the thirst trials..

chapter XIV

Kali's POV

"Madison!" "Skylar!" Shouts of joy fill the sand-compacted room. "I thought we would never find you," Maggie says as she hugs Maddie. "We have food," I exclaim excitedly. "Finally, I'm starving," Maddie sighs, sitting down and propping herself against Maggie. Silence rises as the food is passed around. Laughs echo, and small talk carries on. It's almost like we're not in the Trials, like we haven't killed anyone, like we're not guilty, like everything's normal. I fire's embers burn brightly as we roast coconut slices just like we would marshmallows. "Do you think we will be the same again?" I blurt out, turning giggles and conversations to silence. "We're all gonna be dead, Kali," Aly retaliates. "Not one of us is gonna be left." "Hey, have some hope," Maddie pipes in, scooting closer to me. "Hope doesn't do squat," Aly starts again. "We have to be real, we could we eaten alive tonight for all we know." "Alright," Maggie says, standing up as she claps off sand from beneath. "Enough of all this, we have to stick together. Let's get some sleep. It's been a long day." While I chew down the coconut, everyone starts to take their places around the "room", settling down, attempting to sleep for the first time in a month. Only Aidan and I remain, frozen. "Well, I guess we should head to sleep," I speak up. "Yeah, "Aidan agrees, nodding slowly. I uncross my legs, struggling to get up, stumbling, slightly tipping over. "Hey, hey, I got you," he says, grabbing my arm, steadying me. Our eyes lock. There's something about his eyes. His warm sage eyes stare into mine, like he's staring into my soul, learning every aspect about me. Balancing against him, my hand on his shoulder, I stand up. "Wait for me," he jokes with a laugh, beginning to pick himself up, placing his hand in the...fire. His screams of agony echo amongst the silence of sleep. "Oh my God!" I shriek, hurrying to pick him up. I grab onto him, pulling him out. "Aidan," I say gently, cradling his hand, laying him down. His arm swarmed with burns, sweltering. A single tear rolls down his cheek, releasing his sensitive side. "What can I-" I stop. His eyes still closed, he shushes me, short and quick. I lay down beside him, gently stroking his arm. "It's okay. I got you."