A Devil's Promise- Chapter three Investigation

Chapter three - Investigation

The next afternoon, I woke up in the same bed to find that the I.V. had been removed and that I had been invigorated with new blood. New energy coursed through me but still I felt weak and I knew that I was still injured. Sleepy and confused, I lifted myself to lean against the pillows of the bed and suddenly remembered my favorite wolf; Kiba! I hope he's alright. I wish he would come up here. I heard a light knock on the door as someone entered and I saw that it was Mishka. She smiled to me and came to sit on the side of my bed, "I'm glad you're up. I was just coming to wake you. You have not eaten since yesterday so I figured you must be hungry." I yawn and smile, then I rub the sleep out of my eyes, "Yeah. I'm starving." She chuckled and put a warm hand on my face then gave me a gentle hug, "Alright, I'll bring you some lunch and I'll tell Kimeru that you're awake." She casted me a smile with a weary glance before she exited and I knew that she could see the concern for Kiba in my eyes.

A little disheveled with the sudden visit, I look around unsurely to see if I had really been found and was in Mishka's house. It felt almost like a dream but a sudden stabbing pain made me realize that it was real. Wincing, I automatically pressed a hand to the back of my neck and rubbed it in an attempt to release the pain. It was doubly worse than it normally was because the fact that I had a head injury and it didn't make it any better to have the picture of a man flash before my eyes.

No more than a few minutes later, Mishka entered with a tray full of food with Kimeru and Kris behind her. They all massed around my bed and sat on any available spot. I crossed my legs indian style and took the tray of food from Mishka as she decided to pull up the chair from the corner. I looked to Mishka, "When do you think I'll be better?" I turn to Kimeru as she speaks up, "He said you'd be better at least by the end of the week. Today's Tuesday so you should be good by Friday or Saturday. Your head wound isn't fatal so it should heal pretty quickly and your neck wound, well, it's almost healed." She attempted a smile as Kris nods for me to eat. I first go for the garlic bread that lay on the side of a huge pile of spaghetti; I'm so not going to be able to eat all of this.... I thought a little discouraged. I take a bite of the savory grain then turn to Mishka, "Your spaghetti is the best and thank you. Nana." I said extremly grateful and glad to be home.

Kris smiled reassuringly to me when Kimeru cleared her throat and spoke a little cautiously, "Miko... What happened to you?" I looked to her with a puzzled look, "What do you mean?" I asked. She looked at me uneasily, "What happened when you entered the forest after you chased the demon?" I swallowed thickly as my heart skipped a beat at the sudden memory. I suddenly lost the will to eat as I stared emptily at the half-devoured peice of bread. Then, knowing it was time to leave me be, Mishka stood. "I think we should let her eat in peace, she's had a long few days and we should let her rest." Kimeru reluctantly nodded and stood, "Ok then, when you're done eating Miko, I'll come get your dishes. Um... Rest well." Kris gave Mishka a reluctant look as well but went along with her suggestion, "We're here for you, you know that right?" I nod and smile to him, though knowing by the look of concern, that it did not reach my eyes. They all silently walked out of the room, leaving me to my silent thoughts.

The next week passed without flaw. Every now and then Cam, Brock, and Shiya would check on me or Mishka would tell me a legend, though I already knew them. Kimeru and Kris often visited me in my room and days earlier, had moved the hyperactive, but still injured, Kiba with me in my room. He was so over-joyed to see me that he nearly injured himself again as he jumped onto my bed and gave me a thorough face licking. Ever since then, he had layed with me on my bed, never leaving my side. Even Fred had visited and was better and fully recovered from his injuries with Miskha's help. I then came to find out that they were finally together, as in, girlfriend and boyfriend; I'd hoped one day that they'd be lovers. People from the market even visited, said they missed my daily visits and brought me gifts like flowers or baskets of fruit or fresh sweet bread.

