Splintered

Chapter Twelve: Waterlogged Nights and Axe-Carved Days

Hazel's footsteps were almost silent as she descended the staircase in near-complete darkness. The only light in the entire home was the flickering of warm candles on the first floor. They beckoned to her from the dining room like sunlight at the end of a train tunnel. She frowned at the cozy illumination; everyone should've been asleep.

The tinkling of fork tongs dancing over ceramic was the only detectable sound. Turning the corner, the source of the disturbance became clear.

Silus sat at the table, eyes downcast as he fixed his attention on eating. His hair curled along the edges, swaying gently when he began to hum. The warm light of candles bathed his face in a way that reminded her of the day they buried him. As Hazel crept closer, his chocolate gaze shifted to her.

"Hey, Haze." His features were just as she wished to remember them, full of life. Her heart rate doubled as she treaded through the wave of nostalgia-tinged grief flooding her senses.

"Little brother." She called as she rounded the table, pulling out the chair across from him and sinking into it.

Resting on his plate was a sight she never thought she would ever live to see. A thick slice of cheesecake rested there, identical to the one from the twin's birthday the year prior. It was a toasted vanilla hue with a crumbling crust and little lemon shavings dusted along the top.

"It would take you dying to realize cheesecake is amazing." Letting out a shaky breath, she murmured, "I don't think Mom will ever make it again."

She jumped as the fridge slammed shut.

"What a shame," Cedar called as he strode out of the kitchen, a large plate in hand, two slices of cheesecake piled on top. The redhead licked his lips as he haphazardly threw himself into the chair beside Silus. "The world will certainly be a less delicious place without Fern's cheesecake."

"Yeah," Hazel mumbled as she watched the two, "The world is much emptier now."

Cedar pointed to the kitchen with his fork, "Grab yourself some, Hazelnut."

Hazel shook her head, "Not hungry."

"Still full from dinner with the Senator?" Cedar asked. Hazel sent him a sharp stare. He licked his lips, unfazed, "Or should I call him President?"

"That's not decided yet." Hazel shivered, "Until the election, at least."

"Election?" Silus asked.

Hazel shrugged and nodded. An election was something she had never experienced. None of them had. But it was the official story from the Capitol. It would be the first in a lifetime, though only Capitol citizens would be allowed to vote. At least, that is what Lucky Flickerman had said after the announcement of Ravinstill's sudden retirement. Though the details were fuzzy from the sheer shock her mind had been wading through after the news broke.

"How democratic," Cedar mumbled through another large bite.

Silus paused his chewing to watch her. "Apparently, the drama didn't end with the Games."

Hazel ran a hand over her face, "That's an understatement."

Cedar smirked as he took another bite, and Silus wiped away crumb remnants from his chin. Hazel sighed deeply, "I wish I could just stay here."

The two looked up at her as Cedar cleared his throat, "You think this is a dream?"

She nodded to the cheesecake, "Either that or I'm dead too."

"That's not what he means," Silus corrected as he pushed away his plate. Turning his deep eyes on her, his voice dropped. "It's a nightmare, Haze."

Hazel felt a cool, fluid sensation like icy fingers caressing her ankle. Frowning, she peered under the table. She sucked in a deep breath at the sight beneath.