I wake up, sandwiched between Cato and Marvel. Cato's arm lies over my waist, and Marvel's back is turned. I groggily rub my eyes and sit up. A bird suddenly takes off, causing me to jump, and wake the other two up.
"Wha-" Marvel says, looking around. Cato sniffs and rubs his nose.
"We should get moving. Eat while we move." I say, standing up. I pick up the sleeping bag and zip it up. Marvel gets up at takes the bag from me. Cato finds the berries and holds them out as Marvel stuffs the sleeping bag in the pack. "We can sort out who is going to carry what as well." I say.
"Well I have my sword so I don't need this spearhead. Marvel, you take it."
"I have quite a lot." I say. "Here, Marvel, take these." I give him one of my first aid kits, two spare knives and one of the water bottles.
"Okay, so I have one spearhead, a water bottle, a pack of dried fruit, two spare knives and a first aid kit plus the sleeping bag. Here, Clove, you take that." Marvel says, handing me the sleeping bag. "And here, Cato." He hands Cato the last of the rabbit from the other night.
"I've got the sleeping bag, iodine tablets, berries and my night vision glasses." I say, looking at Cato,
"I've got the rabbit, squirrel, a few berries, and the night vision glasses." Cato says.
"Sorted. If we find anything else we'll add it to our packs, okay?"
"Sure." Marvel replies.
We head off down the stream, leaving footprints carelessly in the soft mud. Dawn is nearly over and the birds are singing loudly. Just off the stream Marvel finds another spear head, and he puts it in his pack. Around midday we end up near the source of the fires yesterday.
"Who do you think this was?" I say.
"Could have been anyone." Cato says, kicking ash with his foot.
"Hey, look through there!" Marvel calls, and hurries away from us.
I look at Cato, confused. He shrugs and follows Marvel.
"It's another fire!" Marvel exclaims.
"What would have been." Cato corrects.
"Which suggests that whoever made the fires heard us coming and didn't light the other one." I say.
"Perhaps it was a trap?" Marvel suggests.
"Come on, who would make a trap to get us? There were four of us, and we're all strong and skilled." Cato says, rolling us eyes and pulling apart a leaf.
"No, a trap so they could blow up our supplies. See, I was right, Josh should have stayed with the supplies."
"Was it you who made these fires, Marvel, because it sure sounds like you know what you're talking about." Cato says, glaring menacingly at Marvel. I stay quiet, not wanting to get into another argument.
"No, Cato, it makes sense! We can't be the only alliance out here! We may be the strongest, but that doesn't mean that other people aren't allied!"
"Marvel, you're being ridiculous!" Cato shouts in his face.
"Cato, come on. Marvel, we'll meet you back here in a bit, okay? If a cannon fires, get back here." I say, pulling on Cato's arm.
"Okay, Clove. Be careful."
"And you." I say, pulling Cato away. We head back to the stream and we sit there for a while. The mud has already dried out, hardened into cracked solid. I take off my boots and let the water flow over my bare feet, cleaning the dirt away and soothing my blisters.
