84A/N: I wrote this little thing for The Fic Lab a couple of weeks ago. If you have Facebook, join their group, there are fun weekly prompts, great inspiration, and amazing stories! :) You can also add me on FB, I'm Steph Ashes over there.
The prompt was outdoor activities. I made a banner that's on my FB. I'm trying to find a way to post it on my profile here so you all can see it.
In regards to Wild Creatures, I have not abandoned it! I started writing it when I was off from work and had a lot of free time. I've recently gone back and summers are super busy for me, so I haven't been able to write much. It's my baby and I will finish it. I just don't wanna rush or half-ass it.
MAJOR ANGST AND TISSUE WARNING! EXB.
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Every muscle in my body aches; I try to lift my hand, but I groan at the throbbing, unbearable pain that runs through it.
The sun is strong today, the rays burning down on me.
Stars shine behind my closed eyelids. I struggle to open them; they feel like they're glued shut.
My throat is so dry that a choked cough rips from my lungs as I struggle to breathe. My lips are cracked and peeling.
My skin is feverish and blistered from the sun—the texture of sandpaper.
I manage to open my eyes in small slits, but they clench shut at the intensity of the beams of light.
Am I alive?
My memories and thoughts are unfocused and hazy as I try to remember where I am.
I may be dreaming; I don't even know.
A face.
A breathtaking, masculine face with a messy head of dirty blonde hair, a beard of the same shade, and captivating emerald eyes
flash through my mind.
Edward.
My fiance.
Our annual boating trip we take every summer.
Recollections slowly reel in, my mind becoming clearer.
Every summer since I met him, Edward and I go out to sea for a month in his boat.
The past few summers with him have been some of the best moments of my life. We've created lifelong memories, explored so much of the world, made many friendships along the way, and experienced new cultures and lifestyles. We've seen so much of this beautiful yet flawed world.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Vivid and unpleasant visions replace the heartwarming ones, causing my heartbeat to race as I begin to panic.
Threatening, navy blue skies, and lightning glowing through the night fill my mind. We got caught in the middle of a storm, our boat rattling against the heavy current. Reminding me of the dread that consumed me and my terrified screams for Edward.
We managed to get into the lifeboat minutes before our boat went down.
We were lost, deep in the middle of the sea, far away from civilization.
Trapped.
Isolated.
I don't remember the last time I had anything to eat or drink.
I don't even know how long it's been since we've been stranded—just floating along with no one else in sight—the days blurring together.
It's real. It's not a dream. It really happened.
You know how they always say your life flashes before your eyes before you die?
I think that what's happening to me.
My pulse slows down as I feel rough, warm, callused hands brush my matted hair away from my face. Chapped lips press against my forehead, leaving behind a soft kiss.
"It's ok, baby. We're gonna make it." The most angelic, dazzling voice I've ever heard whispers against my skin. "They'll find us, I promise. I'm not going to lose you. I can't," he chokes. He sounds so broken.
I put all my force into opening my eyes, squinting against the harsh sunlight. All I see are the same striking eyes from my dreams.
It's Edward; he's here with me. He leans down and kisses the ring on my finger—the one he gave me that ties us together for life.
The glow from above shined on him like an angel. Even in distress and all roughened up by the disaster, he's still the most radiant human being I have ever seen.
Such a contradiction of the divine sunshine while the most devastating event has taken place.
The calm after the storm, but have we really survived the storm?
"Edward?" I croak. My voice is barely audible.
Wetness from my tears soak my face, rushing to my lips; the only moisture I've tasted in days.
"I love you. Forever," he promises.
I reach my hand up to touch his face, but my hand falls when it doesn't connect with anything.
I turn my head as best as I can in my weakened state.
No one is there. I'm completely alone on this lifeboat.
Where is Edward?
This all means nothing without him.
I can't tell the difference between what is real and what is a hallucination anymore.
I'm dehydrated. I'm injured and have lost a decent amount of blood.
I've been stranded in the middle of the sea for who knows how long.
I'm at the end of my sanity.
Darkness takes over my vision. I can't fight it anymore.
I'm finally at peace.
"See you soon, angel."