Gilligan's Island:
When Gilligan burned the sunflower seeds, he thought it was a good idea. He thought the other castaways would be happy that no one could read each other's mind anymore. He had seen how the others were getting into fights over it and wanted things to go back to normal. At least as normal as things could go being stuck on the island together. But as soon as the castaways realized there wasn't anymore, they surrounded him, each with an angry look on their faces.
"Gilligan!" The Skipper shouted, "What did you do?!"
"I had to, you guys were fighting." Gilligan replied.
Mr. Howell moved forward, "Nonsense, we need those seeds and you just destroyed them."
"Quite right Thurston." Mrs. Howell stated.
The Professor spoke up, "You see, we need them and you need to tell me where you found them."
"But there aren't anymore." Gilligan explained.
Ginger shook her head, "You sound like a person in a movie I was once in. He lied so he could keep it all for himself."
"Gilligan, just tell us where you got them." Mary Ann said.
"I swear, there is not anymore." Gilligan stated.
The Skipper grabbed him by the shirt, "You better be wrong, now go search on the other side of the island and don't dare come back without them!"
"But Skipper." Gilligan begged.
"No buts Gilligan now go!" Skipper shoved him.
Gilligan continued, "It's about to storm though, just look at the clouds."
Skipper and the others looked up at the sky noticing clouds were coming. The Skipper just shook his head, "That storm won't hit for a while. Now if you stop talking and get going, you should be back before it hits."
Gilligan looked at the others hoping they would help him, but all of them just pointed for him to go. Knowing there was nothing else he could go, he left deciding he would at least have to try and find some more seeds. Or wait a few hours before he went back. Hopefully by then they would have calmed down and allow him to come back with or without the seeds. Plus he had seen clouds like that before and they meant a huge storm was approaching. At one last glance back towards where the others were, he turned back around continuing on his way to the other side of the island.
Meanwhile the Skipper and the others continued their way to the huts knowing it would soon be dinner time. While Mary Ann and Ginger went about fixing dinner, the Howells went to their huts to change. The Professor and Skipper set up the table before they sat down to talk amongst themselves. After the dinner was finished cooking, everyone ate in silence, each trying to read the other's mind. But they knew that until Gilligan brought back the sunflower seeds, neither would be able to do it. As they continued to eat, a loud crack of thunder in the sky made them all jump. When the sky opened up and the rain came pouring down, all of the castaways rushed to the supply hut since it contained the food and had been built to withstand the storms.
The wind outside picked up causing the hut to shake as the rain beat down upon it. The Professor and Skipper peeked out of the window noticing they couldn't see anything but an inch in front of their faces. Mary Ann and Ginger huddled together in one corner while the Howells did the same in the other. When the Skipper turned around to go to the table, he noticed everyone was looking at him.
"What?" He asked.
"Skipper, Gilligan is out there." Mary Ann pointed out.
"Why do you look at me? I wasn't the only one who sent him after those seeds." Skipper stated.
The Professor came up to him laying his hand on the Skipper. "We know Skipper, you aren't the only one feeling guilty right now."
"The poor boy out there in that, I hope he's alright." Mrs. Howell spoke.
"Quite right Lovey, I hope he's alright." Mr. Howell replied.
Ginger added in, "Skipper you need to go get him."
Skipper held his hands up, "Guys, Gilligan is going to be just fine. There is a cave on the other side of the island that he probably went to when the storm hit. This storm looks dangerous and we could barely see an inch past the window."
"Do you think we should have been so hard on him?" Mary Ann questioned, "Maybe he was telling the truth about those seeds."
"If the boy hadn't burned them all, we wouldn't be in this mess." Mr. Howell spoke up.
"Perhaps we were too harsh on him or jumped on him too quickly. Maybe what he did was for our good." Ginger pointed out.
Mrs. Howell nodded, "I think you are right my dear, the dear boy was trying to help us."
"Then it's settled, we need to go and find him." Mary Ann stated.
Skipper rubbed his head, "Folks there is no way we could find him in this storm. Gilligan has been out in storms before, he knows where the caves are and what to do."
"Skipper's right folks, Gilligan has been in storms before. He knows what to do." Professor stated.
"And," Skipper added, "If it makes you guys feel better I will go hunt for him once the storm clears up."
Everyone seemed to agree since they could do nothing else but wait. They all knew what they did was wrong, and once again Gilligan was paying for their anger and mistakes. As they looked out at the storm and heard it raging, each of them looked at each other. Concern was on all of their faces knowing they wished Gilligan was there safe with them. The guilt crept up into the Skipper as he started to rush out into the storm to find his Little Buddy, but was stopped by the Professor. The Professor told him it would be suicide to go out into the storm now and to just wait until it stopped. The Skipper took a few deep breaths realizing he was right and that as he had said earlier, Gilligan knew what to do in storms.
