I set down on my blanket and watch the two men make camp. I can't help but watch Max's every move.
"What's for dinner?" I asked.
"Hopefully fish if Adam can catch any." Max says.
"I can help with that, I am good at catching fish." I say.
I stand up and get my net out. "Coming to baby sit Adam?"
Adam shrugs and follows. I lay out my net and 'three in the net'
Three fish swim right into the net and I draw it up, "Is this enough?"
"Yes," Adam scratched his head 'How did he do that' he thought to him self.
I just smile and walk back to camp.
"Give up already?" Max says.
I shrug my shoulder while Adam holds up the fish, "He caught all three at once."
Max looked at the fish and then looked at Eli.
"How?" Max asked.
I shrug again and sit there.
"Is the fire ready?" Adam asked.
"Almost I was not expecting you to get back so fast."
Everyone watched the fire burn as Adam cooked the fish. It was not bad.
"I think I will sleep now." I say.
"Adam you sleep first and I'll stand guard. I'll wake you later for your turn." Max said.
"I'll stand guard if you like too." I say with a grin.
"No thank you. You'll just try to excape." Max says.
"I forgot I am a prisoner held against my will." I lay down on my blanket and roll over.
Max frowned, Eli's statement saying he was a prisoner hit him harder then expected. He did not want the boy to think this way, but knew it was true.
He sat up most of the night watching the boy. He could not bring himself to wake Adam.
As the sun started up Max yawned.
"Why didn't you wake me?" Adam said.
"Adam is there something wrong with me?" Max asked.
"What do you mean?"
"This boy... I don't know... I want to kiss him badly."
Adam smiled, "nothing is wrong if you found your true love."
"But he's a boy, I don't swing that way."
"The heart does not see male or female. The heart loves who it loves." Adam laid a hand on Max's shoulder.
"Lay down for a little bit I'll wake you when breakfast is ready."
Max laid down next to Eli and fell asleep.
When I woke up someone had a hand over my waist and I could feel someone behind me.
I tried to sit up and was pulled closer. "Hey let me go!" I start kicking the person behind me.
"Ohhh!! stop it!"
Adam came over to find Eli scrambling to get up and Max grabbing his groin.
"What happened?" Adam asked.
"That pervert was cuddling me so I kicked him." I said.
Max just groaned in pain.
Eli got up and stormed down to the river to cool off.
"You Ok?" Adam asked.
"I'm going to kill that boy!" Max hurt so bad. "Go after him."
Adam ran to catch up with Eli and found him sitting with his feet in the river.
"You Ok?"
I ran down here to cool my mind down, "I wasn't going to run away."
"I know." he said sitting next to me.
"Why did he do that. You should never touch someone with out their permission." I was trying to hold back tears.
"Yah, well Max is not use to people telling him no. He has a lot ridding on his shoulders and he is just hoping you can help. It makes him want to protect you."
"Well I'm not sure how I can help." I shake my head.
"Promise me you'll talk to the Oracle before you say no." He place a hand on my sholder and a feeling of ease came over me.
I am not sure but I shake my head yes and stand up. "Is there anything to eat?"
"I made biscuits and gravy it done so lets head back." Adam places his arm around my shoulders and we walk back to camp.
Max is drinking coffee as we return and I sit across from him and Adam serves the food. But I can still see the anger in Max's eyes.
"This is good, Thanks." I say to Adam.
"Well it's thanks to your supplies we didn't have time to get any."
Max just stairs at Me like he wants to kill me. "Sorry, you just scared me." I say.
"It's alright." Max just shakes his head and eats his food.
After breakfast they gather everything up and get ready to set off.
"Eli you'll ride with me today." Max says.
"No I'll ride with Adam." I can't be that close to that pervert.
"No, you will ride with me!" Then he picks me up and places me on his horse and swings up behind me.
Adam shakes his head and mounts his horse.
{As they travel Max can smell the fresh scent of Eli hair and breaths in deep. It was the same smell from last night that made him pull the boy closer.}
"Can you stop smelling me, it is kind of gross." I tell him.
Max laughed and said, "Why do you smell so good?"
"Well for starters I bath." I am getting upset at his nearness.
Max then whisper in my ear, "I'll bathe with you any day."
My eyes go wide, "You are a pervert!"
"We will stop for one last night before we get to the Capitol." Max says.
Adam gets down and helps Eli off the horse. Max then dismounted and ties the horses up.
"Do you want more fish?" I ask.
"If you think we can get some sure. I'll make fish stew." Adam says.
I grab my net and head back to the river and Max follows me.
"I won't run away, I promise Adam I would meet the Oracle. I always keep my promises to people I like."
"That's good but I'll keep an eye on you anyway." He says.
"Suit yourself." I lay the net down and push 'Three fish in net' Three fish jump right into the net and I draw it up.
"How do you do that?" he asked.
"Just lucky I guess. Can you take these back to Adam I would like to bath."
"Sure, I'll be back if you run I'll tie you up." he laughs.
I roll my eyes. When I am sure I am alone I undress and jump into the river. It feels refreshing to knock off the dust of the last few days have gathered on me.
Max takes the fish to Adam and heads back to the river. He can see Eli in the river swimming and found his cloths by the river bank. Along with a shirt and trousers there was a long cloth like rag like the ones the healers use for broken ribs.
Was Eli hurt? Is that why he doesn't trust anyone. He watch for sometimes and then hears, "Pervert turn around I want to get out."
Max laughs, "Were both men, get out."
"Not on your life, turn around and don't look at me."
Max turns around, "Happy?"
I quickly get out and wrap myself and get dresses.
"Are you hurt?" Max asked.
I sighed, "Some broken ribs, no big deal you can turn around again."
"How did you break them?"
"I don't want to talk about it." I head back to camp to sit by the fire.