Judge

Chapter 21

This is ridiculous. Where is Maddie? Where am I?

"Welcome to Sao Miguel, man. Always bright and sunny." Good. She's still here. Relief temporarily overrides my brain and I relax back into the swaying hammock as she peers over and enters my line of sight. She's changed into a green workout top and running shorts, but I couldn't care less if she was wearing a bell bottoms and a hawaiian shirt. She's here, and she's alive.

"I set out the gear over there." She points to another tree cluster. "You look better. I had to pick you up out of a pool of puke last time you woke up." She smirks, slightly amused by my plight.

"Oh, yeah...What happened since then? You were gone."

"I took a quick run around the island. The beach we landed on was going to open up soon, so I took us to this one for a bit more privacy. I got us some food and water. I did have to steal, though, so we need to move on as soon as possible - it might not be safe." She finishes. I nod slowly, impressed.

"You picked me up when I, um, released the contents of my stomach."

"Of course. I did it so much when we were in middle school that it's almost automatic." She cracks a grin.

"Oh, come on, I didn't puke, per se..."

"Like being tripped and splattering your food is any better."

"Actually, it's a lot better. Puking is purely your fault, but being tripped...there's an external cause there." I grin ear to ear, thinking of just how much had changed between then and now. Now, I could kill anybody I want to in a heartbeat.

Whoa there. Can't think like that.

I wonder what's wrong with me. I think about anybody hurting me or her, and immediately murder comes up in my mind. This is getting out of hand. I need to calm down.

"Earth to Arion." Maddie smiles and hands me a takeout box. I open it up and the smell of steak instantly makes my mouth water.

"Oh, my god, thank you so much!" I practically squeal. Although I would prefer to have said I love instead of thank. She hands me a plastic fork and a cheap knife.

"Medium rare, just how you like it." She sits back in satisfaction as I tear the steak to pieces within seconds. I can't remember the last time I've eaten, or the last time anything tasted this good.

"Wow, eat a little faster, why don't you." She remarks as the last bit of the delicious meat disappears down my throat. "I have more, if you're wondering." I give her a look loaded with affection.

"Fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach." We chorus. It was one of her mother's favorite sayings.

The rest of the food is gone in minutes. Soon, three empty carryout boxes are all that remains.

"I'm still hungry." I mention after wolfing down the last of the kabobs.

"I exchanged us some money." She hands me forty Euros. "The food stalls are down the street that way."

"You're not coming with?" I ask.

"Nope. I'm going to find a bathroom and change." She shoulders her pack.

"All right." I struggle with my aching body, rising like my bones are made of glass. I finally swing myself out of the hammock and onto my feet. I sway for a second, feeling out the drunken stance that comes with my exhaustion. But food is a better distraction.

I step forward - and bite it - until Maddie whizzes back and holds my arm, giving me the same electric feeling as she always does whenever we make contact. Both of her hands grasp my forearm firmly, and steady me on my feet.