After doing nothing but panicking for hours, Calix finally found himself sat at a bar. He was still panicking, of course, but now he had something before him that could fix it. His mother had always made it seem like one shot of alcohol would turn him into an alcoholic and send him toward an early death, but it was too late to avoid that now. She was probably losing her mind back in District Three, going on a tirade to anyone who will listen.
Calix threw back the shot with just one more moment of hesitation, and his entire body shuddered in response. âGod, thatâs-â He sputtered momentarily, leaning his elbows into the bar. âI shouldnât have done that.â
Alani didnât intend on people watching, but it was the easiest hobby to keep up with on the train to the Capitol. It felt like she was speeding towards something terrible, a black cloud looming closer and closer. It was easier to just shut the curtains and stare at the lost souls around her.
She tried not to think about how her twin sister had reacted to all of this last year, if she had been brave enough to look out of the window. Alani kept her gaze on the young man across the room, trying not to snicker when he sputtered on his mixed drink. She waited a moment before moving closer.
He didnât seem like a threat. At least not here. Not yet.
âWord of advice, never get too bold with your liquor. Iâve always thought whiskey straight was the right way to go.â
