013

— fire, crier, dick's a liar —

WIND BLEW THROUGH THE TUNNELS, RATTLING THE CHAINS LINING THE WALLS. Hazel forced herself to keep walking, her bones still sore and blood dripping from her shirt. The rocks under her feet slipped and Hazel fell forward onto her knees, scrapping her palms and jeans. She had gone back to grab her jacket and phone, and it was the only thing saving her elbows from the glass on the floor. Hazel sat up on her knees, taking notice of the dozens of cells that matched the one she was forced into, each sealed by a key lock with someone inside.

She forced herself up and stumbled to the end of the hall, two large metal doors on both sides of the hall. One was at the top of a small staircase and the second was like all the other doors, but instead of a key lock was large iron plating. "Please," A weak voice called from the other side. "I can hear you. Please help me."

Hazel turned to the iron door and pressed her hands against it, vines sprouting from her arms and weaving around the door. Hazel pulled her arms back, ripping the iron door open. A woman sat on the floor, a thick rusted chain connecting a collar around her neck to the floor, her arms pinned to her side, trapped in a straight jacket.

"Hazel!" Rachel's voice echoed through the halls.

"Fuck," Hazel raced to the woman, tearing the back of the straight jacket open, freeing her arms. Hazel weaved more vines around the bottom of the chain, tearing it from the floor.

"Haze!" Gar echoed.

"If you go down the far hall, there's a back entrance," Hazel said in a rush. Hazel groaned as she pushed herself off her knees, and onto her unsteady feet.

"Wait, girl," The woman called. She reached under the straight jacket and pulled out a badge of a random guard. "I took it to get out, but it couldn't get me out."

Hazel took the badge. "Thank you." Hazel ran to the top of the stairs, scanning the badge and it opened with a beep. Hazel pushed the door open before looking back at the woman. She tossed the badge down the stairs before slipping into the hall, the door closing behind her immediately.

Hazel fell against the wall, taking a deep breath. She stumbled out of the hall, holding her side tight in her hand, her fingers still working to piece the skin back together.

"Rachel! Gar!" Hazel screamed, her throat raw. Hazel's hand slipped from the wall, and she fell to her knees.

"Hazel!" Rachel screeched. Rachel ran to her, dropping to her knees and pulling Hazel into a tight hug.

Hazel winced as Rachel's arms dug into her side. "Ow! Rache!" Rachel quickly let go, pulling back Hazel's coat. "I got shot," Hazel whispered.

"Can you walk?" Kory asked as she and Rachel helped her to her feet.

"Barely," Hazel whispered.

Gar stepped forward, wrapping her arm around his shoulder. Gar held her tight, and they slowly made their way forward. Dick walked ahead, leading the group through the halls.

"I can't see anything," Rachel muttered.

Hazel lifted her hand, leaves flying from her hand and burning up into small gold orbs, lighting their way.

"Come on," A woman in white said, stepping up to meet Dick's pace. "We can get out through there. Hurry."

"That's my mom," Rachel whispered.

Hazel smiled softly. "Told you so," Hazel mumbled.

They reached a long stretch of tunnels and guards' voices grew closer and the group slowed to a stop. "There they are," The guards called. "All right. You kids just stay right where you are."

The guards trained their guns on the group and Dick stepped forward. "Stay there, I got this," Dick ordered stepping past them. Dick took a thick piece of steel from the wall, spinning it in his hands. Dick stepped forward and the guards raced down the hall, meeting the bad end of Dick's fist and wrench.

Secondary shouts echoed from behind them, and Hazel turned to the oncoming guards. Kory turned but Hazel was quicker. She used her hand like a conductor to move the gold lights around them. She threw her hand out and the lights turned to roots, sprouting and skewing the men through the legs before they could reach them.

Gar ducked his head away and Hazel's stomach dropped. "I'm sorry," Hazel whispered.

