The 44




"Dru, mummy's saying we need to go away." Abby sat before me, her cough came from deep with her chest, you could hear the flem and you could see the seconds it took her to recover from each one. She leant over the bed, empting the contents of her stomach into the bucket beside her.


I could understand that the bug she had, in combination with the infections she was fighting, off was going to kill her. I could understand that her mother had come to terms with the death of both herself and her daughter. I could understand what we needed to quarantine them before it was able to spread. I could even understand that the pit deep within my stomach, the one created by knowing that I couldn't save the life of such a optimistic upbeat little girl. But what I couldn't understand was how the smile and shine within her eyes were yet to disappear.


I watched her as she tucked her hair behind her ears and wiped the sides of her mouth with the back of her hands, her smile still spread from ear to ear.


"You'll come visit me, won't you Druey?" I hated it, but I flinched under her touch as her delicate fingers squeezed tightly onto mine. I couldn't lie to the eyes that stared up at me with nothing but innocent hope. "When your not too busy saving lives of Corse." As she finished her sentence she didn't have time to make it make it to the bucket before she keeled over. This time bile and blood were thrown over the sand as the girls mother held her hair back. The mother herself was weak, pale and brittle- and I still couldn't save her.


"I'll come and see you every day that I possibly can, Abby." I could see Rukma walking over, she must have been done with the quarantine area we'd agree upon. "I promise."


"Look after everyone while I'm gone okay." Abby giggled as Rukma began to lead the mother and daughter into the edge of the forest, I waved a small goodbye before turning to Caila. She'd been waiting patiently behind me, at times placing a hand on my shoulders showing me her encouragement. It was nice knowing I had someone by my side, supporting me and understanding me beyond what I could ever have hoped for.


"We need to try and round up some more blankets, jackets or clothes. We can't leave any more people vulnerable to this weather." I spoke of the drastic change in the weather. At first the wind picked up, being right on the beachfront there was no escaping the chill that spread a chorus of coughs throughout the survivors. Then the sun disappeared, taking with it any chance of heating up- any protection for the weak and injured.


I'd spent another night awake, unable to stop moving- walking from person to person checking to see if they were still breathing. I placed blankets over everyone that I could, tucking my own one over Ari, Lola and Freyja. Ari already had a spare jacket around his shoulders but his sister lay there shivering in her sleep. I knew what the cold would do to those that were already fighting off their infections and it pained me to know that I didn't have enough resources to protect them all. If I could just hold it off until a rescue team came- they'd be able to do what I couldn't.


The only person I hadn't tucked in was Jesse; just as I brought a bottle of water over to Vincent I'd spotted the boy at the waters edge starring up to the sky. He wasn't even wearing his jacket, his arms exposed to the elements. I debated taking a spare thick jacket over to him but I hesitated. He clearly chose to give his jumper away- god knows why- but he was a big boy and he could deal with the repercussions.


"I've got that sorted, Dru, You needed to go. It's getting late again and it'll be time for you to do your rounds soon." Caila stopped before the fire. The fire that had people squished up as close as possible to the outskirts. Hands were being outreached, being rubbed together in an attempt to create heat from friction. People were suffering, people were dying, and people were freezing. But I was going to change that- I had to change that. "Seriously, just go. Before I make you move that arse of yours" Pushing my shoulders away ever so slightly I threw her teasing laughs.


"Fine, Bossy pants, who put you in charge?" It felt nice to hear myself laugh, even if it was only a chuckle. I ran threw a few things with her, like dressing Vincent's wound, treating Matilda and running over dinner with Elena. I even gave her the herbs that were needed to help reduce pain. She insisted I let her help, denying the fact that I was bossing her around and claiming she didn't see it that way. I needed someone I trusted looking over the people, looking over Jesse to make sure that he wasn't the reason any of these people starved to death.