I realized then that I was apart of a giant family, something nobody could destroy. Even if everything came shattering down into a million peices, we all would all always be together. In discovering this, I didn't feel alone like I normally did and I felt much happier to know it. I felt protected from the thing that had so brutally ravaged me, but still the thought of the masked man haunted my every waking thought. I wasn't scared or angry. I was mystified and I had to find who it was that he was. I had to at least thank him for saving me, even if he was a demon.

Today being Saturday, after the visit from Dr. Kraine, I was released from 'house arrest' as Kimeru called it with a bit of a humurous edge. Kiba had still some time to go, after all, his broken rib was still in the mending but he could still walk. I knew, though, that it wasn't without pain. I could see his muscles tense every time he took a step and I could also see the rib sometimes protrude from his muscular side. I felt sorry to leave him but I had to find the man, back in the forest in which I was found. I had to at least find resolve on the matter, to know that the demon wasn't coming back but I also had to know if the man was real.

I went downstairs to see Mishka sitting at a table finishing something. I had intended to walk past but I caught her eye causing her to grin, "I see you've finally the strength to walk. Come here. I have something for you." I smile and walk into the kitchen where she sat at the rectangular, eight-chaired table. I saw that she had just finished a stone and bone bead indian choker. It was so simple. It held the fragments of Adamantite, Onyx, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise, and long-slender beads, hand-carved from the bones of a long deceased wolf that had been scavenged for its fur. She slid the necklace and a matching bracelet over to me; each having three seperate rows of beads, each row a different pattern of stones and bone. I know that the specific combination of the Adamantite, Onyx, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise, and Wolf Bone beads were an ancient combination of powers that protected against evil. It was a tradition that Arcayin Shamans throughout the ages had utilized to protect young maidens and warriors from evil spirits. Children had already a natural barrier against evil spirits so they could hold their own; it wasn't until a person turned thirteen that they needed the choker and bracelet to match to be protected from the evil spirits.

I looked in awe at the set as I could almost see the ancient powers pulsing through the almost normal looking stones and examined each peice with reverence. I could almost see the veins of magic pulsing through each individual rock. I saw the sheer power and glow of the Adamantite, the void of space in the Onyx which could intimidate any spirit, good or evil, the startling, reflective eye of a tiger which symbolized strength and stealth, the sheer color blue of the turquoise that could manipulate any power, and the wolf bone that symbolized a wolf that had died protecting what it had loved most.

At all the representations, one single, warm tear slid down my face, "Thank you Nana." I said deeply. I clasped on the necklace and the bracelet and hugged her tightly as I could almost feel her heart-warmed expression as if we had said a thousand things in only a few words. I would never forget her, never in a million years, even if she died. I was so grateful towards her because I remembered the time she taught me the way of the Shaman. The gift of the protection from one Shaman to another meant unity forever and eternal brotherhood, or rather, sisterhood in this case. I had always thought of her as a sister even though she looked like she could be my grandmother. I knew she was extremely aged but she acted like such a child with unboundless youth with the wisdom of a human who has lived many lifetimes.

She gave me a soft pat on the face as if knowing what I had earlier been thinking, "Go find the man who saved you but be careful Miko." She reached from under the table to the next chair and brought up a dagger. The blade was pure steel and was curved to an extreme point so that it could peirce the stone flesh of a demon with the help of magique Arcane symbols; black dyed, deer leather covered the handle for a comfortable hold. She gave me the dagger in its sheath with a belt, a bow and arrow, a pouch of Onyx, which could intimidate or trap spirits, another pouch with herbs, and an extremely rare elixir. I gawked at the equipment in which she had laid in front of me, "It is time Miko, for you to become a full-fledged Shaman." My eyes widened, "So suddenly?" She nodded with a happy but serious smile, "I've taught you since the age of nine. You have learned all the medicines to learn, all the knowledge of the stones, the spirits of the bones, the workings of the magiques yet still to be practiced, the spirit of a warrior, a healer, a cleanser, and the mind of a wise man. You have also experienced the touch of a demon and you have goals in life needed to be pursued by a Shaman and the moves of a Shaman dancer who sends peace to the world...."

