CHAPTER 54: IT WON’T GET HARD

Georgia’s POV

I jolted awake to strange, muffled sounds echoing inside the cave. I sat up quickly, heart pounding, and turned toward the entrance, thinking it could be some wild animals.

Rain poured outside, creating a low, constant hum, but the noise I heard wasn’t from the storm. It came from beside me.

Nick.

My gaze shifted and found him curled in a fetal position, his arms wrapped tightly around his stomach. He was trembling slightly, and when I leaned closer, I could hear the low grunts escaping his lips. His stomach growled in protest.

His hair was a bit wet. Was it from the rain? Sweat mixed with it that was forming on his forehead.

"Nick?" I whispered, gently patting his arm. "Are you okay? Is it a nightmare?"

"No," he groaned. "My stomach hurts. I... I have diarrhea."

I leaned in closer, brushing his damp hair back to check his face. His skin was ghostly pale, his lips dry. Panic surged through me. I placed my hand on his neck... hot. Then his forehead... burning.

"You’re burning up! How many times have you gone?"

"About seven," he replied, barely above a whisper.

I didn’t hesitate. I pinched the skin on his arm and watched as it stayed raised longer than it should. "Shit. You’re dehydrated."

Without thinking twice, I sprang to my feet and rushed to the pile of coconuts. My hands worked fast, cracking one open and carving a hole through the soft spot. I ran back to Nick and lifted his head gently.

"Drink," I ordered, holding the coconut to his lips. "Come on, Nick. You need this."

He tried to sit up but groaned in pain. I quickly supported him, helping him lean against me as I guided the coconut to his mouth.

"You’re going to be okay," I whispered, trying to convince myself just as much as him.

"Finish that up. I’ll get another one," I told him softly, gently easing the coconut from his trembling hands.

"Stay here, I will go out. I need to find something to bring your fever down—and something to ease your stomach. I think you might’ve eaten a bad oyster," I added as I cracked open the second coconut.

His voice was hoarse, filled with concern. "Where are you going to find that? The first aid kit from the life raft is gone."

"I’ve been paying attention to the plants around the island every time I’ve gone out," I replied, pouring the juice into the coconut shell. "I know where to find what I need.

There are medicinal herbs around. Nature has a pharmacy of its own, and I know exactly which one to use."

"But it’s raining. And dark. It’s dangerous, Georgia," he said, his brows creased with worry even as his body weakened.

I could feel the weight of his concern, but I couldn’t let it stop me. He needed me more now than ever. "I’ll bring the flashlight. I’m used to the terrain. I’ll be quick. I’ll also grab some tea leaves to help us boost our immune system."

I packed a small bag with the essentials—rope, knife, flashlight—but just as I was about to leave, he caught my wrist with surprising strength.

"Don’t go," he pleaded. "Wait for sunrise. I’ll manage."

I crouched beside him, placing my hand over his. His skin was burning, his eyes glossed with fever. "Nick, listen to me. You’re not okay. You’re burning up and dehydrated. If I don’t act now, things could get worse—fast. I can’t lose you. I don’t know what will I do without you."

His grip faltered, and I leaned in, my voice barely above a whisper. "You have to trust me. I know what I’m doing. I’ll come back to you. Don’t worry."

I expected him to lie back down and let me leave, but instead, he gave me that damn smirk, the kind that usually got him into trouble.

"You don’t know what you’ll do without me?" he teased, his voice raspy but still full of mischief.

Unbelievable. He was on the brink of passing out, and he still found the strength to joke around.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yes! I can’t climb trees or carry anything heavy, so stay alive. And I refuse to end up married to Raymond, so don’t you dare die on me," I snapped, half-serious, half-trying to get him to shut up and rest.

Luckily, that worked. He leaned back again, groaning softly.

I turned away and stripped off my clothes.

His voice piped up again, weak but full of devilish humor. "Why are you getting naked? I’m too sick, nothing’s gonna rise tonight."

I glanced back at him and sighed. "I don’t want my clothes soaked, idiot. They’re harder to dry. Smaller garments, faster to dry. Simple math."

Then I tore the legs off my pants, walked into the rain, let them soak through, and came back to press the wet fabric against his burning forehead.

I clicked the flashlight on and turned to Nick one last time. He looked pale, sweating, but still managing that lopsided grin. "Stay here, okay? Don’t do anything stupid. If you pass out somewhere, I won’t be able to drag you back. You’re huge and definitely heavy, so just stay put," I said, trying to sound stern.

He let out a soft chuckle. "Stay safe, future wife. We still have a wedding to plan. Please... hurry back to me."

My heart thudded at his words, but I masked it with a shake of my head. Without another word, I stepped out into the rain.

I hurried toward the ridge, the rain soaking my skin as I moved fast.

That’s where I’d seen the thick ferns and fever-reducing grasses growing wild. Just beyond them was the guava tree, I remembered it clearly. There were no fruits, but that’s fine. The leaves mattered too, and can be used as tea. They’d help ease Nick’s stomachache.

My heart pounded with every step. I tried to steady my breath, but the thought of Nick, sick, feverish, pretending to be strong while clearly in pain, kept twisting in my chest. He was joking earlier, but I could see through it. He was scared. And so was I.

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Thank you for the Golden Ticket!

Jo_An_9948