Ice-Age 13

[Guest guest]

ICE-AGE

By Andy Savage

previous chapters online at /list/uniquethings/

 

 

 

Chapter 13

 

It was the morning after the ordeal of the pack of feral dogs. Within a warm

sleeping bag, tucked away in a small space cleared of cardboard boxes at the

back of Device's cave, Dave lay silently slumbering, when a current of

cruel, cold air charged along the dark floor, waking him with an unwelcome

shock.

" Come on! Come on! Get up you two! " bellowed Device from the other end of

the cavern, slowly pushing the heavy door of ice open, " Conditions are good.

Let's get moving! "

Dave was stretched out on his back with his mouth open. Shafts of sharp

sunshine assaulted his eyes. He slapped his hands over his disorientated

face and groaned. The bare rock beneath his bed was bumpy and hard, which

did nothing to ease the sickening headache that awoke with him. He had been

sweating like a donkey on the beach during the night, and his T-shirt and

underpants were clinging to his body, which stank worse than ever. He felt

he might vomit, so he breathed in deeply. Something hot and soft stirred

against his bruised chest. He unscrewed his eyes and took a look under the

covers. It was Linda. She was naked. Dave groaned again. This was not what

he wanted.

He tried to think back to the night just gone, but his head was swimming

and the details were disturbingly hazy. He certainly remembered how the

three of them had spent the evening drinking Device's brandy. He knew also

that they had all relaxed their guard a bit too much. It worried him now

that he could not recall just how much relaxing he had allowed himself. He

rested there for a moment thinking to himself how thankful he was that he at

least still had some clothes on. He eyed the sore scratches left on Linda's

shoulders by the dogs. He wanted to kiss them but stopped himself. Linda

sighed and rolled over onto her side, shoving her bottom against his hip, so

Dave quickly got up and totteringly pulled on his raggedy jeans.

Device finished fully opening the door, and turned and said, " Give the

silly tart a kick! "

Dave felt ill and dropped back down on the floor near Linda, where he sat

sorrowfully and held his reeling head in his shaking hands, " I need some

water, " he croaked in an ailing, pale voice. The hairs on his arms stood up

on his goose bumps and he started to shiver. Device fished a plastic bottle

out of a box and threw it over, " Ta, " said Dave, catching it unsteadily and

taking several long, desperate gulps.

" What you should do is have more brandy, " grinned Device, picking a half

empty green bottle up off his own sleeping bag, by the door, and waving it

about.

" Oh, God, no! " said Dave, feeling sick at the thought, " Just how much did

we drink last night? "

" You only had five or six shots you lightweight! " Device answered, " But

your Linda down there was swigging it for England! "

" I feel like shit, " said Dave.

" It's just a hangover. It'll soon go. It's not the end of the world! " said

Device, passing Dave a clean, woolly sweater, " It did you good last night.

You unwound. The first time in a long time, eh? "

" What time is it? " asked Dave, gratefully putting the sweater on.

" About eight. We need to go. We've been here too long, " replied Device.

" Eight? Christ, we've been in this place for nearly twenty four hours! "

blurted Dave.

" At least you've been safe, " said Device.

" Yes, thanks, " said Dave, " I still can't believe you've got this little

place. "

" Here's your coat, " said Device, tossing it over, " I've sewn it up for

you. "

" Oh, ta, " replied Dave, surprised. He put it on. It looked like something

that would have made Frankenstein proud. " I thought those dogs had all but

eaten it! " Dave said.

Linda started to snore. Device glared at her and raised his voice, " Maybe

we should just leave her! "

" Come on, Linda, " said Dave somewhat wearily.

A big yawn arose from the sleeping bag behind him, " I'm awake! I'm awake!

Give us a second! " hollered Linda grumpily.

Device came over and patted Dave on the back, " I've warmed up a tin of

spaghetti hoops, if you want some? " he offered.

" No thanks! " said Dave, " I couldn't manage anything. Maybe later. I think

I'd puke right now! "

" Suit yourself! " said Device.

" I'm going to get up now! " called Linda, " So look away would you please,

Device, while I get dressed, thank you! "

" Oh for Christ's sake! " cursed Device.

Dave automatically looked away as well. The sound of Linda's voice made him

suddenly remember kissing her last night, and he could feel himself blush.

He closed his eyes but he could not recollect any more. He wanted to ask her

if anything more had happened, but made up his mind it was better not to. He

did not even dare think what Device might have seen or heard.

Linda was soon in her battle scarred bear skin coat and trousers that she

had hastily patched up yesterday, and not long afterwards the threesome were

outside heading north, with Device, rucksack on his back, leading the way

and pulling the sled.

The cool air was refreshing, and helped clear Dave's head, but he felt

vulnerable out in the open again and scanned around warily, " How far are we

going? " he asked.

" All the way! " responded Device determinedly.

Linda just glanced at Dave and winked knowingly at him, and Dave found

himself beaming back at her. It was the last thing he needed just now, but

Dave knew that he had fallen in love.