Caleb's voice, a hushed echo in the still night, murmured, "Good luck, Red," as the peacekeepers urged Hazel to her feet. The fear that gripped her was a chilling presence, overpowering the dull ache in her left arm. She caught sight of Silus being similarly pulled upright. Ruby's soft sobs grew louder, her voice trembling with fear.

Percy's authoritative voice sliced through the tension. "Put the rest in their rooms and bring that brat from District 8 out here," he commanded. The peacekeepers began herding the remaining tributes back towards the manor, their steps resonating on the stone patio.

Leo positioned himself a few steps closer to Percy. In the dim light, Percy reached into his back pocket and retrieved a small box. He extracted a thin cigarette and ignited it in one swift gesture. He took a deep drag, exhaling a cloud of smoke that intertwined with the night air. Holding the cigarette with practiced fingers as he massaged his temples.

The peacekeeper who had whispered to Percy earlier returned, extending his hand to deposit two all too familiar items into Percy's palm. Hazel's heart sank as she recognized the small bottle and tube of ointment.

The glowing tip of Percy's cigarette cast a faint light in the dark, accentuating the grim set of his features as he took another prolonged drag. Smoke curled around him. His gaze, sharp and penetrating, shifted from the items in his hand to where Hazel and Silus stood before him.

"Well, this is certainly interesting," Percy murmured, his voice laced with a dangerous calm. "I wouldn't have guessed all this trouble would have come from you two." He scrutinized them, his eyes narrowing. He held up the bottle and the tube. "Care to explain these?" his voice was calm, but menace lurked beneath the surface. "And, more importantly, I'm interested to know who gave them to you."

Percy took another deep inhale from his cigarette, the smoke swirling in the cool air. His eyes never left Hazel and Silus. Hazel shuddered as fear and pain coagulated together in her bloodstream.

Silus's voice emerged, steady yet filled with an urgent plea. "They're mine," he claimed, his words hanging in the tense air.

Her heart pounded as Percy strolled towards them, a menacing calmness in his steps. With a casual flick of his wrist, he handed the items back to his peacekeeper. "Hold onto these for me."

Percy's approach towards Hazel and Silus was deliberate, his footsteps measured and purposeful. His presence loomed over them, the cigarette in his hand emitting a thin trail of smoke that curled into the air. He stopped directly in front of Silus—the smell of cigarette smoke mingling with the cool night air.

"Are they now?" he asked, skepticism lacing his tone as he took a long drag from his cigarette. The smoke swirled around them as Percy exhaled, directing a stream of it toward Silus's face. Despite the smoke, Silus remained stoic, his gaze unwavering, his jaw set in a firm line. Silus's silence only heightened Percy's interest. With a slight tilt of his head, Percy leaned in closer, the tip of his cigarette glowing in the darkness. "Don't go quiet on me now."

Percy dragged on his cigarette, then stepped closer to Silus. He grabbed Silus's cuffed hands, wrenching them around to expose the stitches on his palm. "Hmm, I have some ideas about where that needle came from," he remarked, his tone icy. In a swift gesture, Percy pressed the burning cigarette into Silus's injured hand. The sharp hiss of skin meeting the hot ember filled the air. Silus's neck muscles tensed, a grunt escaping his lips as his face contorted in pain. A surge of anger and helplessness filled her, her own hands clenching into fists.

"Stop!" Hazel yelled; the peacekeeper holding her maintained a firm grip. "It was me. They are mine."

"There we go," he murmured. Percy shifted his attention towards her, his dark hair disheveled.

"Haze, don't," Silus urged, his voice laced with pain.

Percy leaned in closer to her. The strong scent of cigarette smoke mingled with the sharp note of his aftershave, creating an almost overwhelming aroma that invaded Hazel's senses. She fought the urge to recoil from the smell. "Tell me, Seven, are you lying to me?" Percy's voice was low, the words almost a hiss.

Hazel's reply was quiet yet firm. "No," she said, meeting his intense gaze. "He couldn't stitch himself with one hand. The needle, the pills, and the ointment — they're all mine."

"I'll admit, stitching oneself single-handedly would be difficult." Percy's sneer deepened. He tilted his head, his gaze sharpening. "But that brings me to another question. If you indeed had those purple pills, why weren't you and your dear brother among those attempting to escape?"

"The pills were stolen from me," Hazel insisted, her voice quivering with the strain of the moment. "I had no idea about any escape plan, I swear."

Percy nodded, his expression thoughtful yet still edged with skepticism. "Now, answer me this, my dear," he demanded, his eyes searching her face. Who gave them to you?"

Hazel hesitated; the tension tightened in her throat as she whispered, "Senator Snow."

