The sound of the waves, the silence of the night, and the soft rustling of the grass and trees lull Adrian to sleep while he's still sitting inside the house, leaning on the wall, holding his notebook and pen. He got a few hours of rest before he was woken up with knocks on the door again and as the light from the sun shine to his face when someone opened the door, did he grunt as he rubs his eyes open.
"Are you awake?" Isla peeks inside the house with an awkward smile.
"Yeah. What time is it?" He slowly packs up his things as Isla helps with folding the mat and the mosquito net he had just used.
"It's about 9AM now. Did I wake you up too soon?" She asks, worriedly.
"Nah. I really need to go back because I need to transfer all of this on my computer and talk to my producer." He lifts up his notebook with a grin and excitement. "I really have to thank you for bringing me to this place." Isla smiles at him in reply.
When they were about to leave, Adriane's smile turned into a grimace when he felt the muscle on his legs tingle like being prick by needles and the numbness. He just stood there awkwardly, not moving a muscle because of the sensation. And when Isla noticed him not moving, he walks toward him.
"Are you alright? What happened?"
"My legs just fell asleep. I'll be fine in a few seconds." Isla tilts her head, obviously not understanding what he means by that. "My legs were numb. You know, when you feel like being prick by hundreds of needles and pins on your feet?" He described to her.
"Ohhh… I understand. I'll wait for you." She silently stood by the door as she watches the sea from a distance. He lightly touches his leg and enduring the pain, hoping it will elevate the sensations bit by bit. But the pain still lingers until his knees gave out and with a thud, he fell down on the ground. It immediately alarmed Isla who heard the loud sound of his falling. His knees and both hands are on the ground and cold sweat starts to form on his face.
"Sir! Are you alright? Let me help you." Isla finally grab his arm and wrap it over her shoulder so he can stand. Her built might be on the lean and thin side at first glance, but that's not it, she easily assists him up and her height complements his. She was tall and almost reach his height. She walks him outside and sat him on the nearest rock big enough to sat on.
"Let me massage your feet. It might help." He bit his lips as she squats down and starts massaging his ankle and sole, moving it in a round motion, up and down, and when he can finally feel the tingling sensation vanish, did he sigh in relief. He looks at the top of her head. Her looks soft and fluffy, he's fighting his urge to touch her head and play with her hair. He clenches his fist and bites his lips.
"Done. Feel better? Can you walk now?" She lifts her face and looks up at him, smiling happily. He moves both his feet and made sure that the paresthesia was completely gone. They both stood up and he nods as confirmation to her.
"That was an awful way to start the day." Adrian laughs as they walk down the cliffside house and to the village. He really wanted to be swallowed by the ground now, or even want to jump off the cliff because of embarrassment. What more can he do to show Isla his uncool side and bring shame to himself? He feels like a teenager that wants to hide under his bed as soon as he enters his house. All the excitement and inspiration he had to write the novel vanished just like that. He doesn't have any energy or motivation to continue his work today.
When they reached the residential area, Adrian excused himself from Isla and said he'll not be going out for a few days because of work. But he'll be going to the other island to shop some necessities on the day Isla goes to another island. She nods in agreement and waves goodbye to him. Adrian had been going to the other island or what they sometimes call the main land with Isla and the others to shop or do the things they need to do at the city all at once. He buys his supplies and sometimes just walks around and visit some shops out of curiosity.
When he reached his house, he slams the door shut as he leans on it while covering his face. He's been holding himself from screaming and banging his head on a rock or tree or whatever all throughout their way down from the cliffside house. He continuously bumps the back of his head on the door while he muffles his scream on the palm of his hands. After minutes of contemplations, rubbing his face almost off of his face, and banging his head on the door and wall, he finally calms down and breathe. He slides down the wall and places his arms over his bended knees as he stares at the ceiling.
"I think I really like her. She's doing something to me that she's not even aware of." He grinds his teeth as he recalls how she shines brightly and her smiles and laughter echoes on his mind. "I can't fall even more. This is bad. I am bound to leave this place sooner or later."
He shut his eyes as he bows his head down and sighs deeply. Thinking. Wondering what he will do with these feelings. He finally stood up and decided to take a cold bath before transferring his work to his laptop. And as he walks towards the bathroom, he once again stumbles. However, this time, he had the time to lean over one of the side tables before fully stumbling down the floor. He felt his legs numb and he cannot move his legs. It was the second time that day and his eyes grew wide as sweats form on his temple. That's when realization hits him. It was not because his legs just fell asleep because of his sleeping posture the night before, it was not a normal numbness of muscles. It might've been the first sign, the start of the symptoms of the compound. He unconsciously looks at the door of his room where his luggage was located, inside was the other pill he had salvaged from melting and had hidden.
"It was too early. Why?" His arms trembles as it supports his entire weight and the sweat starts to drip from his face to the table. He slowly feels the strength from his arms losing until he finally falls down the floor and finds it difficult to breathe normally. The last thing he remembers was holding his chest and trying to take deep breaths and calm himself before everything turned dark.