Claws

Chapter Fifteen- Bait

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     Fifteen 

  “So, we’ll be safe out here?” I asked Jack as he threw a bunch of branches and twigs into a pile, hoping to create a fire. Even though it was the middle of May, we wanted the fire for light, comfort. 

   “Define safe.” he grinned, picking up a branch the size of him and tossing it in the growing pile.

   “My definition of safe...” I thought for a minute. “anytime we aren’t being either threatened or are nano-seconds away from dying.” 

   “Hey, you’re part of my world now. There’s no such thing as safe, remember?” he joked, taking a lighter out of his pocket. I stood up. 

   “Where did you get that? You don’t smoke?” 

   “Just another thing I snagged from the guy at the diner. I figured we could use anything we can get our hands on. And right now, I wouldn’t doubt that I would smoke a couple cigarettes if I had them.” he chuckled, rolling his eyes. 

   “Wow, so you decide to snag the lighter, but not the nicotine. Nice.” I muttered under my breath. He turned around to look at me. 

   “Just sit down and be quiet, please. I’m trying to concentrate.” 

   “You pull the flap back and boom, fire. It’s not that complicated, Jacky.” I joked, looking up at the dimming sky. We had been hiking all day, and I was absolutely starving, not to mention exhausted. We had found a little spring of water a few miles into our hike and stopped for a drink, filling up our empty water bottle from the car. So we had that to drink-- but it wouldn’t last very long. There was only half a bottle left, and we were both already thirsty again. But who knew how long we’d have to go without finding another place to fill up on water. So, I tried to ignore my thirst as best as I could. 

  Since neither of us had a watch or phone, I had to estimate the time, which was I guessed around seven to seven thirty-ish, and I already could tell it would be inconvenient not to have a clock somewhere. 

  My stomach ripped viciously as Jack finally figured out how to ignite the fire. 

  I wished we had something to cook over it... 

   “Nice, huh?” Jack said, interrupting my thoughts. 

   “What?” 

   “The fire. I think I did a pretty great job, if I do say so myself.” he grinned, looking at his work. I just nodded, trying hard to force back the acid in my empty stomach. 

   “Yep. Nice.” I agreed, pulling my knees up to my chest. He walked around me, sat down behind me and pulled me in to where I was sitting between his legs, leaning against his chest. I rested my head back onto his shoulder and he kissed my cheek. 

   “Hey,” he whispered. “I know this seems completely hopeless, but it’s not. I’ll get you home again, if it’s the last thing I do. I promise.” he vowed. I wiped a tear that had escaped my eye silently, away from my cheek and struggled to speak through a tight throat. 

   “It’s... not me... I don’t c-care about myself... I-I-” 

   “Sydney.” he whispered before I could finish. I nodded, feeling more tears accumulate as my throat got thicker. 

   “I just.. want her to be okay, Jack... she’s been my best friend since we were little I.. just can’t stand the th-thought of anyone hurting her.” I blinked and the tears spilled over and, to my dismay, sobs began escaping my chest.