20
As Winnie's body grew lax in Jesse's arms, Rex continued to struggle, succeeding only in managing to knock her and her brother to the ground and she tried to claw out of his grip. Once the ground she began kicking up clouds of dust.
"Stop it, Rex!" Roland snarled, still somehow clinging on. "This isn't helping things any."
"She – insulted the way our family runs things!" Rex retorted, continuing her relentless struggle.
Winnie turned in Jesse's arms and stared at him urgently. "Now," She mouthed.
Jesse cocked his head confused.
"The spring," Winnie hissed, "It's our chance to get water from it. You're not going to die on me Jesse Tuck."
"Ah," The dawn of understanding hit Jesse. He slipped out of the grasp he had on Winnie and tried to creep over to the spring.
Somehow despite clawing at her brother, Rex noticed. "What do you think you're doing?" She sounded terrified.
"I was thirsty." Jesse invented.
"Don't drink that water." Rex had completely stopped struggling; her face was pale with fright.
"Why not? Is it poisonous?" Jesse asked carefully.
She shook her head mutely.
Roland cut in. "Just don't drink it. You're already trespassing. Don't add insult to injury."
Winnie snorted. "Why would a little sip of water, when we're already 'trespassing' qualify? Seems to me the damage has already been done." She nodded at Jesse. "Ignore them. Get that drink."
"You can't!" Rex wailed.
Winnie placed her hands on her hips, a fierce, unmoving expression fixed on her face. "Give him a reason."
Rex's eyes began to water as she pleaded, making her seem on the verge of tears. "You wouldn't believe me if I tried to explain. Just know that you can't drink from that spring. That's why Roland and I guard it."
Does this mean she knows about living forever? Winnie thought perplexed.