Linewalkers

25 | Ashore and Ecuador

Not Edited

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"Cariba," A voice hissed. 

She groaned, feeling groggy, and a hand shook her again. 

"Cariba, wake up," The voice said again. 

Finally, she became conscious of cold water lapping at her shoulders but an incredibly warm source wrapped around her midsection. She peeled open her eyes, her eyelashes briefly sticking together from the salt of the ocean, and she was disappointed to see an expanse of the ocean once more. Had the tide not carried them anywhere? She frowned, she didn't remember losing consciousness either. 

She jerked her head back and was met with Kreve's irritated face. She slowly realized that his arm was banded around her midsection. Her expression must have displayed her confusion because he spoke. 

"You passed out." 

"Oh," She muttered, "Sorry." 

He grunted, "We're close to shore, start swimming." 

"What?" She felt more alert, "Where?" Her eyes scanned the ocean once more. She didn't see any land. Her lips were incredibly chapped and almost painful from the saltwater constantly kissing them. She realized she was incredibly thirsty as well. 

"It's in front of us," Kreve explained lowly, "I'm using the barrel as cover. We can swim in without raising suspicion. Just start kicking your legs." 

She did so without a single thought. She was ready to get out of the ocean. A full day was enough to leave her skin wilted like a dying rose and the salt only sucked the water molecules from her body with rapid hast. She wanted to feel dry land and she was half tempted to kiss it. Kreve let go of her and she placed a hand on the barrel edge. 

Together, they worked to guide the barrel towards the shore Kreve spoke of. She was so tempted to look around the rim and see it for herself but Kreve gave her a stern look. It got easier, the closer they got, because gentle waves rose and carried them closer with each crest. She felt something touch her foot and only after she put her other foot down did she realize it was ground. 

A wave of relief washed over her and she stood in the waist-deep water. Her entire body trembled, threatening to collapse under her weight, but it didn't get the chance because Kreve's grip was around her waist again and he was pulling her out of the water. She wanted to collapse on the white sand and kiss its glory, promising to never set foot off land again, but Kreve quickly moved into the edge of the palm trees bending slightly with a gentle breeze. 

Kreve released her and she happily stretched out on the shaded sand. Her eyes closed on their own accord and she simply enjoyed the land around her. She heard gentle waves lapping at the beach, rustling of leaves above her head, and distantly she heard chatter. 

"Nobody saw us," Kreve's voice interrupted her thoughts and she cracked open an eye to look at him, "I wasn't sure if Captain Hawkeye had placed a bounty on our heads and if someone was waiting for our arrival." 

She watched with an amused grin as he shook his head, black hair flying, sending water droplets scattering across the sand. It was a very catlike mannerism to imitate. He wiped excess water off of his skin, distaste twisting his features, and then he looked at her. 

"Are you going to lay there all day?" 

She sighed, voice scratchy, "Doesn't sound too horrible." 

For once, he smirked and then he extended his hand, "Come on, let's find food and a place to rest for the night." 

She was shocked at the strength in his grip as he pulled her upright. She felt like a limp noodle that had been in the boiling water way too long. Her legs were shaking, uneven on the shifting sand, and she really just wanted to close her eyes. Kreve grabbed one of her wrists and led her towards the outskirts of a town. It was bustling with life, many different faces displayed animal descendants.