?Chapter 835:


    “There are houses in the distance! That means people—help!” Hope zed through my exhaustion as I eximed, “Let’s go!” Without thinking, I extended my hand to help Jett rise. The moment our skin connected, liquid fire coursed through my veins, the aphrodisiac’s curse awakening with vengeful intensity.


    Reality crashed back—we were both still under its merciless influence, every touch threatening to ignite an inferno neither of us could control.


    “Don’t,” Jett rasped, weakly attempting to push me away. “I can… manage alone.”


    His bravado proved hollow as he crumpled back to the sand, his injuries too severe to ignore.


    Panic wed at my throat as I surveyed our predicament. Our clothes hung in tatters, offering no barrier between us, and the barren shore provided no alternatives.


    Swallowing hard, I steeled my nerves and reached for him again.


    Jett’s body went rigid, a whispered “no” escaping his lips.


    As the unbearable heat threatened to consume me, I snapped, “Do you have a better solution?”


    Without waiting for an answer, I summoned every ounce of strength remaining and began our torturous journey toward the distant vige, half-dragging, half-supporting his weight against mine.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Soon, the effects of the aphrodisiac surged through my body, leaving me flushed and breathless. Jett, who was beside me, was in no better condition. Already seriously injured, he was burning with fever, slipping in and out of consciousness due to the drug’s effects.


    I fought to suppress the raging desire within me as I half-supported, half-dragged Jett into the vige.


    The vige was a quaint, small ce with a few houses. The vigers we passed eyed us warily, keeping their distance. It was clear they were unustomed to outsiders.


    ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? g???????ν?????????????


    “Hello, my friend and I identally fell into the sea and drifted here. My friend is seriously injured. Is there a clinic nearby that I could take him to?” I said to the passing vigers.


    The vigers’ expressions softened a bit at my exnation. An elderly woman with a kind, motherly face pointed and said, “Head that way. There’s a clinic there.”


    “Thank you so much,” I said gratefully, hurriedly dragging Jett in the direction the old woman pointed.


    The clinic was small, with a few old beds. The medicine cab was dusty, and the doctor didn’t seem very professional. He examined Jett with a frown that deepened as each moment passed. Finally, he said, “Miss, your friend’s wounds are severe. His organs have been damaged. Weck the necessary tools and medicine to treat him.”


    Refusing to give up, I asked, “Is there really no other way? Isn’t there anything you can do?”


    The doctor shook his head and said, “There is nothing I can do. Your friend needs to be treated at a hospital with the necessary tools. But the nearest city from this small fishing vige is one day away, even at a quick pace. Your friend won’t survive such a journey in his present state.”


    My heart sank upon hearing this.


    The doctor sighed and then prescribed some medication to stop the bleeding and relieve his pain. “Let him rest for a while and see if the medicine will stabilize his condition.”


    With that, the doctor left the room.


    .


    .


    .