Survive Or Die

Chapter 24 - Revenge plans

Celia's POV

"My throat hurts," Judith groans midday. I rush around the house, designing a new greenhouse with a few builders I rounded up.
"You'll live," I tell her before continuing with my conversation.
She pouts and sits herself down on the couch, fiddling with her doll. "I could die, you know. I could have hyperthermia or Ebola or Cancer or tuberculosis or-"
"Judith... please, I'm busy."
She glares at me with her arms crossed which I choose to ignore. "At least Carl is nice to me," she mutters.
I sigh and turn around. "What do you want?"
"No. I want Carl now. You've blown it. I'll go fetch him." She stands and stomps towards the door.
I roll my eyes and turn back to the builders. "Where were we?"

Rain drums the roof and hits the windows with a small tap. "Did you eat?" I ask Judith who lounges on the couch with a blanket because apparently she was 'too cold' despite not feeling cold at all.
"Of course I ate. Did you?" She asks.
I purposely ignore her question. Of course I didn't. How could I when there were others who needed it more. "Were you out in the rain for long? Where did you go?"
"Chill, Celia. I'm only dying over here, nothing to worry about." She rolls her eyes sarcastically.
I can't help but smile. "I think you'll be all right."
Suddenly there's a pounding knock on the door. I rush to get it and find Carl standing there, drenched to the bone. He pushes past me into the house. "Welcome," I mumble dryly. I whirl around to face him. "Can I help you?" Let's just say that we have been colder than Judith feels ever since my excursion to Aria's little playground. 
"I think we should start thinking about a retaliation." He starts, stunning me. Whatever I thought he was here for- it wasn't that.
"A-A retaliation about what exactly?"
He rolls his eyes and sighs as if I were the dumbest person alive. "Aria. She stole our stuff and are we just supposed to deal with that?"
"Uh yes?" I say. Honestly, the thought hasn't really occurred to me.
"You really are a pushover," he mutters under his breath. "We- Hopi Nation- are struggling, barely above water." He casts a weary look to the window, a thin smile on his lip. "Literally. And don't think I haven't realised how you've been 'trying to save resources'. You're basically a stick." I open my mouth to argue but he keeps going. "I hate seeing what that woman has done to our people and what she has done to you. So when you're ready, come get me." He turns towards the door.
"I... okay. Retaliation," I find myself agreeing. He has reached the door but turns around and gives a curt nod.
And so we spent the next few hours brainstorming plans to get back at the Wicked Which Of The West. All business. Judith went to bed and Carl left soon after. He stops at the door as if he wants to say more but opens it anyway and ventures out into the darkness.

The next day is just as dreary as the last. Again, Carl barges in without even a simple 'hello'. I sigh and follow him to the table. he surveys the room with cold eyes, so unlike the ones I remember. "Where's Judith?" 

"In her room. Sick I think." I shrug and he nods curtly. "What's your problem?" I suddenly burst, surprising even myself. "Do you really hate me that much? I understand that I screwed up... But you would think I murdered the entire camp with the way you've been treating me. And don't you dare say that you never loved me because I know you did. Can't you just treat me like a human being at the very least? Jesus, it's not like I held Judith hostage..." my thoughts drifted in the middle of my speech. Carl's mouth sits open in shock but that's the least of my problems. "Carl, I got it! Our revenge plan! God, why didn't I think of this before?" It's so easy! So simple! 

"I... Uh... w-what would that be exactly?" 

I grin, more to myself then to him, and say, "We hold Archer hostage! We hold him hostage until she gives us what we need and calls off this immature 'war'. Perfect right?" 

Now he's grinning back. "Genius. And I... uh... about what you said..."

I roll my eyes, forcing my face into a cold mask, much like his was for the past week. "Forget it. We have work to do."