Texas Was You

Seamen And Sickness

Jason's pov

The next day, when I wake up, everyone else is already outside on a beach, waves lapping the shore. I get my boots on, grab my rifle, pistol, and cowboy hat then I go out there. "Hey you're awake." Todd says waving. I nod. "So what are we doing?" "Well the place you wanna get to is that way." He says pointing across the ocean. Nathan pushes a raft over. Then he stands next to some kinda rock formation thing. "What's that?" I ask pointing. The kid looks sad. "His dad is buried there." Todd says. My eyes go wide and those words sends shivers down my spine. Miranda walks over shakily. "Are we gonna be okay?" She asks. "Of course baby." I say hugging her. "We should gather food for the journey. It's at least a three day sail." I nod and we both go into the woods. I hear a twig snap so I point my rifle but I don't see anything. "This place freaks me out. The sooner we're home the better." My scared wife says. I hold her tightly and nod. After collecting food for a few miles, Miranda grabs her stomach and throws up! "Crap! Are you okay?!" I gasp dropping my rifle and hugging her tightly. I pick her up along with my rifle and run back to camp. I lay her on the sand and dip some cloth in the water. "Oh I feel so nauseous." I check her for any bite marks or something but there's nothing. Nathan brings a bottle of water. "Thanks." He nods and sits beside the rock grave. I sit her head in my lap and give her the water. "Thanks." She says. I smile and brush a strand of hair out of her face. "Ya had me scared for a minute there Dallas." She smiles and strugglingly sits up. I hope nothing bit her or stung her. "We ready?" Todd asks. I nod and help Miranda up and to the raft. "Will this thing hold?" I ask worriedly. "It should. As long as we don't hit any storms." Todd mumbles, pushing us off into the water. I hold tightly to Miranda since the rocking is making her nausea worse. "Oh God!" She cries sitting up and throwing up in the water. "Is she alright?" "I'm not sure. I'm really worried!" "Check if she's got a fever." I do that and shake my head. "It isn't from a plant then. All the plants down here, the posion comes with a fever." I'm worried out of my mind. "Hey Jason, let the sail out." I do that and get a water bottle for Miranda. "I'm scared Jay." I hold her tight. "Don't worry baby. Everything's gonna be alright."

*later*

Something zooms past us in the water. "What the?" I whisper, staring at the water confused. "Hey
Todd-" I start then something zooms under the boat and his eyes go wide. "Everyone get to the middle of the raft!" He shouts. We get to the center just as some giant mutated fish as big as the raft jumps out of the water then crashes back down, sending huge waves our way. "Whatever you do, don't fall in the water!" Todd shouts, holding onto Nathan. "What are those things!!?" I shout over the wind. Another one jumps out of the water. The raft starts to tip but we get it upright. "No idea just some kinda fish!" Todd shouts. The raft shakes violently as one of the creatures are under it. We all scream in fear then a few seconds later it dies down and is calm again. "Phew." I whisper. "Don't phew yet my friend. They'll be back." I shakily hug my girl in fear.

*later*

Apparently I dozed off because I woke up when I heard Miranda throwing up again. Fear fills me as I rush over and hold her hair back. She wipes her mouth and cries, clinging to me. "It's okay Dallas I've got you." I look and am shocked to see stars and it's pitch black like a night sky. "Hey Todd how are their stars in the center of the earth?" He looks up and smiles. "Those aren't stars. It's a type of glow in the dark bug that covers the ceiling at night. Ya don't want those little fuckers to sting ya though, it causes hell of hallucinations." That scares the shit outta me since they're over us and could swoop down at any second. He must have seen the look of fear on my face because he says, "Don't worry unless you hurt them they won't bother you. Very gentle species." I wrap my arms around my legs, still staring at the 'sky'. "Why don't you ever see them on the surface?" He smiles. "They went extinct thousands of years ago." That shut me right up.

*2 days later*

I was manning the steering. Miranda had stopped throwing up thank goodness. Todd and Nathan had fallen asleep. "Jason, this place is beautiful." She whispers, looking around. I have to admit it is but I wanna get out of here as fast as I can. "I hope nobody finds the cave if they come looking for us." I whisper, staring at the water, fear in my voice. Her eyes go wide. "Cole!" "It's okay baby." "Jason, what if Todd is right? And there's no way out. We can't get out." "Can't never could doll. They haven't even tried he said. If ya don't try you'll never know." She looks up at me, a cut on her cheek from being dragged in the forest by those vines. I sit down on the edge and she sits beside me. I get some water on my hand and wash the cut. She winces slightly. "Is this salt water?" I nod. "Don't drink it. You'll have hallucinations." I say, staring at her worriedly. "Are you okay?" "Yeah. I'm just worried." "Worried about what hun?" "I'm not sure yet. I guess not knowing what's gonna happen." "Fear of the unknown. Classic Dallas. Always needing to know everything to be in control." I say smiling. She smiles too. "Classic Jason, taking charge when I'm too scared to." "That's impossible baby, you've never been too scared in your life." She rolls her eyes. "Jason I'm not as tough as you pretend I am. I'm just a little cowgirl who knows how to rope and talk trash. I am not as brave as I let on." "Don't you say that, Miranda. You are brave. I've never seen a more brave woman! The things you've taken on and I'm not just talking about this.... But my stupid ass.... And the shit with your parents.... Cole.... Everything you've faced, makes you the tough as nails chick I fell in love with from Dallas Texas!" A tear falls from her eye. I smile and brush it away. "I know you're serious cause you used my real name." I laugh slightly and she lays her head on my chest. "It's okay Dallas, we'll be to shore tomorrow." She yawns and curls up in my lap. I smile and kiss her head. "Goodnight, cowgirl."