Stranded in Love

Chapter Thirteen

Derick grabbed the spear against the tree. I took note of the craftsmanship. It had a pointed tip that was relatively jagged, but it still would work to stab.

"I made this when you went off and got lost in the woods," he informed me. "I'm going to get more wood to put on this fire, so it should be roaring still when we get back."

I assisted Derick to gather various kinds of kindling. I was still amazed by the fire. Creating something so vital to surviving while also utilizing the power of the sun had me feeling like a mad scientist. Maybe I should have pursued some form of science. The fire grew in size as we added kindling. I felt that today was the most I had smiled in who knows how long.

After we thought the fire was high enough, we continued on to our next task: finding something of true sustenance. The two of us made our way to the water. Through the clear warm water, tiny fish swam between our feet, but those were not big enough to eat. We waded further into the water, the waves lapped against my chest as we ventured further into the sea. Derick had much more height on me, as I was now starting to tread water while he could walk.

"Do we need to be this far out?" I asked, fighting against the waves. The further out we went, the more I thought about crazier animals in the water, especially sharks. Even Jellyfish could give a nasty sting, and while the water was still clear, I couldn't truly see everything below me.

I thought that maybe I was having small bits of thalassophobia. "I'm gonna head closer inland so I can touch the ground." I told Derick who was still scanning the water.

"Just be taller." He said with a smile. I rolled my eyes. His banter was new to me, but made him way more appealing.

"Aye aye Captain. Let me get some leg extensions and get back to you." I jested.

Swimming closer to the shore, I turned back around, but I didn't see Derick. I scanned across the water, but I didn't see him. I nervously picked at my arms, waiting for Derick to surface.

I swam back out, frantically looking for him. Something brushed against my leg, and I screamed, taking in some sea water in the process. I sputtered, spitting out the leftover salt water taste. I spun around to see Derick laughing hysterically.

I splashed angrily at him. Why would he play like that? "Derick! That's not funny. I was worried about you and you're just out here playing games with me." I scolded.

"I'm sorry! That was a miscalculation on my part. I thought you'd find it funny." He apologized. I gave him another splash, but less upset this time.

"Are you having any luck?" I asked. Derick showed me his spear with nothing on it.

"There's some stuff down below, but they're way too quick for me to try and get them."

"What about we search for some rock pools? The tide is a bit high, and there might be something there that can help us." I recommended.

"You are so brilliant. Let's give it a try."

We swam back to the shoreline, but I was constantly looking back at Derick to make sure he wasn't trying anything devious. On my glances, he'd meet my eyes, reading my intentions for looking at him. The current was dragging me backwards as I fought against the growing waves crashing along the shore. Straining my muscles to get back to shore, we both finally made it.

"Did you feel that tugging?" I asked Derick, feeling slightly out of breath.

"I think we were almost caught in a riptide, look." Where we had just swam out was becoming an inlet, and a noticeable break in the wave pattern.

I never went to the beach a lot as far as I could remember. I had never been caught in a riptide, yet the thought of one was terrifying." Did you know that getting caught up in one can send you hundreds of yards out into the sea?"