Kapitel 56: THE 13TH ACCOUNT: EZEKRA 1

My fever was not letting up and it had been over a week. Gondro kept making sure I stayed hydrated. Paco and Neville agreed that it was because of Gondro's concoction that I had got through the sickness for quite so long. I overheard one night that they talked about how other people succumbed to death from fever at sea.

Jacob was getting impatient. I heard him scream in frustration more than once this week. Elgo had already located Ezekra from the very beginning but the creature kept on moving and compared to Labyrinth, she was much faster. So the chase was taking longer than expected.

My back was aching more and more because of my bedrest. I wanted to stand and at least walk around but each time I try it, Jacob tells me to go back and lay down. They're treating me like a damsel in distress over again! I know they care, especially Jacob. However, if I lay down some more, I'm afraid I'll be invalid. So, I sat up. But at the same time, Jacob walked in.

"Lay down," he ordered.

I shook my head, "Let me sit. My back had become really sore from laying down for a week."

He walked towards me and sat on my bed. He put his palm once more on my forehead, "You're still burning up."

"I don't think it will change anytime soon until I drink Ezekra's tears," I answered him honestly.

Jacob put his hand over his forehead and rubbed his temples frustratingly. "She moved again," he uttered.

I felt sympathetic for him. He had been like this since we began the quest. I reached out and caressed his hair with my hand. "You haven't had any sleep, have you?"

He took my hand from his hair and kissed my knuckle. "It doesn't matter. I just want you to get better," he said and looked at me worriedly.

"You should at least take a nap. I would hate it very much if I got better and in turn you got sick. How could we kiss then?" I smirked after saying that to tease him in hopes that his mood will lighten up.

He chuckled and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, "I love you."

I smiled. I held his face in my hand and planted a kiss on his right cheek, "I love you, too. Would you please have a shut eye?" I asked.

He looked at me worriedly, not responding. So, I scooted until my back made contact with the headboard. I held out my hands, "Come here."

"What are you up to?" he asked as he accepted my hands.

I pulled him to me until he was sitting beside me on my bed. I linked my arms with his and leaned on his shoulders. "Lean on me too," I invited him.

He did. "Your hair still smells nice," he said as he inhaled.

"Well, I still wash them regularly," I chuckled.

He let out a small laugh, "How do you ever manage that?"

"A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do," I whispered.

"Really now?" he whispered back.

"Shhh...Close your eyes, Jacob," I told him.

"I'm not sleepy," he answered.

"I know. Just close them. You don't have to sleep," I said.

"Alright," I turned my head slightly to check if he really did it. He chuckled, "I obeyed, see?"

I chuckled back. "Take deep breaths just to relax yourself," I whispered.

I felt him nod and heard him take deep breaths. I held his hand and he did the same but tighter. We were quiet for a while. Then, his grip on me loosened… His head on my shoulder became heavier. A smile formed on my lips when I heard his breaths becoming gentler. He fell asleep. I waited for a bit more until I was sure that he entered deep sleep before carefully placing his head on my pillow. I put the blanket over him and watched him sleep.

When I saw that he was still in deep sleep, I took my journal and began writing. I would glance at Jacob to check on him from time to time. He needed sleep and he needed it badly.

At lunch time, Paco and Neville came into my room. I quickly put my finger on my lips and motioned the sleeping Jacob.

"He fell asleep at last?" Neville asked me using his whisper voice.

I nodded, "He needed it."

"You should've rested as well," Paco whispered after seeing that I was writing.

"I am fine. If I lay some more, I'm afraid my back would be more sore," I whispered back.

"Here, have some soup," Neville handed me a bowl. "Gondro also said to make sure you take this," he added and placed a small vial with a yellow liquid in it.

I opened the medicine and took it right away. Then, I stuck my tongue out because of its awful taste. Paco and Neville chuckled softly to not wake Jacob. After that, I drank the soup and ate my lunch. I was surprised that I had an appetite despite being sick.

When I finished, Paco and Neville took the dishes and were about to leave when Puma came rushing in and announced with a loud voice, "Captain! Elgo said Ezekra is coming our way!"

We signalled him to be quiet but it was too late. Jacob woke up and immediately sat up, "What?!"

"Easy, boy," Paco said. "Eat your lunch first."

Jacob did not listen, instead he stood up, "How long was I asleep?"

"About three to four hours," I replied and smiled at him.

He looked at me and smiled. Then, he held my face and kissed me, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," I smiled.

Jacob turned back to Puma, "Now, what did you say?"

He was about to repeat it but Elgo beat him to it, "Captain, Ezekra is on her way to us. She's swimming at an incredible speed. She'll be here in about five minutes!"

"Everyone get ready!" Jacob said as he rushed out.

I stood up immediately.

Paco and Neville turned back to me. "Go back to bed!" they ordered simultaneously.

I shook my head and headed for the door, "I want to see what this creature looks like."