Meanwhile on the other side of the island, Gilligan was struggling to walk through the storm. He had passed several places he could have stopped in but was afraid if he waited for the storm to pass, the others would be mad at him. He decided to keep going and searching like he had been told to. It would be one thing he would have done right and he wasn't going to let the others down that quickly. He would stay out in the storm for days if he had to in order to find more of those sunflower seeds. A part of him wished he hadn't burned the others but deep down knew it had been the right thing to do at the time.
But now was not the time to think about that. He had keep moving and find some more seeds before he could go back home. When he felt the wind starting to pick up, he put his arms up to protect his face from flying branches. At one point he stumbled, his right pants leg getting caught on a branch. With as much force as he could manage, he yanked his leg free not even wincing when he felt the end of the branch cut into his leg. In his mind the cut wasn't something he could worry about at that moment. He just kept walking through the storm searching for the seeds.
To everyone's dismay, the storm didn't let up for two days keeping them all stuck in the supply hut, each one worried about Gilligan. The Skipper tried several times to go out into the storm to search for his little buddy but was stopped. It was the Professor who kept them all sane stating Gilligan was probably riding out the storm in the cave. And if he was lost, they wouldn't have any captain and Gilligan would never forgive himself. Those words kept the Skipper there, but as soon as the storm stopped early one morning, he rushed out of the hut yelling that he was going to bring Gilligan back.
The girls and the Howells wanted to go with him, but the Professor stopped them stating they should start cleaning up the mess from the storm. And when Gilligan got back with the Skipper, they should have food waiting since he probably hadn't ate since before the storm hit. With everyone in agreement, they made quick work of clearing away the area around their huts before the girls went to gather up some fruit from the supply hut. They knew it wasn't much but figured Gilligan would be too hungry to be picky.
"Gilligan!" The Skipper called out as he walked through the jungle.
He had searched the cave that was close to their huts finding it empty. His stomach felt twisted making him realize something wasn't right. Something had happened to his little buddy, 'no' he thought, Gilligan had found another cave to hide in. He probably was sleeping and unable to hear him call for him. But when he had searched every cave on the island, he began to worry. When he had reached the other side of the island with no sign of his little buddy, he started to head back.
"Gilligan! Little buddy!" Skipper yelled.
Hearing a moan, he stopped in his tracks, "Gilligan!" He shouted before stopping to listen for the moan. It had to be Gilligan, it just had to be but he was afraid of what he would find when he found them. When he spotted the familiar red shirt off in the trees, he ran not stopping until he was standing over Gilligan's body. His heart rose up to his throat as he knelt down turning Gilligan over putting his ear to his chest. As he heard the slight beat of his heart, he let out a cry of relief. His little buddy was alive but he wasn't in great shape. He was soaked to the bone and as the Skipper looked at him closely, he could see Gilligan was shivering.
When he reached to pick him up in his arms, he felt the heat rising from his little buddy. It was then he knew he had to get him back to camp so they could get that fever down. Why Gilligan hadn't went to a cave instead of staying out in the storm. Fear crept into his body wondering if it was because of how they treated him, but Skipper knew there was nothing he could do now. With a good hold on Gilligan, he began heading back to the camp.
Halfway back the Skipper heard Gilligan starting to mumble. The Skipper looked down at his little buddy, "Gilligan?"
"Seeds….find…them…" Gilligan muttered.
"Little buddy, it's going to be okay. You are going to be okay." Skipper spoke unsure if it was more for himself or Gilligan.
When Gilligan opened his eyes, the Skipper let out a cry of relief before he noticed his eyes were glazed over by fever, "Can't…stop…got to…find them…others…counting…."
The Skipper stopped his in his tracks realizing Gilligan had been searching through the storm for the seeds. It was then he wished they had never seen those seeds. Because of those seeds, they had turned on each other and then when Gilligan tried to save them, they had turned against him. And because Gilligan thought he couldn't return without them, he had risked his life during the storm.
"Little buddy, don't worry about the seeds now. I'm taking you home." Skipper spoke quickening his pace.
Gilligan looked up at him, "Skipper?"
"It's me Little buddy, don't you worry. Skipper has you and you are going to be alright." Skipper assured him.
"Didn't…stop…I search….kept…through…storm." Gilligan spoke.
"Shhh don't talk about it now. I'm very proud of you, don't you forget that. Now just rest." He assured him.
Gilligan seemed to smile before he laid his head on Skippers chest going back into the fevered sleep. When the Skipper approached the camp, he saw everyone at the table with food ready for their return. He just wished Gilligan could see it and know how much they needed him. He also didn't want the girls to see Gilligan like this but knew there wasn't anything he could do. Gilligan was burning up with fever and needed to be changed out of his wet clothes.