A flicker of disbelief crossed Percy's features. "Bullshit," he snapped with a dismissive frown, lighting another cigarette.

Several peacekeepers arrived, dragging a limp Ian Threader. He was still covered in dirt and blood. His skin was bloomed with blue and purple discoloration. He was handcuffed and shackled, with a gag stuffed in his mouth. Despite his state, he continued to resist their grip.

"Excellent timing," Percy turned his attention to Ian.

The peacekeeper yanked the gag from Ian's mouth. Ian glared at Percy and spat on his boots, his eyes full of cold fury and wild desperation.

Percy's eyes narrowed as he addressed Ian, his voice carrying a mix of accusation and demand. "Okay, eight," he said, gesturing towards Hazel and Silus. "I have your conspirators here, and I'm looking for some answers."

Ian's gaze shifted to Hazel and Silus; his expression clouded with confusion.

Percy pressed on, his tone sharp. "Tell me, which one of them gave you the needle?"

Ian's eyes hardened as he met Percy's gaze. "They are not my conspirators.”

Percy took another drag of his cigarette, the smoke curling into the air. "This isn't the time to protect your little friends," he chided.

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Ian's response was laced with venom. "Friends? They are not my friends. I have nothing to do with them."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Oh no?" he challenged. "Then explain how you came to possess that makeshift shiv, my boy?"

Ian's glare intensified as he answered, "It was left in my room. I don't know by who."

Percy lurched closer to Ian and delivered a muted punch to the center of his abdomen. Ian let out a soft grunt and crumpled to the ground.

"Worthless," Percy muttered, shaking his hand as he returned his attention to Hazel, "Back to you, Cherry. Did you give the needle to your little vigilante, murderous friend here?"

Hazel frowned at Ian, doubled over on the cold ground, but shook her head emphatically. "No. It went missing from our room,"

Ian grunted, dragging himself back to his feet.

Percy's expression hardened. "How convenient that various forms of contraband keep being stolen from your room," he said, his words dripping with skepticism. Closing the distance, Percy leaned in closer to Hazel, his eyes probing. "Now, I know as improbable as it might be for that prick Snow to give you medication, I know he is not dumb enough to give a needle to a tribute." He studied Hazel's face; his stare oscillated between each of her irises. "Tell me who gave it to you.”

Hazel broke eye contact, staring down at the ground. She clenched her jaw and waited for the consequences. She could tell him and give up Leo. It might save her and Silus, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. He had risked more than she knew to help them. I will not repay him with betrayal.

Percy's sharp smile widened as Hazel remained silent. "I see. Seems like you need a little motivation to talk as well. Must be a family trait."

Silus struggled against his restraints. "Don't touch her.”

Ignoring Silus, Percy almost gently placed his weathered palm on her left shoulder. Hazel flinched under his touch. "Come on, tell me," Percy coaxed, his voice a dangerous whisper. He squeezed the fabric of her shirt, Leo’s bandages pressing hard into her tender skin. She bit at her lip, suppressing a whimper. "The sooner you tell me, the sooner we can get this over with."

Hazel looked up at Percy. She fought to keep the pain from her features, but the look on his face told her he saw it. A sadistic sneer crossed his lips as she remained silent. "Or have it your way.”

Percy's grip moved from her shoulder to the side of her neck. His rough callouses scratched at the delicate skin. He suddenly tightened his grasp, holding her in place as he flattened the lit end of his cigarette against her collarbone. Her breaths quickened as he seared her skin. Hazel couldn’t hold back a whimper any longer.

Silus strained against his restraints, and another peacekeeper barked a warning for him to remain still.

Leo's deep voice cut through the air. "Commander, stop." Hazel caught a flash of his eyes as he placed his hand on Percy's outstretched arm, still holding the cigarette to Hazel’s neck. "It was me."

Percy's grip on Hazel released as he turned his full attention to Leo. Hazel stood frozen, her eyes locked with Leo's for another moment, the smell of her burning skin filling her nostrils. His eyes lingered on hers before he faced his brother with an unnaturally calm resolve.

"I gave her the needle. As for the other items, I believe she's telling the truth. They were gifts from Senator Snow. He drove her back to the manor tonight without authorization. But ultimately, it was my lapse in supervision that led to this. The responsibility is mine."

Percy's face contorted with a mix of confusion and rage as he fully squared himself with his brother. His broad shoulders heaved with barely contained anger. "Leo, I warned you about the consequences. You know I have to hold you accountable."

"I understand," Leo replied, his voice resigned as he bowed his head.

