The Capitol Games

Chapter 8: Desert

My eyes flutter open only to shut again at the sudden brightness.
I'm not dead.
How am I not dead?
I groan and open my eyes once more, seeing Dart's violet eyes looking down on me.
"How..." I ask, my voice a hoarse whisper.
Dart hands me a canteen and I open it, taking big gulps of the cold water.
"How are you still alive?" He asks. His voice is softer than I thought it would be. I simply nod.
"You passed out, Doll. I carried you here. Now, if you want to live for much longer, stop drinking all our water. I'm out of iodine, and that's the last of the clean water." He says, looking at the canteen of water.
I blush and put the cap back on. Then, reaching to my pack that was at my side, I pull out a bottle of iodine and toss it to him.
"Here. It's iodine." I say as he catches it.
"Why're you giving this to me?" He asks, pulling up a pack of his own and placing the bottle in the bottom.
"Figure you saved me. Now we're even. And besides, we're in an alliance now, so I figur-" I say, only to be cut off by Dart.
"Who said we're in an alliance? Just because I saved you, doesn't mean I want to team up with you. You won't last hardly a day." Dart said quickly, turning his head so his face wouldn't show.
"Oh. I-I guess I'll just be off, then. Keep the iodine as payment for not killing me. I'll find some snow to melt." I say, a little disappointed.
What are you thinking, Frinchessa? The guy could've killed you! But he didn't... He's your enemy! He'll kill you! But he hasn't...
"You haven't looked outside, have you?" His slightly amused voice brought me out my thoughts. I stand with a little difficulty and peek out side.
"I-it's a desert?" I say in disbelief.
"It was just snowy yesterday. It can't be a desert. Can it? Where'd all the water go? Oh gosh, I'm going to die." I mumble to myself, slightly panicking.
"I suppose since you're here, and I could use the extra manpower, though you won't be of much help, you can stay. For now." Dart said, glancing at your back,
"Come over here, I have medicine. Let me help you, your shoulder will get infected."
I turn around and walk back towards Dart, looking wearily at the jar of salve he had opened.
"What is that? I think I'll be just fine without whatever that is." I say, coming back to my senses.
"It's just a salve. It'll help with the burns. You can trust me, my father was one of the doctors that worked on the victors. He helped save Katniss." He replies calmly, looking up at your standing form from his sitting position.
"Don't mention her name. I hate her. She killed my parents. They were peacekeepers just doing their job. Never talk about her again." I snap, anger flaring up at the sound of her name.