As he stepped out of the trees and into the clearing, everyone turned to look at him with bright smiles. But he watched all of their smiles turn down to a frown, the girls almost in tears as they saw he was carrying Gilligan. The Professor rushed to him first reaching out to touch Gilligan before he jerked his hand away. The next few minutes seemed to flash by as the Professor ordered him to take him to his hut before he was ordering everyone to gather water, rags and a dry set of clothes.
The Skipper brought Gilligan into the hut first lying him down gently on the cot before he moved away. The Professor came over checking his eye dilation and pulse before he turned to the Skipper. Skipper knew right away it wasn't good but prayed his little buddy would hold on until they could help him. Before he could ask anything, the girls came in followed by the Howells. Ginger and Mary Ann had Gilligan's clothes while the Howells had some rags and a bucket of water.
"How is he Professor?" Mary Ann asked.
"Not good I'm afraid, he has a high fever but I'm hopeful that I can bring it down with the cool water. Why don't you girls go get something to eat? You to Mr. and Mrs. Howell." The Professor suggested.
After they all set the stuff down, they left knowing it was a way to keep them busy and out of his way. Skipper stood there not moving from his spot, "Professor how is he really?"
"He's very ill Skipper." The Professor sighed, "Where did you find him? Was he in a cave like this?"
"No he was out in the middle of the trees. When I picked him up, he was muttering about not stopping and that he kept looking for those seeds." He confessed.
The Professor frowned, "That means he was out in the storm for two days. Skipper, help me get him out of these wet clothes."
Skipper nodded rushing to help the Professor lifting Gilligan up gently before he began pulling off his shirt. Once that was removed, the Professor removed his pants, underwear and shoes cursing under his breath. Skipper instantly looked up worried before he noticed the same thing. On Gilligan's right leg was what looked like it had been a scratch from something but was now swollen and red with some pus coming out. Both of the guys winced at the sight before the Professor used his blanket to start drying off Gilligan. Still asleep, Gilligan's body began shivering uncontrollably. The Professor tried to stop his shivering but knew it was due to the high fever.
When he realized he would need some more blankets for later, he looked up at the Skipper, "Get me some more blankets."
The Skipper nodded going to the hut door, "Someone, we need more blankets!"
It was only a matter of minutes before Mary Ann and Ginger came up to the door handing him the blankets. They tried to look in, but the Skipper blocked their view not wanting them to see the wound on Gilligan's leg. Once they took the hint, they both went back to the table to wait for some word about how he was doing. The Skipper turned his attention back to the Professor who was just finishing drying off his little buddy.
"I'm afraid to put any clothes on him until I can take care of the wound on his leg." Professor sighed.
"What can we do Professor?" Skipper reached down putting his hand on Gilligan's forehead, "His fever is high and he hasn't stopped shivering since we took his clothes off.
"I know, we are just going have to stick by him for the next couple of days." Professor replied, "You can put a blanket on him but make sure his leg is kept out. I need to look through my books and see if I can find something that will take away the infection."
Skipper did as instructed covering his little buddy with a blanket making sure his right leg wasn't covered. While the Professor was over at his table, the Skipper sat down in the spare seat beside the cot. He reached over to the table where the bowl of water and rags were. He dipped one rag into the water until it was soaked before he let the excess drain off. Gently he laid it on Gilligan's forehead, speaking soothing words when his little buddy jumped from the cold. Hearing a gasp, he looked up finding Mr. Howell standing in the doorway.
"Good heavens!" Mr. Howell exclaimed, "What happened to him?"
"Mr. Howell, you need to keep the girls out of here. They don't need to see him like this until I can find a way to heal that wound." Professor looked up from his books.
"I will try, but that still doesn't answer how it happened." He stated.
Skipper sighed, "The only thing I can figure is he cut his leg when searching for the seeds in the storm and it became infected causing the swelling and his fever."
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Mr. Howell asked, "It is partly my fault this happened to the poor boy."
"We all have the blame in this Mr. Howell, but you can help by wiping Gilligan off." Skipper stated.
Mr. Howell eager to help came over to the table grabbing a rag dipping it into the water. He then removed the blanket that was covering Gilligan's chest, starting to gently wipe the sweat off the boy. Gilligan feeling the coldness began trying to get away but Skipper and Mr. Howell spoke soothing words to him. Both continued to do this until he seemed to settle down, before they spotted his eyes starting to open.
"Little buddy, can you hear me?" Skipper spoke gently.
Gilligan seemed to hear him as he looked over, "Skip…per?"