They looked up at Dick who panted slightly. Rachel and her mother walked through first. Hazel stepped around Kory and as she groaned, Gar was at her side in an instant, helping her to walk again. They cautiously stepped over the bodies, Gar kept his grip on Hazel as they followed behind Rachel, and Kory stepped behind. "Get out of here," Dick ordered. They ran past him, walking up to the surface.

They reached the surface and Hazel breathed through her nose. "I need to..." Hazel trailed off and Gar wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her forward.

"You okay?" Gar asked.

"Get her on the grass," Rachel ordered, taking Hazel's hand. The second they reached the grass Hazel collapsed, falling onto her back. The grass around her twisted up, latching on to Hazel like a lifeline.

"Is she okay?" Rachel's mother asked, standing by her.

"It helps her, boosts her power," Rachel explained and Hazel nodded softly.

"Why would she-?"

The asylum exploded and the others ducked out of the way. The windows blew open, fire spilling from every surface that it could. As the asylum was consumed in flames, Kory stepped from the building; the fire not even able to singe her clothes. Kory stopped by them and glanced at the fire once more before down at Hazel. "Why are you on the floor?" Kory questioned.

"Why aren't you?" Hazel shot back; her eyes still shut.

Kory laughed softly. "So you're okay?" Hazel nodded and Kory hummed, walking away, presumably to find Dick.

Hazel took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, counting the stars above her. "Do you need help?" Gar asked, standing over Hazel and holding his hand out. Hazel gripped his hand, and he pulled her to her feet, resting a hand on her back, making sure she stood properly.

Hazel stepped back for a minute, pulling up the side of her shirt to check the bullet wound. Gar cautiously reached out, grazing his fingers where a scar should be, but her skin healed too fast. "It's healed," Gar said with a nod.

Hazel sighed through her nose and turned to follow after Rachel and her mother. Gar quickly took her hand, lacing their fingers together. "I can walk," Hazel said with a laugh.

"Just in case," Gar shrugged.

Butterflies filled her stomach and she smiled at Gar, a warm feeling filling her body. As they reached the van and her eyes met Dick, that warm feeling left in an instant. "You guys okay?" Dick asked, his eyes scanning the group.

Hazel tore her hand from Gar's and raced to Dick. She clenched her fist and threw a solid punch across his jawbone, Dick's head whipping to the side at the sudden impact. Dick reeled back holding his jaw in pain.

"What the hell?!" Kory yelled in shock and the others ran over.

Hazel grabbed Dick's collar and slammed him against the side of the minivan. "My mom, she's dead!" Hazel yelled and Rachel gasped, her hands slamming against her mouth. Hazel's heart slammed against her chest, and she had to force her breath to stay steady. "Did you know?"

"Hazel-"

"Did you fucking know?!" Hazel snapped, slamming Dick into the van again.

Dick looked down, his hand that was gripping Hazel's wrists slipped away and he nodded softly. "Yes."

Hazel tore her hands back and Dick got his footing again. Hazel took an uneasy breath and turned away. "Where are you going?" Kory called after her.

"I need a break," Hazel yelled, walking towards the black Toyota a few streets down.

Gar went to chase her, but Rachel grabbed his sleeve. "Give her some time," Rachel insisted. "She'll come back."

❁

BLUE WAS GONE FROM NIGHT, JUST DARK BLACKNESS AND PINPRICK STARS COVERED THE SKY. Hazel stepped out of the elevator, a new bag of clothes in her hand. She stopped, her stomach twisting as she noticed Dick and Gar sitting at the counter. Hazel tried to turn away, but Dick called her name. "Hazel... can I just explain myself?"

Hazel turned back and Gar slipped out of his seat. "Want me to put these in your room?" Gar asked, taking the bag from Hazel. She nodded softly Gar took the paper bag and left Dick and Hazel alone.

"Hazel-"

"I know why you did it," Hazel said softly.

Dick sighed and pushed forward a coffee. "I stopped to get hazelnut," Dick said, sitting back in his seat.

