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Martin and Chris were out looking for a small rodent named a shrew. They were small and mole like. They ate mostly a few different kinds of bugs, beetles, and spiders. Chris thought they were absolutely adorable and wanted to learn what cool creature powers they had.
The older blond didn't have a problem with this. He liked shrews too. He was just as excited as Chris to find one and examine everything about it. Martin leaned against Chris as they walked, spitting out facts about shrews and their predators.
Most of which, Chris already knew. But both brothers liked to tell the other facts, even if they both already knew it. It made them so happy, it didn't matter to them.
Chris looked up at his brother and chuckled a little. He occasionally made a comment or two or asked a few questions. After Martin was done rambling, it was Chris' turn.
They walked further into the wooded areas. They chatted and laughed. Soon enough, they were several miles into them, several miles away from the Tortuga.
"Martin, look!" Chris pointed out a shrew that was in a tree cavity, curled up and asleep. "It's so cute."
Martin carefully picked it up. "Aww, I'll call you Sherly."
"Like a Sherly temple?"
The blond nodded and smiled. "And shrew."
Sherly looked up at him. It then curled back up and fell back asleep. Martin smiled and gently stroked her head.
Neither noticed the timber rattlesnake slithering up to them. It slithered up Martin's leg and tried to get the shrew, but he moved his hand away.
It flew a little and bit Chris' arm instead. Chris gritted his teeth and looked at the bite, furrowing his eyebrows together. "Martin?"
Martin set the shrew down and picked Chris up. He started running. "Hey, it'll be okay."
"I think I got bit."
"You were. Just keep breathing." Martin ran faster, holding onto Chris as close as he could. "You're doing great, bro. Keep breathing."
Chris hummed tiredly and looked up at him. "How are we moving?"
"I'm running."
"Oh." Chris shut his eyes and leaned against him. His breath became labored as time went on.
Martin was so scared that he was going to lose Chris. And that made him more determined to run faster. He heard Chris' stomach churn, and he prayed.
'To any god out there, please don't let Chris die. I can't lose him,' he thought. 'He's my best friend. I don't want to lose him.'
The Tortuga came into sight just over an hour later. He was barely out of breath until he got Chris inside to be cared for. Aviva and Koki ran off with Chris, Martin starting to sway when Chris was gone. He had run so far, so fast, in such a short amount of time, with no water or food or breaks.
Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Martin's whole body was already getting sore. His legs like they would buckle in. His body felt dehydrated and he was starting to shake with hunger.
He was out cold when Aviva shook him awake. She had a bottle of water and a plate of steaming hot food. He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes. She smiled warmly at him.
"Hey. Jimmy made you some food. Careful, it's hot."
Martin sat up and took the plate. "Is Chris okay?"
"Chris is just okay. He's still out, but he'll be awake soon."
The older relaxed and sipped the water. "Thank god. He's okay."
Aviva nodded. "Once you finish eating and drinking, you're welcome to go see him. I don't know when he'll be awake."
Martin hugged her. "Thank you for helping."
"Of course."