"It's me little buddy." He smiled.
"My dear boy, how are you?" Mr. Howell asked.
"Tired…cold…" He tried to move but cried out trying to reach for his leg, "My leg hurts…Skipper it burns…"
The Skipper grabbed for his hand, "We know little buddy, the Professor is trying to find something to help you."
A realization hit Gilligan as he tried to sit up, "The seeds…I need to find them."
Mr. Howell reached to keep him on the bed, "My dear boy, forget about those seeds. We don't need them anymore."
"Just go off to sleep little buddy. We are more worried about getting you better." Skipper explained.
Gilligan seemed to listen as he drifted off to sleep still shivering. The Professor gave a cry of relief as he jumped up. Mr. Howell and Skipper both turned towards him wondering what he had found.
"I found something we can use for his leg." Professor smiled, "But I will need everyone's help."
"Please enlighten us Professor." Mr. Howell spoke.
"Professor, if there is something we can do to help him, please tell us." Skipper stated.
The Professor looked down at the book in his hand, "It says that pure honey can take away an infection. I'm pretty sure there has to be a bee's nest around here that we can get some from."
"Then let's get going." Skipper jumped up.
"Wait, there's something else." Professor stopped him.
Mr. Howell stood up, "Tell us Professor."
"I'm afraid," Professor looked down at his book before looking at them, "We need to clean the pus from the wound first."
"Isn't there another way?" Skipper asked knowing it would cause his little buddy pain.
"No, I'm afraid not." Professor stated.
"Then let's go. I'll go get the honey, Mr. Howell you stay with him." Skipper instructed.
Mr. Howell came to sit where the Skipper had been watching as the Skipper and Professor left the hut. While the Skipper went to find some honey, the Professor went to the girls telling them he would need some bandages before he went to help the Skipper. Not questioning why they needed bandages, the girls went off to gather some as Mrs. Howell went into the hut. When she came in, she smiled at her husband who was wiping Gilligan's chest off. Before Mr. Howell could stop her though, she spotted the wound on Gilligan's leg.
Mr. Howell rushed to grab her when he realized she was about to collapse, "Easy Lovey, the Professor believes he's going to be alright."
"Thurston, what did we do?" She asked.
"We ignored him just like we have done in the past." Mr. Howell stated, "And because of this, he is paying for it. But we aren't going to give up on him."
"Where did the Skipper and Professor go?" She asked.
"To get some honey, the Professor said if we can clean the wound then the honey will help with the infection." Mr. Howell replied.
Hearing a gasp behind them, both turned finding Ginger and Mary Ann standing there staring at the wound on Gilligan's leg. Mr. Howell cursed under his breath realizing he had one task and he failed with it. Not only had his wife seen the boy, the girls did too and now they all knew how bad the wound was. Mary Ann and Ginger both had tears forming in their eyes but Mr. Howell ushered them in stating the Professor and Skipper were going to get something that would help him. The girls nodded gathering around Gilligan, taking turns wiping the sweat from his forehead and chest.
That's how the Professor and Skipper found them when they returned with the honey in a jar. Mrs. Howell was sitting beside Gilligan while the girls were behind her as well as Mr. Howell. The girls moved out of the way first followed by the Howells, knowing they didn't want to get in their way. The Skipper sat down beside Gilligan touching his forehead frowning at the heat he still felt there.
"Did he stir any while we were gone?" Skipper asked.
"No." Mr. Howell frowned.
The Professor looked up at the girls and Mrs. Howell, "Girls I don't think you should be here for what I'm about to do."
"What are you going to do Professor?" Mary Ann questioned.
"I'm going have to drain that pus from the wound before I can put the honey onto it." He replied.
"Lovey, please take them outside. I don't want you to see this." Mr. Howell stated.
Mrs. Howell looked at Ginger and Mary Ann, each one nodding knowing they wouldn't be able to stomach what the Professor had to do. Mr. Howell turned toward the Professor noticing he had a small knife in his hand. Realizing what he was going to do, he turned to look away. The Skipper reached down to take Gilligan's hand in his not knowing if his little buddy was going to feel it or not. The Professor knew he had to at least make a small cut in order to allow the pus to drain first before he cleaned it and put the honey on it. But as soon as the Professor started to cut it, Gilligan jerked awake screaming. The Professor pulled back not wanting to harm him further. Skipper grabbed onto Gilligan trying to calm him down.
"Easy little buddy, the Professor needs to clean the wound." Skipper explained.
Gilligan looked up at him, tears in his eyes, "Hurts…Skipper…don't let him…."
"Gilligan, the wound on your leg is infected and it's causing you to have a high fever." Professor explained.
"It will help Gilligan." Professor stated.
