Requiem

Chapter Seven:

Chapter Seven: 

When we get back, Monique has managed to capture two small, thin fish and Sebastian has a nice sized fire going. None of us are happy about Monique’s tribute; the fish are almost too small to even eat. But after one nasty look, we realize she isn’t about to get up again for our sake. Sebastian cooks the food -jabbing a long stick through both of the fishes and roasting them over the flame. Jasper and I sit quietly, waiting patiently, and Monique sulks several feet away.

My nose scrunches up as the smell of the cooking fish wafts my way. 

I never liked fish. Still don’t. 

Sebastian lifts the fish away from the fire and carefully snaps the stick in half. We each get a half of a fish. My fingers burn as I break off mine, the meat still hot.

I devour my half in seconds. My stomach is nowhere near full, but my hunger has been somewhat satisfied for now. Throwing my stick back into the flame, I sit back, the heels of my palms digging into the sand. “So what do we do now?” I ask. 

“Monique still needs practice.” Sebastian says, swallowing his last bite. 

“Monique this; Monique that.” Monique snarls, throwing her stick at the fire. “I’ve done my share for the day. Why doesn’t anybody ever critique Scar or you, homeboy? I haven’t heard anybody complain about your mace skills!” 

I snicker. “That’s because he doesn’t suck.” 

“Oh shut up.” Monique barks at me. 

“Why don’t you make me?” I retort coldly. 

“Stop it.” Jasper puts a hand in between us, as if it is a physical barrier that can stop us from continuing. “Monique, you’re the only one besides me who has to shoot something and I already know how to shoot a gun. You need to work on your aim. Scar and Sebastian have their own improvements to make, but they have nothing to do with food. The only reason we gripe at you is because you’re our main source of food.” He gives the girl a hard look and then turns to me. “Scar, please stop edging her on.” 

“That’s all she gets?” Monique throws her arms up in the air, glaring heatedly at Jasper. “A stupid little ‘please stop’? She’s the cause of half our problems.” 

I go to say something, but Jasper stops me. “Look, I know you’re upset that Daddy isn’t here to provide for you. But that doesn’t mean you get to take it out on everybody else. Yeah, you’re hungry. I get it. I’m hungry too. So just shut up and deal with it.” 

Something dangerous flashes through his eyes; it’s like staring into a glacier, you can feel the ice pressing against your skin -prickling with goose bumps and then, after a while, turning a dark bluish color. It’s so numb and cold. I suppress a shiver and I can see Monique do the same. I can see her grim resolution, it’s written all over her face. She’s like me. She hates to admit it, but Jasper is right. 

Doesn’t mean she’s going to make my life any easier, however. 

“Whatever.” She stands, flipping a curl out of her eyes, and sashays over to the ocean. 

Thankfully, she grabs her bow and quiver. That is one way to let out your anger -hurl arrows at innocent fish. At first my thought is sarcastic, but then I really think about it. It means more food. 

And I am strangely fine with this. 

Jasper lets out a disgruntled huff. I watch, frowning, as he twists away from her and sits down. I stare at him. He stood up for me, sort of. Now I hate him even more.