Lost

Chapter 9: Instincts

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While Salma was testing the limits of her muscles by piling heavy rocks at the foot of a mountain that she planned on climbing, Zayn sat fuming by the moss covered wall, glaring at trees as he battled his miserable thoughts. Sometimes, he overpowered them but most of the times, he was slowly but surely being pulled under. Zayn would not even realize it until it got unbearable. The overwhelming sense of loneliness was eating him alive. 

A slight throbbing in his leg caused him to turn to it. The cold was cruel on his wounds. He reached down to close the tear of the jeans around the bandage. As much as the warm wrapping made him feel grateful to have the ninja around, he felt a pang of bitter irritation that it had to her he had to get lost with.

 As the hours went by, something else started bothering him. He tried to ignore it, but a human being can only do so much. 

What should I do? Zayn contemplated. He considered calling his rescuer for help but then dismissed the idea quickly. Firstly, she had not come back yet and secondly what can she do about his bursting bladder?

Looking around desperately, Zayn's gaze fell on the stick and he was suddenly reminded of the Ninja's words and the meaning behind them dawned on him.

"When you feel the need," she had told him,"you'll know what to do."

Zayn made a face: She wanted him to use the stick to relieve himself.

Knowing he would not be able to stand without causing his leg a lot of pain, Zayn tried to come up with a more dignified, less painful way out of his situation, but failed miserably. The pressure was steadily building up and he had no idea what to do.

When his bladder threatened to burst its content out, Zayn grabbed the stick and attempted to stand. His muscles ached and his bones groaned, but he had something else on his mind so he pushed on. A sharp pain shot through his leg and for once Zayn forgot his updated bladder related problems. He leaned against the wall breathing heavily.

"What now?" Zayn whispered, wiping the sweat off of his brow.

He tried to judge between the two urgent body needs. His leg screamed in pain, begging him to rest it, but -

Zayn decided to keep going. He could rest later. This was too much to hold in.

Wheezing like a person who had run a mile, Zayn managed to limp into the veranda. He took a look around to make sure the coast was clear-- 

"Oh hell, no!" Zayn cursed when he saw the ninja sitting on the rock under the tree, "Damn my luck!" 

She held a meshwork of twigs in her hands, half of which had leaves weaved through the mesh. Zayn first felt annoyed that she sneaked back without letting him know of her arrival, but then his bladder squeezed and he found himself getting irritated by the fact that she was back at all. To add to his misery, she looked up just then, saw Zayn, got to her feet and started walking towards him.

"Oh no, no, no! Walk away! Walk away! Walk away!" Zayn desperately muttered under breath.

"You alright?" the ninja asked, not meeting his gaze.

No, I'm about to . . . argh! Just go away! Zayn thought in annoyance. However, for once, he bit his tongue to keep himself from saying it aloud.

"I, er, I'm . . . well,"

The veiled girl looked at him quizzically, her brow furrowed. 

How do I put it politely to her? Zayn wondered. He did not understand why he even bothered being polite.