Stranded Love

The Sickness And The Shift

DAY EIGHT

On the seventh night, the Pogues had decided to retreat into the cave as the seafront winds had picked up and the temperature had dropped. It was no longer comfortable to sleep out in their handmade shelter so they slept the night away in the little cave with an extra fire that Pope built up. It was still a little cold but they made it through nonetheless.

When they awake the next morning there's this roaring gush coming from outside. It's thunderous and beats against the sand in a consistent, drumming rhythm. There's a noticeable pattering sounding against the leaf roof of their shelter at the entrance of the cave. The roar echoes off the stone walls and it's a noise that's easily recognisable.

Rain.

Pope charges outside into the sheet of hard rain, arms spread, a cheer lifting into the air. Sarah sprints out alongside him and beams, cherishing the droplets against her face as she holds her gaze skyward. John B then takes her hand and they begin to dance blissfully. JJ parts his lips widely and allows the rain to fall into his open mouth, tongue hanging out as he bubbles with an honest laugh. Cleo stands at the foot of the cave and admires the Pogues' joy at something so simple. She, herself, soaks in the feeling of sand and dirt being washed away because of the downpour.

They're all welcomely trapped in a state of intense euphoria. But not Kiara. She feels like shit.

It was about midway through the night when her stomach and chest began to seize up with this ill feeling. Her head began to expand, at least it felt that way, like a balloon. There was and still is so much pressure on her skull. Her body burns and shivers at the same time. But the worst sensation she feels is a mass balled at the base of her throat. She knows what it means and how much she really wants to avoid it. Kiara doesn't want to throw up.

Her stomach flops and she painfully hugs her shaking arms around her abdomen and rocks side to side, biting back a groan that could be enough for her to expel the food and fluid within her. She fucking doesn't want to puke but her body is screaming for it. She can detect her insides gurgling and the fish from last night edging up her oesophagus. Kiara loathes the way her body is making her feel right now. She just remains helplessly lying on her back and holding on for dear life.

Kiara would love some weed to mask her current state right about now. She can't help but actually ponder JJ's words. By some miracle, is there weed somewhere on this island?

"Come on, Kie! Get off your ass and get out here!" Sarah's shout breaks Kiara's line of wishful thinking and she crashes back down to reality, once again becoming aware of her inner body's pressing inquietude. Maybe if she stands she'll be able to force the food down and keep it inside her. Cause truthfully, what a waste it would be if she lost JJ's hard-earned Grouper.

Kiara reaches a weak arm and sluggishly grips onto the cave wall with a fuzzy mind. Her legs feel like jello as she shakily drags herself to her feet, resisting the terrible urge to vomit all the while. The knot resting in her throat moves and the bile rises. She swallows and almost gags at the resting mass sitting there. The effort leaves her out of breath and head spinning. She sways until a short bout of clarity steadies her, it's just enough for her to put one foot in front of the other.

Each of her steps are unbalanced and uncoordinated. She can't begin to comprehend how many times she almost trips in the short walk to Cleo's position at the mouth of the cave. Kiara's form is slumped and her face is pained. She can't rid of the horrible sensation where her stomach pitches one way and then see-saws the other, as if a lone boat rocking in treacherous seas, submitting to the powerful waves.

Kiara stumbles up beside Cleo and barely keeps herself from toppling over. The deafening rainfall just makes her head hurt more. She feels like she's been absolutely floored.