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Change of Plans

Chapter VIII

Dig

Okay, Squid never said this whole digging thing was easy. I didn't expect it to be a walk in the park—but seriously; this work was a lot harder than it seemed it would be. I had only been digging for an hour or so—the sun was really beginning to invade my personal space—but I was already feeling the effects.

My hands were getting raw, and in effect, were getting the tingly, almost-numb sensation. But that was okay. I'd be feeling it tomorrow morning. If that wasn't enough to concentrate on, my throat was feeling a similar sensation. Because it was desert out on the digging site, the wind easily picked up the particles and whipped the dirt around. Besides invading the eyes, the sand also had a skill for seeping into the throat and nose, and therefore, my throat was steadily getting hoarser.

Twelve gallons of water couldn't help that situation.

The only thing I was thankful for, as the sun continued to rise and threaten my sanity, was Squid's quick-thinking in making me substitute bandages for my hands. Even if it didn't block out the pain, they were important in encouraging me to continue the grueling digging process.

At some point, before the sun made it right above me, I took a water break. My water jug, which Mr. Sir had given to me earlier in the morning, was nearly empty. Oh well. I finished the water off, and the energy boost gave me the ability to observe everyone else's efforts.

Amie was making such a fuss. And I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't looked over. Damn my eyes to Hades. Thankfully the skirt was either covered or gone completely. She was, in fact, wearing the red jumpsuit. Welcome to normalness, my dear.

Although, now that I had been looking over her display of attitude, I noticed she was still wearing the oh-so-fashionable flip-flops.

I kind of felt bad for the girl. However, I did barely manage to suppress a laugh as she tripped over her own shovel. One flip-flop became caught on the spade, sending the girl sprawled awkwardly on the sand, a bare foot skidding the hot ground. She jumped in surprise, the heat rising from the sand evidently too unbearable for her foot.

And then I felt bad for finding amusement in the girl's state. What was wrong with me? She deserved it after fawning over my partner like he was first prize in the slut-a-thon.

Pardon my French.

But it didn't affect how I felt my conscience jerk me back into compassionate mood. Damn my conscience to Hades…to join my eyes. I'm not going to have anything left when I'm done with this place.

So anyway, I was feeling this compulsion to help Amie. But, luckily, my nice conscience couldn't figure out how to. So, shrugging, I returned to my own work. My hole was, despite my eminent pain, was actually coming around quite well. I didn't seem far behind the boys of D-tent.

Finally it was time for lunchtime, which was good, because as I mentioned, my water jug was completely empty, and had been a good fifteen minutes or so. But who's counting? Getting in line for lunch/water was awkward. Squid motioned me over to his spot—it seemed as if the rest of the boys, after seeing him do so, eventually herded their own girls into their spot. Squid kindly placed me in front of him, and after I looked at the state of the line, I figured it was some sort of social class system. In an odd, not-so-classy way. Because of Squid, I got one of the first dibs on lunch and water.

After getting my nutritional items, I paced back to my own hole. Squid's voice stopped me: "Hey, Lindsay!" I turned to see Squid approach me. When he stopped, he gave a hesitant pause. "So, how's the hole coming?"

"Well…" I motioned to my hole a few feet away. Squid's expression made me cock an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothin'. You're pretty far, for…well, you know…"

"For a girl? You can say it. It doesn't surprise me."

"Well, no," Squid huffed. "Yeah. For a girl," he agreed softly. "But I didn't mean it like that," he defended.

I smiled. "Right." At seeing his tight expression, I shuffled a foot. "It's okay, really."

"How are the hands?"

"Better than the eyes." I didn't mention they were currently spending time in Hades.

A chuckle. When Squid laughed, his eyes lit up. Maybe it was because at this camp happiness was rare. When it arrived, the mirth just kind of leapt into you.

"I wanted to say thanks. Again," I began. "You're tips and stuff have really helped me. I feel bad for the rest of the girls—I got the best partner here!"

"Well, I'm here if you need anything else. You girls seem like you need the help." My lip twitched.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just that…well, you're new to this whole thing. And girls? Well, they're just not as…strong…as the boys. Digging's going to be tough."

"Right," I stated. I wasn't sure if it was an acceptable answer. Sure, we were new—and being female may have hindered matters—but that didn't mean we weren't capable of anything less than the boys.

