Don't Leave Me

Chapter Three

I was sitting with Lori while Andrea and Amy went fishing.

I couldn't play with Carl because my legs were hurting again.

"Would you like to colour?" Lori questioned, offering me one of Carl's colouring books.

It was a Spider-Man one that was half coloured.

I lay on my stomach and colour the pictures when I look up and spot something on the hills.

"Can I go to bring some water to Jim on the hill?"I question, pointing to the hill.

Lori squints, taking in the sight.

"He probably needs it... okay but you have to be careful." She tells me.

I get up and wander over to the buckets, scooping up a cup full of water in a plastic cup before heading up the hill.

"Jim!" I call out watching as he digs multiple holes.

"Hey, kid." He greets, wiping sweat from his face.

"I brought you some water," I tell him, offering out the cup.

"No thanks. Hey, do you want to help me?" He questioned.

I let out a nod. "Yeah."

Jim points to a trowel that was in the ground. "Here, help me dig."

I place the cup on the ground and grab the trowel, squatting by Jim and digging in the hole.

"Jim? You okay?" Dale's voice rang out from where he approached us.

"Andy?" He looked at me while I continued to dig.

"Here, drink some water at least." Dale offered out a canteen of water and I pause, wiping some sweat the plastered my hair to my head.

I stand up, my knees screaming in protest as I walk towards Dale.

Dale smiles at me as he leans down and unscrews the cap for me, placing it in my hands.

I take a few gulps of the cool water, letting out a content sigh as it cools me down.

"Do you want some water, Jim?" I question, turning towards him.

Jim doesn't reply and I pass the canteen back to Dale.

Dale turns around and retreats to the camp.

I pick my trowel back up and continue to dig the holes.

"Why are we digging holes, Jim?" I question as the sun beats down on my back.

"It's not a crime to dig holes, is it?" Jim questioned me while he continued to dig.

"No, I guess not."