Hazel walked to sit across from Dick, taking the coffee and letting the cup warm her hands. "You were worried about Rachel, and it was the first you had seen me before," Hazel muttered, looking into the coffee, the steam heating her face. "You put two and two together from how I reacted, and I was not your top priority. You either wanted someone to tell me or let me figure it out on my own." Hazel lifted the cup to her lip, sipping the sweet coffee.

"I'm sorry," Dick said softly.

"I get why you did it but it still doesn't feel good," Hazel sighed.

"Hazel-"

"I accept your apology, but I do not forgive you," Hazel said with certainty. "But you're keeping Rachel safe, and I will always appreciate that." Dick nodded softly. Hazel took the cup and stood. "Goodnight Richard."

Hazel walked into her temporary room, Gar sitting on her bed. "Hey," Gar said, standing quickly.

Hazel set her cup on the coffee table and sighed. "Sorry I ran off," Hazel apologised and took the jacket off, tossing it over a dresser.

"I get it," Gar said nodding. Hazel sighed and sat next to Gar, running her hands down her face. "What was she like?"

Hazel started to unlace her shoes and hummed. "Hm?"

"When I tell people about my parents, everyone says they're sorry, they're in a better place," Gar said softly. "But Rita asked what they were like, that was better than another apology. So... what was your mom like?"

Hazel smiled softly. "She was kind, she always wanted to help people. She took extra shifts at the hospital and every couple of weeks she would go to meetings for people who had lost someone. Talk them through it."

"She sounds lovely," Gar said with a smile.

"She is... or was," Hazel mumbled. "But she always thought it was weird that I took so many language classes."

"What do you speak?"

"Spanish, Vietnamese and Thai," Hazel listed off. "I always wanted to speak a lot, but I took the classes. And sport. And music because I didn't wanna be home alone waiting for her." Hazel took a shaky breath and pressed her hands to her eyes. "Sorry," Hazel whispered as she fought the urge to cry.

Gar rested a hand on her back, running his hand along her spine. "You don't need to be sorry," Gar whispered.

Hazel sucked a breath through her teeth. "I'm gonna clean up, get rid of..." Hazel trailed off and stood.

"I'll make us some food, and some more coffee," Gar said with a smile, reaching to take Hazel's quickly cooling coffee.

"It's like... three am," Hazel said with a laugh.

"So?" Gar shrugged. "I make a killer avocado chocolate mousse." Hazel furrowed her eyebrows. "Just trust me, Haze."

Hazel shook her head as Gar closed the door behind him. Hazel stepped into the connecting bathroom, taking her bloody clothes off and tossing them in the sink.

Hazel turned the shower on and waited for it to grow hot before stepping inside. She hung her head, the clear water turning red as the blood washed off her skin. Hazel took the loofah and scrubbed her skin, the blood breaking off in flaky parts.

She could still feel the electrical currents in her bones, the kicks and hits from the guards twice her size. She had healed but it still felt like there were bruises on her sides, the snapped bones in her fingers and the drumbeat of pain in her skull.

Hazel scrubbed her body until her skin felt raw. She hung up the loofah and just stood under the water, the hot water splashing her skin. Hazel's mind had never felt so stretched. Half of her body reasoned what she did couldn't be helped, that she was defending herself and she could've died if she didn't fight.

The other made her stomach twist like she was constantly about to vomit. She was a monster, disgusting. She had killed those people to just defend herself. The thought of blood on her skin made her feel gross, and out of place.

The water started to run cold, and Hazel jumped. She turned the water off and dried herself as quickly as possible. She peered her head out of the bathroom and grabbed the bag of clothes.

Hazel stood in the bathroom, her hands gripping the counter. She had changed into leggings and a large shirt, using the old one to wipe the blood from her face she had missed in the shower.

Hazel sighed, tossing the shirt away. She filled her hands with water and splashed her face, chilling her skin. "Haze!" Gar called, knocking on the door. Hazel turned the water off and shook her hands dry.

She pulled the door open, Gar standing on the other side, a tray in his hands. "What's this?" Hazel asked.

"Avocado I transformed into a chocolate mousse," Gar said with a wide smile. Hazel shook her head and stepped aside, Gar making his way into her room.