I had lost all I had to say, gawking in disbelief at what was happening. Mishka brought out the amulet with the ancient symbol of the eternal Shaman of the Arcayin's. It was a wolf entwined with an eagle as they surrounded a perfectly round, pea-sized orb of adamantite, the ancient element of life. She held it up, causing it to spin slightly as if uncoiling, "As a daughter of Celes, Creator for Celes, and a testament left of Celes, in my honor, my power, my strength, my sisterhood, and my love, I bestow you, Miko, with a new name and a new heritage." She closed her eyes then opened them and slid the necklace around my neck as she said, "Welcome, Aiya, to the Shamanhood of Arcaya." I looked up as she gestured to the equipment, "I know it was so sudden but I couldn't have thought of a better time. I know, Miko, no... Aiya, that something is going to change. I can feel it in the air of Hope, of the magiques that keep this Gaea alive, that today, everything will change."

I stroked the arrows, the bow, and the utility belt that was given to me, "Now that I am Aiya, will I have to forget my old name?" Mishka shook her head, "Miko and Aiya are both your names but only those close to you will secretly know your real name. You can never use it again but remember it to keep the memories you have. If your true name were to be discovered, demons could easily destroy you from inside out so that is why Aiya is now your name." I nod with teary eyes because of now me being a Shaman, I felt like Mishka had been saying goodbye, resolving her mind so there was nothing left to do once she died. The thought of it made my heart stop but I knew, one day, that it would be unavoidable so I let silent sobs shake my body as I grabbed Mishka in a never-ending hug.

It seemed like almost forever before my tears had dried up and I had been sitting at the table with Mishka, talking about my new status, "I'm curious, my name is Aiya, my new name. Then that must mean that Mishka is not your real name either." The old woman smiled, "My real name is Bria." My eyes went wide with shock, "Really? You don't look like a Bria." She chuckled, "Of course not, you've only known me as Mishka." She smiles, "My sisters name used to be Aiya..." My heart nervously skips a beat, "Used to be?" She keeps her smile but sadness enters the core of her eyes, "She was killed, no... slaughtered by a devious demon that she had happened to chance upon. She fell in 'love' with him when he was only taking advantage of her and killed her when she felt the strongest about him. He was one of the kind that loved to twist the feelings of a human before killing them." I didn't respond right away, then said apologetically, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up anything unpleasant." Mishka smiled, "Don't worry about it. It's best if you faced your sorrow because it's better than running away from it." I smiled at her wisdom then remembered my original goal for the day, "Oh..." Mishka looked to me understandingly, "Go and begin your journey, Aiya, become who you were meant to be."

It didn't take as long as it normally did to get to my house but that was because I was running, eagerly and happy, excited to be free. I wanted to embrace the new me, Aiya, because it felt like I had a new, clean slate; a second chance. It was also because I felt that today was going to be successful. Knowing that today was certainly the last day as Miko, I rushed into the kitchen to find Kimeru and Kris making out on the counter. Although as quickly that I had burst into the kitchen, Kimeru's eyes shot open as a crimson blush completely took over. Kris stepped back the same but with his eye twitching as if he was dying with embarrassment. I chuckled happily, "Sorry, heheheh...." Noticing that I was well, Kimeru completely forgot the akward situation and slid off the counter to hug me, "I'm so glad you're ok Miko." I stepped back and shook my head, smiling. I motioned to the equipment that I was equipped with; the utility belt with the dagger and the bow and arrow, "My name is Aiya now." In astonishment, Kimeru looked to me, "Why didn't you tell me M... Aiya?" I rubbed the back of my head, "Well, I've only been a Shaman for just about..." I looked at the clock, "Three hours now." Kris looked to me with sincere appallment, "At so young an age?" I nodded, "Yeah, I've been studying to become one since I was nine. Mishka passed on her status to me." Kris looked to Kimeru this time, then back to me, "I knew something was strange about Mishka, not in a bad way, just some of the things she did and the way she cast off an aura." "Is that bad?" I asked suddenly concerned. He smiled, "No, it's just it has been at least a hundred years before someone as young as yourself had become a Shaman. It means that the times are about to change. The ancient force of the Shamans is coming back."

