Part 34: Day 6

Eddie turned over in his makeshift bed, which consisted of two blankets and stuffing from one of the chairs in the plane. Mr. Kangaroo had doubled at his new friend and pillow. It made the sleeping a little easier. Eddie preferred the softness of the toy to the stiffness of Tony’s shoulder. The little boy then rolled onto his side and then kept rolling. He gently woke up, opening his eyes. The soft face of Marita was all he could see as she slept peacefully. Eddie was confused, cause Tony always slept between them. He leaned up and looked around, finding Tony sitting by the fire.

Eddie stood up and walked past the sleeping Yolanda and John. Tony was covered in a blanket, shivering. He gritted his teeth as he held onto the blanket, almost fearing it would fly away. Tony raised his head, hearing the young boy approach. “That you, Eddie?” he asked.

“Yeah,” the little boy said, sitting next to him.

Tony slightly chuckled, “I am getting better at this.”

“I told you so. Pretty soon you’ll be like Daredevil.”

Tony chuckled again. Eddie couldn’t help but stare at him. To the little boy, it was rather warm outside. However, his blind friend was shivering like it was winter. “Why are you cold?” asked Eddie.

“My wound,” Tony’s teeth chattered, “It’s infected. It’s . . . . making my blood temperature drop as my body . . .tries to fight it.”

“How do you know it’s infected? Maybe you are just cold.”

Tony smiled at the boy, “You’re a sweet kid, Eddie. But I am doctor. I know . .what’s wrong with me. Now be a good boy, and hand me some of those torn pieces of cloth over there.”

Eddie put down his kangaroo pal and walked over to the pile of torn cloth that Marita made. He brought over two strips and handed them to Tony. The blind doctor took a deep breath and exhaled. Then he slowly removed the black blindfold, draping it over his knees. With his trembling hand, he gently reached over and removed the cloth. Tony felt something stay with the cloth as he removed it. He tossed it into the fire, hearing it sizzle and ignite. He gently reached over and felt of the area around his eye. Rubbing it between his fingers, he felt them sticking together. “Eddie, I am sorry but I need you to take a look into my eye,” he said, “Is it still red?”

Eddie winced as he leaned forward. “Kinda. It’s more black . . .and yellow.”

“Damn. It is infected,” Tony whispered, then rubbing off the blood streaming down his cheek, “And it’s not closing either.”

“Can the medicine help you?” Eddie asked.

“Not the medicine we have. If we had some antibiotics, they could help me fight the infection, “the blind doctor breathed as he placed a new cloth into his eye, “But without them, I ain’t gonna last much longer.”

“Don’t say that.” Eddie cried.

Tony paused, then tied the blindfold back over his head. Then he faced toward the boy, “I’m sorry, Eddie. I wish it wasn’t true. But if the rescue party isn’t here in three days, I ain’t gonna make it.”

Eddie then rushed over and embraced the blind doctor. Tony paused and then held onto the boy as he cried into his chest. He stroked his hair, trying to comfort him. He saw no reason to lie to Eddie but he knew the real reason he was upset was because he had lost his parents and as a bad circumstance, may lose Tony as well. “I don’t want you to die, Tony,” Eddie cried.

“I know, kid,” Tony kissed him on the forehead, “I don’t want to die either.”

From the tent, Marita wiped the tears from her face. She had witnessed the whole scene from within the tent. She wept for Eddie, who had come to love Tony like his new father. She wept for Tony, who was braver than any man she ever knew. For both their sakes, she prayed the rescue party would be here by tomorrow.

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McKay sharpened the stick best he could. It was difficult with his machete only but he had to make due with what he had. He wanted to secure some food before he left for the day with John. He put the machete down and tested the sharpest of the stick. It should serve his purpose. The sand shifted behind him. He turned around and smiled at the blanket covered Taylor. “Morning, luv,” he smiled, “Sleep well.”

“The funny thing is I don’t think I’ve ever slept better in all my life.” She said, kneeling down beside him.

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

“Why would it?”

“You were being chased by a man eating polar bear yesterday, Taylor. A wise man once told me, you can never truly appreciate life until you have faced death.”

“Yeah, “ she smiled, “that makes sense. In a sicko Australian kinda way.”

McKay smirked as he stood up. Taylor stood up with him, noticing the spear in his hand. “What are you gonna do with that?” she asked.

“Doing a little spear fishing, luv,” McKay pointed toward the ocean, “People still have to eat.”

“You gonna really catch a fish by stabbing it?” Taylor said in disbelief.

“Done it before. It ain’t that hard. Just got to know how long I can hold my breath. “McKay rubbed his stubble head, “I wish I had a snorkel.”

“Well, good luck, Lord knows we need the food,”

“Yeah. Best get moving, before people start complaining how hungry they are.”

McKay began his walk toward the water. Taylor stared at him for a second and then ran after him. “McKay!” she called.

“Yeah?” he turned around.

The young blonde immediately grabbed him and kissed him. The Australian was shocked by the kiss, then closed his eyes and relished it. Taylor kissed him a second time, holding the back of his neck tightly. As she slowly parted from him, McKay could feel his heart beating out of his chest. She opened her eyes, holding onto his chest. “I never got to thank you . . .for yesterday,” she whispered, “It’s not every day . . .someone saves my life. Thank you.”

“No worries, luv,” he smiled.

Taylor then walked back up to the beach. McKay just watched her walk away. He exhaled again, holding his chest. He took another breath and proceeded into the cold ocean water. Once he began swimming, he couldn’t get Taylor’s kiss out of his mind.

Was it gonna be that kind of a day?