CH 16

Nikolas pushed open the door to the cabin; walking in and leaving it open for Gia. He put the wood in the fireplace and went to work building the fire, shivering as he went about the task. The small cabin was freezing inside. It was only a matter of minutes until he got the fire burning strongly. He warmed his hands, rubbing them together and holding them up to the heat of the fire. “Gia will you close the door? You’re letting the cold air in.” He turned around quickly, glancing at the door. He suddenly realized that she never came in. “God you’re slow.” He muttered walking out the door. He looked out and didn’t see her anywhere. “Gia!” he yelled, a little annoyed. He walked in the direction that they were walking in the last time he saw her and looked around, with a sinking feeling beginning to invade his body. He finally noticed her collapsed body on the ground. “Gia.” He breathed, his heart pounding as he ran to her. When he reached her he saw that her eyes were closed and her lips were blue. He got down on his knees and gathered her up in his arms. “Gia? Oh God wake up Gia. Sparky come on open your eyes please.” He said as he touched her cold face, tapping it gently trying to wake her up. Gia opened her eyes suddenly. “Nikolas?” she mumbled as her eyelashes fluttered. “What happened?” Nik breathed, as he looked her over. “I tripped, my ankle… I think it’s sprained.” Gia said softly. “But why did you pass out? Did it hurt really bad?” Nik asked. Gia frowned, nodding her head softly. “God you’re freezing.” Nik said as he reached down and touched her hands. Gia was shivering fiercely. “Come on lets get you inside.” Nik pulled her closer to him and was shocked when he was able to lift her with such ease. Gia couldn’t help it; she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest as he walked. Nikolas rushed into the cabin, kicking the door shut as he came in. He brought Gia over to the fireplace and left her there for a moment as he ran to get her a blanket. He came back as she was rubbing her ankle; she had taken her boots off. Nik brought the blanket over to her and Gia took off her wet jacket, Nik draped the blanket over her shoulders, turning around while she took off her sweater. Gia wrapped herself up in the blanket and scooted closer to the fire, still feeling dazed. “Here let me look at it.” Nik came up and sat next to her, he began to gently probe her ankle with his thumbs, feeling for anything broken. “It doesn’t seem twisted, try to move it.” He said as he let go of her foot. Gia tried and was able to turn it slightly without it hurting too much. She rested her head back on the wall behind her. “What’s wrong?” Nik touched her face lightly. She was breathing heavy still and she still looked pale. She shook her head, not offering him an answer. “Gia when was the last time you ate?” Nik asked. Gia averted her eyes away from him briefly. “I don’t remember.” She whispered. “God Gia you need to eat something.” Nik said as he got up quickly and searched the kitchen. He found some canned goods. “I’m making you some soup.” He said. “No I’m not hungry.” Gia shook her head. “Gia! I’m making you some soup and if I have to force you to eat it I will!” Nik yelled as he sought out a pot. Gia gave up trying to fight him.

Nikolas came up with a bowel of hot vegetable soup and sat next to Gia with it, starting to feed her. “I can eat on my own thank you.” Gia snapped as she took the bowel from him. Gia scooped up a spoonful of soup and brought it to her lips. When she ate it, she could feel the liquid as it entered her body, it felt hot and unfamiliar. As she ate more, she started to feel her hunger more, and began to eat more quickly. Nikolas watched her. Gia’s hair had come undone and was in long wet curls, her makeup was smeared on her eyes a little and her lips were slowly getting more color in them, she still looked gorgeous. “You really scared me Gia.” He said. Gia stopped eating to look over at him. “Please, what do you care?” Gia said coldly. Nik looked into her eyes. “I care about you Gia. We were best friends...when I saw you in the snow it was you…my best friend…I was so scared.” He said. Gia wanted to say something mean, but his eyes were so sincere. “Do you remember the time when we got lost on your estate? We ended up spending the night in the horse shelter. My mom was so worried.” Gia said, she was done eating and put her bowel down in front of her. Nikolas smiled as he nodded his head. “My uncle kept insisting that you would be safe with me but Florence was just so scared she wouldn’t listen to him.” He said. “She was so mad at me when she found out that it was all my idea and that we went because I wanted to find that cove that the kids at school told me about. They said that it had buried treasure in it.” Gia laughed. Nik’s chest felt lighter at the sound of her laughter, it had been so long since he had heard it. “Yes and I also remember telling you that it wasn’t under there because that land belonged to my family and I would know if there was treasure there.” Nik said. Gia smiled. “Yeah and I had you doubting yourself so we went. Then after we found out there was no treasure there you said you knew the way back and we got lost.” Gia said in a teasing voice. “Hey at least I got us back to the shelter.” Nik grinned. “That’s true and we cuddled up together until we fell asleep.” Gia said. “You fell asleep…it took me a while longer.” Nik smiled at her. Their smiles lingered on their faces as they looked at each other, both lost in memories of their childhood.