❁

THE MORNING SUN POURED THROUGH THE WINDOWS, SHINING IN HAZEL'S EYES. She sat on the counter across from Rachel who was making breakfast. Hazel stared at the ceiling, playing with the end of her orange tank top that was tucked into her flared jeans.

"Haze, can I have some chives please?" Rachel asked, looking over her shoulder. Hazel pushed herself off the counter and pressed her hands to the counter for a second before taking her hand back, a chive stalk growing quickly. "You- You didn't grow that."

Hazel shook her head. "If I'm close enough it'll make itself," Hazel shrugged. The coffee machine beeped, and Hazel stepped away from Rachel, taking a cup and making her coffee.

"So..." Rachel called softly. "You and Gar, huh?"

"He fell asleep in my room Rache," Hazel hummed, pouring the milk in the mug. "We are not Dick and Kory."

"Oh well forgive me, Miss Playboy" Rachel mocked. "You spent two hours with Oliva, and you were having sex in the janitor's closet."

Hazel shrugged and leaned against the counter. "I had game," Hazel joked.

"This was at the start of the year," Rachel shouted.

Hazel shrugged softly, "My game has taken a back seat."

"I so believe that," Rachel teased.

Hazel turned and placed her hands on the counter. "Y'know what Rachel?" Hazel snapped slightly, a smile pulling at her lips. Hazel blew her lips and small pink flowers flew at her.

Rachel quickly grabbed the pan, pulling it away. "Not in the eggs," Rachel snapped. Hazel laughed at her and sipped from her coffee.

"Haze? Rachel?" Gar called making Rachel jump softly.

"Morning," Hazel hummed.

Rachel tossed the wooden spoon down. "You scared the shit out of me," Rachel huffed.

Gar stopped and looked between the girls. "There's irony here," Gar assessed, his voice tired. "You're aware it's, like, super early, right?"

Rachel shrugged softly, "Yeah, I wanted to make breakfast.

Gar nodded, turning to the coffee machine. "Sit down before you fall over," Hazel ordered, pushing Gar softly in the direction of the stool. "I'll get you a coffee."

"Thanks," Gar hummed, sitting on a stool beside her and Rachel. "Can-"

"Can I use oat milk?" Hazel interrupted, already pouring the substitute milk in. "Yeah." Hazel set the coffee in front of Gar and he smiled.

"Why are you up so early?" Gar asked, spinning the mug in his hands.

"Rachel needed some ingredients," Hazel shrugged, moving to put bread in the toaster. "Happy to oblige. And get as far away from Dick's room as possible."

"Wait does that mean you heard-?"

"Yep, Dick and Kory," Hazel huffed rolling her eyes softly.

"You knew?" Gar questioned.

"Please," Rachel scoffed. "Everyone knew."

"Gross," Gar grumbled, sipping on the coffee. "Do you think it's like thinking about your parents?"

Hazel glanced up at Rachel who shared the same blank stare. Hazel sipped her coffee and turned back to Gar. "You wanna ask us that?" Hazel deadpanned, leaning back on her hand. Gar smiled tightly and brought his cup closer to his face.

The door opened and closed and Angela, tightly wrapped in a fluffy robe, walked in, her smile glowing. "Good morning," She greeted with a smile.

"Hi, Mom," Rachel smiled looking over her shoulder.

"Hi, baby."

Rachel turned to face her mother properly, smiling. "I made breakfast," Rachel announced holding up the pan of scrambled eggs slightly.

"I can see that," She nodded.

"Are you hungry?" Rachel asked.

"In a minute," Angela nodded and walked towards the table to look out the window that looked over the city skyline. "Five years, you, uh, you couldn't forget how beautiful a sunrise can be." Hazel walked to Rachel's side and took the pan from her grasp. Rachel followed her mother and sat beside her at the end table.

"Gar," Hazel whispered. "Can you watch this?" Gar nodded and stood, taking over the cooking portion.

Hazel turned and grabbed some plates, stacking cups on top and carrying them to the table.

