Page 121 of Wrecked
“It’s a plant. Natives to this area would use it to disinfect deep wounds and reduce inflammation. We don’t have access to antibiotics here, but lucky for us, we are living in the middle of the world’s largest pharmacy,” she says, grabbing her basket. “Promise me you’ll stay here?”
“Promise.” I pull her toward me, giving her a lingering kiss. “Be careful.”
“I will.” She sighs against my lips. She’s trying to be strong, but I can tell how worried she is. Maybe I should be more worried. But I can’t imagine a God, fate, or destiny that would give me Ellie back, just to rip her away because I got grazed by a cat.
I pull her against me, holding her tight, hiding the way that I’m using her body to keep me upright. “Hey, baby.” I click my tongue. “Don’t worry. I’m going to be okay. I don’t know if youknow this about me, but I’ve got an immune system made of steel. My body is going to fight this shit off soon.” I wink, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. I feel a little dizzy with the movement, but keep my smile wide. “I love you, Pip.”
“Love you, too,” she says, giving me another quick peck. She looks me over again before heading out the door.
As soon as she is out of my line of sight, I stumble back toward our bed, dropping onto it with a loud thud. This extreme fatigue came out of nowhere, but I didn’t want to give Ellie any more reason to be worried. I pull the blanket over my body and settle down for a short nap. I’ll get some things done around here when I wake up.
When I open my eyes,the shelter is pitch black. It must be getting dark outside, and I haven’t fed the fire in a while. I roll out of bed, sauntering over toward the fire pit. I rub my hands up and down my arms, suddenly freezing. My bare feet feel frozen against the shelter floor, like I’m walking outside in the dead of winter. My head is throbbing at my temples, making me feel nauseous. My body feels weak, drained, like the day after an intense workout. I’m shivering so hard my teeth rattle.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I sit cross-legged over by our little stove and add our stockpile of branches, sticks, and leaves to the pit. I put my hands in front of the flames trying to warm this bone-deep chill. The movement stretches the muscles in my shoulder, and I am overcome with complete agony. Searing pain whips down my back, and I fall forward, letting out a loud cry as anguish consumes me. I lower my body to the floor, lying down beside the fire.
I just need to stay here for a minute. Just a minute. Then I will go find Ellie. She should be back by now. She wouldn’t stay out this late without me. The thought causes me extreme panic.
She could be hurt somewhere.
I start crawling toward the door, nearly dragging my legs behind me. I reach the entrance a few seconds later and push it open. I try to pull myself up, but I’m so weak I can’t even make it to my knees. I drag my body over the threshold, and I feel like I’m going to throw up.
Chills rack my body. It’s freezing outside, the warmth of the fire is too far to reach me now.
Why is it so cold?
It’s never been this cold here before.
I pull myself forward onto the muddy terrain. I call out Ellie’s name, but my voice isn’t working right. It feels like a chore to talk and breathe at the same time. My breaths are coming in heavy pants, and my heart feels like it’s pounding out of my chest. I keep inching forward though, she might be scared. I hate when my girl feels scared.
I decide to crawl toward the path that leads to the beach. She loves the warm glow of the sunset so much, I bet she stopped to watch it. She probably lost track of time and got distracted by that orangish-pink sky she adores. I’ll find her. Even if I have to crawl the whole way. I’ll find her.
I make it over to the tree that sits to the left of our shelter. The squawking toucan is no longer there. Her eggs left behind without the warmth of their mother. That tugs at my heart. Nothing should have to live out here alone.
Fuck. It’s so goddamn cold.
What if Ellie is cold?
I need to get to her. I continue to crawl toward the path, nearly making it before everything goes black.
Drip…Drip… Drip…
Tiny, warm drops of water land on my arm. I must still belying outside in the rain, but somehow, I feel really warm. The chills from earlier have subsided. I try to open my eyes, but they feel glued shut.
Drip… Drip… Drip…
I hear the fire crackle next to me.
No.
Wait.
That can’t be right. I should be outside right now. I was trying to find Ellie.
Ellie.
Panic surges through me, lifting the fog.
