Her Hut

After several minutes we arrive at a hut built on a raised platform of bamboo. I notice the materials of her camp all look handcrafted as she sets me down on a rustic bed within the hut. The motion jostles my leg, and I hurriedly adjust my pants hoping to preserve what remains of my dignity.

I look up and see the woman looking me over, “I don't see to many mainlanders this far into the jungle, what's your name?"

"My name is Sam. Um, thanks again for helping me, but who are you?"

She pauses for a moment and answers, "I’m Nadya. And… that leg does not look good.”

“Yeah, it hasn’t stopped hurting since I landed in the water.”

She gives me a mischievous smile, “Well then. I'm going to need you to take off your pants... so I can examine the wound".

"I'm not sure that's nessac..." I reply as she takes out a knife and starts to slice the jeans across my thighs. The handle is carved from bone, and I’m reminded again that I haven’t seen anything modern on Nadya. I feel a shiver run down my spine as her cut is much higher up my thigh than I’d like.

I her coo, "Ohhh, you’re going to be fun."

"None of the local men are brave enough to take my advances, but I think fate may have brought us together" she says as she trails the cool flat of her knifes blade against my skin. Crazy, definitely crazy. I see Nadya look down at the strained reminder of my pants, "I know at least part of you agrees." I try to respond but I’m at a loss until the cool pressure of the knife leaves my leg.

I blurt, "Yes..." but quickly catch myself, “I mean what… Do you treat every patient like this? Where are we even?"

“My home, obviously and just the cute ones.” She winks.

“I…” Begin but she leans in and I feel her breath on my ear.

"You're fun to tease, but let’s actually take care of that leg."

She uses her knife to cut some bamboo into strips.

She hands me warm water and a cloth so I can clean my leg while she works on finishing the splint.

"Thank you", I say having had a moment to collect myself. "You've really helped me today"

"Don't mention it" she responds as she finishes the splint, "I could use an extra set of hands around the place over the next week"

"Now we just need to bind this" she says as she ties the splint to my legs.

I gulp as I notice her knot work is ‘advanced’.

"You've had quite the morning; I'm going to let you rest and check in on you at dinner." The hut door flaps shut and sleep mercifully overtakes me.