"Please..." I begged myself. "Move... Scream... Something..."
I again tried to slide my foot toward the bank a few feet away. I panted heavily, the cold shocking my lungs out of breath. I drew my foot back quickly as the pain occurred for the fiftieth time.
cRacK...
I froze. There were a few more crunches and noises. When they stopped, I began again. I managed to move a few inches. Then a few more until my hand grazed the snow dust on the bank. I gripped the frozen dirt and began to pull myself toward the edge.
CRACK! SPLASH!
I gasped as I fell into the water beneath the ice. My legs were numbed and red instantly. I desperately clawed my way onto the ledge, dragging my injured and numb appendages out of the stream. I pulled my knees to my chest and huddled against the nearest pine tree. My whole body quivered under the extreme cold and my teeth chattered so loudly that I could barely speak loud enough to overpower it.
I waited at that tree for what felt like forever. I could see my skin becoming pink and tender. My limbs tensed up and my body convulsed horribly in an attempt to keep me warm. Tears streamed from my eyes. I feared the worst, that I would die by that frozen stream. I was only a few yards from the cabin. I was so close to being dry and warm and I couldn't get there. I screamed in anger, forcing the last little bit of energy I had to make a blood-curdling noise of chattered teeth and a dying animal.
"Hello?"
I was half awake, the voice above me rousing me. I couldn't move much. I could barely look up toward the bridge. My eyes widened and my breathing slowed. The moon was so big and full. It was so bright, eliminating the darkness from around me. Who was that in front of it? A grim reaper? I tried to recognize the silhouette figure in front of the blinding moon. He seemed frantic. One, no, two more ran up to him. He pointed at me and the others began to scream. I could vaguely begin to see their faces.
"Laurraine! Oh my god!"
"Laurraine, stay with me!"
"Ladybug! Ladybug, look at me!"
I smiled, sobbing intensely. 'They came for me.'
"Help!" I cried.
Dae began to descend the cliff, but ultimately turned back. They huddled together, yelling at each other agitatedly. Damon ran toward the car with Dae after the decision. Em stayed behind to comfort me.
"Laurraine, they'll be back, okay? They'll be down to get you. Don't worry. Hey! Stay awake, please! Don't close your eyes! No! Don't close them! Laurraine!"
I couldn't help it. No matter how hard I tried, my eyes began to clamp shut on their own. I stayed conscious for a few more minutes, enough to hear the car above me.
"Be gentle or she could go into cardiac arrest!" I heard Damon yell.
"Right!"
'Dae?'
I felt a hand on my cheek, and another pushing back my hair. I forced my eyes to peek open. Dae was crouching in front of me, his eyes as wide as golf balls.
"Hey, Laurraine," he tried to control his voice as not to rattle me.
"Y-yeah," I chattered.
"Hi! Oh my god! I'm going to help you into this sled and we're going to get out of here, okay?"
I nodded slowly, seeing a sled dangling from a rope behind him. He removed his hand and wrapped them around my back and knees. Like a little ice cube, I stayed in a crumpled position. He set me gently into the orange sled and helped me straighten my limbs. I cried out in pain.
"Laurraine—hey. We can't get you out of here unless you straighten your legs. You cramped up sitting there so long, so it's gonna hurt a little."
I exhaled as smoothly as I could, my teeth chattering up an earthquake. I slowly compelled my legs to the surface of the sled. Dae held my hand until I was situated, then proceeded to strap me in with the makeshift buckles they put on it. He mounted the sled on top of me. I gulped, watching his sweat drop down his forehead. He was talking to me, but I couldn't hear him. I faded in and out of consciousness until I was above the cliff.
Emilia rushed me, dropping to her knees at my side. I lifted my hand up as far as the straps would let me, tears jutting down my face. She slowly took it. The warmth was calming. I smiled brightly, feeling safe with her near. Damon knelt as well and gently stroked my forehead.
"Ladybug, I'm so sorry."
"Laurraine!" Em cried.
"Guys, we have to get her inside."
Damon and Dae bent down on both ends of the sled and lifted me into the air. I stared at Dae's face. It was reassuring to see him. It was like all the pain had disappeared when he was near.
"Damon! Damon she's closing her eyes!" Emilia screamed.
"Quiet! Don't scare her!" Dae snapped.
