Camp Clearwater

  Chapter 13

  Jacob Gets Hurt

  “Please wait, Jacob. It was so hard getting down the mountain. We all need to rest and regain our strength. We really need to stay together. Please wait,” Cindi said one more time. She knew he was stubborn and not good at taking directions. She also knew they all had to rest before taking off on another adventure, so she added, “Thanks, Jacob for getting us down off that steep cliff. I really don’t know what we would have done without you.”

  Jacob took his foot out of the raft and said, “Sure, I was glad I could help.” He started pushing the raft into the water to see if it would float. With all the stress and tension he had been through, his legs wobbled and he realized Cindi was right, he did need to rest. He lifted his foot and examined his shoes. The treads had worn off. While standing on one foot, he lost his balance, slipped, and fell face first onto a sharp rock. Blood came gushing from his forehead.

  All the girls rushed over to him. “Jacob, are you alright? You have to be,” said Luna and Cindi. C.J. remained calm and went over to inspect his wound.

  “We need to put a compress on it,” she said, “so he won’t lose too much blood.”

  “I agree,” mumbled Cindi. She couldn’t believe this is happening. They hadn’t had a chance to relax for even a few moments before another problem hit them again unexpectedly. “Does anyone have something to tie around his head?” she asked.

  “I have a bandana,” said Luna, pulling a wadded piece of blue cloth from her pocket and handing it to Cindi.

  “That will work,” said Cindi. “Give it to me.” Luna dropped the bandana into her hand, and Cindi began to smooth the wrinkled cloth, so it could be wrapped around Jacob’s head. Her hands shook as she tried to tie it in place. The first time it was too loose and slipped off. “Unbelievable!” she muttered. “I just give up.”

  “I heard that,” Jacob spat back.

  “What are you talking about?” asked Cindi.

  Reverting back to his old nature Jacob snapped and said, “You said you just give up. Maybe we should just give up.” He threw his hands up in the air which startled Cindi. Ranting, he continued, “Give up and do what? You know if we give up, we’re gonna die out here, don’t you? And have you forgotten about all the others that are depending on us?”

  “Relax, Jacob. Calm down. I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m frustrated that so many things have gone wrong in such a short period of time. It’s just unbelievable. I didn’t think I said it loud enough for anyone to hear. Of course, we’re not going to give up. You just showed us that we can do the impossible, that we will make it. You know, I haven’t forgotten about the others. They have never left my mind for a moment. Chill, I can see you’re hurt. I’m sorry.” She paused then began, “I know you like to be the hero and take care of people, but now you’re hurt and you can’t. I get that. Things will be alright. I’m not sure how, but I have faith they will.”

  Calming down, Jacob leaned forward, put his hand on the ground, and tried to stand. As soon as he put weight on his right leg, his knees buckled, and he fell forward into the wet mud. His head was covered with the dirty goo. He looked down and not only was his head split open, but his arm was injured as well.

  C. J. was worried. She along with Cindi and Luna pulled him back onto dry ground. They all started pouring river water on his open wound, so it wouldn’t get infected. C.J. instinctively tore off part of her shirt and wrapped his leg. She looked around for something to put on his arm. All she could find was some paper towels in Cindi’s backpack which wasn’t much help, but she used them anyway.

  “This is starting to make me mad,” Jacob said.

  “Sorry I’m just trying to help,” said C.J.

  “It just doesn’t feel right to have to have other people help me. I need to get up and be a real man,” said Jacob. Determined, again he tried to stand. His legs were weak and injured, but he didn’t know when to stop.

  “Please just sit down, Jacob. You are only making things worse,” ordered Cindi.

  Luna and C.J. chimed in and also tried to get him to sit, but he was stubborn and wasn’t going to have some girls order him around. He took three small steps, and then began to fall. Cindi and Luna grabbed his arm and caught him before he fell back into the water. After they caught his fall, they both stumbled into the water and fell, but they didn’t get hurt.

  C. J. sprinted over and pulled all three of them out of the water. The cuff of Jacob’s pants got caught on a stick and tore his jeans. While she was checking to see if he was alright, she noticed a new giant gash in his neck. “Look Cindi.” She pointed to his neck.

  Brushing herself off with her bare hands, Luna stammered, “He should have listened.”

  “Would you shut up?” returned Jacob.

  C.J. intervened and asked, “Are you getting light headed or dizzy?”

  “No,” he answered and asked, “Why?”

  “You are losing a lot of blood. You have cuts everywhere,” informed C.J.

  “We are going to have to get him some medical help,” said Cindi nervous that he might bleed to death.

  “I’ll continue to compress his wound,” said C.J. as she placed her hands on the open wounds and peered around for other things to use to wrap him.

  “Come on Luna, we can’t rest. We have to get him help and check on the others. I hope they didn’t venture off. I pray they stayed put like I told them to do. I know they are probably scared and worried,” said Cindi, who was probably the most scared of all.

  “I’ll stay here with Jacob. Maybe whoever owns these rafts will be back, and I’ll tell them where our camp is. It’s going to be alright Cindi,” said C.J. reassuringly. “Remember if we could make it down the cliff, then we can make it through this. Jacob is tough. He’ll be alright.”

  Cindi looked at Jacob. He was looking pale but managed to hold up his thumb and agree with C.J. “Go on, don’t worry about us,” he said, and then he closed his eyes.

  “Hey, I’m the one who is supposed to be making you guys feel better, not the other way around,” said Cindi. She went over to look at Jacob and she put her hand on his forehead. He didn’t even flinch and managed to barely open his eyes before completely passing out.

  “Seriously go on Cindi. Go back to the others. I can take care of him,” ordered C.J. “It’s okay. I know how to take care of myself. I’ve been through a lot in my lifetime. Who knows maybe my brother or dad might show up. Just go! I’ll take care of Jacob.”

  “Is that alright with you, Jacob?” asked Cindi looking to see if he could open his eyes, or if he was conscious.

  He opened his eyes, then closed them again and spoke weakly, “Yes, I think you should go on back. I’m tough. I’ll be alright.”

  “Okay Luna, do you want to go with me or stay here?”

  Luna didn’t like either choice. She wanted to go home but said, “I guess I’ll go with you.”

  “Let’s fill the canteens. We will leave one for C.J. and Jacob, and we’ll have one for us,” said Cindi.

  “I wish we could find something to eat,” said Luna.

  “I’ve been so worried about Jacob, I forgot all about eating,” said Cindi.

  “Just go! Don’t worry about us,” said C.J. “When he stops bleeding, I’ll find us something to eat. The blood is already starting to clot. Just go before he wakes up and wants to go with you.”

  “We don’t want that,” returned Cindi. “Please try to make him take it easy and rest, will you C.J.?”

  “Yes, I’ll do my best.” She motioned with her hand for the two of them to leave and put her finger over her lips to hush them.

  “Okay, we’re going. We’ll look for berries or something to eat on the way, Luna. The quicker, we get back to camp, the quicker we can come back. I have more medical supplies there.”

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