JUNGLE HOSPITAL LUKE

The room was hot, the kind of humid heat that clung to your skin like a second layer. This wasn't any hospital I was used to-

there was no sterile smell of antiseptic, sharp beeping monitors, or clean, white walls. Instead, I was convinced a chicken was about to stroll in through the front door, and this place kept remedies in jars probably made in a garden they have outback. I didn't care-l was alive, and I hadn't felt this good in months. But at least there were people.

Other people.

Not just Josh and Sarah.

Now, I needed to somehow tell Jess I was alive, but looking around, I wasn't convinced this place had an international mobile network.

The realization hit me like a slap, and panic gripped my chest. "Josh. Sarah." Their names tore out of me as I pushed against the stiff sheets, my body lurching forward.

Two nurses immediately sprang into action, their hands firm but not harsh as they pressed me back onto the cot. Their voices were a rapid-fire of words I couldn't understand.

"Wait-no!" I struggled against their hold, but my limbs felt weak, every movement a reminder of how broken I was. That's when I felt the tight, pulling ache in my shoulder, the dull throb at my

0.00%

up on instinct, brushing against.

at least

worse.

leaned closer to dab at my shoulder, I caught a

made my stomach churn, and

nurses finished, another man stepped into view. He was older, his brown shirt rumpled and damp with sweat, his face weathered but kind. He carried a small flashlight, which he immediately shone into my eyes. I winced, squinting against the sudden brightness. "Shit," I muttered but tried t keep

man-doctor, I guessed-muttered something I didn't catch, then stepped back with a

pushing myself upright again, ignoring the nurses' protests.

spiraled with possibilities. What if I'd been the

Josh and Sarah were still out there, stranded on

the sight stopped my thoughts in their tracks. Was that a yes? Did that

my

voice cut through

suicidal

wave, washing away every ounce of panic. I turned my head so fast my vision blurred, and there she was Sarah, standing in the doorway with a half-smirk and her hands on her hips. "Last

Without thinking, I reached for

voice faltered, and I hesitated, the last image of Josh flashing in my head. He'd looked so bad-the blood, the

answer.

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