Kimeru smiled, "I'm glad for you Aiya." I nodded and grinned, "Thank you Kimeru. Kris. Well, I suppose I should get changed." Kris became curious, "Are you going somewhere?" I turned with a strange look on my face, "I'm going to find Him." When I walked upstairs to my room, Kimeru turned to Kris, "Him? Who's Him?" Kris looked after me with concern, "The one who save her, remember?" Kimeru became fear-stricken, "Do you think she'll be alright?" Kris smiled crookedly, "Of course. She's the Redeemer."

I sifted through my closet in search of something to wear that would fit my new name, Aiya, but I couldn't find anything other than a strong pair of black velvet, leather pants. Remembering that in the opposite closet on the other side of my room were boxes of my mothers and fathers stuff. I knew that I'd be able to wear something that my mother had so I pulled out boxes of her clothes and began to sift through those as well.

Eventually, I noticed a black box big enough to hold an outfit. I took it out and opened it to reveal a black mass of clothing. I set the box on the floor and picked up a curious looking shirt that was made of scales. I set it aside and picked up a corset decorated with red lace. Then I pulled out another pair of black velvet, leather pants but they seemed sturdier than my own pair and had scales on the inside as if a protective under-armour. It was strange as I noticed a not in the bottom of the box that said:

Miko,

I know you probably have foind this long after I died. I knew that one day I'd die but I never told anyone, not even you. I know that you are a Shaman. Hehe, Mishka has a way with magique. I hoped that you would find this box and this note so that I could say that I loved you one last time before everything changed.

These clothes, I had them made for you not long before I died because I knew of Mishka's plan to make you Shaman one day.

If you are wondering, the scales in the outfit are the scales of a demon, purified long ago by Mishka herself. They now serve as protection. Armour that can resist the sharpest blade, a barrier that can keep out all the elements, and an item left in my will to you so you'd always know that I loved you. Time is running short, so I just want to say, never forget me or your father. We both love you and also if we may ask, protect Kimeru always. I know it is much to ask but please forgive us, we only did it because we knew death was not long for us and that this day would soon come.....

Your Mother

Love you always,

Nell

I didn't know what it meant but I knew and could feel my mother and father watching me. I felt a sense of relief, finally, that they had not gone in vain so returning to my mission, I swiftly cleaned up the mess I had made dressed in the outfit left to me. Oddly, it had fit perfectly, as if I had been there to be measured. The scale undershirt and the scales inside of the pants felt smooth and comforting as a real snake placidly slithering up my arm as if to insure me peace. I turned in the large seven foot mirror in the bathroom, the clothes had fit extremely well but I knew I had to trash my favorite steel-toed boots because for one) they didn't match, and two) well, they were very old, as in, three years old. I slipped all my equipment back on as I stuck the note my mother had left me into my pouch with Onyx. When I passed the jewelry box that my mother had left, I opened it and searched through an array of rings and found one perfect, simple one that matched. It was a silver ring in the shape of a feather that had pure rubies all around the design as the feather entwined a wolf, another subtle representation of Arcayin Shaman. I slipped it on my right ring finger then went to my other closet and put on some new hiking boots that I had not yet worn. I then jolted down the stairs in a surge of energy.

