Days went by. They were almost out of water. They had exhausted their medical kit, and Otis was being a fucking stubborn mule.
He had adamantly protested when she insisted on using some of the remaining bandages on him 4 days ago. He made her save them for herself, since he hadn't been able to take care of her.
Four days ago. What a wonderful time that had been.
Now, he lay almost lifeless in the leaves, struggling for air. Somehow, he had fucking gotten pneumonia on top of everything else. His leg was infected- so badly so she could smell the puss from where she was sitting. It was an awful, putrid smell. That was probably how he had gotten pneumonia- weakening his immune system like that with the infection, anything can settle in. Probably something to do with his albinism, too. A weaker set of lungs or this or that.
"Otis, come on. Hang on for me, baby..." She stroked his hair away from his face. She swatted at the flies accumulating on his leg with his stupid fucking cowboy hat she hated so much, grimacing. Somehow, it had survived the crash.
"Adi...?"
"Yeah, baby. It's me..."
"Can...we go home...?"
Tears rose in her eyes, falling on his face. "Yeah, baby. Soon...I promise, okay?" She heard a rustling in the trees and stiffened. Was it some animal coming to seal their fate?
She saw a woman's face peak through the trees, pushing a wheelbarrow.
"Hey! Help us! Help! HELP!"
The woman rushed over to them, leaning down. "Sweet baby Jesus what happened t' y'all?!"
"We got into an accident. Some guy ran us off the road and flipped our car. M...My husband...He's...He's really badly hurt..."
The woman's demeanor seemed to change. She reminded Adoria of herself when a new patient came in. "Alright. Sit in the wheelbarrow and pull him into your lap, if you can. We'll get you back to my house."
"What about a hospital?"
"Nearest hospital is 60 miles west. You and I both know he won't make it that long."
Adoria's heart sunk. She had known it, but she didn't want to admit it. The woman had arrived just in time.
She loaded herself into the wheelbarrow and pulled Otis in as gently as she could. He didn't even groan. He was slipping further and further away.
The woman rushed them to her house, moving much more quickly than Adoria thought a woman of her age should be able to move.
To Adoria's surprise, the woman was well-equipped medically. She deposited Adoria onto the couch with Otis.
"Abram! Get in here! Granny needs your help!"
A tall, well-built young man stalked into the house.
"Take this man upstairs into the guest bathroom. We're gonna take care of him."
"Jesus, what's that smell?"
"Infection, son. These people were in a car accident and sat down in those woods for a few days. They're both in bad shape! Go! They need help!"
Abram carefully picked Otis up and took him upstairs. Adoria tried to follow, but her body protested.
"You just sit tight, honey. He's gonna get your husband started and I'll take good care of him, I promise, alright?"
"N...No...I need to be with him."
"Sweetie, you ain't gonna be no good to him if you're all banged up or dead, too. Let me take care of you, okay?"
She sat still while the woman gently bandaged and took care of her injuries, expertly stitching the lacerations on her arm and splinting her leg.
"A...are you a doctor?" Adoria asked.
The woman shook her head. "No. I'm a vet."
Adoria sighed in relief. At least this woman had some medical experience of some kind.
"Now, you just relax. Your hubby is in good hands, alright?" She felt the woman stick her with a needle, and almost instantly felt her body relax. She tried to fight it, but sleep overcame her quickly.