READY, AIM, FIRE [B.BLAKE]

CHAPTER NINE

A knock came from outside Hazel's tent, and Monty stepped inside shortly after. Hazel ignored him, staring silently up at the ceiling of her tent as she laid on her back on the makeshift bed.

       "Hey," Monty said gently. "Heard what happened."

       Hazel stayed silent.

       "I just thought I'd drop this off," Monty shrugged, placing a bottle next to Hazel's legs. "You need it more than any of us."

       Hazel finally broke out of her daze to look at Monty, who met her eyes with sympathy and understanding. Feeling guilty for treating Monty this way when he had never done anything to her, she sat up and picked up the bottle. It was heavier than she expected, and when she screwed open the cap and sniffed the contents, she winced, "moonshine?"

       "The very same," Monty grinned proudly. "I started working on it when I remembered Unity Day was coming up. There's more for everyone, but I promised you the first batch, didn't I?"

       Hazel laughed lightly, "yeah, you did."

       "It's not exactly those special pharmaceuticals, but..." Monty joked, and Hazel laughed louder. Monty grinned back, turning around to leave the tent, but halting before he left, "and Hazel?"

       Hazel looked up at Monty.

       "Go easy on yourself."

___

Hazel was sat on a log around the bonfire later that night. It was pitch black outside, but she couldn't stand to be in that cramped tent with Murphy. She didn't want to face him, though she knew she'd have to eventually. Hazel sloshed around the contents of the bottle, taking a hearty swig.

       "Easy," a voice said playfully from behind her.

       Hazel turned to see Bellamy and immediately rolled her eyes, "go away, Blake."

       Bellamy ignored her, and sat down on the log next to Hazel. He snatched the bottle out of her hands and took a chug. Hazel snatched it back, glaring at him, "hey!"

       Bellamy swallowed the drink with difficulty, "God, that tastes like battery acid—how are you drinking that?"

       "With my mouth," Hazel deadpanned. "Can you go now?"

       Bellamy snorted. The two sat in silence for a couple of minutes and watched the flames of the bonfire lick the sky as the ashes gathered on the ground.

       Hazel's mind buzzed with the influence of Monty's moonshine, her vision blurring and her head feeling lighter with every sip. She was barely keeping it together, and the last person she wanted next to her was Bellamy Blake.