Descending

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

James listened to the cracks and pops of the fire he had made with Amber earlier in the day. The orange-yellow tongues tamed in their spot, but it still could not erase the invading thoughts of the terrorizing flames of the forest fire from James' mind and the searing heat that came with it. All seemed to have been in vain when he had found Maddie and risked his life for her back upon their landing.

He heard the pat of footsteps and turned, expecting to see Amber, who had went to collect berries and  other foods an hour or so ago, but saw nothing but moonlight washing over rocks.

In pure confusion James took a double take, shaking his head, before looking again. Again nothing, except a eerily whisper, "Help me . . . You careless, heartless bastard! Save me before I'm gone for good . . . !"

The voice came from his left ear, hot from the speaker's breath. He turned apprehensively, and nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw his face reflected in Maddie's crystal blue eyes.

"Maddie? Where have you been?" James asked in apprehension as her image vanished as fast as it appeared. He heard the sounds of footsteps disturb the tumbling smooth rocks, at first thinking his sister was walking away, then realizing it was Amber, her eyes reflecting the fire's flames.

"James I'm back . . . found some more berries and a tree full of oranges, I think––" Amber explained, then suddenly pausing, "Are you all right? You look as if you've seen a ghost," she added as James kept on staring into the woods with a look of pure sadness and fright.

"Yeah . . . I'm fine, really. I was just thinking, that's all," James answered quickly.

"Alright . . . but just so you know, I hope you can trust me. I'm here to help you and get us both through this," Amber answered back carefully, one hundred percent aware that he had lied right to her face, hurting her a little.

"I'm sorry, your right. I was . . . I was seeing Maddie," James told her with embarrassment, not able to meet her eyes.

"Now that explains your look a bit more. You must be hallucinating . . . or something. Here let me get a look at your leg. That got to be the cause," Amber answered with a happier tone, now that James spilled the truth.

James looked down at his leg, seeing the wide gash edged with green and white puss, the rest  swollen and hot to the touch. It was so bad he could not even feel the pain anymore. He lifted his leg so that it was facing Amber, who had kneeled down to look, her brown hair falling from her shoulders, brushing him.

"Yeah this is pretty bashed up. Luckily you are looking at the daughter of a doctor. We need to clean this out properly. I don't believe our swim earlier was enough . . .Come on I will help you to the water," Amber examined before helping him up, balancing him on her shoulder.

"Amber I can't tell you how much I am happy to have you here. Never thought I would be good enough to meet someone like you, especially on a deserted island," James told Amber, looking into her eyes.

"Your too sweet James. I am happy I met you too. Your a great person to talk with and be comfortable around," Amber added back her cheeks blushing as she looked back into his eyes.

James and Amber suddenly stopped staring at each other in embarrassment, looking in opposite directions, but still holding each other as they neared the pool. Both, being too busy looking at trees, reached the edge of the pool and fell in with a large splash of surprise.

"James!" Amber yelled, but soon laughed realizing how funny it was.

"I thought you were supposed to guide me to the pool, I was not looking," James yelled jokingly.