Cerise snatched it from his hand, popped the top, and swallowed.
“Why can’t you administer it right here?” I asked.
“It’s inserted intravenously. I need a more controlled environment so we don’t introduce infection.” He stood. “Let’s go.”
“Come on, back over the log,” I urged Cerise.
We clamored over and took off through the jungle, following Ivan, the rest of the group behind us.
“Are you okay, Doctor Thornheart?” Sylvie called.
“Yes, Sylvie. Thank you for checking on me. I’ll be fine,” she answered, trying not to scare the students, but I detected the slight quiver in her voice.
“We’re almost there,” I said.
She didn’t respond, keeping her eyes forward as she marched after Ivan, determination on her face. Emberly stayed by her side, providing encouragement and reassurance.
But after a few minutes, she slowed, then stumbled. I lurched forward and caught her arm, turning her to face me. Her eyes were glazed, her skin pale and clammy.
“I don’t feel so well,” she whispered as she swayed, then turned away and vomited into the brush.
“It’s okay,” Emberly whispered, rubbing a hand on Cerise’s back in soothing circles as she expelled everything in her stomach. I didn’t speak as I stood on her other side and held her braid away from her face.
After she was done, she wiped her mouth with the back of her arm and turned back to the path, trying to walk. But she wobbled again.
“CeCe!” Emberly cried as Cerise almost fell over.
I bent and scooped her up in my arms before she hit the ground. “I’ve got her,” I said to Emberly.
Cerise moaned, her trembling arms curled against her chest. “My whole body hurts.”
“We’re almost there,” Emberly said, giving me a worried look.
I tried to swallow the guilt. Cerise had been trying to prevent me from getting bitten and now she was hurt. As much as this woman irritated me, I wouldn’t wish her pain or discomfort. And seeing the tenacious Cerise Thornheart so helpless made my gut twist.
I pushed myself into a jog, Cerise growing heavy in my arms. I glanced at her and my chest squeezed.
“Ivan! She’s unconscious. Are we almost back?”
“Oh gods,” Emberly gasped.
The burly guide turned to me. “Almost. Give her to me, I’m faster.”
I handed Cerise off and Ivan disappeared into the jungle. Pausing, I leaned against a tree to catch my breath before hurrying after him.
It wasn’t long before I burst through the trees into our camp. Ivan had laid Cerise on a mat and was preparing an infusion solution in a glass bottle. “Get me water and a rag,” he ordered.
Emberly threw her bag on the ground and pulled out her canteen. I retrieved a rag from the dining area and rushed over, handing it to her.
“Get the rag wet and place it on her forehead,” Ivan said as he rolled up Cerise’s sleeve and inserted the needle at the end of the tubing in her arm.
Emberly knelt beside Cerise and dabbed her forehead.
“What can I do to help?” I asked Ivan.
“Keep the students calm,” he said as Rosenshield joined, watching over Cerise with a pinched brow.
I turned to find Sylvie in tears and Aaric pacing, worried about the fate of his professor. I hadn’t even accounted for how traumatic this might be for them. “Come on, you two. Let’s sit over here and let Ivan work.”
