Chapter 6

Waking up early was extremely difficult that morning. Evie had kept me up throughout the night, but it was a relief that Mia had been well enough to move back into the dorm and feed the baby. She was still sick, but Evie didn't seem to care as she demanded to be fed.

I trudged out of the dorm, my jacket not really protecting me from the cold winds.

The fire was fresh, and the flames danced high. As I approached, I could feel the warmth that it radiated, bringing me a little comfort on this dreary morning.

Rose was giggling at something Jake had said, and Benji was sat there just watching. That seemed to be all that he ever did.

It was nice that he had settled in with their group well. The four of them were the oldest in camp, and it was difficult to make friends with the much younger children.

"Morning, Cass!" Rose greeted me from where they were sat by the fire. I shuffled into a gap between Benji and Jake.

"Hi," I said, clutching my jacket tighter. My whole body seemed to ache, my muscles refusing to move at a normal pace.

"People seem to be improving. I think this sickness is nearly over," she informed me. It was a relief to hear, as it had been a whole week since the first kid fell sick.

It had meant a whole lot of extra work for me, with everyone demanding different things. I'd been out hunting, carrying water back and forth to patients, and attempting to cook our food. At least three-quarters of the camp had fallen sick.

"We are going to head out scouting today. It's been almost a week since we last went." Jake told me.

I just nodded, staring down at the floor. I was beginning to feel a little dizzy, hunger for breakfast creeping in.

"Are you okay?" Benji asked, showing an uncharacteristic kindness.

"Fine. Just hungry."

I picked myself up from the bench, heading over to collect some breakfast when my legs gave way beneath me. Strong arms caught me, encircling my waist, pulling me towards their warm body.

"Cass, I think you are sick!" Rose told me, her hand held to her mouth.

"Don't be silly," replied, pulling myself to my feet. The hands never left my waist, but they loosened slightly as I tried to stand on my own

Another wave of dizziness swept over me, and I fell back down. The arms immediately tightened, holding me up.

"You need to go to bed, Cass," Benji told me, his arms tightening as I tried to move. I could feel his muscles through my jacket, and I shivered. "I'll stay with you. Jake will be fine to go scouting alone."

Jake scoffed. "As if I would leave you to look after her! No, I'll stay and you can go."

"That's crazy. I offered first." He turned to Jake with glaring eyes. It reminded me of their competitive nature, and their knife throwing competition that she had so brilliantly won.

I rolled my eyes, sighing deeply. "You can both go. I'll be absolutely fine!"

They both turned to me in synchrony, the horror a clear picture on both their faces.

"No," they said, Jake, shaking his head. They just had to be so damn protective.

"We could both stay," Jake reluctantly suggested, his eyes hopeful.

"No, you haven't been scouting in a week. What if there are a group of outcasts? They'll die if you leave them any longer.

The two boys engaged in a staring competition, and I was sure that if looks could kill they would both be already dead.

"Jake, I think you should go. You know the outside way better, and I don't want either of you to get hurt," I told him.

Hurt filled his eyes as he looked away. I grabbed his hand, squeezing it with the little strength I had. His eyes snapped towards me at the contact.

"I trust you, Jakey," I told him. Finally, he gave in.

Benji effortlessly picked me up, my head resting on his chest. He carried me to my dorm, laying me gently down on my mat and settling down by my head.

Jake crouched over me. "Sleep well," he whispered in my ear. "You better be healthy by the time I come back."

Before he left he turned back, dropping a kiss on my forehead as I began to drift off.

***

Opening my eyes was a much tougher fight then I had anticipated. My eyelids felt like lead, holding them down.

I could hear a soft snoring next to me, the wheezes slow and steady. It was a relaxing sound, and the comfort of the other person was strong. I could almost have fallen asleep again. But I was so thirsty.

I opened my eyes and glanced across the small dorm.

A mat had been shuffled close to me, a sleeping Benji lying on top. I nudged him with my hand, pushing against his chest.

He sat up with wide eyes, looking around frantically before his eyes finally settled on me. He gently smiled, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

"Cass? Are you alright?" he asked.

"Can you get me some water? And an extra blanket. I'm freezing," I told him, my voice quiet and croaky. Just speaking felt like swallowing a million knives.

He nodded and jumped up, hopping over to the corner of the dorm. He poured a cup of water and brought it to me, holding it to my lips.

"Where is Jake?" I asked, wiping my mouth with the corner of the blanket. He passed me his own, letting it fall over me.

"He's gone scouting, don't you remember?" he answered.

"Oh, right," I told him. I remembered making him eave, and I felt a little stupid for forgetting.

"What time is it?"

"Just before dinner," he replied.

I tried to sit up, momentarily forgetting my pain. His hands reached out, gripping onto my shoulders and gently laying me down.

"Don't worry, Rose has everything under control. You need to go back to sleep."

I nodded my head, not willing to argue. The tiredness was creeping back, and I felt my eyes close once again.

***

DoN't FoRgEt To VoTe!