Journey of a Girl

Journey of a Girl: Chapter Five

Drowning...I'm drowning!

It was the first thought Credence's drowsy mind conjured when a downpour splashed over her face. She sputtered and coughed, then sat up with a shiver and opened her eyes.

It was morning and the air was comfortably cool, and she was still next to her fire, which had long fallen into dying embers. Her stomach was painfully clenched and her throat felt raw, but the pain was the least of her worries.

Sitting before her with an empty waterskin in its mouth was a wolf.

It took her a few seconds to recognize him.

"John?" she rasped.

He dropped the waterskin and released a relieved huff.

"Thought the heat had gotten you."

Credence tried to stand—

"Not too fast!" John said, but his warning came too late, and Credence fell to the sand.

"I'm...dizzy..." she mumbled.

"Of course you are. What would possess you to come here?" He cast a disapproving glance at the waves. "You've no proper food or water—when did you last eat?"

Credence wanted to laugh at the almost parental concern in John's voice.

He turned and pointed with his snout.

"Climb on and I'll take you to fresh water—don't tell anyone about this."

"No..." Credence grumbled, though her head screamed against her refusal. "Not...go...to the woods."

"Then you'll die. Is that what you want?" When she didn't answer, John tsked. "Fine."

He took his leave and Credence watched through half-lidded eyes as his form disappeared into the trees.

***

"Credence...Credence..."

John's voice.

"Wake up! Come on!"

She felt fur against her cheek. A wet nose nudged her mouth.

"Open up and drink."

It took a great deal of strength to part her dry lips, but she was rewarded with a stream of cold water. She moaned in argument when John took the source of nourishment away.

"There's more," he promised, "but you need to sit up—slowly!"

He helped pull her into sitting and propped her against him. Credence opened her eyes and found three bulbs of damp moss and a full waterskin before her. She ignored the plants and reached for the waterskin.

It took many moments before she was satisfied, and it was only when the waterskin was nearly empty that she had her first thought beyond drinking.

"What poor soul did you steal this from?" she asked, motioning with the waterskin.

"It was given to me."

"I don't know if I can trust you."

"Why couldn't you trust me?" She gave him a scornful look, but he returned it with genuine shock. "I caught your scent a day ago. Thought you might be in trouble, being out here alone."

"I'm better on my own—" Her words fell into a round of coughing and gasping.

"I think I shouldn't believe you," John said flatly as she struggled to calm her breathing.