Chapter 8: Chapter 8

The rain is heavily and nonstop pouring out. Grayson and Elijah keep jogging and looking for a dry area. They passed through the mud when Grayson slip his foot and accidentally toppled and almost fell on the edge of the cliff.

"Watch your step," Elijah worriedly said.

Elijah was afraid that Grayson would stumble again if he did not lay hold of him. They were soaking from the rain when Elijah sight a hut made of palm leaves. As they entered there is a small rough bed on the corner and scattered dried citronella grass.

"Take off your clothes, so you don't get sick," Elijah said while lifting his shirt.

Grayson awkwardly turns and struggle to open the small window. He doesn't know how to open it when Elijah took a thick wood and raised the cover. Grayson flush showing Elijah wearing without any top.

"It won't stop raining until tomorrow. It's cold having your clothes wet. You need to take them off or you will get sick," Elijah warned.

"I'm fine. I don't easily get sick, " he insists.

Elijah gathers all the dried citronella grass until he's done.

"I'll sleep on the bed and you're here. It's softer and warmer than there."

Grayson didn't remove his clothes even they were sleeping. Elijah woke up to see if the rain had stopped when he saw Grayson sitting while hugging his knees. He quickly got off the bed and approach him.

The rain did not stop but it subsided. By the time he touched him the heat encircled his palm.

"I remind you to take them off! I thought you did what I told you," he said irritated.

"Haaa... I'm sorry," Grayson said exhaustedly.

Elijah removed Grayson's shirt and arrange the dried leaves and expand it. He lifts Grayson and lay him on the leaves.

Grayson talk in the lowest voice, "W-what are you doing?"

"Ssshh."

Grayson was startled when Elijah hug him, "This would be enough to keep you warm and lessen the cold."

He didn't react and remained in his position straight until he fell asleep.

After a few hours, he woke up.

"Hmmm. So warm.

He was surprised to see their position. He was holding Elijah's chest and resting his feet on his legs. While Elijah's one hand was wrapped on his waist and the other one was served as a pillow to him.

He tried to sit but ended up laying again because of dizziness. Elijah was alarmed seeing Grayson trying to move.

"Don't move yet, you're not still okay."

He displays his hand and signs him that he's fine but Elijah keeps insisting and check his temperature by placing his hand on Grayson's forehead.

"We should hurry back home for you to rest," he worriedly announced and hurriedly stand up.

The smell of petrichor emanated as they open the fragile door of the hut house. Elijah supports Elijah's step because of the slippery and muddy paths caused by rain. When they exit, the arrival of the carriage is also exact.

The coachman stop the carriage and asked, "Did the rain catch you last night? The storm was strong. Luckily, everyone is fine and safe."

"Yes. We helped the elder farmers to harvest their crops. Unfortunately, we didn't make it," Elijah reasoned.

"Get in, young men. You must be exhausted because of the rain."

While riding Elijah replied, "My friend here has a fever, where can I buy medicines?"

"When we get to the bottom of this mountain we will pass through the small house. There's a lady who sells herbal medicine."

When they returned they were greeted by worried complexions. Austen and Abriella run towards them.

"We don't know where to look for you because of the intense storm," Austen said.

"Elijah where have you been? I'm uneasy about not knowing where you are," Abriella butt in.

"We went to the farm to ask about the thing Daniel's said, right?."

"So, were you able to collect any information?" Abriella curiously ask.

"We could not bring to talk about it. They may be surprised at our sudden questioning."

"You're right," Austen's eyes shifted to Grayson, "what happened to him?"

"We got wet from the rain so he got sick. How did you found out we are staying here?"

"That's not important right now, we should hurry up and let Grayson rest," Austen did not respond to his question.

After they lay down Grayson on the bed they exit.

"We are leaving first so you can rest," Austen advises, "You too Abriella, you should go to where you staying too."

When they leave Elijah entered Grayson's room again and saw him peacefully sleeping. Ready to leave when a hand stop him. He gasps.

"What's the matter?"

"Don't go."

"Huh? I'm not going anywhere I was just about to cook you soup and get a wet towel for me to wipe you," he explained.

Slowly, Grayson's eyelid fell until he was completely asleep.

Elijah went out of the room after Grayson fell asleep and get a wet towel. After that, he takes a bath and rested in his room.

Grayson blink and seat, "Where am I?" The towel fell from his forehead.

The door open and it reveals Elijah carrying a mug and bowl.

"AH! Are you awake? You slept for half a day. Would you like some porridge?"

"Yes. Thank you," he couldn't refuse his offer because his stomach is empty.

Grayson flinched when Elijah lean and raised his hand. Elijah touched Grayson's forehead and touch his own too.

"I think you still have a slight fever, I was worried because you had a fever since last night."

"I'm fine now."

"Next time, listen to what people saying," Elijah sighed and scooped the bowl.

"I can do it. What time is it now?"

"It's already afternoon and you haven't eaten anything yet," Elijah put the bowl on Grayson's lap.

The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze. Muffled chatter floats as Austen walk by. He plans to visit Grayson when he hears an audible sound.

"I told you! I'll pay you after I found my friend!" The man explained while running out of patience.

"That won't do. I can't just wait for you while you're searching for your friend."

"Then how am I supposed to pay you?" The man rolled his eyes.

The man is thin and small. He was wearing ripped jeans and a long blazer with a white T-shirt inside and half tuck-in. He's wearing a cap and a black backpack. Obviously from the city.

He approached them and ask, "You are close to getting people's attention. What's the matter?"

The coachman point to the man and furiously said, "This man doesn't want to pay me!"

"W-what? Haaa! I told you to wait because I don't have any cash! I had no idea that automatic light doesn't work here!"

"If you are planning to take a vacation you'd better search the background of the place first. If you did, you could've prepared for something like this."

Austen pulled out his wallet and pay the coachman. While he's paying, the man turns his back and is ready to leave.

"You should know how to show gratitude when someone is helping you," Austen face him after the coachman left.

"I didn't ask you to help me. I could've paid for it if you didn't butt in."

"Can you let go of my hand and stop following me? I'm looking for someone! If you're worried about the money you spend, I'll pay you!"

"Someone like you still does exit," Austen smirked.

"Whatever," the man left.