Courageous Compassion | Illinois x Reader |

Hello?

My eyes fluttered open to see the sight of the glimmering water to the sun. I grunted softly as my body ached and I could feel a few bruises and scratches. I breathed in deeply as I tried my best to get myself up. My body couldn't find the strength to do so, causing my arms to go limp and fall back into the very shallow water. Water splashed all around as I grunted and hissed at the aches.

I whimpered a bit as I, again, tried to help myself up. This time, I had gotten further in getting myself up, but only to where I'm on my hands and knees. Water fell down from the strands of hair and down my nose.

Slowly, I bent one knee to my chest, put a hand on my knee and lifted myself up, now standing. My stomach irked and rumbled as I held it. Then, I hunched over and coughed up water along with small bits of vomit. I coughed again until I gasped for air. I took in big gulps of air, more than I can handle. My breathing slowed down a bit and I became more stable.

I stood up right again, only to be hunched over again. My stomach grumbled loudly. I haven't had a meal for 5 days now. I am dehydrated, it's now in the afternoon, I don't know how to make a fire to boil water to purify it, and I don't see any source of food in sight.

Now, I am lost. I don't know where I'm at. The nearest town is probably Allington which is 2 hours away by train. I started to panic and become worried.

I looked around to get to know my surroundings. All I could see is deep jungle and a river I had gotten trapped in.

Tears came to the corners of my eyes as I remembered the sight of Illinois pounding at the window while I fell of the train and the river. Even though he acted like a jerk and flirted, I still cared about him. He tried his best to get to know me, but I turned a blind eye. All he did was trying his best and I didn't see him as that. All I saw him was just a person trying to get into my pants.

I huffed out as I took one more look around. The river had calmed down and now was running at a decent pace.I remembered in archeology class that whenever there is a river, there is a town. That was when our old teacher is there.

My back was still hunched over and my arms wrapped around my stomach. I took a few deep breaths as I took my first step. As I did, I thought my body would go completely limp, but it didn't. The aches were pounding along side with my heartbeat. I took in a few more breaths before moving my legs. At first, it was sore and achy, but I gotten used to it once I started going.

I didn't know how long it'll take when I reach a village or town, but my guesses, it'll take a while.

-

Still hunched over and my stomach growling like crazy, I decided to take a small break. Few rocks were along the riverside, making a small chair for me.

I sat down, my ass starting to get sore, and contemplated on if I should either get up or keep going. Yes, people may think that it is best to keep moving, but it's not very easy. Starving, weak, cold, and don't have a straight mindset at the moment doesn't give enough motivation to keep on going. Especially when you just lost probably the only source for you to get back home.

I shivered and rubbed my arms to help get heat from the friction. I looked up to see that it was now starting to get dark. I don't think it is now possible to get to that temple.

I sighed as I raised myself up and began to walk again, still rubbing my arms and stomach growling non stop.

-

It is now completely dark and my only source of light was the moon. It shined brightly on the river as my feet planted onto the pebbles.

I am now freezing and I don't have much heat left. My lip quivered from the cold as my walking pace became slower. My eye felt red and puffed and sore and tears formed.

I dropped to my knees as I desperately tried to warm up some more. But all started to become hopeless. I shivered intensely as I looked up from where I am.

Not far from me, I could see a small light. I focused in to see fire in the jungle. A burst of energy pumped through my veins as I got up and started to jog of way over.

As I became more closer, I voiced head voiced around. I waved my arms and tried my best to speak loudly.

[Y/N] Please...help me...

I collapsed on the ground from the energy now leaving my body. I had regretted jogging my way over because now I had felt weaker than before. I vision began to blurry and my eye started to close.

But before I could fully close them, I saw three people gather around me. But I couldn't see them based on my blurry vision and the dark night.

They all knelt down and picked me up, their voices muffled. And next thing I knew, I passed out once again.

. . .