Gilligan shook his head trying to move back but was stopped by the weakness and fever. The Skipper looked at the Professor who seemed to get the same idea. Skipper sat Gilligan up before he positioned himself behind him, wrapping his arms around his little buddy. Mr. Howell came over to sit down taking Gilligan's hand in his. The Professor started to touch him again but was surprised when Gilligan cried out moving his leg.
"Gilligan, I have to do this." Professor tried to explain.
"Hurts…Skipper…please!" Gilligan cried.
Skipper felt tears come to his eyes, "It has to be done little buddy."
"Mr. Howell," Professor sighed, "Hold his leg still please."
"No…no…" Gilligan cried out unable to struggle.
Skipper tightened his grip letting him know it would be over soon. Mr. Howell held onto his leg making sure he wasn't going to move. Quick as he could, the Professor made a cut on Gilligan's leg trying to ignore the screams that erupted from Gilligan. Once it was over, the Professor noticed Gilligan had passed out figuring it was for the better. The Skipper got out from behind his little buddy laying him back down on the cot glad to know the worst was over. Mr. Howell moved away hoping he wouldn't have to hear cries like that for a very long time if ever again.
"What do we need to do next Professor?" Skipper asked.
"I'll let the pus drain out first and then I'll put a wet cloth on his leg. Then I'll use the honey to wrap around his leg." He replied.
"I'll go check on the girls and Lovey." Mr. Howell volunteered.
Skipper watched him leave knowing it was probably his way of leaving, but he couldn't blame him. They all had guilt to play in this one and he hated to think how they were going to make it up to Gilligan this time. No dinner or party would count this time, no they had to figure out something much bigger. And something that they wouldn't forget since Gilligan wasn't out of the woods just yet. He would have to discuss it with the others later, but at the moment he just wanted to get his little buddy better. Hearing Gilligan whimper, he reached out to squeeze his little buddies hand when he noticed the Professor was placing a wet cloth on the wound.
"Shhh little buddy, Professor is almost done." Skipper spoke.
Gilligan seemed to hear him as he relaxed on the cot. The Skipper took a cold cloth from the bowl of water placing it on Gilligan's forehead. The Professor allowed the cloth to soak the wound before he removed it, reaching for the bandages the girls had left on the table. With a piece of bandage, the Professor took some honey dripping it onto the bandage, making sure he had enough to cover it. Once he was sure he had enough, he put the jar back on the table before he laid the honey covered bandage placing it on the wound. While holding it with one hand, he reached for the other bandages wrapping them around the wound, making sure he tied it tight so the honey wouldn't come off.
The Professor sighed, "Done."
"How soon will we know if it works?" Skipper asked.
"A few hours but I will need to change the bandage tomorrow and see how it looks." Professor stood up, "Let's go tell the others."
"Should we leave him alone?" Skipper questioned.
"He should be fine for the few minutes we will be gone." Professor assured him.
Although Skipper didn't want to leave his little buddy, he noticed Gilligan was resting more peacefully than he had been. With one last glance at him, he got up following the Professor out of his hut going to where the others were waiting outside. Mary Ann and Ginger were holding onto each other, tears flowing down their face, while Mr. Howell was holding Mrs. Howell as she cried as well. Upon seeing the Skipper, the girls rushed forward going into their arms as he held each of them while they cried. He felt tears coming but he fought them back knowing he had to stay strong for the others.
When the girls finally were able to control themselves, they moved away from him. Ginger spoke first, "How is he?"
"The Professor was able to put on the honey, but he said we will have to keep an eye on him." Skipper stated.
"We heard him scream." Mary Ann whispered.
"I know, Professor had to drain the wound first." Skipper stated making her look at him, "But he is resting now."
"This is our entire fault." Ginger stated.
"There's no reason to keep blaming ourselves." The Professor spoke up, "What we need to talk about is how we are going to make it up to him. A party isn't going to cut it this time."
Everyone agreed as they began discussing of what they were going to do. In the hut, Gilligan awoke looking around trying to figure out where he was. He wiped the sweat from his eyes realizing he was in the Professor's hut. As he started to sit up, he realized he had no clothes on and he felt stiff. Why was he there and naked? Last he remembered he was in the forest trying to find something. What had he been trying to find? He knew it was important for the others and that he had to get it. Seeds! That's what it was; he had to find the seeds. He needs to get going if he was going to find them. The others were going to be angry at him if he didn't find them.
