rough waking

He feels light brushing against his forehead and a crawling sensation on the interior of his left nostril before he opens his eyes to find himself lying in a meadow. Faint curtains of fog billow across rows of tall pines. Pretty little yellow blossoms dot the soft grasses that have been his bed for the night. Next, he thinks of the bugs: chiggers, fleas, mosquitos, ticks and spiders. How many attacked him while he slept? How many are attached now and stealing his blood? He hears movement. There’s a shadow.

Dani: Finally. I thought you were going to sleep all day.

Eddie: Where’s the boat?

Dani: On the water.

Eddie: I don’t remember how we got here.

Dani: The mushrooms.

Eddie: I didn’t have mushrooms.

Dani: “I can see the ley lines, look at the beautiful ley lines.”

Eddie: I didn’t eat mushrooms, what are you talking about?

Dani: You’re so full of it. You had a fist full. Started communing with ethereal beings and shit. I had to chase you half the night. We’re lucky we landed where we did.

Eddie: Where?

Dani: We’re safe here for now. There’s a cabin up the way by the tree. You’ll stay there a couple of days while I sort some things.

Eddie: I’m staying where? Wait, sort some things?

Dani: You’ll be fine, don’t worry. You’ll want to be with me when this is over. Trust me. I’m not joking.