I went into the kitchen and smiled as Kris had engaged in a conversation Kimeru found embarrassing. I hummed to block out what they were saying until they looked up. A look of shock flashed across Kimeru's face, then it turned into admiration, then sad happiness. I looked at her curiously, "What's wrong Kimeru?" She shook her head, "Everything's going to change, isn't it?" Shocked with her sudden, what seemed childlike, concern. I couldn't help but nod sadly to her and to myself, "Yeah..." Kris stroked Kimeru's face, then looked to me with a supportive look, "Don't worry, as long as we hold the memories we have, everything will be ok." I looked to Kris with a gratituous look, "Thanks." He acknowledged it in return.

I looked to the clocked and noticed that it was an hour past noon, "I should go, daylight will quickly run out if I don't get to the Kiske forest. I'll see you guys later. I... don't know when I'll be back but I promise I'll return." Kimeru stood up and hugged me, "Be careful. You hear me?" I nod, "I will." Then with that, I whisked out the door before any tears could be shed.

Walking quickly, I reached the forest in a matter of forty minutes. I entered with a tense caution and loosened the strap around my blade so I could pull it out if needed. I also checked to see if I still had a good amount of arrows and that the bow was still there. Reassured with the arsenal, I set off uneasily in the direction of the demons cave. As before, it took just about ten to twelve minutes to get to the barren cave. I entered with an eerie feeling but I knew it was only because of the memories. When I got in the depths, I saw the cage that I had been in and the stone shelf where the demon had slept. I saw the small ring of stones and a pile of ashes that had been the fire.

Not really wanting to dwell, I rushed out of the cave and looked up at the massive wall that the demon had easily climbed. I would be able to climb it but it would take more than five minutes; it was a little more challenging than the side of the Kiske waterfall. I started to climb by reaching up and slipping my foot into a foothole then lifted the other foot and put it in a higher foot hole as I slowly lifted myself with my arms. I repeated the process until thankfully, I reached the top. I panted exhausted from the workout but willed myself to carry on. I stood unsteadily with my legs shaking until I had regained my strength. I had then started to wander and it took me only twenty minutes to get to the spot where the demon was killed. I didn't linger because I knew that the demons body had dissolved back into the essence of what become magique not long after it had been killed.

He looked around icily as he jumped from tree to tree, swiftly and with ease. He didn't ever think but he knew instinctively that he had to protect his territory from intruders and he sensed someone nearing the boundaries. He didn't hurry though because he knew that the target wasn't strong enough to rear his head against him but still he quickened his pace. He hated long, drawn-out annoyances so he wanted to get this thing dead. All he wanted was to be left alone but no one would leave him the hell alone. Everybody was the damned cat in which curiousity killed. He hated to be annoyed more than anything and he was getting extremely tired of it.

As he neared his target, a black stick more than a mile away, the strange memory of the girl he had found flashed before his eyes. He remembered saving her from the demon, and strangely, healing her. He didn't know why he did it but he felt like he needed to save her when he felt the pain she felt, the fear she felt, and even the resolve for death she felt. No human had ever had that affect on him but he wasn't about to let it get in the way of his business. Clearing his territory.

♥

Feeling something near me and an intimidating aura, I slickly drew my steel-bladed dagger and put up my defenses. I looked around, "Come out and show yourself. I won't hurt you."

♥

The girl! he realized as he watched her from the branches above her as he was careful not to stir a leaf. She walked uneasily beneath the trees as if knowing he was there. He had not responded to her call and he noticed her growing more confident; she had not been afraid but embarrassed.

♥

"Hello?" I called again. I started to become irate, "Look, I know you're there so come out here now. Or... are you afraid?" There was a pause, then a Whoosh. Something heavily dropped behind me and I wheeled around to find him. The masked man. Breathless at the statuesqe figure, so still and hard yet relevently beautiful, I found a loss for words as also the idea of danger dawned upon me. "You're the one... who saved me."

