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Chapter 11.
Nametter knees are shaking, Nametter chest is filled with panic. How are Namette going to get out of here? No, no time to panic!, Namette scold Nametterself and pick up Nametter pace, walking around the shoreline. If Namette follow the river downstream, Namette have to find either someone or at least a beach or a lake. It is definitely better than waiting for Jack to return. The river however doesn't seem to end. Namette don't give up though, following the shoreline for what seems like hours.
When Namette eventually stop to rest, legs burning with the exertion, and the sun shining in Nametter face, Namette groan. There seems to be a dock of some kind, the water here is less aggressive and calmer, apparently a kind of bay on this place. It has to be late afternoon now, judging by how high the sun is in the sky. How long have Namette been walking? Namette groan again, sitting down at the edge of the water, and let Nametter now bare feet dip into the cool liquid. Nametter legs twitch as Namette have a rest. Namette must have been up for maybe 5 or 6 hours now, it can't have been any less than that.
Namette sigh, then take in Nametter surroundings more carefully. Here, the river isn't roaring as loudly as it has been near the cabin, Namette notice due to the calmer, secluded water. This place ... could it be? Could Namette be on an island in the middle of a river? It would make sense and explain why the water here is calm, considering it seems to flow in a specific direction and if this is one of the ends of the island, then the water here would, theoretically, be calmer.
Namette drop Nametter head onto Nametter knees, resting for a little while, just enjoying the breeze on Nametter back and the water on Nametter toes. How ... how were Namette going to get out of here, out of this, from this island?
If this is, indeed, an island, which Namette can almost vouch for, then Jack has to come here with a boat. Jack is gone, however, which means the boat is definitely gone too. But Namette are sure that if there is really a boat, when Jack returns, this place is where he will dock it. Anywhere else doesn't make sense, since, as Namette have noticed on Nametter expedition, the water at the other areas is not only quite far down because of a sort of cliff, but also seems to be quite wild and strong. It would definitely damage any boats docked there. But here the water is a lot calmer. Namette lift Nametter head.
Namette don't want to wait for Jack, Namette want to go home. Namette want to eat some Ramen noodles, grab a Jacket and read fanfiction on the internet. Namette want to call Jess and tell her she is an idiot. Namette want to hear Nametter fathers voice. Work with Cath. Namette want to go back to Nametter normal life.
Namette frown, scrutinizing the river in front of Namette. If Namette see correctly, the water seems calm not only on the bay but further out as well. If anywhere to cross, this is the place.
Namette nod, Nametter mind made up. Namette're not going to wait for a psychopath to return and murder Namette. Namette want to live or die trying. Namette fold Nametter clothes as Namette take them off, one by one. Nametter skin shivers in Goosebumps as Namette stand in front of the roaring water, worry filling Namette, but Nametter will to escape grows stronger and Namette take Nametter first steps into the cool water. It's freezing, but Namette don't care. Taking a bit to get used to the coldness, Namette finally jump in and start swimming.
The first few minutes are ok, the water is cold and Namette are shivering, but Namette keep moving, the current not too strong, and Namette almost weep in joy as Namette see the other side come closer.
That is, until a strong current pulls Nametter left leg down and Namette go down beneath the water, a quick, sharp breath the only warning.
And under Namette go.
It's a sudden whirlwind, it pulls on Nametter arms, on Nametter legs, Nametter torso spasming as Namette are pulled down by another current. Namette feel rocks under Nametter hands, Namette're upside down, then Namette protect Nametter head as the water slams Namette down onto a rock. Namette grab onto it, lungs burning with the need for air. Namette kick out, hitting something hard and slimy, Nametter toes push against it. Namette break through the surface, take a deep breath. Namette barely get a second to feel relief, then Namette're down again. Namette don't know which way is up, which way is down. Namette don't want to drown, Namette don't want to die. Namette fling Nametter arms again, out, looking for anything to hold onto. Namette almost scream as Nametter hand grabs something long and sturdy, but Nametter grip is gone. Just as Namette think Namette'll die, Nametter hand comes into contact with the thing again and Namette pull Nametterself out of the current, Nametter head breaks the water and Nametter lungs inflate with much needed air.