Tossing the blanket into the floor, he spotted his clothes off to the side. Reaching for them he put on his clothes before he started to stand up. As his feet touched the ground, he wondered where his shoes were, but decided he had to leave. He could hear the others outside and knew he had to be quick. But as he went to stand up, he almost screamed from the intense pain he felt in his right leg. Almost falling, he caught himself on the table hoping the others hadn't heard him. He leaned against it for a few moments before he tried again. But as he put his full weight on his leg, he collapsed to the ground. The pain brought sweat out on him but he knew he had to get up and find the seeds. The others were counting on him and he wanted to make them proud.
As he stood up the third time, he managed to keep his weight off his right leg knowing he would have to push through the pain. He hobbled over to the door before he started to go out. He had made it at least a few steps before he noticed the others had spotted him. Quick as he could he tried to run but as soon as his weight hit his right leg, he cried out and collapsed onto the ground.
"Gilligan!" The Skipper rushed forward turning him over onto his back, "Little buddy what do you think you are doing?"
"I'm sorry….Skipper, I was getting…the seeds…I promise…" Gilligan cried tears flowing down his face, "Don't punish…me…my leg hurts…I can do it…"
"Oh little buddy, you don't have to get the seeds." Skipper pulled him towards his chest holding him as they both cried.
"Others…mad at me…I need to go…" Gilligan struggled to get out of the Skipper's arms.
Skipper shook his head pointing to the others, "No one is mad at you. We are all here but we need to get you back into the Professor's hut. You have a high fever and you injured your leg."
Professor came forward, "Skipper take him into my hut, I'm afraid he made the wound worse. I need to change the bandages."
The Skipper nodded gently picking Gilligan up glad when he stopped fighting him, "Come on little buddy, let's get you fixed up."
He took Gilligan into the Professor's hut, the Professor and others right behind them. The Professor thought about sending them all out but had a feeling they wouldn't listen. All of them were responsible for the state Gilligan was in and neither could think about anything else. While the Skipper laid Gilligan down on the cot, the Professor started to pull off Gilligan's pants but realized the women were there. He laid the blanket over Gilligan's waist before he pulled his pants off gently making sure the blanket remained in place. Once the pants were off, he tossed them off to the corner before he pulled the blanket back only far enough for him to look at the wound. He could see red spots knowing Gilligan had caused the wound to bleed. It just meant he would have to clean it once more before putting more honey in there.
When he removed the rags, he heard the girls gasp from behind him, as he looked up to Skipper, "I'm going have to clean it again."
The Skipper frowned before he had Mr. Howell help set Gilligan up before he could get behind him. Once he was behind him and holding into Gilligan, he nodded to the Professor. The Professor reached for the rag he had used before dipping it into the water before he pulled it out, laying it against the wound. Instantly Gilligan's eyes shot open as he cried out trying to struggle. Mr. Howell reached to hold his leg down while the girls huddled together behind them.
"Almost done Gilligan." Professor stated.
"Please…Skipper…Mr. Howell….stop…" Gilligan cried out.
"It'll be over in a few minutes little buddy." Skipper promised him.
Professor pulled the rag away, "There all done, Ginger, give me that honey and another rag plus some bandages."
Ginger rushed forward grabbing the honey from the table before she handed it to him, grabbing the bandages and rag. The Professor took the honey from her before he grabbed the rag pouring some more honey onto it. Once it was positioned over the wound, he wrapped the bandages around it making sure it was tight. Gilligan went limp in Skipper's arms causing him to panic but the Professor assured everyone he had just passed out.
The Professor stood up facing all of them, "We will need to take turns watching him; he isn't to be left alone for more than a second."
"I'll stay with him first Professor." Skipper stated.
"Alright," Professor said, "Girls it's almost dinner time, can you go fix us at least some fruit."
"Sure." Mary Ann said.
Ginger followed behind her, "We will have it ready in a few minutes."
"Mr. and Mrs. Howell, can you get a pitcher of water? I need to start getting Gilligan to drink some water. He hasn't had anything on his stomach in three days."
"We can do that Professor." Mr. Howell stated grabbing his wife, "Come on Lovey."
With the help of the Professor, the Skipper got out from behind Gilligan as they gently pulled off his shirt that was already soaked with sweat. When Gilligan was lying down, Skipper and Professor both got a rag wet before they started to wipe him down. Gilligan whimpered in his sleep but soon quieted down when they spoke soothing words. The Howells came back in a few minutes, one carrying the pitcher of water while the other was carrying a cup. While the Professor hated to wake him up, he knew they needed to get some liquid into him.
Skipper gently shook Gilligan, "Come on little buddy, you need to wake up and drink some water."
Gilligan stirred blinking his eyes, "Skip..per?"
Skipper reached under him lifting him up slightly, "Come on, you need some water."
The Professor held the cup to his lips, "Drink it slowly Gilligan, you haven't had anything on your stomach in a couple of days."
Gilligan drank the water down not realizing how thirsty he was until he felt the water going down his throat. When it was gone, he looked up, "More.."
