Splintered

Chapter Fifty-Four: Salt and Steam, Coffee and Cream

Salt-soaked air awoke Hazel from her dreamless unconsciousness. The fragrance was uncontainable, as if the sea itself was trying to saturate the locomotive.

It could only mean one thing: they'd arrived in District Four.

Swinging her legs off the bed, she massaged the sands of sleep from her eyes and the stiffness from her neck. A cheery sun was bursting behind the blinds. Hazel rose and parted them.

The train tracks skirted a sheer cliff. Down below was a bubbling, wide-awake ocean, stained the peachy colors of the rising sun.

There was not a cloud in the sky, just horizon and waves as far as the eye could see.

It was more beautiful than she would have ever imagined.

Yet her head throbbed, and muscles protested despite the scenery, likely due to her unnatural sleeping position. After deciding that movement and a bit of caffeine would help, she was motivated enough to leave her compartment.

Throwing on a cotton soft robe, she slid into the hall.

The honey-haired blonde from the train attack was perched in the chair.

"Oh." Hazel stuttered. "Um... where's Sable?"

"I'm on shift until seven tonight, ma'am."

"What's your name?" Hazel shifted awkwardly on her feet. She should remember it, but was drawing a complete blank.

"Private Merrick, Ma'am."

"Your first name, Private?"

"Private Anterra Merrick, ma'am."

"Well, Private Anterra Merrick, I'm going for a cup of coffee. Care to join?"

"No ma'am, but I'll follow."

Hazel exhaled, "Of course."

Wading through the unfamiliar train, she finally stumbled upon the dining car.

Staff scrambled at the sight of her. When she asked for a cup of coffee, one was promptly delivered before she could even slide into a booth. It was perfectly hot, dark, and rich. Its aroma alone rid her of sleep's remnants.

The beverage was quickly followed by three different kinds of sweeteners and four exotic flavors of Capitol cream. Five avoxes shadowed the table, thirsting for her approval.

Every time she looked at them, she couldn't help but think of Vesper and his nameless friend.

Did they know their cohort's fates?

She shuddered as she considered her satisfaction likely directly impacted theirs.

Cupping the warm beverage, she did her best to sip while ignoring the way they spectated. They were like the broods of curious chipmunks back home. On warm days, they would watch the lumberjacks until one got too close. That would send them scurrying in all directions, hell bent on escape. However, unlike the inquisitive creatures, her current audience had no such options.

Though she did her best to mask it, drinking coffee with a silent, overly attentive crowd was incredibly unnerving.

"Lovely, thank you," she said, plastering on the best smile she could manage. They seemed to get her hint, and they retreated a fraction.

Sighing, she took in another hot, soothing mouthful as her attention moved to her apparent new guard, who was supervising the dining car like a statue.

After another sip, the doors banged open, and a puke green Festus stumbled in.

He met her concerned stare as he melted into the seat across from her.