Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 13.1 - The Traitor

Chapter Thirteen

The Traitor

Sam rubbed the bridge of his nose, his eyes shut, trying to take it all in. But all he wanted to do was sleep. His body felt as if he were floating and having his eyes shut made him sway on the spot. He used his rifle to steady himself.

"Sam? Sam!"

He opened his eyes and focused on Angie who was snapping her fingers in front of his face. Oh, yeah, they were talking, but he couldn't remember the subject.

"You're exhausted! You should get some sleep. You can't even concentrate on talking." She tugged at his rifle, but he held on tightly. He needed it to keep his balance.

"I can concentrate. You were saying something about Gina." He hoped.

"Yes, I was saying that I don't think we have a spy," Angie said impatiently. "All of us came in pairs except for her. I think she's the spy. She's been here for three days and all she's done except leech on Tom is check our progress with the traps."

"I do that too. Does that make me a traitor?" Sam asked, yawning.

Angie stared at him in disbelief for a second then groaned. "She's writing everything down as if she couldn't just remember where they are."

"Maybe she has a poor memory?" Sam said tentatively.

"If she had poor memory, she'd have gotten caught up in that net hundreds of times by now." Angie's tone was somewhere between indulgent and exasperated.

"Innocent until proven guilty, Angie." Sam shut his eyes. It felt as if they were burning. "But I'm keeping my eye on her."

"Get some sleep, will you? You can't even think straight anymore. I'll stand guard." Angie successfully yanked the rifle from him.

"You? No, Snitch Gravel might show up. And I can think straight." Sam said, making a grab for the weapon back, but Angie pulled out of his reach.

"He won't show up as long as Gina is here. Will you trust me on this?"

"You just don't like her because of Tom!" Sam said, annoyed.

Angie's face caught fire. "That's so not true!"

"Yes it is! You don't like her because she's Tom's girlfriend and it ruins your silly bet thing," Sam retaliated.

"Just get some sleep, Sam," Angie said between her teeth and started turned her back on him.

Sam watched her stomping away, unable to tell if he was angry with her or thankful. Saying he was exhausted was an understatement. Over the past days, ever since finding out there might be a spy among them, he'd been on constant guard duty. He couldn't sleep thinking someone might kill them in their sleep. Someone other than Clive. Even if he really did help with carrying stuff, the guy was turning into more trouble than he was worth.

He'd racked his brain, trying to determine who the spy might be. The only slightly suspicious one was JT, but Sam concluded that he was just unlikable, not a traitor. Besides, he was Steve's brother and Steve was nice and helpful. Angie had a point about all of them coming in pairs and being either related or connected.

As he walked towards his tent to get some rest, Sam tried to empty his mind. Maybe Angie was right and he really couldn't think straight anymore. Maybe a night of sleep was just what he needed. Though, seeing as he dreamed about Carlos every single night, sleeping might not be the best idea.

*

"God, you're absolutely blind," Kyle said, rolling his eyes.

Tom clicked his tongue. "Despite the glasses, I'm not."