"Not yet Gilligan, we need you to eat something first if you think you can manage it. Mrs. Howell, can you see if Mary Ann wouldn't mind fixing him some soup?" Professor asked.
"Sure thing Professor." Mrs. Howell said before she went out of the hut.
"I'm…sleepy…" Gilligan said his eyes drifting closed.
Skipper looked to the Professor who nodded, "Alright little buddy, go to sleep. I'll wake you up once the soup is ready."
"Thanks…Skipper…" Gilligan shut his eyes as soon as his head hit the pillow.
While the soup was cooking, Skipper and Professor took turns wiping down Gilligan hoping to get his fever to break soon. Ginger brought in a couple of plates of fruit that she gave to the men ordering them to eat. Both were about to protest but she wasn't going to have it, telling them she would take over watching over Gilligan. Realizing they were going to lose, Professor and Skipper took each of the plates going off to the corner to eat. By the time they had finished eating the fruit, Mary Ann was coming into the hut carrying a bowl of coconut soup she had managed to make knowing it was all they had.
Skipper handed his plate to Ginger before he took her spot, "Gilligan, wake up, the soup is ready."
"Don't…want to…" Gilligan muttered in his sleep.
"I know but you need to eat something." Skipper smiled.
Gilligan continued to mutter, "No please…don't make me…storm…"
"Gilligan, wake up!" Skipper shouted
Gilligan woke with a start starting to move away from Skipper, "I'm sorry…I'll go looking…I won't stop…even with…the storm…."
The others bowed their heads in shame as Skipper grabbed onto his little buddy making him face him, "Little buddy, you don't have to go. I'm ordering you to stay in this bed until you are well again."
He nodded before he wrapped his arms around Skipper. The Skipper wrapped one arm around him as he held the bowl out for Ginger to take. With both hands free, he hugged Gilligan letting him cry until he had no more tears. When he felt Gilligan starting to drift off, Skipper shook him gently telling him he had to eat first. His little buddy seemed to understand as he nodded.
While the Professor moved to help keep Gilligan up, the Skipper moved to sit behind him so he could be propped up. Once Gilligan was propped up against Skippers chest, the Professor moved away as Ginger sat down in the chair. She took some soup into the spoon before she held it up to Gilligan lips. He sipped the soup down feeling warmness in his stomach; before he nodded he wanted more. After drinking about half of the soup, Gilligan shook his head not wanting anymore.
"Come on Gilligan, just a few more bites." Ginger coaxed.
"Tired…" Gilligan spoke.
Professor nodded, "Alright everyone, let's let Gilligan get back to sleep."
The others nodded as they began to leave the hut before the Skipper started to get out from behind Gilligan as the Professor held him up. When Gilligan was comfortable on the cot, the Skipper felt his hand grab his. He looked down finding his little buddy looking up at him with tears in his eyes. Skipper sat down on the chair taking a wet rag from the Professor which he used to wipe Gilligan's face and neck. The Professor noticing the dishes were still there took them out of the hut figuring the two might want some alone time.
"Gilligan, what is it?" Skipper asked.
"Don't leave…please…" Gilligan pleaded.
Skipper felt his heart skip a beat, "Oh little buddy, I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise…"
"I promise, now sleep." Skipper smiled.
Gilligan nodded drifting off to sleep but didn't release his grip on the Skipper. The Skipper sat back against the back of the chair knowing he would stay there as long as it took for Gilligan to get back on his feet. The Professor came in after a few minutes reaching over to touch Gilligan's forehead. He frowned as he stood back up knowing it was going to be a long night.
Skipper started to move but felt Gilligan squeeze his hand, deciding to remain sitting, "Professor?"
"His fever still feels high, I'm afraid we won't see any results until morning. Why don't you try and get some sleep Skipper." Professor stated.
"I'm not leaving just yet Professor, Gilligan was scared I would leave him and I promised I wouldn't." Skipper stated.
"Would you mind if I joined you then? I will work on what we discussed earlier." Professor questioned.
"I will gladly take it." He smiled.
As the Professor sat down at his table, he pulled out a piece of paper before he began writing. A few minutes passed before the Howells appeared at the door followed by Mary Ann and Ginger. The Professor looked up from where he had been writing telling them to come in. When they came in, Skipper and Professor smiled noticing each one had a chair with them. They sat together at the wall nearest the door to give enough space in the hut.
The rain poured down from the sky hitting him in his face, already soaking his clothes. Gilligan thought about turning back but knew the others would get him. In front of him he spotted the seeds that he had thought gone. He gave a cry of relief but before he could grab them, he realized they disappeared. Frantically he looked around trying to find them but realized they were nowhere in sight.
