Survive Or Die

Chapter 21- "Heda sends her regards"

It rained for days after you left me, as if the sky itself shared my grief.
- John Green
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I wake in a cold sweat with my heart pumping in my ears and the image of Izzy's pale body in my eyes. I gently touch my fingertips to my cheeks to find them damp with tears. Fifth time this week. And it's Friday.
I swing my legs off the bed and take a moment to steady myself. I get dressed in whatever clothes I wore yesterday and shuffle into the kitchen. The house is still dark with creepy shadows in every corner. I take one glance at the small cupboard with the very little food that we have, and feel my stomach twist before rumbling. I grab one of the three bottles of water on the bench and take a swing before wandering outside. The sun just kisses the tree but the camp remains in darkness. I amble towards the lake and sit down on the shore, feeling the cool breeze wash over my skin. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
"You're up early, Princess," I hear Carls voice from beside me.
I open my eyes as he comes to sit next to me. "I know."
"What's up?"
I give him an odd look. "I couldn't sleep," I answer lamely.
He sighs. "Nightmares?" My silence is answer enough. "You know, if they are so bad I can come over and sleep with-" i press my lips to his, cutting him off. I break away and he seems surprised. "What was that for?"
I allow a small smile. "Became I've had a really crappy day and I needed it."
He smiles down at me, our faces barely inches apart. "You're really sweet when you want to be," he says.
I grin and press a kiss to his nose.
"Is that a yes to me sleeping over?" He asks quietly. The light pink sun kisses the ground around us.
"I don't know if it would unsettle Judith..." I say uneasily, looking down at the ground.
He frowns and tips my chin up so our eyes meet. "The problem with putting others first is that you've taught them that you come second."
"Maybe I do," I answer instantly and regret it. I find myself unable to tear my eyes away from his.
He kisses me again, slowly. "No, you don't."

The days wear on without any word of Aria. I keep our defence outside of the weapon and supply shed and make sure everyone is protected in one way or another. "Tomorrow's the day," Judith says proudly as we walk back to our small house.
I smile down at her. "Sure is."
"Do you think he'll be okay out there on his own?" Her eyebrows furrow and her lower lip sticks out.
"I'm sure he'll be fine."
"You made sure the porch is safe, right?"
"Yep. No monster will steal your precious bird."
She glares at me. "His name is Charvi, you know."
I roll my eyes playfully. "Of course, you're majesty."
She sticks out her tongue.
We open the door to hear the small chirps of her little lovebird. His wing is healed but we are keeping him for one last night outside so he can readjust to the outside air. I pick up his small shoebox, fitted with blankets, and set him down on the table I placed on the porch.
Tomorrow morning comes and goes. "We'll let him go at sunset, okay?"
She grins at me in answer.
It's around just before the sunset and I'm helping the Hunters fill the food shed. Suddenly there's a scream. I sharp, piercing sound that rings all too familiarly in my ears. Judith.
I fell the colour drain from my face as I take off sprinting towards the house. I find Judith standing by the door with a white face and wide eyes. What takes me by surprise is the small table that we keep outside has been throw over and smashed in half. "Judith..." I breath. Her chest raises and falls quickly and tears fall down her dirty face, creating streaks. Her breath is short as she hyperventilate-cries.
"She- she's dead," she says, her voice cracking. She leaves me and dashes to the table and the shoebox. I cautiously move towards them and gasp. The bird- Charvi- is laying in two pieces. The head... and the body. Sobs erupt from little Judiths throat and she flings herself onto me. I rub her back that shakes with sobs. I take a minute to look around the lounge room. Empty food cans litter the ground, the couch cushions have been split open, cotton pouring out like clouds. The kitchen table has been throw on its side but is luckily still in tact.
"Oh Baby," I say. I can almost feel my heartbreaking at her reaction to a bird.
"We-we were gonna- were gonna release her," she cries. I pick her up as she continues to drench my shirt and take her inside.
"I know." I sit down on the couch and set her next to me.
"W-Why would some-someone do th-that."
"I don't know."
She lays down with her head on my lap and I comb my fingers through her long hair. Her frail body quakes with shaky breaths. The sun has only just ducked behind the mountains when she finally falls asleep. I carefully place her head down on the couch and stretch. She frail frame curls up in a ball. She has clean streaks amongst the grime on her face from her tears and her body shivers with silent whimpers. I stand and stretch out my legs before going outside to the bird. I sigh and lift up the bloodied shoebox to find a note, flittering in the breeze. The wind picks it up and carries it a few meters. I drop the box and chase after it. I feel my blood boil as I read: