#team barton

I stared out into the flooded remains of the jungle, hoping to see him. I still couldn't believe Verma was gone. My eyes were swollen from tears still, but the sobs had ceased. Even after I heard two cannons fire, I didn't want to accept that he was dead. 

"We have to move," I heard from one of my allies, and we all started into the jungle. I ran to grab my clothes and spear, hurriedly tugging my still-damp pants up over my hips as I caught up with them. I lost my shirt as we charged through the jungle's dense foliage, but managed to salve my jacket. 

The training I'd done in the gauntlet was coming in handy yet again as we leapt over tree roots and fought our way through vines and plants. The roar of waves boomed behind us like thunder and echoed between the tall trees. 

"We aren't going to make it!" I shouted desperately, glancing back to see the white brim of water chasing behind us. It would disappear for a moment before slithering back at terrifying speeds, reaching farther than before. Verma, who was ahead of us all, slowed down a bit and we all ran together as we tried to come up with a plan to get to the cornucopia. water was already brushing at our feet. 

That's when the boat came up. 

Together, we worked out a plan and pieced together what to do, all of us splitting up momentarily to gather the needed supplies. For Melody and I, it was leaves. For Verma and Jasmine, branches. When that was done, we all high tailed it up into one of the high trees of the jungle and set to work. In minutes Verma and Jasmine had pieced together the outer structure. It was a simple little thing, a glorified raft with sides, but it would do. 

There was no way we could escape the water, so why not use it to our advantage?

I used vines from the trees and the remaining strips of fabric to secure the structure, then went to join the others in securing leaves and fabric to fill it in. We coated the entire inside in tree sap to stop any leaks, the four of us all covered in the stuff by the time we'd finished. And not a moment too soon. The crack of tree branches being snapped like twigs was beginning to join the roar of the water. We all climbed in and say in a line, holding on to branches with one hand and the boat sides with the other, leaving us dangling over the rushing water. 

"On three!" Verma shouted. "Wait!" I said suddenly, earning glares from the group as I reached for a remaining, long vine. I looped it around us, securing us together. It would held to keep us balanced. Help to keep us safe. 

"One!" I felt my heart pounding as I looked down at the water. I wondered what Arthur was thinking.  "Two!" I thought of my nieces at home, and of my parents and sister. I wanted to get home to them. I wanted it more than anything else. "Three!"

I couldn't help but scream as we dropped, and were soon pulled along with the water. It was fast, and the boat was shaky, but it worked. We bobbed above the water, all of us throwing our weight this way and that to avoid obstacles and keep us upright.

Melody and Jasmine kept their eyes open for mutts or other living threats, and I had my spear close just in case. I knew I could use it to beat attackers away, or stab them, but never throw it. My aim would have been terrible with so much movement.

The ride felt like it was taking forever. I didn't know how close we were to safe grounds, but every now and then I caught glimpses of the gleaming cornucopia. It got closer and closer every time.