Evident

7.

Scrubbing my dirty braided hair, I throw the wet thick interlaced strands over my back as the water soaks my goose-bumped frame which was a result to the dark cold rippling river that was surrounding me.

I soak it all in then helplessly flutter my eyelashes to removed the dripping water from my eyes.

A soft glow glinted from my eyes as I blink the droplets away and without much of a self control, I stared up at the cause of the source of light and sighed as the moon, stood in the center of the dark region which stretches above my stare as it glinted with stars.

The water sways me as I lost my stare within it's beauty, I wrap a hand around my waist as the wind pick up, licking my lips as I admire the beauty of nature which didn't miss to show how awesome God is.

This knowledge stuns me every time and I don't think it will be something that I'll ever familiarize myself with.

Shivering from the goosebumps on my skin, I hop up on the make shift steps, taking it one step at a time as to not apply much pressure to my swollen knee.

The steps went up to the porch of the overwater hut, and my footsteps, thudded on the wooden porch as I lightly walked nakedly over to the open door which reflects a soft glow of light through the entrance among the wooden surface of the building.

I welcome the silence of the hut, frowning a bit at the absence of Aureliano.

The last I saw him was when he poured some ointment with a healing leaf over my knee, which he said would help with my pain and securely wrapped it with a cloth bandage while his snake rest it's head on my thigh.

Which Imali was surprisingly not a threat as I had thought at first.

Closing the door behind me, I adjust my eyes to the burning chandelier hanging into the ceiling which was made from wooden lantern and silently hop over to the wooden couch.

I searched through my backpack for a clean pair of clothing, simultaneously munching on a chocolate bar to ease the hunger I was feeling.

I haven't ate a proper meal in two months and a few weeks and it was beginning to take a toll on me.

A hot tea and some chicken and rice would be lit rn...

I thought as my stomach rumbles from the meal, I desired.

Thinking back to Ria, my lips tilted down as I thought about the worst.

I needed to find her, whether my knee was healed or not, the thought of my best friend getting lost within the forest and suffering from dehydration or worst yet dying from a vicious predator pained me to my very core that it stings tears to my eyes.

Sniffling as the tears fell silently on my cheeks, I sprayed on the lemon based insect repellent on my skin, softly rubbing it along my frame to protect myself from mosquitoes and other unwanted insects.

Slipping on a black jeans and a long sleeve grey hoodie to beat the coldness of the night, I found comfort on the large black blanket that was made of fox fur.

A loud grumble resounded from my stomach and I bit my bottom lip, rubbing my tummy from the hunger I felt. It wickedly without care, left a pain.

I scan my eyes around the hut for something to eat and saw a table that was to the corner of the hut, it had a fruit basket in the middle of it packed with mangoes, banana's and some other fruits I was not familiar with.

A coconut was also on the table and I quickly hop over to it, proceeding to flick my knife out of my pocket.

Along with my guns, this knife was also one of the reliable weapon that I could count on in any situation.

I smiled softly down on the beaten wooden handle of the knife, soft memories were tied to this and it'll forever be apart of me.

"Till death do us part..." I spoke aloud, my mind walking down memory lane about my mother.

Shaking my head to diminish the simmering feeling, I cut off the top of the coconut which instantly spilled coconut juice through the opening.

I hummed as I drank the soothing liquid then indulge in a mango.

As I bit into the top of the skin to peel it back to reveal the orange-yellow flesh, I jump at the sudden opening of the back door.

I became sharp as I quickly position myself into defense mood while tightening my hands around the knife, I widen my thighs apart then shift a leg in front.

Bending my hand that held the mango up towards my face, ready to strike the knife into the intruder's neck, I immediately halt with a gasp as Aureliano stumbled into the hut.

He grunted as he slap a hand to the wooden walls, crouching over as series of blood gushes out of his side that now held a deep wound which was of a claw mark.

Something I've never seen before.

"Aureliano!" I rush over to him, the mango stumbled to the surface of the table as I completely disregard my hunger and tried to hold him up.

This proved as a difficulty because the brute weighed 300 pounds, who was also atrociously packed with thick dominating muscles.

"Non preoccuparti per me tesoro, sto bene." (Don't worry about me darling, I'm fine.)

His spoke while saliva dripped out of his mouth with blood.

"You're clearly not, now is not the time for your stubbornness Aureliano."

He ignored me as he proceeded to step forward, I unintentionally nibble my bottom lip in nerves as I hopped on my leg while supporting him over to the bed.

"What happened?" I curiously asked as he position flat on his back on the bed, he pressed his hand into his wounded side while beads of sweat soaks on his forehead.

His lips parted softly as he exhaled heavy breaths, eyes screwing shut as he grunted whispering words that were out of reach for my hearing.

Nervoulsy driven, I calmed myself down and relied on the little bit of medical knowledge that I learnt in med school.

Quickly snapping out my first aid kit, I washed my hands by the small sink, wiped them in a wash cloth then held unto his bloody hands that was covering the wound.

"Let me take care of you." I pleaded to him, searching his face which has now became pale as sweat glided down his forehead which soaks his hair to his eyes.

He squeezed my hand in a weak reply while staring up at me underneath lowered eyelids as his long silver-blonde hair spreads across the sheets behind him.

I swallowed as he grunted out a deep Italian curse word while I skim my fingers on the three, deep clawed mark, where I carefully inspect the wound.