Chapter six, SMOKE [short]
Coughing harshly into my elbow after breathing a lung full of burning smoke that barreled out of the contraption. My free hand waving the smoke away as I attempted to take in oxygen. My eyes watering as the sting of soot burned my respiratory system, struggling to clear them and dropping to my knees. Gasping and feeling like a fish out of water.
The faint sound of Wilson's voice was deafened. I feel faint, but finally I could feel the pain begin to reside. I spat on the ground and rubbed my eyes. I could feel the sickness rising inside of me as I shook, taking in as much air as I needed, spitting again. My saliva was sticky and felt like glue.
A large, unsure hand was placed on my back. Rubbing small, jerky circles onto the back of my ribcage. Awkward by comforting. We've only known each other for a week at most. Why was I allowing this kind of contact? Why was he okay with providing it?
"Are you done?" I spit once more, bringing my hand up to my face to wipe my mouth. "Y-yeah. I'm good" my voice shook, scratched. I waved my hand at Wilson but refusing to raise my head to meet his gaze. 'That was dumb, Roni' I thought dimly as Wilson's hand left my back.
I shook for a moment before forcing myself to stand. Lightheadedness made my vision hazy, wobbling as I stood I could hear Wilson shuffle as I reached into the contraption with my clean hand.
I gripped the descaled fish, the tender meat was easy to grab. I practically slammed the door of the smoke house, stumbling to the fence and rounding the corner. I could tell Wilson was being the caretaker now as he hovered two or so feet away, prepared to catch me if I fell. Maybe it was the prior isolation making this feeling so intense but endearing, tickling my lungs and urging another small cough out of me.
Disgusting.
It made my heart flutter, the pounding of panic turning into flustered beats that skipped. unusual.