"No, I need to find them!" Gilligan cried as he kept going, "Need to keep moving, can't let the others down."
"No…can't let them down…others counting…where…are they…" Gilligan muttered in his sleep.
"Shh Gilligan," Skipper replaced the wet rag on his forehead along with the ones on his chest.
"No…others…are mad….seeds…need…to find…" He continued to mutter.
Mrs. Howell rose from her seat going to take Gilligan's other hand in hers, "My dear boy, we don't need the seeds. Please listen to me; you just need to get better."
Although it took a few minutes, Gilligan stopped muttering drifting off to sleep. The others let out a sigh of relief when they saw him go back to sleep. It was around midnight and Gilligan's fever was still high. He had been muttering off and on for the past few hours and the Professor knew it probably would only get worse. The Skipper remained where he was at, his hand still wrapped around Gilligan's small one. He hadn't moved in the past few hours, since every time he tried, Gilligan would sense it and start to whimper more.
"Please let me in!" Gilligan pleaded with the others.
"Where are the seeds my dear boy?" Mr. Howell asked.
"I couldn't find them, I'm sorry!" He pleaded.
Gilligan stood out there in the storm as the others were in the hut. Lightning came down from the sky striking the hut catching it on fire. Gilligan screamed as he watched the hut burn, the others trapped inside. He could hear their screams as he watched in horror unable to move. If he had found the seeds, perhaps they would be in a cave where it was safer than the hut.
"No please no!" He screamed as the hut collapsed to the ground.
"No…Skipper no!" Gilligan shot up off the cot.
The Skipper quickly caught his friend holding him on the cot so he didn't injure his leg again, "Gilligan, it's alright. You are alright."
Gilligan blinked a few times before he realized the others were all standing there their faces full of concern. He wrapped his arms around the Skipper crying into his shoulder, "You were…all in a hut…lightning struck….my fault…"
"No little buddy; it's not your fault. It was just a nightmare we are all here for you." Skipper rubbed his back.
The Professor came forward with a cup of water, "Skipper, get him to drink."
"Here little buddy, drink some water." Skipper moved Gilligan back before he grabbed the cup holding it up to Gilligan's lips.
Gilligan drank it all down before he smiled, "Thanks everyone."
"You are welcome." Everyone said together making him smile.
"Tired…" Gilligan sighed as he was laid back down on the cot.
The next time Gilligan awoke, he felt the sunshine on his chest and a rag on his forehead. He blinked a few times before he realized he was in the Professor's hut. The others were all there standing around him, each with a smile on his face. Feeling his hand in someone's, he turned his head realizing it was the Skipper. He smiled as the Skipper squeezed his hand, before he removed the rag from his forehead.
The Skipper felt Gilligan's forehead letting out a sigh of relief, "His fever's broke."
"What happened?" Gilligan asked, "I remember going to look for the seeds. The seeds! I have to get them."
"No my dear boy, you aren't to move until the Professor says so." Mr. Howell stated.
Gilligan nodded before he winced when he felt hands on his right leg realizing Professor was there taking off some bandages, "What happened to my leg?"
"You had a cut on it Gilligan, one that got infected." Professor explained before he let out a smile, "Looks like the swelling is down, I'm going to put some more honey on it. I want you to stay off this leg for at least another day or so."
"Don't worry Professor he's going to do just that." Skipper smiled.
"I don't understand why everyone is nice." Gilligan frowned, "I burned the seeds."
"You did the right thing Gilligan." Mary Ann stated.
Ginger nodded, "We were wrong."
"And we have something that is to let you know we care." Mr. Howell stated.
After the Professor rewrapped Gilligan's leg, he stood up grabbing the paper off the table showing it to Gilligan, "This is a contract that has been signed by all of us. It states that anytime we treat you badly or you don't feel happy, you are allowed to say no to anyone of us including the Skipper."
Gilligan looked at all their signatures, "Really?"
"Yes really little buddy and that's just the start of it. We are going to give you at least a couple days off each week where you can do anything you want." Skipper smiled.
Gilligan couldn't help but smile, "Thanks everyone, I can't believe it."
"It's all there in black and white, and don't forget to show it to us every once in a while." Professor stated.
"I won't Professor." Gilligan smiled before he gave a yawn feeling his eyes getting heavy again.
"Go to sleep little buddy." Skipper ordered.
"Stay…" He whispered.
"We aren't going anywhere little buddy." Skipper smiled.
The others all nodded watching as Gilligan smiled drifting off to sleep, the contract wrapped in his hand while the other was in Skipper's. They knew they weren't going to forget how they had treated him in the past. They also knew the future was going to be better not only for them but for Gilligan as well.
The End!