Wandering Fireflies

Chapter 13: The Shack In The Woods

"All right then. Once I'm done, he's all yours."

"What do I do with him when all the others are done?"

"Just leave him here. He'll find his way back." She turned to face me. "Now hurry up and get inside." I was shaking with fear and on the verge of tears. I could feel the bile rising in my throat.

"If you cry, you'll deeply regret it," she hissed into my ear. Nodding, I did the only thing that I could do - erase my feelings and do as she says.

***

It was around 4:00 am by the time the last lady left, leaving me on the ground. I managed to get dressed and drag myself outside. I spent the next ten minutes vomiting on the ground and all over myself.

Defeated, I just lay there, my body refusing to work anymore. I couldn't even cry, I just felt so...dead inside. I just wanted to lay there forever, but I was starting to feel the cold spring air clawing at me. A sweatshirt and track pants weren't nearly enough for Canadian spring weather.

I had to get out of here or I'll freeze to death...but did it really matter? Why should I? Just so I could go back to spending every night this way? Was there even any point?

I probably would've laid there for the rest of the night, if my toes and fingers weren't starting to feel numb. I couldn't take the cold anymore. I had to get out of here.

But I couldn't even get up. My body refused to work and as much as I hated to admit it, I needed help. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts list. Who could I even call? Whoever I call would ask questions and then aunt Lucy would find out...I stopped short when I saw his name.

Zaavan Fleetwood. He was the only person who knew, the only person who I could trust, and he hated me. I knew he wouldn't pick up, but I had to try. I had no other choice. Well, other than dying from hypothermia, but I didn't want to die. So I pressed call, and waited.

It took me five tries but he finally picked up.

"What the hell is wrong with you? You've sent me about a hundred texts which I ignored and you still don't get the message? I NEVER in a thousand years want to see your disgusting lying face ever again! You got that?"

I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying. It took all of my energy just to not pass out.

"I said, you got that? So, don't call me again, okay?" he said, his voice laced with uncertainty.

"Zaavan..." I choked.

"Vance...what's going on?" he asked, sounding worried.

"I can barely walk...I've been puking for the past 10 minutes...I think I'm about to pass out..." I managed to say. I felt so weak.

"Where are you?" he asked, starting to panic.

"I don't know. It was a five minute drive from my house...that's all I know. There's also a shack here."

"Okay, um...hold on a sec, let me think." While Zaavan was thinking, I took the opportunity to vomit a couple more times.

"I got it. Vance stay on the line and listen carefully." I followed his instructions.

"Turn on your data and open Snapchat. Check your Snap Maps setting and make sure it's at least set to friends. I'm going to find you using Snap Maps. Just hang in there, I'm coming."

"Please don't leave me like this." I choked.

"I won't, I'll stay on the line but Vance you gotta listen to me - you can't fall asleep, okay? You gotta stay with me. I'll find, you I promise." Just as he said, he would, Zaavan stayed on the line and continued talking to keep me awake. After fifteen minutes, he was here.

"Vance! Are you okay? What happened?!"

"I'm fine. Just cold and tired," I said weakly. Zaavan took off his jacket and helped me put it on.

"We've got to get you to the hospital-"

"NO! Don't call anyone I swear I'm fine! I'm just tired. Please Zaavan, just don't. It was aunt Lucy..." Just like that, a wave of understanding washed over Zaavan's face.

"Then you're not going back home. I'm taking you to my house. Let's get you up."

With Zaavan's help, I managed to get up and make my way to his...bicycle.

"Seriously Zaavan?"

"What? The bus would've taken too long okay, and I was really worried you asshole." Wow, after everything that happened, he still worried about me?

Zaavan sat down and I stood on the pegs which were on the back wheels and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. "Make sure you hold on tight, I don't want you falling off into a ditch or something."

I nodded and we were off. The sky was starting to brighten and the birds were beginning to chirp. I breathed in the cold morning air and tried to relax. I felt bad for Zaavan. I mean, I already woke him up so early and now he has to haul my heavy ass back on his bike in the cold.

Exhausted, I rested my head on Zaavan's, feeling his soft brown hair against my face. I inhaled the minty scent of his hair and tried my best to stay awake, simply watching the world go by.

***

"Dude, you're a complete wreck and you smell like barf. You're stinking the whole place up. You have to go take a shower or my dad will know something's up." I could barely walk, but Zaavan was right.

We managed to sneak into his house without getting caught and now we just had to get cleaned up. I took a shower while Zaavan washed our clothes. I wanted to wait up for him while he took his shower and got cleaned up. Though the second I was out and changed, I crashed onto Zaavan's bed and fell asleep.

A/N: Please be safe when using apps that use your location. Manage your settings and know your friends!