Splintered

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Leashes and Lines

Being trapped in a windowless, gray box made it nearly impossible for Hazel to determine how much time had passed. It could have been hours or just a handful of minutes. Either way, it was torturous being caged alone with her thoughts and the aftereffects of what had just happened, or worse, almost happened.

She wasn't sure what riled her more, the assassination attempt or Snow almost...

Almost what?

Was he really about to?

Hazel's fingers skimmed her lips before she ripped them away and ground the tips into her temples.

No. There would be no reason. There were no cameras or audience, no one to feed their story to.

Unless he really wanted to...to...what? Kiss her?

Surely not.

Maybe it was a reaction to shock. A near-death induced slip of judgment.

It's all fake. Another game.

She was circling through her reasonable denials when the cell burst open once again.

This time, Leo, Sable, and Merrick were the ones waiting for her. The two men were solemn, while Merrick had her baseline non-expression concreted in place.

"We are leaving," Sable announced. "Orders are to head to District One immediately."

Hazel followed them out. Glad to be rid of the soulless cube. Outside, in the fresh air, the night had almost completely fallen over Two, and it was deathly quiet. All District citizens had been relegated to their homes until further notice. Only seasoned peacekeepers remained in the open. Scores of them lined the streets, alleys, and even the roofs of the houses.

Leo paced beside her, studying the gravel.

"Where's the Senator?" she asked.

"Briefing the President," Merrick responded.

Neither Leo nor Sable seemed keen on talking. That didn't stop her from trying to get more information.

Leaning into Leo, she whispered.

"What's happening? Is Percy--"

"The traitor, Percival Drayton, is alive and will remain that way until he can face justice for his actions," Merrick answered.

"And Bells?"

"Private Bellona Drayton and Miss Lovegood are already on their way to the Capitol, along with Mr. Creed."

A small sense of relief filled her that they were safe.

The train station was deserted compared to what it had been before.

Merrick moved to Hazel's side.

"I'll take her to her room."

"Can Drayton do it?" Hazel interjected.

Leo's eyes flashed to hers. He was still foggy but somehow pushing through the fresh trauma, still trying to do his duty.

"But —" Merrick started.

"Ahem," Sable interrupted. His stare moved to Leo for the first time since Hazel had been retrieved. The lines around his eyes deepened as he stared at the younger guard. "Good work today, Merrick. Report back at 0700, soldier."

The senior peacekeeper was clearly too rattled, too exhausted to put up with bickering.

Merrick did not argue.

"Yes, sir," she replied, spinning on her heel and marching toward her compartment.

The train lurched as it began its retreat from District Two.