Chapter 10

By the time Panda returns, I am half way on my way to becoming a human icicle.

"St-stupid Panda!" I say as my teeth chatter with the cold.

"Wait, don't close your eyes Tin!" He says in a panic as my eyelids close.

"C-cold." I say weakly as I feel him come closer.

"Let me clean your wound and take the bullet out first."

I nod and he presses the soaked cloth against my arm. He gently cleans my wound and then stares at me.

"I need something to pull it out with." He says.

"I-I have a pocket knife in my back pocket." I say.

Pan nods and reaches around me to my pocket. I would usually feel uncomfortable but I am too cold and in pain to think about it.

He pulls the knife out after a few moments of fiddling around.

"I'll have to cut it out right?" He asks.

"Y-yes. Just cut around the bullet and you'll be able to pull it out." I say. I know it's not the proper way or the most sanitary way but we're in a desperate situation.

Following my instructions, Panda starts cutting through my flesh. I grit my teeth as the stinging intensifies.

"Are you okay? Stay with me Tin." Pan says as I feel faint.

"O-okay." I grab onto his thigh for support.

By the time he successfully removes the bullet and wraps my wound with a torn part of his shirt, the night has already fallen and the sky is dark. We won't be able to find anywhere to camp tonight, especially with the condition I am in right now.

"Let's sleep here." Pan says when he sees the state I am currently in.

I nod silently. At least I won't bleed to death anymore.

"You left your jacket in the car. No wonder you're cold and you even tore your sleeves. There's no other choice." He walks closer to me and sits down. "Here, we'll have to share my shirt. It's lucky I wore a top under."

His shirt isn't exactly thick but what else do we have? He huddles closer to me so we are both partly covered with his shirt.

"This isn't enough." He sighs and puts his arm around my shoulders. What is he doing?!

I wince as he brushes my wound.

"Sorry Tin! I forgot. I'll have to do this then." He says and moves his arm to my waist. My eyes widen as he pulls me closer to his body.

"S-stop." I say as he holds me to him.

"I can't. Don't tell me you aren't freezing when you look like that. I'm cold too and my shirt isn't enough to keep us warm. Just sleep. We can continue tomorrow." Panda says.

He's making sense for a change. I can't be fussy in this situation. This is for our survival.

Nodding, I give up and lean against his chest. I'm surprised to find it well-built and warm. Does he work out? I've never seen him exercise.

"You really look like a girl right now." He whispers in my ear.

My face warms up at his words and I turn and glare at him. "Sh-Shut up and sleep."

"I'm glad you still have some fight left in you." He chuckles quietly.

I turn away and lean back into him. Was he trying to distract me from the pain? I would never have thought someone like him would care about others.

He strokes my head gently and I find myself feeling sleepy. It's been a long and hard day. Tomorrow will be longer but for now, let's find some solace in our sleep.

The sunlight is bright as I open my eyes under the clear sky. I am sleeping on something warm. Rolling onto my side, I realise that I was sleeping on top of Panda. His arm is still wrapped around my waist.

Blushing, I try to move away but he pulls me back. My face is right in front of his. No one would deny that Panda King is handsome. His long dark lashes fluttering as he breathes; his slender nose; even his forehead- which I usually have pleasure in flicking- is good looking.

My eyes glance down at his mouth. But that damn mouth of his which drives me mad. He would be perfect if only he wasn't so foul mouthed.

I really need to...

They look so soft and pink. I lean closer. Is he really allergic to women? He is fine sleeping with me but is that because he doesn't know? So it's a psychological fear?

All of a sudden, his lashes flutter and his ocean blue eyes gaze up at me. Startled, I jump but end up falling on him. My face is squished against his and my body heats up as I realise that my lips have landed directly on the pink ones I was just admiring.

After staring at me in shock, Pan roughly pushes me off him and I tumble onto the ground.

"Ow!" I yell in pain as I land on my wound. This is so embarrassing.

"Tin! Are you alright? Sorry I didn't mean to push you so hard." He says worriedly as he stands up.

"Do I look alright to you?" I say sarcastically. Why am I feeling annoyed?

"I really didn't mean it. Let me check your arm." He says and bends over me.

I pull my arm away from him, "Forget it. Let's just decide what to do now." I say.

He shrugs, "Fine."