Chapter 24

When Zachary woke up in the middle of the night, he felt his entire body stiffened and his heartbeat ceased.

Kathryn wasn't there.

With weak knees, Zachary tried his best to get up, standing and leaning against the moist walls of the cave. He called out for Kathryn, his nerves tied in worry and fright, but even his words seemed useless against the pouring rain and his shivering body.

"What are you doing?" Kathryn was aghast when she found Zachary almost crawling out of the cave.

"I…I thought you were…"

Gone, Zachary thought. Zachary could've admitted he was too scared, that he almost died when he thought Kathryn disappeared again. 

The younger sighed, pulled Zachary up and helped him get back to the bed made of leaves and dried clothes she did a few hours ago.

"Where have you been?" Zachary couldn't push away the worry in his voice. Even in his state, he'd managed to place enough anger in his tone to let the other know he was worried sick.

"I tried to look for food, but I only found these," Kathryn explained, almost blushing as she placed three pomegranates down.

Zachary glanced down at the fruits, just the thought alone instantly giving him an incredible feeling inside. He smiled, anger dissipating as he then pulled Kathryn's hand, holding it tight. "Don't go alone next time."

"But you're not feeling well." I could at least do this for you.

Zachary's fingers were rubbing against Kathryn's small ones that turned cold after being exposed to the rain herself outside. "Then you should tell me first before going out."

Kathryn could feel Zachary's skin against hers, every part of her aching for more. Every touch seemed to ignite her feelings inside, bringing her back to their shared love and passion, something that burnt Kathryn in a way every inch of her body was scarred and marked with Zachary's flaming love.

"You okay?" Zachary asked, noticing how Kathryn’s face had turned red all of a sudden.

Kathryn blushed harder, shaking her head to push such unnecessary thoughts away. “I-I’m okay.” This wasn't the time to be feeling such emotions. They both need to survive against the elements, at least until the rain stopped and people from the other island could rescue them from here.

After eating the said fruits, Kathryn and Zachary sat near the fire where they had placed a new batch of wood to keep them warm for the entire night. There was a silence both knew was comfortable between them but won't speak or mention about. Kathryn just stared at the fire, listening to the tiny flicker sound it makes rather than the blaring drop of water outside. Zachary, on the other hand, still feeling weak and somewhat dizzy, just stared at Kathryn.

It made Zachary think who in the first place did this to Kathryn and suddenly, the anger he was keeping inside seemed to have woken up again. He heard it was a girl, someone who hated or had a grudge on Kathryn that she wanted to teach Kathryn a lesson as they said. It was funny; Zachary had never seen or heard anyone hating Kathryn. And just what right do they have to punish her? When Zachary and Kathryn got back to Do Island, Zachary would be the one to punish the bitch.

"Zachary."

"Zachary."

When Kathryn glanced over the silent man, she noticed the way his eyes darkened as he stared at the fire. His eyebrows changed into a furrow, his eyes flashing far beyond rage, Kathryn had to call his name to snap him out of it.

"Are you hurt somewhere?" Kathryn asked, worry all over her face again.

The anger left Zachary's eyes as he deadpan faced Kathryn and answered, "Yes."

Kathryn moved closer, scanning Zachary's body in worry thinking Zachary might have been in more pain than he had previously shown. "You're hurt? Where? Where does it hurt?"

Zachary grabbed Kathryn's hand and pulled it against his chest, his voice low and serious, "Here. It hurts here." Zachary pressed against his chest, particularly on his heart.

Kathryn pulled her hand away quickly, looking away with eyes full of guilt.

Zachary sighed, letting his head lean against the cold wall of the cave.

It was silent then, except for the deafening sound Kathryn's heart made, not even the flicker nor the rain could outmatch. There was this small voice inside her that screamed, pleading to be out. Something that she knew would set her and Zachary free from all this mess, from all this pain. But she knew it wasn't the time. Not yet.

"I'm sorry," Kathryn said in a soft voice instead. Her eyes casted down in absolute guilt, hands gripping in restraint.

Zachary turned his head back to Kathryn, eyes staring at her.

"For hurting you with my words…I'm sorry."

Everything was messy and confusing, and Zachary was just as lost as his words were. For no words seemed to be needed, at this moment, when he saw Kathryn looked up and finally met his eyes that conveyed too many emotions deep inside Zachary fully knew how to respond to.

Hearing the droplets of water outside, Zachary moved, pulling Kathryn against his body, and leaned in to capture her lips.

Kathryn's eyes slowly closed, her hands moving up as she pulled Zachary even closer to her, deepening their kiss. An incredible sensation immediately covered her whole body, warming every inch and part that had turned colder than the water of the sea. She let Zachary's blazing touches burn her more, deeper and brighter, as Zachary claimed her entire being one more time, possessing what was his from the very beginning.

Panting, Zachary pulled away, finding Kathryn breathless and face flushed from their shared intimate contact. Behind the few pecks they exchanged, a meaningful smile was shared. No words were spoken as Kathryn's fingers went up to Zachary's neck, brushing his skin softly as their foreheads touched. Zachary shut his eyes, savoring the feeling of being this close to Kathryn again after a long time.

The sound of the pouring rain echoed through the cave, but Zachary remained deaf amidst all as his senses fixed on one person alone. Caressing Kathryn's cheeks, Zachary dove back down again, connecting their lips.

Zachary felt lost, but he could be lost like this forever if it meant being with Kathryn in this stormy night where the stars couldn't be found in the sky.