Three lives are way better than two. Mallory and I have arrived back at camp from our short walk. Mallory somehow always says the right thing. And it feels so nice sometimes especially when you're shocked about another person now having seven lives. I'm still stunned about it.

  It's later in the day and I can't wait for it to be night again. I need sleep but I can't sleep with how bright it is right now.

  Earlene is in her shack and has barely left it since I came back. I hear her giggle sometimes in there. I wonder what she is up to.

  I can tell Caden is bored. And he doesn't understand what Mallory and I are going through. Mostly since we haven't told him about the person with seven lives. I don't even know how he would react to that.

  Mallory sits near the ashes from the fire from last night. I pace around thinking I should light a fire but then I realize that we have no firewood.

  “I’m going to go get firewood,” I say as I grab an axe. And start walking into the forest.

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  “I'll come with you,” says Caden following me into the forest. I don't protest even though I want to.

  …

  We find a nice tree which we have mostly chopped down. I watch Caden cut the wood into nice pieces for a fire but then he stops.

  “What's up with you the same goes for Mallory. Ever since last night, you two have been acting weird,” he cuts another piece of wood with more force which makes me slightly jump back.

  “Well last night we saw a person wandering around Earlene’s shack and we pinned him to the ground and I took a dagger and stabbed him,” I look down to the ground.

  “Go on,” Caden says.

  “After I killed him I looked at his arm. He has seven lives, Caden,” I hear a thud and I look up to see Caden has dropped the axe. And he is so in shock his jaw is practically on the ground.

  “How?” Caden looks down at his arm. One life. I never realized he had one. And earlier I was here complaining about two. I look down at my arm, grateful. Then I hear a loud thud louder than before. I look up again but Caden is on the ground with a dagger through his chest. And no red rings on his arm.

  Caden’s dead. My best friend is dead.

  I take out my dagger and look around. Up in the trees and behind my back. No one in sight. I head back to camp with a tear running down my cheek.

  …

  I arrive back at camp with watery eyes. Mallory stands up.

  “Where is Caden?” she asks. I stare at her with no response. She covers her hand with her mouth and doesn't talk.

  “Why so soon?” she asks “How did this happen?” She goes down to her knees and collapses. I join her.

  I can't believe I'm mourning my best friend. I never wanted this to happen.