Namette quickly pull Nametterself on shore, running on nothing but adrenaline, not caring where Namette are, when Namette are, simply knowing that Namette still are... alive.
Namette lay there for what seems like an eternity. Nametter lungs ache, Nametter body hurts, there are scratches and bruises all over Nametter body, and Nametter ankle is hurting but Namette don't think it is too serious. Namette don't care. Namette breathe, and Namette breathe again. And as the adrenaline, making Namette shake and breathe deeply, slowly dissipates, Namette cry. Namette cry because this is all fucked up. Namette cry because Namette want Nametter life back. Namette cry because Namette're panicking. Namette cry because Namette're in shock.
When Namette finally sit up, the sun has started to cast a golden glow, going further down in the sky. Namette finally take in where exactly Namette are and groan. Namette're not too far from the freaking dock. Namette must have pushed Nametterself right back into the water around it, Nametter savior having been a lone root of one of the trees surrounding the area. Namette are lucky, Namette know this, Namette know that Nametter chances of survival had been too low to rely upon. Namette almost died. Namette should have died. This realization quickly makes Namette stand. Nametter ankle throbs but Namette disregard the pain, grabbing a fallen branch to help Namette walk. It's starting to get colder, and although spring is close, winter still bites at Nametter feet. Nametter clothes, strewn around the bay by the wind, wait for Namette patiently. It doesn't take more than 5 minutes to get to them.
Nametter trek back to the cabin, which has to be in the middle of the island , Namette tell Nametterself, takes Namette longer than Namette thought. Namette're freezing,wet and in pain, making progress slowly, holding onto the branch for support. When Namette finally get there, about 20 minutes later, the sun is very low. Namette congratulate Nametterself on arriving at the cabin before sunset, and remember the matchbox on the table inside. Namette're glad that Namette have taken the time to examine the house before, quickly grabbing the blanket off the garden lounger, throwing some unreadable, decayed books and wood into the chimney and lighting it. It takes some tries though, since the cold wet wood does not want to catch fire.
Insistence, for once, helps Namette out. Namette stare at the small fire that slowly grows in size and warmth. Namette sneeze, before wrapping the blanket around Namette and snuggling in front of the warmth of the fire, Nametter wet clothing hanging on the wall to dry.
Namette didn't even notice when Namette fell asleep. Nametter body lulled by the flames and the heat, tired and exhausted from the day. Namette also don't really know what has woken Namette up. Namette're comfortable, something heavy and warm on Nametter body making the heat intensify and coil around Namette like a lover. Namette take a bit to return to the living world. Namette hear breathing, slow and steady.
As Namette lift Nametter head, Nametter muscles hurting and protesting at the movement, Namette come face to face with a blue mask ... and black ooze dripping to the floor. Namette almost scream, but Jack's hand over Nametter lips muffle the sound. Namette shiver, almost in panic again, as Jack pulls the blanket Namette have over Nametterself off. Namette lie there, trying to covers Nametterself, in nothing but Nametter underwear, trembling in the cold. Jack moves his other hand to keep Namette steady, apparently inspecting Nametter injuries. Bruises and cuts litter Nametter body, Namette ankle forming a blue, greenish hue. Namette try to move it and sigh in relief that it's fine, just bruised and sore.
Jack doesn't say a single word for several minutes, having noticed Namette moving Nametter ankle and obviously deciding that everything is indeed fine and that Namette'll survive, and then he tilts his head to the right.
"I didn't think Namette'd be so stupid." His voice cuts the awkward silence and Namette huff, annoyed. Namette choose not to answer. Namette're angry.
Taking Nametter silence as an answer though, he quickly moves the blankets back onto Namette, causing Namette to sigh in relief, the heat enveloping Namette again in its embrace. Namette hear the front door open and give the idea of running for it a couple minutes of thought, but disregard it. Though Nametter ankle is neither sprained nor broken, it still hurts and seems to be tender to any movement. Namette would not be able to outrun anyone in the state Namette're in and Namette don't want to make Jack angry.
Jack doesn't take long to return anyways. Not even 10 minutes later, he is back. Namette don't care for what he's doing though, as Namette finally let Nametter eyes fall shut again, the soft sounds of clinking and rustling, Jack moving around quietly, drifting Namette back to a deep, deep, sleep.