Bent (Merome)

Chapter 29

I didn't sleep after that one nap. I paced around the camp, wringing my hands, chanting

"Jerome, please. Come back, Jerome, please... Please..."

Rose and June left me alone for the day I was there. I don't know where they went, but they came back sweating and flushed red.

"Where were you guys?" I asked, my voice cracking from overuse.

"Out," June responded simply. I narrowed my eyes in doubt, but didn't press them.

"How's Jerome?" Rose asked, moving to stand next to me and looking down at the unmoving Jerome.

"Still hasn't moved or woken up," I notified them. She bit her lip.

"...Mitch?"

I turned to face her. "Yes?"

She paused.

"N...Nothing. I just... hope he wakes up soon."

She added something else, too, and it sounded like "He has to," but I couldn't catch it exactly.

I was sitting by the campfire, lost in the flames, when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I turned, seeing Jerome.

He twitched his fingers.

He was awake.

He was awake.

It had been four days since he fell unconscious. And he was finally moving.

"Jerome!" I yelled, tripping over my feet to get over to him. "Jerome, are you awake?!"

He let out a small groan, then opened his eyes. He opened his mouth and tried to speak, but nothing came out. I tackled him in a hug.

"You're awake! I can't believe it!"

I was crying. He gave me a soft look, like he wanted to comfort me. He rubbed circles in my back with his palm, then hugged me with all the strength he had.

"Can you talk?" I asked, my voice provoking my already swollen throat. He shook his head, mouthing not now. I nodded, burying my face completely in his shirt, dampening it.

"I missed you, G."

I felt his chest move. Silent laughter. A squeeze on my back. Suddenly I felt the fatigue I'd been fighting off hit me like a brick. I relaxed my body, laying down on the ground and nestling into him.

"I'm gonna take a nap here, alright?"

He patted my head, approving. I smiled and closed my eyes.

When I woke up, Jerome's eyes were closed again. But this time, it wasn't because he was passed out- he was just sleeping, peacefully. I smiled. I didn't want this moment to ever end. I was laying on him, my ear pressed to his chest, listening to his steady breathing and heartbeat. But all good things come to an end, and he began to stir.

"Jerome? You awake?"

He rubbed his eyes and nodded.

"Can... Can you talk...?"

He opened his mouth, eyes still shut, and tried to speak. Again, nothing came out.

"Damn. Alright, we better get up." Suddenly I realized how awkward our position was, and he seemed to notice it at the same time. I leapt off of him immediately, jumping to my feet. A dark blush welcomed itself on both of our faces.

"Sorry. I must've fallen asleep like that," I laughed. He returned it. I offered him a hand, and he took it. I hauled him to his feet and dropped his hand, but he stumbled and fell ungracefully back down on the ground.

"Oof! Sorry, Biggums!" I chuckled, squatting down on the ground. "So you still can't quite stand up yet, huh?"

He nodded, shrugging.

"Okay, that's fine. Let's just sit here for a while, then." I crossed my arms over my knees and stared at him. Suddenly, Rose came bursting through the trees, screaming

"I FOUND IT! I FOUND IT! BUT WE HAVE TO GO! NOW!"

Oh, boy.

_______________________________________

GAHD DAMMIT WHY CAN'T THIS CHAPTER BE LONGER

SHIT

SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I UPDATED

IT'S ONLY BEEN LIKE A WEEK

BUT WHATEVER

TAKE IT

GOD DAMMIT

TAKE IT

-The Moon's Shadow