I quickly went to see what the explosion was, the small entrance of the cave was blocked, and on the other side I could sense and smell the monster that was following us.
It blocked itself out huh?... This should at least buy us time though...
I went back to Xia Xue.
"We have to get moving... The monster is outside. Thankfully it blocked itself out when it tried to get in, so we have a little time..."
After a pause. I looked around a bit to find another way out, but the only way was to go deeper into the cave.
"Can you move?" I looked at her firmly.
She nodded, and as she tried to get up, she fell.
I yelled, "careful!" I went to her side helping her.
"Don't try to push yourself.. it's okay"
Her face went red from embarrassment, this is her first time getting treated with care after her parents passed away.
I crouched down next to her offering her a piggy back ride.
"Get on..."
I waited until she started moving and got on my back, I could feel the warmth from her body as her body pushed onto my back. My face went red and got a nosebleed as I could feel her on my back. I quickly covered my nose.
Xia Xue asked "is something wrong?"
I was too flustered to not stutter. "No-nothing is wrong!!"
Her body was pressing against mine, I could feel her warmth as she put her arms around my neck, I put my hands on her thighs to hold her as she crossed her legs around my waist, I had another nosebleed. "Ack!"
As she saw me she asked "are you okay?!".
"Yes I'm fine!" I yelled out of frustration and embarrassment. She looked surprised at my outburst and stood quite.
Damnit.. I can't control myself! If I don't get out of here quickly and take her to a safe place. I'm going to die from blood lose before even the monster catches us! I thought to myself before wiping my nose.
I started moving with her on my back and went deeper into the cave. The paths were rough and there was stalactite and stalagmite everywhere making it hard to move, I got some scratches and cuts from the sharp rocks inside the cave that made the path smaller and smaller, but I managed to keep Xia Xue out of harm. I could hear the sounds of a small water path as we went deeper and deeper and finally I saw a small stream inside the cave, I stopped putting Xia Xue down who had fallen asleep while we were moving.
I looked at her tired face as she was resting.
Maybe she overdid herself when fighting that monster... Well not maybe... She did... I sighed. It will take at least a month for her arm to be fixed... Maybe a skilled physician could heal her... But I don't have money to give her so... Hm... Nevermind... She will manage to heal... I probably shouldn't worry much about her... I went near the stream and crouched, I cupped my hands and got water slowly drinking it from my hands. I then washed my face using the water and let it dry on its own and sat down next to Xia Xue untill she woke up.
"Good morning!" I said in a teasing way.
She looked around before asking, "where are we?"
"We're still in the cave.. we came much deeper than where we were at before... And I don't think the monster got into the cave yet... Since I couldn't smell nor sense it"
She looked confused as to what I said in the last part and questioned "smelled?".
I quickly responded "nevermind! I meant hear..." I tried to brush it off as a mistake of wording.
"Are you thirsty?" I looked at her.
She quietly nodded, still embarrassed how I'm helping her this much.
I got up from where I was, and went towards the stream, crouching down next to the stream and cupping my hands to get water. I went back to Xia Xue, slowly pouring it into her mouth, my finger tips were touching her lips, I blushed furiously and managed to not nosebleed until she finished drinking the water. As soon as she finished I jumped back and held my nose covering it as my nose started bleeding, I quickly wiped my nose.
Xia Xue looked at me concerned. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine!! It's nothing..." I looked away from embarrassment.
She nodded not trying to press the matter, but still looked concerned.
I asked "Should we get moving again? If we follow the stream we might find an exit..."