Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
I have never seen a sky like this. Millions of stars twinkle in the darkness.
I feel so small, looking up at the vastness above me.
Leaning my back against the tree, I will my breathing to slow.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Praying that sleep finds me.
* * *
I’m woken the next morning to the sound of buzzing by my face.
The mosquitos are in full effect this morning.
My stomach revolts from the lack of food, and sharp pains stab my insides.
Reaching my arm up, I wipe the sleep from my eyes.
It’s hard to pry them open today. As much as I slept, I still feel groggy and sleep-deprived. A tree apparently does not make a suitable bed. I wonder how he fared with his tree, his fire, and probably his turndown bed. I stretch my arms and look over to where he set up camp. It’s empty.
The fire long since put out. Where did he go?
Now awake, I move to stand, and that’s when I realize one of the protein bars is sitting on my lap. In my mind, I think I am better than to tear into the wrapper like I’m starving even though I am.
Unfortunately, any semblance of restraint was apparently set adrift because I want to be calm, but I’m not.
Nope. Instead, my actions resemble that of a rabid animal feasting on a meal after months of starvation.
I’m pathetic.
But as I rip into the wrapper and stuff a piece in my mouth, I let out a sigh of relief.
“I wouldn’t eat that so fast. Take small bites and have a sip of water with each bite.”
My chewing stops when I see Alaric standing directly in front of me.
He looks as disheveled as I feel, but I probably look like I have a bird’s nest in my hair, whereas on him …
Well, he just looks freaking amazing, and it’s not right for anyone to look this good when stranded on an island without a bathroom or shower. It’s not fair. No one should sleep in the sand and look as good as he does.
I pull my gaze away from him quickly, and even though I don’t want to listen to his pearls of wisdom, I do. Something tells me he knows a lot more about living than I do.
This time, I take a feeble bite. The texture is chalky, so I grab the bottle of water from yesterday and take a small sip to wash it down.
“Try to wait a minute between bites. Not only will it help you feel fuller, but it will keep the nausea at bay.”
I give him a nod. My way of saying thank you before I continue to eat.
Standing, it feels too close on this big, open beach, as I wait for him to speak, but it appears he’s not going to. He’s content just watching me.
“Is there something you need?” I ask.
“I’m going to go explore some more today. You should join me.”
“Thought it wasn’t safe?” I say, my annoyance from before obvious.
“I checked it out a little, and there seems to be a clearing. There might be animals, but nothing we can’t handle.” He lifts the knife for emphasis.
“What about keeping an eye out for a boat?”
“That’s why I tied up the boat.”
“I thought you did that … oh, never mind,” I say, not really knowing what I’m trying to say. I’m tired and delusional, apparently.
“For a shelter?”
I nod at his question.
“Hardly. Although we could actually use it as a bed. That way, if a storm comes, we can put the top up.”
I cock my head. “What is this? A convertible. Put it on, take it off?” I roll my eyes.
“Yep.” Why does he always have to sound so damn sarcastic? It drives me crazy.
“Oh.”
“The only problem is it will get rather small if the two of us are in it with the top on. It’s fine on the ocean, but here, we can make a better option so we don’t feel claustrophobic. Maybe if I can find wider leaves, I can build something in case it rains. But another reason I tied the raft in this location is because there is reflective tape on it. Maybe a boat can see it.”
“Smart,” I mutter.
“I try.” He shrugs. “Let me know when you’re done doing everything you need, and we can go.”
“Everything I need?” I question, but as if my body understands, the need to pee hits me and hits me hard.
My mouth opens and shuts like a fish out of water.
“Where should I go?”
Yesterday, when I was alone, I did my business in the sand. It wasn’t my finer moment, but at least Alaric wasn’t here to see it. Now he is, and my faces warms with embarrassment at the thought.
“Two choices. Behind that tree. But we have very little toilet paper, so we probably shouldn’t waste it this early on. Or in the ocean. But we have no towels.” He smirks.