Survivor

25| Self-Defense

Once inside the cave, we all needed to change. I removed Jake's sweatshirt and my undershirt, replacing it with a white tank top and a thin, light blue, zip-up hoodie. The rest of the guys were changing around me, and I made sure nobody would look as I quick changed my pants into some light blue and purple pajama bottoms. Looking at the weather, I didn't think we'd be leaving the cave any more today. I stood up and hopped over to where Nathan was sitting, already changed into a dry, green, v-neck t-shirt and grey sweatpants.

"Awe," he said, reaching a hand up to assist me to sit next to him. "You look so cute in your little pajama bottoms."

I couldn't help but laugh; I was not expecting him to say that. "Thank you Nate." I removed my hair tie and began to untangle the braid with my fingers, scrunching my damp hair with my hands when I was done.

"Do you usually have curly hair? Or is that from your braid?" Nathan asked.

"Some of it's from the braid, but my hair is a little curly on its own," I shrugged.

"I like it," Nathan smiled at me.

"Thanks again," I smiled back and held up a strand of hair to observe a curl that I liked.

Just then, Derek walked over wearing black sweatpants and a red t-shirt with some logo on it that I didn't recognize. He also was tanner and growing some facial stubble, and I had to admit, I liked the look for him as well. He sat down on the ground across from Nathan and I.

"Hi," he smiled, revealing his perfect white teeth. "Wanna do the alphabet again?"

"Sure! May as well," I agreed. I had nothing else to do and had stayed off my foot all day, so it wasn't sore at the moment. I held my foot out to him and he gently placed it in his lap, removing the ankle wrap.

"Let's try and go through it twice today. Let me know if you think it's too much. Go slow."

I nodded in agreement and began tracing the alphabet. Most of the guys were around the cave either napping or watching me. Nathan sat behind me, supporting my back as I leaned into him. Derek's eyes were intent on the movement of my ankle. When I got to "o" I flinched again.

"Stop," Derek ordered, "That looked like it hurt you."

"It did. Only the letters where I need to move my foot around and to the left hurt, but the rest are fine."

"Can you do the "o" again? Slowly. Stop when it hurts."

I did as I was told; stopping when I felt the familiar pang. Derek sighed as if he was trying to figure something out. "What is it?" I asked.

"I don't know. Your pain seems to be more localized than I thought, and I'm worried I was wrong about the sprain. If it's a fracture we really shouldn't be doing this."

I didn't like to hear that. "No Derek it's fine, really! It doesn't hurt that bad, I just need to go slow. I don't think you were wrong."

"What happens if it's a fracture?" Nathan chimed in.

"She shouldn't be putting weight on it for 6 weeks so that the bones can heal."

"Shit..." Nathan sighed and adjusted behind me. I sat up off of him and he guided me back down, indicating it was still okay for me to lean on him.

"Look Derek, I really don't think this is a fracture. I was able to take some steps yesterday with a little help. If it was a fracture, wouldn't that have hurt me a lot worse? Please let me continue the way we are."

"I don't know Cass... I don't want you to make it worse by..."

"Please?" I cut him off, "Derek I'm fine I promise."