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Thankfully, the trip doesn’t last long.
The landing isn’t very smooth. As we tumble onto a bed of soft grass, daylight enters my vision for the first time in a while. I’m on my back, facing the sky, and it’s bright. Blindingly so.
And really fucking hot. I’m instantly sweating.
Suddenly feeling weighted down by all the layers of clothing I have on, I look to Ellister as I shed the flannel shirt.
He’s sprawled out on his side a few feet away, facing me with his arm outstretched as though he’s reaching for me. His one good eye is open, blankly staring ahead.
As I set the honey cup on a nearby rock, I gently scold him through gritted teeth. “This was an idiotic thing to do. I love you for it, but it was dumb. Do you realize that?” When he doesn’t answer, I continue my rant. “It’s a good thing I know who you are now. If this had happened before I met Astrid, I would’ve been free to run off. And I would have, too. I’d have taken my chances and literally left you in the dirt.”
Clearly unable to form words, he makes an incoherent noise. The sound is followed by more throaty grunts.
Shit. He’s lost the ability to talk.
Shading my eyes with my hand, I scan our surroundings. We’re at the edge of a forest. The trees are filled with white and pink petals, reminding me of the apple trees when they blossom in the spring, but I see no actual fruit.
Behind us, the expansive mountains reach high into the blue sky.
If I needed any more proof that I’m no longer on Earth, I’ve got it. There are two suns, one suspended by the highest mountain peak, the other over the forest.
I glance around some more.
In between the forest and the mountain, there’s an expanse of the purest green grass I’ve ever seen. The overgrown blades sway with the hot breeze, showing no signs of ever being trampled on by anything with feet.
There’s no evidence that anyone else has been here for a long time. I don’t see anything man-made or trails in the woods to indicate this is a place where people hike often. I don’t even hear any birds.
Ellister wasn’t exaggerating about how remote this area is, which is both good and bad. We won’t be discovered by anyone dangerous, but we also won’t be found by anyone who could help us.
I realize he brought me out here so I’d have a chance to fend for myself.
Therein lies the problem.
I don’t know how to in this world. Any of the plants could be poisonous. There could be predatory animals lurking. I could venture off on my own, but then I’d risk getting lost, and I’m not willing to leave Ellister helpless and unprotected.
“We’re going to need water and shelter,” I tell him, even though he can’t respond. “It’d be great to have both, but I doubt we’ll get that lucky. The best bet for a drink is in the forest. It’s likely there’s a stream somewhere. Shelter, though, is probably with the mountain.”
Reaching for the canteen on Ellister’s belt, I shake it, noting how full it is with the sloshing liquid inside. I quickly decide it’ll have to be enough.
Shelter it is.
We need to find a cave. Hopefully an easily accessible one.
“Before we do anything, we have to get these stingers out.” Since I’m not familiar with the Valora bees I decide to take extra caution and not touch the stingers with my bare fingers.
Bunching the fabric of the flannel around my fingers, I start with the barbs on Ellister’s cheeks, pulling them out one by one. I’ve never seen stingers like this. They’re unbelievably long. Some are at least two inches. They look like thorns that get thicker in the middle, which makes yanking them out harder because I’m encountering resistance from how embedded they are.
“Sorry, sorry,” I apologize over and over again as a little bit of blood oozes from the punctures.
If I’m hurting Ellister, I’m not sure. For his sake, I hope he’s numb.
The paralysis has fully set in now. When I ask him questions, I don’t even get a huff. In fact, his lungs don’t appear to be working at all, but when I press the side of his neck to get a pulse, it’s there.
I know Ellister said he doesn’t need to breathe to live, but it’s still disturbing to see him so motionless.
After working on all the stings on his exposed areas, I start to unbutton his shirt.
I feel a little bit like a perv as I undress him. I shouldn’t find anything about this scenario sexy, but I’ve never seen him with his shirt off, and I can’t help my body’s reaction as I bump over his abs on the way down his torso.
