Splintered

Chapter Fifteen: Feast Today Famine Tomorrow

Augustus probed her emerald irises with his own. He was like a hunter, searching through a thick, verdant forest. The longer the silence stretched on between them, the more she recognized he was seeking weaknesses or fractures within her. Hazel scoffed. She had plenty to choose from, but at that moment, relenting to his newfound authority was not one.

Hazel continued to hold his bronze stare until he relinquished his eye contact with an exasperated, "Fine."

Before a smile could even consider broaching Hazel's lips, Indira practically threw her over her shoulder, dragging her down the pathway. "Great, let's go."

Even her peacekeepers struggled to keep up as Indira trudged toward the Mayor's home. Her escort whispered more warnings into her ear as they neared their destination.

However, Hazel only half comprehended her words due to the distracting stares of the citizens as well as the whiplash of her rapidly shifting emotions.

Just like everything else in District Twelve, the mayor's home was drastically poorer than Mayor Kettleberry's. However, like most districts, it was still the nicest building in town.

At the heart of the home was a humble dining room. A long rectangular table was set up in the center. It was draped in fraying, threadbare tablecloth. Along the edges were embroidered flowers that resembled delicate cream-colored water stars. Their petals were tapered to three soft points. A crimson teardrop marked the innermost edge, like an errant drop of paint.

A collection of crooked, yellowing candles rested in the middle of the table. A matching set of dishes encircled the perimeter. The mayor's staff were scrambling to set up five more chairs and place settings around the already cramped dining room.

The new legion of peacekeepers aligned in a neat row just outside the doors while her three guards stationed themselves in separate corners within.

Mayor Lipp stretched his arm as if to give the group a weak embrace. "I apologize for the delay; we weren't expecting...extra guests."

"None of us were," Augustus replied. His braid swayed as he stalked through the room toward the head of the table.

Once everything was properly set, each of the guests found a seat. Mayor Lipp and his wife sat at each end, though they were more like living ghosts than hosts. Augustus lounged into the seat next to the Mayor, visiting quietly with the man about the recent increase in coal production.

Ruby and Ethan's parents sat together on the opposite side of the table from Augustus. Their chairs couldn't be far enough away.

Indira and Festus took the two seats beside Augustus, forming a much-needed barrier between the man and herself.

Despite the clear tension between the visitors and the locals, Amethyst eagerly took the seat next to Hazel. "Thank you for inviting us."

"Absolutely." The girl smiled up at her, and Ruby's face flashed behind Hazel's eyelids. She made a lame attempt at an unstrained smile before her eyes dropped to her plate. At least it wasn't a crying, bleeding ghost this time around.

"Yes, such a kind-hearted Victor we have," Augustus replied, watching her from the corner of his vision.

"You are too generous, Mr. Trask." Hazel fought not to scowl back at him, refocusing on Amethyst. "At least we have some time to get to know each other."

"I, for one, am looking forward to that," Augustus smirked. Festus muttered under his breath while Indira nodded politely.

Hazel fought to keep her expression still, unperturbed. Let Festus deal with Indira's lectures for a while.