Chapter Three: The Seed
The sun—or whatever passed for it in this dome—hung high in the still sky when we made our move.
We walked until our legs ached and the silence turned heavy.
We have alreasy walked for two hours.
#5 and I exchanged a glance. Her legs were shaking. Mine too.
None of us spoke until we stumbled into a clearing—a small patch of cracked stone surrounded by glowing weeds.
Without a word, we sat.
#5 collapsed onto the ground like her legs had given up entirely. I sank beside her, wiping sweat from my brow. My lips were dry, tongue swollen. I reached into my bag and pulled out the small bottle of water we had divided back in the arena.
Just three gulps left.
I took a single, shallow sip. Just enough to wet my mouth. Then I closed the cap tightly.
#22 was less cautious.
He ripped his bottle open and guzzled half of it in seconds. The sound of the water hitting his throat echoed like a taunt in the air. Then he leaned back, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and let out a satisfied groan.
"Ahhh... Finally."
I didn't look at him. I just took another tiny sip and set my bottle aside.
Next to me, #5 followed my movements. Her hands hovered over the packet of biscuits in her lap. She looked at me.
"You're not eating?" she whispered.
I shook my head. "The biscuits make you thirsty. If you eat them now, you'll need more water."
Her fingers froze on the edge of the packet. She looked down, then quietly slid them back into her bag without touching them.
The moment was fragile—until it shattered.
"What the hell did you just say?" #22's voice sliced the air.
I looked up. He was sitting upright now, eyes locked on me.
"You couldn't say that before I ate mine?" he growled. "Are you trying to screw with me? Is that it?"
I didn't move. "I didn't know you were eating already."
He stood up. His shadow stretched across me like a storm cloud.
"Give me your water. Both of you."
I didn't reply.
"I'll divide it again," he added, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Fair and square this time."
Liar.
He wanted control. He wanted to take. That was the only rule left in the world: take, or be taken from.
I glanced at #5. She looked terrified, her hands trembling around her bottle. My mind worked quickly. Could I fight him? Possibly. But I'd waste all my energy and I'll have to drink more water. I might win… but then I'd still have #5. I can't trust anyone. She wasn't an ally. Not yet. She might want me gone too. It's not worth it.
So I nodded.
Calm. Obedient.
I reached into my pack, pulled out my biscuits and bottle, and handed them over.
He grinned as he took them.
#5 hesitated, then followed my lead, handing him hers as well.
He stuffed the supplies back into his pack and turned away like he'd claimed a prize. "See?" he said smugly. "This way's better."
We started walking again.
We didn't find anything for the next half hour. Just more of the same—twisted trees, burnt earth, silence.
That's when #5 drifted close to my side. Her voice was soft and hoarse.
"Are you… are you okay with him just taking our water and food like that?"
I didn't answer immediately. I kept walking, eyes scanning the terrain.
Then I said it.
"We have to kill him to get it back."
She stopped. "What?"
I looked at her. "He won't share. He'll drain it all before sunset. You and I will starve. There's no reason for him to keep us alive."
She swallowed hard, horrified.
"But… how are we supposed to explain it to the others? Won't the system know? What if we're punished?"
"Do you really think we're the only ones thinking about this?" I said.
She looked away. Didn't answer.
That was fine.
I didn't need her to agree. Not yet.
I just needed to plant this thought in her mind like a seed and let it grow.
To be continued.....