The Desert Island Survival Was Just A Scheme For My Long-Lost Sister Chapter 02
I hadn’t been back at our shelter long before Jenna showed up, leaning on Derek, who was doing his best “gimp” impression.
His ripped shirt was back on. Jenna’s lips were coated in an unnaturally pale gloss.
Seeing my empty hands, she feigned surprise. “Nat? You’re back so early? Did you forget to hunt for food?”
I swallowed the rage boiling in my chest and shook my head. “Nothing today.”
Derek’s brow furrowed. “Nat, you usually stay out till sunset. What’s with the slacking?”
Jenna’s eyes welled up instantly. “Don’t blame Nat, Derek. It’s my fault. If I don’t eat every hour, I’ll pass out.”
She grabbed my wrist, her grip surprisingly strong for someone so “frail.”
Tears dropped to the ground. “Could you try again, Nat? Anything. Literally anything.”
Before, that line would have worked every time.
I’d think about how this poor girl had been dealt a bad hand, while I had my brother, had Derek.
I’d even told her once, “You’re family now. My family is your family.”
What a joke.
I yanked my hand out of her grip. “Aren’t you full yet?”
She flinched, almost imperceptibly, before composing herself.
Derek’s frown deepened. “She ate hours ago. You know she can’t make it without food. If I weren’t stuck with this leg, I’d be out there myself!”
I stared at the boy who’d saved his allowance for my birthday presents, who’d promised to marry me when we grew up. He looked like a stranger now.
I pointed to the bitter root on the stone table, the one Jenna had taken one bite of, called “too tough,” and tossed aside. “Then eat that.”
I’d dug for two hours for that root. My hands were covered in scratches after digging for hours. I hadn’t eaten it myself because I wanted to save it. And she’d just thrown it away.
The Bias Unit above Derek’s head ticked upward.
Good. Keep going. The faster this ends.
He was about to lay into me when Ethan crashed out of the undergrowth.
The bruise makeup was even more over-the-top than usual.
He plastered a “guilty” smile on his face. “Nat, I’m sorry. I failed again. No food. We’re counting on you.”
I’d never realized my brother had such a talent for acting.
Wordless, I got up to fetch water from our precious store. I reached for the gourd to rinse the fresh scrapes from my fall when Derek hobbled over to block me.
“Fresh water is scarce, and you’re wasting it on a few scratches?”
My brother handed me a clump of dry moss. “Just dab it, Nat. Don’t use too much.”
I barked a bitter laugh. “So Jenna can use it for a bath, but I can’t use it on my wounds?”
I didn’t hesitate. I filled the gourd and used the water to clean myself.
One scoop. Two. Three.
Neither of them could react before our reserve was bone dry. The expressions on their faces soured.
I heard Jenna mumble, “Deduct five.”
The numbers above Ethan and Derek skyrocketed.
My brother shot a pointed look at a nearby camera and made a minus sign.
I froze. Memories clicked into place.
Last year, Jenna had claimed she had severe skin allergies and begged to use our fresh water to wash. I’d agreed.
Ethan had smiled and said, “Look at you, being so mature,” then flashed Derek a five.
I hadn’t understood it then.
When they’d found a fake plane wreck, she’d snagged all the cotton clothes first. “I break out in hives if I wear polyester,” she’d whined. I’d agreed.
And my brother had raised five fingers to the sky.
I understood now. Every act of kindness earned points. Every moment of “selfishness” cost them.
Fine. If that’s how it works.
My anger finally exploded. I stepped forward and confronted Jenna.
Screw the points! Bring it on!