I’m not fine. I’m an idiot, that’s what I am. Really, who runs off into the forest after a sleepless night and no meal? I just wanted to breathe and get away from all the people looking at me curiously. I know I look rough, okay? No need to remind me.
But now here I am, with no clue which way I came from and no service. At least I’ve had some time to think about my dumb behavior from earlier today. I should have just talked to Elija. I know that now. Still, at that moment I just couldn’t see that. I was trying hard all night not to think about my interaction with my mom and I didn’t want to talk about it.
It’s hard to believe that she raised her voice at me, not to mention slapped me. But I guess I’m overreacting. After all, she told me she was worried about me. Not her exact words but that’s what her outburst really was, wasn’t it? Besides, she didn’t hit me hard. Like she said, nothing really happened.
She hasn’t tried contacting me since then. Neither has my dad. Not sure what to do with that but I guess they’re busy. It’s fine.
I’m lost in my thoughts when footsteps from behind me snap me out of it. My heartbeat spikes as I whip around, expecting some serial killer and ready to fight them. I release a shaky breath when it’s only a dog.
‘I’m so sorry. Don’t worry, she doesn’t bite!’ a person yells as they run up to me.
‘It’s fine,’ I say. Reaching out slowly, I let the dog sniff my hand before softly petting her.
‘I hope she didn’t scare you. I’m Lex,’ they wave awkwardly. I smile at them even though it feels strange to do right now. I really need to eat something soon.
‘Florence,’ I tell them.
‘Ehm, Florence, you alright? You look a little lost, no offense. Your face is a little ashen. And-‘ I cut them off.
‘I know. I know, I look as bad as I feel. I’m lost, actually. If you could just point me in the direction of the hospital, that would be great. I can find my way home from there,’ I say.
‘Ah, sure. It’s that way.’ They point at a pathway leading away from where I was going but that makes sense. I’ve been wandering around for a while. ‘But, ehm. It takes at least an hour to get there,’ Lex tells me.
‘I’m not in a hurry,’ I tell them even though I feel like I might pass out soon. ‘Thanks for your help.’ With one last smile, I’m walking back to the hospital.
I mentally prepare for my conversation with Elija to distract myself from how sick I feel. I hate it when I get hungry to the point where I’m just as nauseous as when I eat but there’s nothing to do about it now. I’ll just get myself something from the vending machine.
After about forty minutes of walking, the world starts tilting and I know I messed up. I dig my teeth into my bottom lip and bite down hard to get my adrenalin to work. It won’t help me for long but I really need a few more seconds.
I pull my phone from my pocket and see with relief that I have reception here, even if it’s bad. Blinking back my dizziness, I send Elija my location. I hope he’s not still mad enough to ignore me. I don’t think he will.
Worst case scenario, I’ll just be knocked out in the forest alone for a while. What’s the worst that could happen, right?
The familiar cold curses through my body so I try to lie down, knowing I can’t fight off the darkness any longer. My blood sugar is too low, my body too drained.
I’m out cold before my body hits the ground.
–
I slowly come back to consciousness with a groan. I take a few deep breaths and look at my surroundings, remembering what happened and where I am. The first thing I notice is how incredibly uncomfortable I am. Good to know I wasn’t competent enough to land on a nice patch of grass when I passed out. Nope, I had to fall face-first into the wet dirt.
I roll onto my back and try to wipe my face clean. The movement alone takes a lot of effort, my limps feeling incredibly heavy. That’s the thing with passing out. It’s not something you do and feel better afterward. Nope, you’re still as hungry, still as dizzy, and still as flipping cold as before. Just sweatier and impossibly weaker.
Why did I have to choose the coldest day of May to pass out in the forest? Like, come on!
With a pang of disappointment, I realize I’m alone. I sent Elija my location, didn’t I? Yet here I am, no idea how much time has passed but I’m still by myself.
I reach for my phone to check the time and maybe call someone only to find the cold gadget turned off. Dead. Great!
Okay, let’s try not to panic. I should be, what, 20 minutes away from the hospital? Easy as pie.
I try to get to my feet but as soon as my head is off the ground more dizziness washes over me in waves. I let my back fall back again, breathing heavily.
I won’t walk, whatever. I can just crawl, I think miserably.
Then I hear the most beautiful sound. ‘Florence!’ a familiar voice yells. I nearly cry out in relief.
I hear his hurried steps until he drops to his knees beside me, touching my face and searching me with frantic eyes.
‘You came,’ I say tiredly. His eyebrows furrow, a flash of hurt crossing his eyes.
‘Of course, I did. I came as soon as you texted me but I had to fight my mom off first. Fuck, Florence, did you think I wouldn’t? Never mind, don’t answer that. What are you doing here? Are you hurt?’ he rambles. I shake my head a bit.
‘I’m stupid, I shouldn’t have texted you. You’re injured. I’m sorry,’ I tell him. Really, gold star for that move.
‘Don’t even go there. I’m glad you texted me. I was freaking out because no one knew where you were. If that’s how you felt last night,’ he trails off, shaking his head. ‘Whatever. Are you hurt? Let’s get you to the hospital.’
‘I just need to eat something, maybe some sleep,’ I assure him.
‘I didn’t bring anything with me,’ Elija says and I can tell he’s still worried so I smile softly. Before I can answer, I hear car doors being closed and realize we’re not alone. How did I miss the hum of the engine this long?
‘Florence, are you okay?’ Elija’s mom asks as she hurries over. Oh, this is about to be embarrassing. I can feel my cheeks burning up already.
‘Mom, do you have anything sugary in the car?’ Elija asks.
‘Just some old cola,’ she replies.
‘Can you get that, please?’ I wish I could tell Elija not to ask her that. God, I feel like such an inconvenience, lying on the forest floor, unable to move, and needing the help of others.
Elija gently raises my head so I’m leaning against his chest before he helps me drink the bubbly beverage. I usually hate soft drinks but I won’t deny that it really helps. In a few minutes, I’m able to get to my feet and walk to the car.
Robert’s behind the wheel, looking back at Elija and me worriedly before driving off. No one speaks and the radio’s off. It’s making me anxious.
Elija, probably noticing how he always does, sets a hand on my leg and absently drums my rhythm with his finger. It does the trick and I relax into my seat, closing my eyes for a bit.