Shoving my hands into my pocket and shifting my weight so that the pack on my back was more comfortable I headed off. I'd been putting off doing this since everyone started to wake up this morning, but Caila had packed my bag first thing- demanding I went immediately. I couldn't put it off any longer; it was time to head back into the forest and scrounge together what I could.


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Grunting to myself, my feet met the floor again. Ignoring the shooting pains coming from my shins I threw the bananas into the large tarp laid out on the floor. I figured if I placed everything on it, then tied it up and dragged it back to the base that would be the most time efficient. 


 I'd managed to collect bananas, pineapples and other fruits and throw them onto the tarp. I'd found large fallen leaves and sticks for the fire, more of the herbs and leaves that I could possibly use on the injured. Everything and anything that had any chance of being useful was thrown onto that tarp.


My forehead was beaded with sweat, my body the same. Despite the cold nipping away at me I had removed both my leather jacket and my long sleeved t-shirt. Left in only my tight singlet that didn't quite reach the hem of my jeans. It continued ridding up above my belly button every time I climbed up a tree in an attempt to salvage the fruit.


This time when my feet met the ground I lost my balance and tumbled into a small mountain of rocks. It didn't bother me, I pushed myself up brushed off the dirt as my eyes fell onto something.


It was a sharp rock, I wanted to reach out for it- my mind telling me I could sharpen it into a weapon. I couldn't stop my fingers from reaching and tucking it safely into my pocket. We didn't need weapons, we even had the cross bow already. We were safe, our only enemy time and the weather- plus we would only have to hold on a few days longer until we would be rescued. Surely.


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I couldn't help my self, I'd gotten distracted and left the tarp behind as I let my curiosity take over me. My mind wondered as my legs did the walking. The birds were singing as the wind danced threw the trees. This island was almost beautiful- if only it wasn't the reason why so many people were dying.


No. The island wasn't the reason, I was.


My eyes scanned for any sign of food, but all that I could see was more fruit. We needed more than that; I needed to find something that could help these people. I don't know what I expected to find on a deserted island but I guess my desperation had grown and I couldn't help myself.


What I didn't expect to find was a small wooden shed. But somehow, that was exactly what I stumbled across. I almost didn't see it, if my fingers were dancing along the bushes and stopped by something hard. Pulling the vines and growth out of the way it revealed to me a broken, worn-down shack.


It was beautiful, how alone amongst a wild environment something man-made stood before me. I didn't even have the opportunity to step towards the broken off door before something yanked me backwards.


As the tight grasp whipped me off my feet my body spun around in an attempt to break free from it. My attempt to break free failed, and all that it ended up doing was bringing me face to face to the person that had for some reason decided yanking me away from the door was a good idea. 


I didn't like what I saw at all.


My eyes meet his and one thousand question flooded threw my mind, along with confusion, disgust and anger. Before I could open my mouth, or pull out of his hands he continued to pull me down onto the ground.


The whole thing happened in no less than two seconds, my heart pounding in my chest with rage the entire time. I could hear a noise going off in the background but I was entirely preoccupied. Our eyes never left each other's, his eyes reflecting questions of his own. What questions could he have? Maybe he thought I was someone else? 


His eyes were beautiful, boring into mine with no sign of letting up. But they stirred something within me, more questions- questions that I didn't know if answers existed for. There was also a hint of something else in his eyes, concern? No. It couldn't be.


He hands gripped into my arms tightly, his elbows barely bent- holding me off his body. We were close, but we'd been closer – our chests only brushing when we breathed and that was it.


I could feel it, questions silently shooting back and forward between us - our eyes holding the entire conversation. It felt intense, I couldn't quiet put my finger on what It was that made me feel uneasy pit deep in my stomach. Struggling against his grip I attempted to squirm free- no matter how violently I thrashed around he wouldn't release me.


"Stay still god dammit." He growled under his breath, except his eyes betrayed him- they shone with worries and concern with only a slight glimmer of anger.


"Let. Go. Of. Me." With each word I kicked my legs, hopping it would distract him for long enough for me to get away. "Now, Jesse." I growled right back at him- beyond mad at the position I seemed to be stuck in.


