Survivor

48| We're Here

Jake didn't take long to get a good flame going. Over the 37 days or so we'd been out here, he's gotten to be really good at building fires—we all have. I was growing nervous by the second about how much this was going to hurt. However, to keep calm I reminded myself that I was doing this for Jake. I would do anything for Jake.

I watched as he grabbed a knife from his backpack, turning it over in his hands before he spoke, "Cassie... are you sure about this?"

No...

"Yes," I replied despite my subconscious, "I can't lose any more blood."

"Okay..." he said hesitantly. He brushed some sweat away from his face before crouching down in front of the fire. I watched as the knife entered the flame, heating to the point of turning orange.

My stomach flipped as I watched him heat the knife. To help calm myself down, I let my thoughts wander to Wes. He needed us and he was waiting. Stopping my bleeding would help Jake and I return to him by nightfall, and we were already behind schedule.

Once the knife was hot and glowing, Jake crouched beside me and gently guided my leg where he wanted it.

"Ready?" He asked, although he looked hesitant.

"Yes. Do it now," I commanded.

With that, he immediately pressed the burning knife onto my wound. At first it didn't really hurt too bad; it kind of felt like when you burn yourself on a curling iron. However, the longer the knife sat on the wound without me being able to pull away the more it hurt. It was excruciating. It felt like it had been resting there forever but it was really only for a second.

"Ahhh! Son of a bitch!" I shouted in an attempt to dull the pain.

Jake immediately pulled the knife away, "Oh god, was that not right? I'm so sorry!"

I quick reached a hand out to him, placing it on his forearm before speaking through clenched teeth. "No that was good. Do it again on the other side of the wound and then any spots you missed."

He didn't put the knife back to do it again, even though he nodded his head in agreement.

"It's okay Jake, I can take it. Just don't stop no matter what I do. Finish the cauterizing okay?"

He nodded again and I guided his arm back towards the wound, holding his hand in place.

I let out a few more shouts of agony but finally Jake had finished. A thin sheen of sweat coated my body from pain and blood loss and I felt like passing out. But, it was over.

"You okay?" Jake asked, tossing the knife to the side and rewrapping my wound.

I was about to answer when a voice rang out into the clearing. "HEY!"

Jake was quick to move in front of me, shielding me from view. I peeked around his frame to try and get a look at who was yelling to us, and then my heart jumped.

It only took me a second to realize that coming towards us was Derek, Nate, and Cam!

I had missed them all, and had been so worried about them that I honestly wanted to cry at the sight of them safe and together.

"Holy fuck!" Jake said as he immediately rose to his feet to greet the men.

I wanted to stand up and run to them but I was feeling way too weak. Instead, I just stayed put and listened in on the guys as they spoke, knowing I'd get my chance to talk to them.

"Hey guys! I can't believe you found us!" Jake said, offering Derek a hand and pulling him into a brief hug.

"We tried to stay near to camp so that we wouldn't lose you guys! But then when y'all left we didn't know where you were. We happened to be nearby when we heard gun shots and Cassie's shouting so we just ran towards the sound. What happened? Is she okay?" Derek questioned as he made his way over to me.