Malena watched Cole and Taylor leave together.
"Be safe...." She mumbled quietly.
Looking out at the stream with a solemn expression, she sighed deeply. What was going to happen to her now? To everyone. It was time to be alone with her thoughts for a while, sort things out. On her way back to the bank she picked up the medical kit one of the survivors dropped off. That would be useful later, she just needed to gather her wits, regain her composure, before helping anyone else.
When she reached the water she wasn't really sure what to do, so she settled for washing out the glove she used to treat Cole's cut. It proved to be exactly the mind numbing task she was looking for, it gave her hands something to do and her traumatized mind something to focus on. The blood was tough to rinse out, it didn't come out completely. She felt dirty too, not having had a change of clothes or a proper shower in two days. Her eyes turned towards the stream, trying to judge the depth. The water was clear but probably also pretty cold. She weighed her options. She didn't know where she was or where she was going to go. This stream could be the last water source she would see in a while.
Malena considered it again, trying to put aside her modesty and convince herself. Really she shouldn't make such a big deal out of this. She had just survived a horrible crash, nearly dying because of it. The water would do her good, even if it was cold. She bit her lip, still reluctant but started to take off her jacket regardless. She slipped out of her maxi dress with ease, leaving just her underwear. Putting one foot into the stream, she immediately regretted her decision. It was freezing cold. She walked a little further, arms wrapped around herself, shivering like crazy, teeth clattering. The water came up a little above her knees, the stream was pretty shallow. The best way would be to just sink in completely but that would be way too cold, she just wanted to get in and out quickly. She pulled up her hair into a bun and started to cup some of the water, washing herself, trying to ignore her thoughts of being watched.
After a couple of minutes she got out, cheeks flushed but feeling surprisingly good. She used the skirt of her dress to dry herself off and put her clothes back on. Still shivering lightly she let down her hair, kneeling beside her bag, the medical kit sitting right next to it. Alright so let's see what we got here. She passed the items through her hands, thinking back on her lessons. At college they had covered the basic med kit and how to use many of the standard items that came with it. A couple of things were missing and she remembered Cole rummaging through it before he and Taylor went into the woods. Painkillers, a couple of gauze dressings and a roll of bandages. She was relieved to know Cole had taken stuff he could use. There was enough left to make it useful.
Her thoughts went back to those guys. Taylor had this androgynous look about him, which made her wonder, doubt a little bit. He wasn't very masculine but he definitely gave her a male vibe, for the lack of a better word. Cole on the other hand had the bad guy routine down to a T.
She packed up the medical kit, focusing on the present. Malena wanted to be useful, if she stayed alone with her thoughts she would eventually drive herself crazy. Up ahead a group was forming around the guy who salvaged some food from the trainwreck.If anyone needed medical attention she would find them there. She slung her purse over her shoulder and held the medical kit in her arms, the bright red would let the other survivors know she could help them get patched up.
Malena walked over to the group, but stayed at the edge, feeling a little apprehensive, sizing up everyone in view. Most of them seemed to be around her age, maybe a year or two younger, it was hard to say. One of the guys was handing out MRE packs, he had this upbeat attitude which considering their circumstances was pretty amazing. Gathered around him were a couple more people. A blonde guy wearing glasses, a tall guy with dark slightly messy hair and some scruff on his face. Next to him was a girl with unevenly chopped blonde hair. She was holding her arm and looked like she could pass out any minute, her face contorted in a painful expression, she tried really hard to hide. Malena could see the blood seeping through her clothes, dripping onto the ground. It tied her stomach into worried knots.
I'll just go over and ask if she wants my help. Malena thought, adjusting her grip on the medical kit.
"Everyone okay over here?" @Lemons@Vec@redbaron1234
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