With a swift motion, Percy flung his cigarette to the ground, where it sizzled and died on the cold stone of the patio. He then reached behind him and withdrew his baton, his expression grim. "I cannot allow any challenge to my authority or the security of the Capitol to go unpunished."

Leo nodded in acknowledgment, his expression stoic. "I'm sorry, Percy."

Percy seized Leo by the neck, his gaze intense as he searched his brother's eyes. "No one is above punishment.”

Leo didn't flinch, staring at his brother, "I understand."

"Then you understand what I must do next." Percy's voice quivered, but it was immediately covered with a deep growl, "Lock them all in their rooms, now."

Peacekeepers jumped into action, stalking toward Ian, Hazel, and Silus.

The peacekeeper from before yanked her arm, but she pulled back. "Wait, it isn't his fault," she pleaded to Percy. Leo’s eyes flashed to hers, and a fleeting warning flickered over his features. She frowned and shook her head at him as if she could say, ‘They will kill you.’

Percy, however, was resolute. "You're wrong," his stare fixated on Leo. "And he will face the consequences in place of your brother and you."

Leo broke his eye contact with Hazel, bowing his head, his attention focused on the ground. He squared his shoulders and took a deep breath, preparing himself.

Without further interruptions, Hazel, Silus, and Ian were hauled into the depths of the manor. Just as the doors to the patio clicked shut, a pained yell from Leo pierced the night, followed by the chilling echo of a baton striking repeatedly. The sounds reverberated through the air, each thud resonating loud enough to penetrate the thick manor walls.

No. This is all my fault. Hazel squeezed her eyes shut and tried to push away the sickening sounds. But she couldn’t escape the brutality that soaked into her skin like poison.

As Hazel was pushed back into her room, she caught no glimpse of where they took Silus. The peacekeepers' firm grip guided her inside, her wrists still restrained by the cold handcuffs. The door closed with a definitive click, sealing her in the room. The sounds of Leo's punishment continued, fainter now but no less revolting.

Hazel buried her head in the pillows and brought her bound hands over her ears. I’m so sorry. Time lost its meaning as hours slowly passed, as did the faint sound of Leo’s beating. Did Percy kill him?

Hazel remained motionless, her body stretched out on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She tried desperately to divert her mind from the events of the night, but they replayed relentlessly in her thoughts. Even though Leo’s cries had stopped, they replayed endlessly in her ears. The tears that had brimmed in her eyes gradually dried, leaving behind a salty residue on her skin. The outside darkness of the night gave way to the light of day. The warm sun began to shine through the window. No one came to her room, and the manor was unusually quiet. With the effects of the pain medication having long worn off, Hazel's body ached with a dull, persistent pain.

As the morning wore on, the exhaustion of the previous night's events began to take its toll. Hazel's eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into an uneasy sleep.

Hazel's body was strangely warm, as if cradled in the embrace of a bed of grass on a summer evening. She stretched her limbs out, noticing with surprise that the ache that had plagued her was absent. She could no longer detect the burn on her collarbone or the ache on her left side; something was different and surreal. Opening her eyes, she took in her surroundings. The warm summer sun shone down on her, warming her face. Beneath her, a sea of flowers, vivid and mesmerizing in their blue hue, spread out around her, lulling her into a brief moment of tranquility. A soft breeze tickled the tops of the blooms, making them sway. She took in a deep, fresh breath of the air, earthy but also oddly sweet. She paused as she considered the sapphire field around her – these weren't any flowers. She shuddered as she looked again at the shape of the petals and the bright blue hue—Sapphire's Breath.

Panic surged within Hazel as she abruptly sat up, covering her mouth with her shirt. The air was laden with an intoxicatingly sweet aroma, thick and overwhelming. She had to escape, but where could she go? Her eyes darted towards the horizon, focusing on a distant forest that beckoned like a beacon of hope amidst the swaying sea of blue flowers. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins, and Hazel started running towards the trees. However, her legs were uncooperative and weak, betraying her. Each step through the dense patches of flowers was heavier than the last. It was as if the flowers were trying to pull her down, luring her to succumb. The scent of roasted marshmallows, vanilla, and an alluring sense of surrender filled her nostrils. Despite her efforts, the forest receded further with each step, turning into an unreachable mirage. Desperation gripped her as the realization dawned on her – she was lost in an immense expanse of cerulean doom.

Her pace dwindled from a run to a walk, then to a crawl, her strength fading with each breath. The seductive fragrance of the flowers intensified, clouding her mind with a euphoric fog. She collapsed onto her back amidst the sea of blue, her eyes fixated on the sky above as she surrendered. A sense of serene euphoria enveloped her, and as the world around her faded into oblivion, she let the deadly beauty consume her.