Page 77 of Wrecked
I walk us deeper into the shallow hollow, taking note of the dry branches, crispy leaves, and mossy limestone.
Thank fuck.
I set Ellie down on some dried leaves, tucking her as far into the alcove as I can. The overhang created a large cavity, allowing for plenty of open space, so it doesn’t trap in nearly enough warmth.
I check Ellie’s pulse, slow and thready. I need to get her warm immediately.
I walk over to a pile of sticks that were likely swept into the cavern over time. I find several large, thick branches, and tons of smaller twigs. Perfect for maintaining a fire. Best of all, they are dry. I dig through foliage on the dirty ground, looking for a dried piece of flat bark to use as my base. I find a large branch from a hibiscus tree, dry and lightweight. I tear off a branch jutting out from the side, needing the same type of wood to create friction for my fire. Once I have the supplies I need, I pile up some moss and dried leaves to use as tinder.
The deep cavity will protect the fire from the ferocious winds outside, which puts me in a much better spot for fire making than the night before. Add in the benefit of having dry wood, and this should take no time at all. The concave walls are high enough that having a fire inside the large burrow will be safe.
I can’t help but think about setting up a more permanent camp here.
Those are thoughts for a later time. Right now, the only thing that matters is getting Ellie warm. I pile my tinder and set the flat piece of wood near the side of it. I use a sharp rock to carve a small notch into the branch and make a groove down the center, creating a path to guide my other stick. I wedge the large branch between my knee and the cave wall, holding it firm. Taking the smaller stick, I hold it inside the notch, keeping it at an angle. With steady hands, I press the smaller piece of wood back and forth in the track, creating friction from the force of my movements. Sweat beads on my forehead as the tasktakes more energy than I have left to spare. My heart is racing, and I find myself praying to a God that I’m not sure I believe in.
Several minutes pass before I start to feel the heat of the wood in my hands and notice a wisp of smoke rise from where the two branches connect. I quicken my movements, pressing harder at the tip. The smoke thickens, leaving a patch of charred kindling beneath the small stick. I continue rubbing for a few more seconds, then carefully lift the branch and transfer the ember onto my pile of tinder. With the gentlest of breaths, I lean forward and blow on the twigs softly.
A small red dot appears in the smoke, and I practically cry as I will the ember to grow. I continue to blow on the pile of leaves, desperately trying to coax it to life. The air around me becomes thick with white smoke. I grab my pile of tinder and wave the bundle around to create some more airflow, blowing directly onto the center of the coal. A small flame flickers, followed quickly by an intense orange glow. I set the pile down as the fire roars, lighting the rest of the tinder quickly. I reach around me for the piles of wood I brought over and toss the smaller twigs into the fire. I create a circle out of the large rocks I found in the cavern and align the wood in a teepee arrangement.
Satisfied the fire will hold, I run over to Ellie and undress her. I throw her wet clothes to the side of the fire and then undress myself. I carry her limp body over to the fire, whispering praise and love in her ear. Letting her know she’s going to be okay.
I set her down in a pile of leaves beside the fire and climb on top of her, giving her my body heat. She starts to shiver violently against me, and I just cry. I cry as I hold on to her. I cry as I pray. I cry as I beg for her life.
I cry until I fall asleep.
“You kind of smell.”
I jolt awake as the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard filters through my ears. I pull back, looking down at Ellie’s wide eyes.
And face of disgust.
“You’re kind of hot and sweaty too.” She pushes at my chest, desperate to get out from underneath me. I can’t help but laugh. I laugh until I am cracking up, lying on my back with tears trickling down my face. Ellie laughs with me, our faces turned toward each other, eyes connected. Our laughs die out slowly, and I take a deep shuddering breath.
“You’re okay.”
“I’m okay…thanks to you.”
“You know, I’d probably smell a lot better if I didn’t have to carry youandour food through the jungle,” I joke, trying to lighten up the serious moment.
I could have lost her.
She reaches over and lightly slaps my bare chest, laughing at me. I grab her hand before she can pull it back and thread our fingers together. I give her hand a small squeeze and bring it to my lips. I kiss her knuckles, one by one, then turn her hand over to kiss her palm.
“You started a fire,” she says almost shyly, as if my kissing her is a new experience.
I guess in a way, it is.
“I did.”
I release her hand and we both sit up, fanning our fingers out in front of the fire. I reach over and grab our clothes, happy to feel that they are mostly dry now. I hand Ellie her shirt and leggings and pull my T-shirt over my head.
“We’d so knock thatNaked and Afraidthing out of the park.” She grins as she quickly dresses herself.
I let out a rough laugh. “Oh yeah, Pip. We are doing great out here.”
She scoots over to me, the need to be close to each otherfeeling magnetic. It can’t be helped. We just gravitate to each other, closing the distance like a moth to a flame.
She reaches for me, cupping my cheek in her hand. Leaning forward, she captures my lips lightly, keeping our kiss short, but sweet.