"She's fine, Emilia. We're at the cabin, so she'll be fine."
"Okay..."
The nightmare was over. Em had helped me change into a set of warm pajamas and tucked me into the canopy bed. She buried me in blankets like a little burrito so that only my face was uncovered. We waited like that for half and hour or more, but I was still shivering. Emilia suddenly stood and walked out of the room with tears in her eyes. I began to worry.
Knock knock.
"C-c-come in-n-n," I called gruffly.
"Laurraine?" Dae asked, entering the room with a big smile on his face.
I returned the expression. "Hi..."
He walked up to the bed and knelt down next to it. He gently grazed a hand over my forehead. The touch sent shivers of relief and warmth down my spine. His hand was hot like he had just been in front of the fire. He took it back and sighed, lowering his head.
"W-w-what?" I chattered nervously.
"This won't do. You aren't getting any warmer," he started, rising to his feet. "Damon said this would probably work if you weren't warm by now."
Dae unbuttoned his shirt and whipped it open fabulously. I gasped and went to look away, but I was tucked in so tight I couldn't move. He stopped only at his shirt. Part of me secretly wished he didn't.
He pulled back the comforter and all the blankets, exposing my shivering body. He sighed and looked down. I quickly covered my chest.
"Do you have a bra on?" He asked.
"Yes... Why?" I exclaimed.
"I apologize in advance."
He helped me sit up and pulled off my long sleeved shirt. I quickly covered myself, the cold reaching my bones. I called out in fear that he would continue.
"What are you doing?" I asked frantically.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to the mattress. He covered both of us in the blankets and comforter until we were piled in cloth. I gulped, keeping my arms between us. He stared at me unamused.
"Move your arms," he said.
"No."
"Do you want to get better?"
I huffed and turned away from him. He quickly slithered his hands around my waist and pulled me toward him. I felt the warmth of his chest shoot through my back. It finally clicked what he was up to.
"Seriously, such a dirty mind," he commented, annoyed.
"Sorry..."
"See, look. You're not chattering anymore. In a few minutes you won't be shivering."
"It kind of burns."
"Good, that means you're thawing out. Go to sleep and you'll feel better in the morning."
"Will you still be here when I wake up?"
"Of course."
I only slept a few hours afterward, and honestly I wish I hadn't. My dreams were no less than disturbing and wet. It made waking up next to his beautiful face awkward, yet all the more disappointing.
He was still dozing, dreaming I supposed. His arms were still wrapped around me, but our slumber had put us a small distance apart. I sighed and turned over to him. I traced his face with my eyes, taking in every detail. I couldn't help but smile, hearing his cute, quiet snores. I reached out and cupped his cheek.
"You were right," I whispered. "I feel a lot better now."
He stirred a little and held my hand, a small smile peeking his lips. I giggled, shifting up against him. He roused a little and slowly opened his eyes. It must've taken him a second to fully wake up, but then he smiled.
"Morning," he cooed, stretching his arms up.
"Morning. Does it feel good to finally sleep in, Mr. Four AM?" I asked.
"Yeah, it actually does." He paused and hugged me tight. "Let's sleep a little longer."
"Hey! Get away from her, you animal!"
I peeked out from under him, finding Emilia at the door covered in utensil armor. I burst out laughing at her disheveled appearance. She stalked towards the bed, a wooden spoon pointed at us. She drew back the comforter with one clean swoop and took an offensive position. Dae gasped and covered himself like an embarrassed girl with his hands. I struck a confident pose. Emilia almost fainted from the sight.
"How could you? How could you have sex with a sick person? That's unthinkable! Monster! Pervert!" She raised her weapon.
"Em! He didn't sleep with me!" I suddenly gasped out between laughs.
"What?" She stopped. "But you're practically naked."
"'Practically naked' isn't naked, Em. You more than anyone should know how sleeping with someone works. Now can you go?"
"No! I won't let him defile you!" Emilia declared, bringing down the spoon.
"Ow! Hey!" Dae exclaimed, attempting to guard himself from the perilous attack.
Again and again, she brought down the spoon with a whap and a slap, until Dae was forced out of the room. I couldn't help but die of laughter at the hilarious act. Emilia followed him to the door and called out at him.
"And don't you ever come back!"
"Em, what was that for?" I asked, tying to calm my weak heart.