Finally his elbows buckled as he let me down fall down. I didn't waste any time before I pushed myself away from his chest, rolling to the ground besides him.


"You can thank me later." He said simply, not bothering to fight back any longer. He pushed himself off the ground as I did the same thing. Before I could begin my walk back to the tarp his fingers wrapped around my wrist. This time a simple yank freed myself from his grip but I did turn back- preparing myself to snap back at him.


He was pulling arrows out from the top of the wooden door, seven arrows by the looks of it. They weren't there before. My eyes dropped straight to the ground, noticing the small trip wire- identical to the one I had seen in the clearing when Vincent was shot.


"Is that a thank you I hear?" He chuckled, his back facing me as he played with the arrows between in his fingers. "Because I think you owe me know."


"Were you following me?" That peaked his interest enough to make him turn around. A arrogant smile playing over his lips, with one eyebrow raised he looked at me like I was crazy.


"Don't flatter yourself, Princess." Pulling out a banana from his back pocket he placed the arrows in there instead. "I have better things to do with my time."


"Like steal a banana from the pile that I was collecting for everyone?" I reached forward to retrieve it from his hands- taking a bite out of it before he could. "You were following me!" I exclaimed as I stepped towards him, my eyes shooting accusations his direction.


"I'll say it again- I wasn't following you." His attitude had taken a 360, gone was the worry or concern, as he now seemingly couldn't care less. He wouldn't even look in my direction as I etched closer to him.


"You want me to believe that you just happened to be in the same place, at the same time as me in the middle of no where?" I shot back at him. Why couldn't he just be straight with me, I could sense there was more behind all of his words and actions- yet I doubted I would ever get the truth from him. I hated the rage that he stirred up within me. When I was with him I was the least in control I had been this entire time on the island. A lack of control was what I needed least, I had to figure out this boys issue and then stay far away from him.


"Maybe." He began to walk away from me, his shoulder brushing mine on the way past me. "Maybe not." He reached up behind a tree, retrieving a crossbow identical to the one I had found just days before. "Maybe I just don't trust you, so when I saw you snooping around out here I decided It would be a good idea to follow you."


"YOU don't trust ME?" I'm not the one following people around and then denying it! I was out here trying to help people- trying to get food for everyone. Or did you forget- you're the one who's refusing to let me feed everyone properly." My words shot out, I could feel my control fading away as the anger rose. My hands grew into fists as I attempted to keep my cool. "You know what? I'm not even going to waste my time on you." I spoke calmly, walking off towards where I had come.


"What? No thank you for saving my life?" He mused, I could feel the arrogance radiating with each word- It drove me crazy. "Or is the princess too good for thank you's." I rolled by eyes asi continued on my way.


"Plus," He interrupted the tangent my mind was going on, calling him words i would never be proud of saying aloud. "Aren't you the least bit interested to see what's in there? I know I am."


Stopping my tracks I released I'd forgotten what had even gotten me into that situation.


"It must be important if someone's willing to kill anyone that enters." He continued, knowing full well he had my attention.


"Why don't you just go in there on your own?" I questioned, arms crossed over my chest.


"Without your protection? I don't think I'd make it out." He mocked me, holding a hand over his heart with a stupid look on his face. "What? Do you think I actually care? I just know that if you don't go now, I'll find you sneaking back here later." He huffed. 


That didn't seem like a good enough reason to keep me, someone that he couldn't stand, around. But I couldn't deny my curiosity. 


"What ever,' I mumbled as I reached for the door knob. "Just don't hold me up, or get in my way, Blake, or you might not make it back to base." I threaten as I turned it, being welcomed with a loud creak. 


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A/N More Jesse and Dru timeeee, I cant wait to write more with the both of them because you guys truly haven't seen the best of them yet. I really hope ya'll are enjoying this so far. See you soon with the next chapter. 


Sending all my love and all my positive vibes



xxxxx

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