It was late in the night, and Jedediah was finding it hard to sleep. It was bitterly cold, and the fire did little to stave off the bitter chill that hung heavily in the air. It had been an interesting evening. Bad, yes, but perhaps just slightly better than the last few nights. Ahkmenrah was feeling much better, but was still exhausted and weak from being so ill. Larry had been busy, and rather flustered, seldom pausing as he paced, mumbling to himself. But what caused the cowboy's lack of sleep, was Octavius.
The Roman was still asleep, and a bit of the cowboy's worry had been lifted after Sacagawea concluded he just needed to sleep the venom off. According to her he was very lucky; the spider wasn't a very poisonous species. It's venom did little to normal sized people, but a miniature was a different story, and they'd all been warned he'd have some not so fun symptoms when he woke. But it was still unnerving to see his friend lying there unresponsive. Especially in their current situation.
Nearby, Jedediah heard Sacagawea giving water to Ahkmenrah, and realized just how thirsty he was himself. He waited patiently for Sacagawea to finish, and then spoke as loud as he could to get her attention.
"Yes?" She asked, turning and kneeling down beside the little cowboy.
"May I have a little water?" He asked, his voice obviously a little hoarse. He'd been too worried to drink, or even eat, and was just now realizing how hungry, as well as thirsty, he was. Sacagawea smiled slightly, happy to hear the cowboy finally speaking again. He hadn't been talking much either.
"Of course," She replied, tipping the bottle slightly and filling up the cap. She then put it up to his lips, and he drank his fill, sighing after he finished.
A little ways away Octavius whimpered, dragging his friend's attention over to him.
"Octavius?" He asked, hoping for a reply.
A low groan met his ears, and he felt himself beginning to worry again. Sacagawea noticed.
"You are not still worried?" She asked, pulling off a small piece of the fish she had made from earlier. She was storing it in some cold water in a bucket she'd found, outside the cave in the hopes of it staying fresh until morning.
Jedediah nodded, and a small sigh escaped his lips. Sacagawea then put the fish to his mouth, only to have the cowboy turn his head away with a slight gasp. It still hurt.
"Save it for Octavius." He said, refusing to eat.
"Jedediah...just...eat it..." Came a weak whisper from Octavius, who was stirring from his sleep.
"Octavius you need it more than I do..."
"I will not eat until you do."
With a defeated sigh, Jedediah finally accepted the food, and ate enough to neutralize the hunger, leaving plenty for the others. It was a self destructive thing to do, he knew, but for the sake of his friends he would do it. Sacagawea left another small piece of fish, and another cap full of water for Octavius, who was showing signs of waking.
Octavius mumbled something before finally attempting to rise, pushing himself up slowly with his hands as he pulled his feet beneath him. He stood, and almost immediately the room began to spin, and the next thing he knew he was on the ground again.
"Octavius!" Jedediah exclaimed, not a hundred percent sure what had happened to his friend. He thought he'd blacked out again...
"It is alright, Jedediah." Octavius whispered reassuringly, too tired and achy to speak much louder. He somehow managed to make his way over to Jedediah, after falling numerous times and finally resorting to a pathetic form of movement and crawling the rest of the way. He sat beside his friend, and looked over him with tired eyes. He looked strangely pale..."Are you alright?" The Roman asked, eyeing the cowboy suspiciously.
"Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine. You?" Jedediah replied, not noticing the look in his friend's eyes.
"Fine. Just tired, and a little light headed. But nothing I cannot bear." Silence drifted between them, and Octavius' gaze drifted to the fish and the cap full of water. "Have you gotten enough to eat?" He asked.
The cowboy nodded slightly, and silence fell again.
"Enough to drink?" The Roman questioned, glancing back at his friend.
"Yes. Octavius, quit questionin' an' eat. Ya need yer strength for what's comin'."
At this, Octavius looked confused, and a sense of foreboding fell upon him. "What is coming?"
"I don't know...it's just something I heard say."
As the two sat in silence once more, Octavius beginning to eat final!y after assuring himself of Jedediah's well-being, sounds from a hushed conversation between the three bigger people could be heard.
"So what's the plan?" Larry's voice said.
"Ahkmenrah needs at least a day to recover, and it would be food if Octavius took time to rest as well." That was Sacagawea's. "Tomorrow I will search for a possible way back."
"So, in two night's time?" Teddy's.
"That sounds about right. But what about Jed..."
"Lawrence," Teddy said sharply but quietly, stopping the night guard. His voice dropped to a low whisper. "It is unwise to mention our dear cowboy friend's condition. It may fall on small ears."
And the president was right, for Octavius felt even more dread, and turned to his friend, only to find him asleep. And he knew something was coming. And it would not be good.