Clint picked up Lydia, mindful of her back. Darius and Finn spread out the ground tarp over the roots of the tree so it was up high and the rain wouldn’t pool around them. Then they affixed the other tarp to the tree and some spikes in the ground so they would be covered. Lydia would be wrapped in the silver survival blanket. As far as Clint was concerned they were living large, but for a woman who had never camped in a jungle and had just been tortured, this had to be hell on Earth.
“Thank you so much,” she said as she looked at what they had devised.
Both Finn and Darius gave her odd looks. Obviously their thoughts had been mirroring his own.
“It’s the best we can do for you tonight, Ms. Hidalgo.”
“I know, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and my family.” Clint looked at her and saw nothing but sincerity. Amazing, fucking amazing.
“It’s our job, Ma’am,” Finn answered.
Darius and Finn got some foliage and put it down under the spot where Lydia was going to lay. Clint put her down on her side and covered her with a blanket. Each man was going to stick with one family member so if problems arose they would be able to protect them.
Drake had first watch, so he gave over his pack for Lydia to use as her pillow. Seconds after they got settled under the tarp it was as if the heavens opened up and started pouring buckets of water. The only saving grace was it was coming down straight instead of sideways.
Despite the rain it was hot and humid. He hadn’t minded carrying Lydia. Rescuing innocents was exactly the reason he signed up to be a SEAL, but he had been getting really hot. He could have gone another couple of miles, but the other Hidalgos weren’t going to make it. Mason had done the right thing to set up camp.
Even though Darius said the shot wouldn’t cause Lydia to sleep, she was dozing. He looked her over and saw where the mosquitos had gotten to her arms. Now with the rain acting as a protective barrier they shouldn’t be a problem, but he should have thought of bug repellant. The last thing she needed was more pain. Her eyes opened.
“I can feel you staring at me. Are you worried I’m going to be a liability?”
He snorted. “I was kicking my ass for not taking better care of you.”
“What are you talking about?” She shifted and he heard the palm fronds rustle beneath the tarp.
He tugged at her hand, and brushed a spot on her upper arm. “You’re getting eaten alive with bug bites.”
“Clint, you can’t be serious. You’ve carried me for miles. You have been amazing. I sure as hell haven’t noticed anything as trivial as insect bites.”
He guessed she hadn’t. He saw where blood had seeped through the gauze at her wrists, and now he was seeing where the shirt was stuck in places from the dried blood. It was going to hurt if she moved around while she slept.
“I’ll get out the repellant before we head out tomorrow. I have an MRE for you to eat right now.” He pulled it out of his back pack.
“What’s an MRE?”
“It stands for Meal Ready to Eat. It’s not gourmet, but it beats a protein bar.” He pulled out a chicken teriyaki packet and opened it for her.
“Thank you.”
He tried not to wolf his down, but failed like usual. Lydia didn’t seem to have much of an appetite, and only finished half of hers. He looked at her and realized her eyes were glassy.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. It hurts a little.” Talk about an understatement. She had to be in a hell of a lot of pain. Clint touched her forehead. Good, no fever. But still, she needed more pain meds.
“Darius,” he yelled.
“Right here. I’m your bunk mate.” Darius was wearing the standard issue poncho. He squatted down next to Lydia.
“How you doing, Ms. Hidalgo?”
“Call me Lydia.” She looked over her shoulder at Darius and gave him a wan attempt at a smile.
“Okay Lydia, can you tell me how you’re doing? What’s your pain level on a scale of one to ten?”
“Probably a four.”
“Now how about you don’t lie to me.”
“Lying is a sin. I think I’ll keep my mouth shut.” She gave a wobbly smile.
“She’s stubborn, she would have made a good a good SEAL.” Clint was happy to see her smile even more. “Dare, she doesn’t have a fever, but her eyes are glassy and she only ate half of her dinner.” Clint took the food from her hand.
“Can’t say I blame her, you gave her the teriyaki. You should have given her the stroganoff. Lydia, you’ve got to eat to keep your strength up. We brought enough to feed us and your family.” Lydia turned to look at both of them, wincing in the process.