"May I put my arm around you?" Angela asked softly.

Rachel looked up at her mother and smiled "I'd like that. Very much," Rachel nodded. Angela looked down at Rachel and her smile disappeared.

"Your head," Angela spoke up, noticing the small cut on her forehead.

"Uh, it's nothing," Rachel mumbled.

"Let me get you something for it."

"It's okay," Hazel spoke up, walking to Rachel's side. "I can..." Hazel trailed off and gently waved her hand across Rachel's face, the cut clearing up.

"Thanks, Haze," Rachel smiled.

Angela looked over the two girls and smiled. "Thank you, young lady, for taking care of her all this time," Angela said, her voice slightly tight.

Hazel nodded with a smile. "I would do it again," Hazel hummed. "Gar and I will finish up breakfast, you guys enjoy the sun."

An hour later, Dick and Kory joined them and they sat around the table, ready and dressed as they ate breakfast. "I can't tell you what passed for pancakes in that place, but... They didn't resemble this," Angela hummed, biting into the pancakes. She turned to Rachel and smiled. "My compliments to the chef."

Rachel smiled softly. "Well, it was really mostly them," Rachel said, nodding at Hazel and Gar, who sat across from her. Gar nodded raising his fork as Hazel sipped her coffee.

"Look, Rachel-"

"I was wondering-"

Dick and Angela spoke at once and Dick smiled softly, nodding at Angela. "Please."

Angela nodded, smiling. "Rachel has been explaining your situation to me. I understand this place is on loan?" Angela questioned.

"Unofficially," Dick answered with a nod. "The owner didn't exactly give me permission to stay here..."

"I may have another option," Angela spoke up. "I have a house. In Ohio. It's been in my... Our family for decades." Angela corrected, smiling at Rachel. "I was hoping that you- we... All of you are welcome there for as long as you want. I have more than enough room, and it's the least I can do. Although I do wonder what happens to your home when you've been locked away for five years."

"Back taxes, ton of unopened mail, I imagine," Kory thought, fiddling with her rings.

"You might need a new fridge," Hazel hummed, chewing on a bite of pancake. Angela squinted in disgust and Rachel laughed.

Gar suddenly sat straight, his smile growing. "This could be, like, our secret base," Gar offered. "Oh! This is so cool, isn't it?" Gar, Rachel and Hazel laughed slightly.

"Isn't it, Dick?" Rachel asked, noting his uneasy smile.

He sighed and leaned forward on his arms. "I have to leave, spend some time with an old friend," Dick explained.

Rachel looked down before throwing her chair out and storming to her room. Angela was quick to chase her. Hazel sculled the last of her coffee and stacked the empty plates. She tossed them into the sink and sprayed them down with water.

"You might wanna pack your bags," Dick muttered before standing, leaving Gar and Kory at the table.

Another hour later, they walked through the street behind Dick. Hazel had her hands in her pockets, watching from the back. "So, what? This is, like, the end of the team?" Gar asked, walking beside Kory.

"Technically, we were never really a team-"

"Oh, we were a team," Kory cut in and Dick smiled.

"I'll see you all again sometime," Dick nodded. "Rachel..." Rachel looked away from Dick.

"She'll be okay," Kory nodded, and she spun Dick around.

They talked softly with each other for a few minutes before Dick glanced over his shoulder. Hazel pushed herself off of the railing she was leaning against and walked to Rachel. "Do it, or you'll regret it," Hazel encouraged, bumping her shoulder against Rachel.

"But you-"

"It's not about me," Hazel muttered, looking down at Rachel.

"Wait," Rachel called, running to Dick. She threw her arms around his shoulders, holding him tightly, and he did the same. Rachel let him go and they talked for a moment before Dick looked back at the others. He smiled and turned to his minivan, tossing his bag in the back.

Dick hopped in the driver's seat and took off. Gar gave him a peace sign and he beeped at him. Hazel sighed through her nose. "Train stations a ten-minute walk," Hazel informed.

— gods —