Squid missed the short statement. He rubbed his forehead with the bill of his hat. "Well, I'm gunna go eat with the boys. Hollah if you need me." He took off rather quickly, leaving me wondering if maybe he did catch the clipped response. Either way, I sat in my hole and ate my lunch alone.

Well, that is until one of the other girls approached my hole. "Hi," she began simply, smile alluring.

"Hi," I returned. My lips pursed. "Emily, right?"

She nodded, face brightening up. "Yeah. And you're Lindsay."

"Yep." I motioned towards my hole. "Have a seat." She complied, her small form sitting next to me. "So, you're with Magnet, right?"

"Yeah. He's been really nice so far. How's your buddy?"

I smiled. "Amazing." Emily gave a familiar look, green eyes dancing.

"Oh, really? Does he have a nice butt?"

I blushed. "Emily!" I exasperated. She winked.

"I know that look when I see it. You're interested."

"Well, I…" My voice lowered. "This isn't exactly the greatest place to be picking up a crush, Emily."

She sighed, wiping her hands clean as she finished her sandwich. Leaning back, she nodded. "True. But you can't help looking."

Like a bug attracted to a flame, I wanted to agree. I nodded instead, my gaze somehow landing on Squid. "Well," Emily clapped her hands loudly, "I just wanted to introduce myself." She leaned in closer to me, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Some of these girls. Scary, ya know?" I nodded as she stood up from her position.

"I'll talk to you later, then," I said, getting up myself and picking up my oh-so-lovely shovel. She winked.

"Nice work on your hole, by the way. I must know your secrets!" With that, she gave a small wave before bouncing off towards her hole.

What a fireball.

Before long, the smallest member of D-tent (his name escapes me) was finished with time to spare. My eyes widened, but I decided against a cry of displeasure.

Of course, that didn't mean others wouldn't do it for me. Amie, only thigh deep in her hole, shrieked. "That's not fair," came the almost-inaudible resentment.

And then I was glad I hadn't said anything. I was past waist deep anyway—it wouldn't be long now before I was finished.

The remaining time I spent digging was spend listening to A. Amie's howls of protest, B. the rest of the boys finishing their own holes, and C. well, Amie's second round of shrieks after seeing the boys finish one-by-one.

Squid finished while I was just touching up. Only a few more shovels left. He approached rather slowly. "Wow. Nice job," he said, obviously impressed.

Panting, I tossed another clump of dirt out of the hole, which made its landing near Squid's feet. His eyebrows rose.

"Thank you," I managed to gasp out. Such hard work did not come easily. Sweat glistened my entire being—it may have even seeped into my ears. Grime covered my entire face—much rubbing around the eyes probably didn't improve the matter. And to top it off, my hands were definitely way past the numb stage. They throbbed like there was no tomorrow.

It came to a point where it was easier to keep the grip on the shovel. Releasing the shaft only meant blood rushing back to the growing blisters-and that meant pain.

I didn't notice Squid remained until I, too, had finished. "Ugh," I groaned, half-tossing the shovel over the lip of the hole. It landed with a heavy thump. Squid offered a helping hand, but I denied it.

Hands beginning to shake, I placed them firmly in the dirt. I heard Squid use my name in protest, but I ignored the plea as I used my already-damaged hands to pull myself out of the five foot hole.

Despite the pain now shooting up my arms, it felt good. I had finished the hole in record time—faster than any other girl. And I had almost beat out the other guys. Squid shook his head.

"You're one hard-core chick. Let's get you cleaned up, okay?" I nodded, grabbing my shovel in victory and dragging it beside me.

We had to walk past Amie, and after seeing her in frustration after throwing another pile of dirt out of her hole, I felt the compassion seep into my bones again. My buddy didn't ask as I stopped in front of her. When she noticed my presence, Amie huffed, the force sending her bangs forward. "What do you want?" She snapped.

Despite her harshness, I remained resolute. "Do you need any help? You look…annoyed." She scoffed.

"I am annoyed. But that doesn't mean I need your help, bitch."

Surprise must have painted my features. Squid grabbed my forearm as I remained shocked at the biting remark. "Excuse me?" I dared to ask.

"You heard me," she spat. With that, she continued her crappy hole-digging. Before I could retort, Squid pulled me away.

"That's enough for today!" He decided for me.

"What the hell?" I exclaimed loudly, still shocked. "I just wanted to help!"

"I know. You did the right thing. I'm proud," he said, nodding. I smiled the first real smile since I arrived.

--end--

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