10. Found

Pain. For the longest time that's all there was. Gilligan never realized how many different kinds of pain there were or that it was possible to feel them all at once; burning from multiple scrapes, a sharp stinging in his right leg and his shoulder was sore where he was sure he pulled a muscle. But his head felt the worse. It throbbed relentlessly and with each pulse he couldn't help but whimper.

After what seemed like forever the pain in his head lessened somewhat. Other sensations began to impress themselves upon his consciousness. A shiver ran through his body as he realized he was cold. He didn't know a tropical island could ever get this cold. And wet. His cloths were soaked, his skin was soaked and the sand he was laying in was grainy sludge. He could now feel the rain pelting his face, mingling with the warm liquid trickling down his forehead.

He opened his eyes slowly but saw nothing but a blurry darkness. There was a sudden flash of light and a loud rumble that made his heart skip a beat.

"Gilligan! Where are you, Little Buddy?" The Skipper's voice was close.

He called back but it came out as barely more than whisper. He tried again, louder this time. "I'm over here, Skipper!"

"Where? Are you alright?"

"Over here." He tried to push himself up but his arms felt like spaghetti and wouldn't hold him.

The next thing he knew the felt the Skipper's hand grip his arm and was pulled to his feet. He groaned as the change in position brought his headache back with renewed force. Gilligan was glad of the Skipper's strong arm around his waist. If it wasn't for the support he knew he would either collapse or blow away.

"What happened? I've been calling you for nearly ten minutes."

"I'm not sure but I think I hit my head." Gilligan said weakly, cradling his still throbbing head.

The Skipper looked up at the sky. "We can't go back to the others. It's too far. We have to get out of this storm now!"

"The cave just up the hill, we can stay there." He took a step in that direction and gave out small yelp.

"What's wrong?"

"My leg hurts."

"Is it broken?"

"No. I'll be alright. It just stings."

The Skipper had lost the lantern in his fall and it seemed to take forever to climb those forty feet in the dark, fighting the rain and wind. But the Skipper was finally able to drag Gilligan into the cave.

Relieved to get out of the storm they crawled to the back of the small cavern. The Skipper leaned against the stone wall, exhausted. A few feet away Gilligan pulled his knees up to his chest and crossed his arms trying to keep warm.

"What is that strange clicking sound?" The Skipper asked after he caught his breath.

"M-my t-t-teeth."

"Get over here, Gilligan. I'll get you warm." He reached over, grabbed him by the arm and pulled him over to his side. Putting his big arm around his little friend he could feel him shivering violently. Trying to lighten the mood he said: "I don't have to worry about getting cold like you do. I've got a lot more insulation." He laughed heartily. He couldn't see Gilligan's face in the dark but he knew he was grinning too. After a moment he stopped laughing and his voice turned serious. "Are you alright, Little Buddy?"

"I think I'll be okay." Gilligan said, not too sincerely.

"Are you hurt?"

"I've got a really bad headache that's making me a little dizzy and I think I cut my leg when I fell. I think even my bruises have bruises."

"We'll have the Professor look at you tomorrow."

There was a long silence. "Skipper?"

"What is it, Little Buddy?"

"I really am sorry. I didn't know those berries were poison."

"I know. And I forgive you. Now, I don't want you to ever think about it again, and that's an order!"

"Yes, sir."

For a while they just sat there and listened to the howling storm outside. Slowly Gilligan stopped shivering.

"Skipper."

"What?"

"I'm glad you're not going to die."

The Skipper smiled and hugged Gilligan a little tighter. "Me too."