Survivor

13| Hunting Party

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of the rock door sliding. I opened my eyes just a little to see the early morning sunrise shine through the door. It must have been about 6:30 in the morning since the sun wasn't fully up yet. I mentally groaned at how early it was and decided to roll over and go back to sleep with my warm, hard pillow.

Wait a second... this is not a pillow... It's Jake!

It wasn't that I didn't remember what happened last night. I just thought it was a dream, or at the very least that he wouldn't have spent the entire night cuddling me. As we were now, my face was pressed into his chest and his arms were around me. I had to admit, it was nice waking up so close to him, but I wanted to know who was outside already and why.

I slowly eased myself out of Jake's grasp, being very careful not to wake him. I sat up and stretched my body slowly. My entire body ached and I felt like I had been hit by a bus.

Or like you just survived a plane crash, my subconscious reminded me.

I looked around to see most of the guys were still asleep but I couldn't tell how many were already outside. I slowly rose to my foot, being extra careful of my ankle. I hopped my way to the door, trying my best to avoid the sleeping bodies. When I made it outside, I took a look around and spotted Derek standing a little ways away, staring out at the water.

Now was my chance to talk to him about what he said yesterday regarding who I reminded him of, and also what he meant about Jake.

I began to hop towards him, not very gracefully I may add. I was about halfway there when I realized this may not have been the best decision. I started to wobble when I hit uneven terrain, and before I had time to even curse at myself, I hit the ground with a thud.

"Umph," I said. I broke my fall with my hands, but a sharp twig went straight into my palm. I sucked in a breath as I looked at it. Now was a good time to curse; this was not how I wanted to start my day.

Derek whirled around when he heard me fall and started running towards me. "Cassie? What are you doing? Are you okay?" He asked, crouching down beside me.

"I was just coming to see what you were doing. I was awake, and saw you were out here," I explained while a blush formed on my cheeks. I was embarrassed that I fell.

"I could have helped you! Don't try and get around without any kind of assistance, that's dangerous! And now you're bleeding," he said with a tone like he was angry and almost irritated with me.

"I'm sorry," I said in a small voice. "I thought I could make it and I didn't want to wake the guys up by yelling to you." I didn't want to meet his gaze. I was too embarrassed and taken aback by his tone.

He let out a long sigh, and when he spoke again his tone was much softer, "Let me see it."

I lifted my hand to him. There was a large twig stuck deep into my palm with blood oozing out around it and dripping down my wrist. I looked away before I got too lightheaded. I was okay with other people's wounds, but hated looking at my own.

"Ooo ouch. Okay, let me go get some medical supplies. I'll be right back," he said as he pushed himself up and ran towards the cave.

I didn't understand why he was so upset. I mean, I supposed I could have said something to him before I headed towards him, but that may have woken up the other guys. Plus, I didn't want to be helpless. Granted, I did just eat shit which was not one of my finer moments, but really I couldn't have seen that coming and he shouldn't be angry about it. Plus it's my body, what does he care if I get a few bumps and bruises along the way? I did make a vow to try and be more careful though, I didn't want to use any more medical supplies.