Chapter 21

It had been four days since they had found themselves stranded in the Eocene period, and in Jenny's opinion, they had slipped into a very good routine. In the day-time, Abby collected some fire wood, and tried to hunt using a sharpened stick she had fashioned. She had only managed to bring back a small horse once, but it had sufficed to keep them rather well fed. The sharpened stick had also come in useful when it came to fending off some Hyena-like creature that had approached, snarling.

Jenny spent her time collecting rain water in her bottle and picking various fruits that looked edible. She had also become rather an expert at lighting a fire and cooking on it with a spit. At night time, they both took it turns to guard the entrance of the cave while the other one slept.

Cutter had gotten much worse since there first day there; so much so that Jenny was worried sick about him. His wound was clearly infected; whether by the bacteria in the environment or from the Crocodile's saliva. Jenny tried to change the dressings on it as much as possible, but they were running out of material to use. They had already torn up Abby's jacket and tights as Jenny was unable to spare any more items of clothing unless she wanted to wonder around naked. Her waist coat and pants were incredibly filthy and torn already.

On their fifth night there, Jenny was sitting against the cave mouth looking out onto the darkening plain as Abby slept next to her. It was deadly silent; all that could be heard was Abby's soft, rhythmic breathing and Cutter's feverish mutterings. Then, all of a sudden, he let out a painful gasp. Jenny hurried over to him, hating seeing him like that. She placed her hand on his forehead, and pulled it away immediately - he was burning hot. She dampened one of the last remaining pieces of material with some water and held it to his face and neck to give him some mild relief; he opened his eyes at her touch. They focused on her, and his lips twitched slightly into a smile.

"Hey you," he whispered so quietly so that it was barely audible.

"Hi," she smiled down at her, unconsciously stroking his hair. "How are you feeling?"

"Okay," he lied.

He reached up, which seemed to cost him all the effort in the world, and took her hand, holding it close to him.

"I bet you're sick of taking care of me," he croaked.

"Not at all," she replied softly with a smile. "But I've written it all down on the list of crappy things that you've got to make up for."

"God that list must be getting long by now," he smirked, closing his eyes again.

"It's about the same length as that plain out there," she teased, still stroking his hair. "I'll let you get some rest . . ."

"No," he said sharply, pulling her in closer by her hand. "I need you to listen to me . . . if something happens to me - "

"Cutter - "

"Listen," he said, his breathing heavy. "If something happens to me, you've got to promise to leave me here and get yourselves out - "

"No - "

"You get yourself out of here no matter what . . . you and Abby . . ."

"Nick, I'm never going to leave you - "

"No," he breathed, his voice alarmingly faint. "I need to know that you're going to be okay . . ."

"You're not leaving me here," Jenny cried, putting her forehead on his chest to hide the tears in her eyes.

"I don't think I'm going to have a choice . . ."

"You just need to hold on for me," Jenny whispered, looking up into his eyes that looked incredibly heavy. "Just hold on . . . we'll get you home."

"Jenny - "

"NO Nick," Jenny snapped, sitting up. "I'm not discussing this anymore! Your not dying - "

"We both no that's not true," he breathed. "And I need to know that you'll be safe - "

Jenny shut him up by leaning in and kissing him full on the lips. He took a few seconds to respond, but when he did, he did so with surprising enthusiasm for his weakened state. When she pulled away, his eyes were brighter than she had seen them in days.

"You're not going anywhere," Jenny whispered to him, stroking his face.

"Whatever you say Jenny Lewis," he smiled, closing his eyes again.

********

When Cutter had nodded off to sleep again, Jenny returned to her post at the cave entrance. It was about time to wake Abby and go to sleep herself, but as she knew she wouldn't be able to settle, she thought it best to let the girl sleep. She sunk to the floor, pulled her knees up to her chin and before she knew it, she was sobbing quietly. She had to get him out of here . . . she had to!

"Jenny?" Abby's voice said gently from behind her.

Jenny looked up in alarm, and hastily wiped the tears under her eyes away.

"It's okay, I'll stay up and keep watch," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Go back to sleep."

"Jenny you need to rest too," Abby said quietly, sitting down next to her.

Jenny remained silent, and looked back towards the pitch black plane.

"How is he?" Abby asked nervously.

"Not good," Jenny replied in a hollow voice.

They were quiet for a while, both knowing and not saying the thing they were both thinking.

"Jenny - " Abby began, but she cut her off.

"Abby, I really don't want to talk about this right now . . ."

"But it's been almost a week - "

"Please," Jenny breathed, looking at her friend hard. "I just don't want to discuss this right now okay?"

Abby nodded and dropped the subject reluctantly. Both women just stared out into the strange world around them, both taking silent comfort in each others invisible presence.

********