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Since hiding Rymus’ body in the coop yesterday—God, I never thought I’d think that so casually, but here we are—Ellister’s been working nonstop.
While I slept last night, he spent hours chopping wood and stoking the fire. A plate of pastries was sitting next to the bed when I woke up this morning, so I know he left in search of food at some point. He also made another trip to Dawn and Dusk because a fresh pitcher of waterfall mist is waiting for me on the kitchen counter.
Now that I’ve eaten breakfast and I’m clean, I’m looking forward to going out to the barn. I want to see Ellister, and I’m on the edge of my seat when it comes to finding out how fast we can get out of here. The sooner the better, because then I can stop feeling like shit and Ellister and I can start touching again.
I stand from the water, wrap the towel around my body, and step out.
As soon as I touch down on the rope rug, I feel a familiar tingling that isn’t welcome at all.
The pins and needles. They’ve started in my right foot, from the tips of my toes to my heel.
I wince at the unwelcome pain.
“No,” I whisper to myself, my stomach dropping.
It’s happening too fast. When the illness hit me before—in my almost-memories—my leg didn’t stop functioning until nearly two and a half weeks in, and even then, it began subtly.
What I’m experiencing now is not subtle. It’s like I’m stepping on a board with a thousand tiny nails sticking through it.
Leaning against the door frame, I shift most of my weight to my other foot. With the decrease in pressure, my discomfort eases a bit, but I know this is bad.
Soon, the numbness will spread. It’ll travel up my calf, and I might not be able to walk without assistance.
A sudden wave of vertigo comes over me. I struggle and fight to stay upright, spots blooming in my vision as the room spins. I can’t pass out. Not just because I don’t want to face-plant on the floor, but also because I don’t want Ellister to find me like that again.
He already feels bad enough, and I’d like to keep the quick progression of my illness to myself for a little bit longer.
If we’re lucky, we could be gone by tomorrow and I’ll get better anyway, and Ellister will never have to know how severe it got.
Fortunately, the dizzy spell recedes after a minute, and I manage to stay conscious.
I make my way out into the living room while trying not to walk with a limp, but I grind my teeth with every step.
I let out a grateful sigh when I realize Ellister left some clothes out for me.
A clean dress is draped over one of the rocking chairs, and I shimmy the pink silky fabric over my head.
Next, I stop in the kitchen to get a drink. The waterfall mist is wonderfully cold as I guzzle the entire glass down.
One isn’t enough, and I end up drinking straight from the jug. Tucking the big container in the crook of my elbow, I decide to take my water with me for my visit to the barn.
Gathering my wet hair over one shoulder, I consider my choice of shoes. Ellister did end up grabbing some boys’ boots for me somewhere, but I won’t be doing any hard labor today. Plus, all the laces look like a hassle.
I fit my feet into the dainty slippers and go outside.
As I skirt around the chicken coop, I stare it, grimacing when I think about Rymus just lying in there, still as death. I imagine it’s quite stuffy with it all boarded up. Just as Ellister promised, he made sure the shelter is adequate, and he finished fixing the coop.
I really can’t blame him for what he did. While I was horrified to see the condition Rymus was in, I know it was Ellister’s way of showing mercy. He could’ve done much worse to the guy.
Our predicament is too time-sensitive for any hiccups, and it wouldn’t take much to ruin our plans. We can’t let one nosy neighbor derail everything.
When I get into the barn, Ellister is peering into the pitcher.
He senses my approach, and he looks over at me with happiness sparkling in his eyes. “It’s coming out, slow and steady. At this rate, we might be able to leave tonight. I’ll keep stoking the fire today and see what we’ve got by the end of the day.”
“That’s great news.” I can’t help grinning, and Ellister smiles back.
Pressing his lips together, he carefully pours what’s in the pitcher into the flask.