"He was going to do you! You're still recovering! He can't do that!"
"So you are unaware that Damon told him to do that after you left the room last night? Besides, weren't you all for me sleeping with Dae yesterday?"
"What? Damon would betray his own sister? Treason! Treason I say!" She screamed a wild battle cry and ran out of the room. She suddenly peeked back in with a final word. "And that was before you were recovering." She then flew out with a cry for battle.
I chuckled at the random noises I heard coming from downstairs. I slowly got up as to not make any sudden moves and changed from my sweaty pajamas to a set of casual, loose clothing. I slipped on some slippers at the side of my bed and made my way downstairs. As soon as I was in view of the others, the room went silent.
Emilia had Damon in a choke hold, her spoon angled dangerously at his buttocks. Dae was sitting at the table drinking a fresh cup of coffee. I took a few more steps down. Dae met me at the bottom of the stairs, taking my arm to keep my dizzy self upright.
"You should still be resting," Damon piped up.
"Can it, nursing major!" Em threatened.
"He's right. Have a small cup of coffee and let's go back up," Dae said, leading me to his seat.
He brought me a small decaf coffee and a blanket. He wrapped it around me and went to go to another seat. I grabbed his arm before he could remove it. He smiled and set his chin gently on the top of my head, his arms draped over my shoulders. Em and Damon stared in awe. I took a quick sip of my coffee, enjoying the warmth the liquid brought to my body.
"I'm still a little cold," I admitted, holding onto Dae's arms.
"Really? I'll hug you tighter then," Dae said, nuzzling his face against mine.
The other two started coughing and shifting. Em let my brother go and made a cup of coffee herself. Damon sat next to me. He put the back of his hand on my forehead and sighed.
"You're temp feels almost normal. Let's stay a little longer and then we'll pack up and leave."
"No, we can pack up now. Let's let them rest a bit. They had quite a scare last night," Em interrupted.
Damon looked at her in confusion. She made a sharp gesture to the stairs with her head. Then another. I swore she would get whiplash from how many times she had to signal my dense brother. She soon gave up and grabbed him by the back of the collar.
"What are you doing? Hey!" He exclaimed as he was dragged up the stairs and into their bedroom.
"Do you want to watch tv while they pack?" Dae asked, looking toward the living room.
"Yeah. I wonder if they get the channel I like." I nodded and went to stand up.
"Wait," Dae interjected.
I stopped what I was doing and looked at him strangely. He bent down and picked me up like a princess. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he walked me over to the couch. He set me down and bundled me up like a burrito for the second time, only my arms were able to freely move about the cabin. He handed me the coffee and turned on the tv.
"Oh! There it is!" I exclaimed, pointing at a certain channel.
"Sweet! This is my favorite episode." Dae clicked on the channel and huddled up next to me, his arms hugging my waist.
"Aw, this is the part where they confess in the rain. You're such a softie," I commented, taking another sip of the joe.
"Don't judge me. You're someone who laughs at death scenes. That's just sick."
"That was one time, and he was making a really funny noise." I tried to recreate the funny, guttural noise the character in question created upon death.
Dae began to chuckle.
"See? It's hilarious."
"Shhh! They're doing it!" Dae tapped the blankets I was wrapped in. "Neo na choahani?" He repeated.
I looked up at him. He took his eyes from the screen and stared at me.
"Do you like me?" He translated.
I nodded, watching Dae's face brightened incredibly. He hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead. We watched the rest of the episode that way, and even started another until we heard footsteps pounding down the stairs.
"Hey, lovebirds. Ready to go?" Em asked, walking up to us.
We both pouted up at her, our eyes wide and puppy-like.
"Can't we finish this episode?" Dae asked.
"Please?" I added.
"No. I want to get home for my party tomorrow. Or have you forgotten, maid of honor?" Em crossed her arms.
I paused, then laughed nervously. "What? Of course not! I have the best party planned for you!"
"Really, now? I'm excited to see it. Now let's go! You have classes tonight!"
"Alright, alright!"
YOU ARE READING
Photo Finish
Romance"Laurraine Yao, you silly girl, Love is the best thing in the world!" Yeah right. The most love got me was a kick in the ass and a low self esteem. Being the confident, career based she-male is more my thing. Besides, I have a brother and a roommate...
