Chapter 6: Snakebite
1384 Words
To be honest, if it weren't for the unfamiliarity, Jackson might not have exercised such restraint, and it would have been typical for him to make a move on Bethany.
The group eagerly finished drinking four whole coconuts. Jackson glanced at his watch, observed the direction of the sun, and estimated that there was a little over an hour until nightfall.
"We're running out of branches, and we'll need to keep watch at night. The branches in the jungle are bigger, so let's go in together later and find some more. Maybe we can hunt some animals too!"
Tonight's food and shelter problem was solved, and Jackson liked to ensure extra provisions!
After some thought, Jackson selected a "sturdy and straight" sss poplar tree, which had good toughness. He cut off the most handy end and used a pair of stockings from Accountant Cooper to make a simple bow!
He sharpened the remaining poplar into five arrows!
With the bow and arrows on his back, before entering the dense and dangerous jungle, Jackson repeatedly instructed the three women not to stray too far from him under any circumstances!
In fact, Jackson only asked Lisa to stay by the fire and watch it, and for Bethany to check the beach to see if she could find any edible marine life!
Lily volunteered to go with Jackson, briefly explaining that she had learned taekwondo before and could protect herself!
But the other two women didn't feel safe. Lisa threatened Jackson with the prospect of a promotion and raise, while Bethany acted cute and pitiful!
"Stay close and don't wander off!"
The three women followed Jackson like ducklings following their mother. Jackson had the "bow and arrows" on his back and an axe in his hand. The trees here were dense, with very tight spacing. The older trees had trunks as thick as a person's arm, with branches intertwined and overgrown with weeds, reaching knee height.
Worried about snakes and insects, Jackson cut three small trees and had the women use them to clear the underbrush!
"How could there be dry branches in such deep grass?"
"Some dry branches might have fallen to the ground and could be resting on top of these weeds. They'll burn faster without the moisture from the ground!"
Jackson cautiously scanned the surrounding environment and explained to the women. He gently hooked a branch, and a large pile of tangled dry branches was in hand.
After cutting vines to tie them up, Jackson took the opportunity to observe the surrounding environment!
The visible area was all like this, with the grass getting taller as they went forward!
Suddenly, Jackson spotted a small path. He parted the grass to take a look, measured it, and based on the direction the grass was leaning, it was undoubtedly a path made by a crocodile.
Don't crocodiles usually lay eggs in smooth areas with little underbrush?
This puzzled Jackson greatly, and a thought flashed through his mind. Could it be?
"Ah!"
Lisa's scream echoed through the dense forest, followed by the faint rustling of an animal darting into the underbrush. Jackson hurriedly followed the sound to investigate!
Arriving at the small path, Jackson didn't hesitate, pulled out his axe, and ran swiftly. After about five minutes, the view opened up to a clearing filled with vibrant wildflowers, trees several times thicker than the underbrush, and birds startled into flight!
Lisa sat on the ground clutching her ankle, Bethany was on the verge of tears, and Lily squatted beside Lisa, staring at her ankle with a serious and angry expression!
"What happened?"
Jackson strode over, every hair on his body standing on end, his entire being on high alert!
"She was bitten by a venomous snake!"
"What happened?"
Suppressing his inner anxiety and anger, Jackson's voice was completely flat, making it impossible for Lily to detect his emotions. She furrowed her brows slightly and moved a step to the left, making room for him.
"Brother, it's all my fault! I accidentally found a path here and was drawn to the beautiful flowers, not noticing the venomous snake nearby..."
Bethany's cheeks and nose were flushed, her eyes brimming with tears, as if a single word of complaint from Jackson would make them spill over.
Ah, she's pulling the damsel-in-distress card!
"Crying won't help!"
Jackson's anger turned into a helpless sigh. Given the danger and uncertainty of the deserted island, he really didn't want to cause trouble for himself, especially since snake venom would require antivenom, right?
Damn, forget antivenom, they didn't even have a basic first-aid kit!
"She's passed out, and her lips are black! Brother, what should we do?"
As Jackson was momentarily distracted, Bethany exclaimed, and the previously unconscious Lisa, with weak breathing, had froth at her mouth and her whole body was convulsing like a cramp!
What kind of snake? Such potent venom?
Jackson was torn between saving her or not; he wasn't a great hero like some kind of superhero.
"Save her! I'll suck out the venom!"
Lily practically gritted her teeth as she forced out the words, tucking the stray hair behind her ear, supporting herself on the ground, and crawling forward...
Jackson's heart skipped a beat, his body shuddered!
If one person went down, what if two went down?
"You rest for a bit, I'll take over!"
Lily felt slightly dizzy, but the wound that was previously dark now looked much more rosy. She nodded, holding her forehead, and sat down to rest, her eyes closed!
Jackson's Adam's apple bobbed as he lifted Lisa's ankle and pressed his mouth to it...
Damn, who knew a woman's foot could smell so good and taste so nice?
Lisa's condition improved, her complexion much rosier, and the blood flowing from her ankle was bright red. Lily recovered from her dizziness and was able to stand and walk, but Jackson was feeling dizzy and lightheaded!
"Brother, are you okay?"
Bethany, feeling guilty, bent over to hug Jackson's waist, but she wasn't strong enough, and they both toppled over!
"Ugh!"
Jackson grunted, and the next second his mouth was covered by something soft and sweet, and he instinctively stuck out his tongue to lick it!
Hmm, not bad! Tastes like a delicious cake!
Bethany's eyes widened, her face full of shyness and timidity, thinking her brother was being cheeky, sneaking a kiss!
A gentle punch landed on Jackson's chest, making him cough sharply, as if he had been winded. After a moment, his vision cleared, and Bethany gave him a teasing glance, hurriedly helping Lily to lift Lisa.
"Jackson, we'll take Lisa back first. Be careful!"
"Alright, I'll carry the branches back. Keep an eye on your surroundings and don't wander off!"
After the three left, Jackson didn't dare linger. He picked up the axe from the ground and returned to where he had gathered the dry branches earlier. After some effort, he had two bundles, enough for the night.
Crocodiles primarily use sight to track prey, unlike snakes, which use thermal sensing and flicking tongues to detect the scent and direction of their prey.
Carrying the dry branches and dragging a bundle on the ground, Jackson returned to find the three women collapsed on the sand, clearly still shaken.
"Crackle!"
The crackling fire burned brightly as Jackson shook his sore arm and continued grilling fish with the other hand, while the three women sat together in a tacit understanding.
As night fell, the howling sea breeze swept across the shore, the moon shone brightly, and a few stars dotted the sky around the crescent moon.
"Are you really not going to eat the fish?"
The fish was grilled quite well, emitting a charred aroma. Jackson had cleaned the fish, discarding the innards, and waved the stick again, asking.
Lisa shook her head emphatically, and Bethany waved her hands repeatedly, her eyes revealing distrust towards Jackson.
It tasted bad and might be poisonous!
Lily considered for a moment, hesitated, and finally bent down to pick up the fish tail.
"Lily, you're really going to eat it! We have instant noodles, you can eat them like crunchy snacks!"
Bethany looked at her concernedly, but seeing her enjoy it, she couldn't resist grabbing a piece of fish. Because it was hot, she kept switching the fish between her palms!
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