apocalypse | 18+

35.

apocalypse

when i opened my eyes i was being cleaned off. there was the sound of birds and rushing water. i was in a river. just how imagined in my dreams. i still couldn't understand how i was alive.

i looked down at the hands that were washing me. it was elias. and i was sure. this hands were rough. he had cuts all over them. he washed my legs and my arms with a rag. his eyes looked focused. he suddenly patted a rag across my forehead and our eyes met.

my lazy ones, his focused ones turned soft and gentle.

"hi," he said, his eyes were so soft. i think they were the softest they'd ever been.

"hi," i said clearing my throat. and then i started to cough. he pushed the hair away from my face and supported my back to sit up in his lap.

"you've been in and out of it for a few days," he said. "i've been trying to get you to eat but you won't stay awake long enough," he laughed a little but i could tell there was nothing funny.

"i'm hungry," i nodded. he laughed again holding up my frail wrist.

"i know," he said. "i have fish," i blinked a few times and looked around. we were in the forest. it was quiet. elias had a tent set up. it looked like a small campsite. he was cooking something. i could smell it.

he looked okay. like a caveman, but okay. i had so many questions but i was too confused and tired to even start. i just let him wash me. i didn't even feel or notice that i was naked. i didn't care. i only cared about him.

"you burned your feet pretty bad," he said rinsing them with water. it stung a bit. i gritted my teeth. "you'll be okay though, i'm gonna take care of you."

i nodded. all i could do was nod. and he was so gentle with me. he held me in his arms and we went into the creek together. the water was rushing and loud, but soothing. he pulled my hair from its tie and splashed some water on me. the water was cold, but i was burning up for the past few days. it felt cool and refreshing.

"i'm gonna dunk you under okay?" he asked me. i nodded. all i could do was nod. he plugged my nose. he looked down at me and counted down from three. and then i was under the water. it felt like nothing i had felt before.

engulfed in the cool water and silence i felt incredibly calm for a split second. and when i was lifted from the water i let out a small breath. a breath i had been holding ever since i lost him. opening my eyes and seeing him felt like the best relief on earth, it was so encompassing it was too much for me to feel when i was this weak.

my heart wanted to race badly, but i was so exhausted. i could just look up at him and smile weakly. he worked his fingers through the tangles in my hair, and i reached up to rub his scratchy beard.

"caveman," i laughed.

"sleepy scientist," he said in soft tone.

"i found something," he said while we emerged from the water. he carried me over to his makeshift camp and laid me down on a big white duvet looking thing. he even had towels hanging.

he grabbed one and wrapped it around me. "what did you find?" my voice was hoarse and gone. i hardly sounded like half of myself.