiled wider as Leo shot a look at Rowan, who gave him a warning glance.

Hazel flipped open the lid and popped one of the brightly colored berries in her mouth, tucking it in her cheek. Immediately, the sharp bite of vinegar mixed with cranberries filled her taste buds. She fought to keep her face neutral, hoping her eyes did not begin to water.

Leo watched on in clear surprise but also suspicion.

When Hazel's features remained unfazed, he reached forward and plucked several from the flat before setting them on his tongue and biting down. The look on his face went from hesitation to horror and alarm in nearly an instant.

"How are they Private?" Rowan tilted his head, crossing his arms. His tone dripping with the essence of I told you so.

She could barely contain the laughter as Leo continued to chew despite his clear, abject disgust.

"Different," Leo murmured as he gulped, his skin nearly turning green.

Hazel bent to spit out the berries in her mouth into the dirt at their feet, "The fermenting process really brings out the pickle flavor, you know."

Leo scoffed with a mouthful of partially chewed berries as he watched Hazel discard the uniquely flavored fruit to the earth. "You said they weren't that bad." He protested, bending forward to spit them out himself.

"Just think of it as District Seven initiation." Hazel wrapped an arm around her ribs as she laughed, relieved when the sensation no longer brought pain or discomfort and grateful that the crutches were nowhere in sight.

"You know it is actually illegal to harm a peacekeeper." Leo's eyes sparkled at her as he wiped the back of his hand over his lips.

Hazel eyed him with a smile, "Injured pride is hardly true harm."