Chapter 26- Dexsia Greentree
Behind me, the girl from 9 bleeds out into the sand. I don't care; she irritated me and it's better to have her out of the way early. Surely she knew she couldn't win? Better to kill her quickly now than of exposure later or something.
"Aw Dex, did you have to be so mean right off?" Calypso asks when I get back to the Cornucopia.
"Another tribute down, Calypso," I say, walking around the bodies on the ground. I killed two today, as did Velvet. He's currently sitting down in the mouth of the Cornucopia, polishing his blade with sand.
Everyone else fled, even Kouza from 5 after he killed the boy from 4. Despite the boy being her district partner, Calypso doesn't seem to care.
"I'm going to get all sunburnt!" Treasure complains, walking into the shade of the Cornucopia.
"Yeah, so are we. Keep your hat on," I say, kicking some sand.
Cossus doesn't have a weapon, he's just standing there at the edge of our crowd. I eye him suspiciously.
"Come and join us, won't you, Cossus?" I ask sweetly. I know I'm going to have to kill him soon, but it can wait until the second day.
"What's the priorities here?" Calypso asks, looking around. "Do we have to separate from them?" Calypso jabs her thumb at the dead tributes.
"Might be an idea," Cossus says, walking into the circle.
"Well, why don't we go get some water; it's hot and we'll need it," Treasure says.
"And leave the Cornucopia unprotected? That'll bring Kouza and Alyss straight away," Velvet says, picking up another handful of sand.
"Your sword's shiny enough, Velvet. What are you going to do, use it as a mirror?" I say, and Calypso laughs behind me. Velvet scowls but drops the sand.
"So what's the plan, then?" Velvet says.
"Split up. Dexsia and Treasure can go for the water, the rest of us can stay here," Cossus says.
Like hell I'm going with the dumb one, away from any plans that might be made. I smile sweetly and in my nicest tone I say, "But Cossus! What if I need a big strong man out there in the desert? Why don't you go with me and Treasure? I'm sure Calypso and Velvet can manage themselves."
"Aren't you the best with the sword, though? You keep saying that," Cossus says suspiciously. I drop the act.
"Let's go, Cossus. Treasure, get some water bottles. We'll have plenty to fill."
Cossus opens his mouth to argue, but Calypso interrupts him. "Just go, Coss. Not worth the fight."
While Treasure and I grab water bottles, Cossus picks up a spear. Velvet and Calypso sit out in front of the supplies, armed to the teeth.
"See you soon," I say, and Velvet rolls his eyes.
"The lake is literally right there, Dexsia. Stop being so dramatic." I stick my tongue out at him and walk off with Treasure and Cossus.
Out of the shade, the sun is relentlessly hot. "Why did they have to drop us here?" Treasure complains. "I wanted a forest!"
"Yeah, I doubt they cared about your arena preferences," Cossus says drily. Treasure pouts a little bit but goes quiet.
The lake is beautiful, crystal clear and blue; two palm trees sway overhead in the miniscule breeze. "Think it's safe?" I ask.
"I am not hiking to the river, Dexsia. Just fill the containers up and let's go," Cossus says, holding his spear in a prepared fashion. Do I trust him? No. But I doubt he'll kill me with Treasure being here.
While I dip the second bottle into the water, the cannons go off, eight in total. I straighten up and turn to see a hovercraft dipping down its claw to pick up each dead tribute. I recognize some of them as they go up; the brown hair of the boy from 3, the dark-haired girl from 12. Each dip of the claw brings me closer to District 2.
Last of all they pick up the girl from 9. Poor kid; she never did have a chance. I still think it was better for me to take her out right away than let her run.
"Right, they've picked them up; let's head back," I say. Treasure nods, bouncing up.
"If I stay in the sun for too long, my face is going to be completely sunburnt!"
"Oh, get over yourself," Cossus says, making Treasure angry again.
"Shut up both of you. Let's go back," I say, stomping my way through the sand.
"We're going to need a fire tonight!" Calypso calls as I approach the Cornucopia again. I grin.
"Aren't you glad I visited the fire-starting station now?" I ask.
"Yeah, yeah, you're superior," Calypso says, but she's laughing as she says it. "Where are we going to find wood?"
"Not many trees around," I say. "Just the two at the lake."
"I think it's called an oasis," Cossus says, coming up behind me. "I remember from somewhere that a body of water in the middle of a desert is an oasis."
"Well isn't he a smart one," Calypso says, poking his cheek. "Now, Mr. Scientist, find us some wood."
Cossus slaps her hand away. "Find it yourself."
"Rude!" Calypso says, but she does start looking around the Cornucopia for something we can use. I crawl back with her, sword still in hand. I might be in an alliance with these people, but I don't trust them at all.
"Here! Take a look at this!" Calypso says, pulling out some sort of kit. "It's a fire starter that you can make with sand!"
"Let me see that," I say, taking it from her. I've never heard of a fire being lit with sand, but here we are.
"Get it going," Velvet calls. "It's probably going to cool down tonight."
"Right, I'm coming," I say, clambering out from the piles of supplies.
I look at my allies, all four of them, and I smile.
They don't know that I intend to kill each and every one of them, when the time is right.
"Here, I'll get the fire started," I say, and I smile.