Chapter 41- Dexsia Greentree
I sit in the Cornucopia, looking out at the sunset over the oasis and the sand dunes. We've all been affected by the horrible death of the District 3 girl. At least I gave the other small girl a quicker and less painful death.
Velvet and Treasure sit across from each other in the Cornucopia, throwing an apple back and forth. Calypso is practicing some fancy moves with her trident out in the sand. In front of me is the fire I lit about ten minutes ago, already merrily crackling. Our spirits are all pretty low. Every once in a while I poke the fire with my sword, stirring up new flames and coals and making it crackle.
I wonder who the other cannon was this afternoon. This morning there were thirteen in the arena, now there's only eleven. And four of those are sitting right here. Things are going to change tomorrow, I can tell you that. Eleven left to play.
As I watch, the sun dips below the dunes and the air grows cold. Calypso stops her practicing and comes over by me to warm her hands, stabbing her trident into the sand. "Tomorrow?" she whispers. I nod. Tomorrow.
"What're we having for supper?" Velvet asks, coming over to join us.
"You could eat that apple," I say.
"I want some real food!"
"An apple's not real food?" I ask.
"Not for a man!"
"You're not a man, you're a boy. If you were a man, you wouldn't be here," I say, and Velvet rolls his eyes.
"I found a dried chicken dinner! Add water and eat!" Treasure says, coming over with a small package. As usual, she's oblivious to what's going on around her. But hey, she has food!
"Sounds good enough for me," Calypso says, pulling out one of the water bottles. We have five stacked up for our use back in the Cornucopia. Before long, we have a chicken and potato meal cooking in a pot over the fire. It's just as good as anything we got in the Capitol.
"Thank god for the Capitol!" Velvet says, ripping chunks off a chicken leg like some sort of savage.
"Yes, what would we ever do without them?" Calypso says dryly. I don't think she's as enamored with our unofficial captors. As for me, food is food, and this food is good.
As we finish eating, the Capitol seal floats up in the sky accompanied by the anthem.
"Let's see who got the cannon this afternoon," Velvet says, leaning against the wall of the Cornucopia. I'm interested to see that myself.
The first face in the sky is the girl from 3, of course. Pity for her, she was a pretty little girl. The second is the boy from 6; I remember him from training and from his interview. I didn't think much of him. Then the seal appears again and the sky is dark.
"The boy, wasn't he the one with the sister?" Velvet asks.
"She'll be devastated!" Treasure says.
"Maybe she'll die soon too," I say, licking my fingers. "She was so irritating, singing during her interview."
"Aw, I thought she sounded pretty," Calypso says. It's funny, but this is the first time I've ever felt a true alliance between all of us. It's a real pity that it ends tomorrow with Treasure and Velvet dead.
Suddenly, a parachute comes floating down from the sky. Velvet whoops.
"Who's it for do you think?" Calypso says, looking at the large package underneath the silvery fabric.
"Dexsia, you open it!" Treasure says. Pleased to be nominated, I reach for the package.
"Why does Dexsia get to open it?" Velvet asks, an edge to his voice.
"Cause she told us to get away from that mutt today!" Treasure pipes.
"Let it go, Velvet," Calypso warns.
"Whatever," Velvet says.
"Here, you open it, Velvet. I don't mind," I say, pushing the gift towards him. It's not worth fighting about it to me. Without another word, he opens it and the rest of us crowd in to see what our sponsors and mentors have sent us.
"Marshmallows!" Calypso says happily, pulling out the white fluffy squares, along with four long metal sticks.
"Thank you sponsors!" Treasure says, blowing kisses to the sky. Thanks, Aulus, I think. I know he must have had a hand in this gift. Just the thing to raise our spirits.
It's a good evening after that; I eat probably six or seven marshmallows after I've melted them over the fire, and Velvet must eat ten. Calypso and Velvet play a game where they try to throw a marshmallow into each others' mouth, which ends with lots of laughing.
The girl from 3 fades from mind, until all that matters is here and now. I don't even linger on the thought of having to kill two people tomorrow. I'm content with the now.
"We should get some sleep," Calypso says finally. "I'll take the night watch if that's alright with you, Dex."
I don't think she's going to kill me tonight, not after our agreement this morning. Do I trust her? Not really. But I trust her enough that I know she isn't going to do me in tonight.
"Yeah, sure. You can see the sunrise for once."
I follow Velvet and Treasure back into the Cornucopia, leaving Calypso by the fire, looking out at the dark oasis. I pull out a sleeping bag and climb in; the bag is warm and gets warmer the longer I lie in it. It's going to be a comfortable night.
Velvet's asleep as soon as he pulls his own sleeping bag up around his shoulders. Treasure fiddles with a pillow for a few minutes, then her hair, before she falls asleep. I look towards the entrance, to see Calypso looking back at me.
"Tomorrow," she mouths, and I nod. Making sure my sword is by my side within arm's reach, I allow myself to drift off into sweet nothingness.