Unwilling to appear offensive, I stuck the dagger back in its sheath but loose so I could pull it out if needed. The figure simply moved its head and I could see it's icy eyes, yellow and peircing, cut right through me as if he knew my every thought, "What is it you want?" Stunned at the coherent intelligence of the being, I found my heart pounding, "Um... Thank you...." I noticed a look of complete shock cross the eyes of the killer but still it flashed past as quickly as it had come. He replied, "For saving you?" Also shocked that he had remembered, I only found myself able to nod. I could feel a sly smirk come across his face, then asked, "What if I had only meant to kill you?" "But you didn't." I said quickly, "You healed my wounds that would have killed me. You set my by the edge of the forest to where I could be found." Irritation crossed the man's eyes. Eeeh!, I said mentally and braced myself as he said, "What if I wanted to keep you alive until you became a Shaman?" Again, I was shocked, "But.... how do you know?" He looked at me eerily and icily, making me take a step back.

Noticing my uneasiness, he stepped forward to take advantage of me and began backing me to a tree, "I followed you, hoping you'd be the perfect prey." It was true. In a way..... he thought. I shook my head silently in disbelief and that was what set him off. It all became a blur but before I knew it I was pinned up against the tree by his granite body but I could hear a sizzling and felt the resistance that his abdomen presented to my dagger. He dugs his claws on the tree and said nothing. Then he he pushed off the tree as he knocked me down and pulled out the dagger. It hadn't dawned on him that the blade had injected a deadly venom until he looked down at his wound and found black blood seeping from it as sickening green veins spread through his fleshy, white skin. He dropped the dagger, appalled, and touched the edge of the wound as if he was dreaming. Then jumped. I saw in the instant that he had jumped swiftly into the trees, his mask fell to the ground, blood staining the inside where his mouth had been. Black blood that told me he had once been human.

Astonished yet guilty, I step forward to pick my blade up off the ground and look at it with the sizzling black blood; the Arcane symbols glowing and moving upon the blade. My body tensed and I could tell that his wound wasn't just a scratch and instantly I looked to where he had darted off, "That's just great. I try to say 'I'm sorry' but I end up killing the guy instead." I sighed and wiped the blade subconciously on my pants to wipe off the blood then put it securely in its sheath. I walk over to the fallen mask and pick it up as if it were an artifact then stares at it as I knew that I had to save him as he had saved me. It was the least I could do.

Searching through my pouch, I looked at the ingredients to see if I could counter act the Daemon's Bane. There were dried, crushed plums, green tea leaves, a pouch of crushed snake fangs, a small vial of holy water, lotus pollen cream, rape seed roots, carrot oil drops, dragon flower petals, red mushroom powder, and a vial of elixir. I knew I'd only need some of those so I set off in the direction where the man had taken off. I had to find him and find him quick before his body collapsed and shut down. I knew he'd might last until tomorrow but still I had to act fast.

After wandering for about an hour and a half, I managed to pick up his trail but it wasn't a very reassuring trail. It seemed that the poison was beginning to eject blood, slowly killing him, and making him weak though I knew that I had found him because I came upon an old, old cabin that was half torn away. I didn't want to know why but I felt him near so I knew he was in there, hiding probably from danger and also because he was weak. I slowly approached the side of the house that had been torn away, "Hello?" No answer. I bit my lip and steadily took a step in, instantly seeing him passed out on the floor beside an old bed. I dropped all pretenses and rushed to his side, "Hey, are you okay??" I put a hand on his face and rolled it toward me to see his eyes glazed over as if he were dead but I knew better. He was still alive but nearly dead from the blood loss.

I quickly dragged him up on the bed and sat on the floor removing three dried, crush plums, two tea leaves, a small portion of the pouch of crushed snake fangs, four drops of holy water, a rape seed root, a dragon flower petal, a small portion of the red mushroom powder, and a drop of elixir. I put it all into a small mixing bowl, to be combined, that Nana had stuck in a third pouch with a mixer. I got up and applied some of the potion and almost instantly the bleeding had stopped as I knew that the rape seed roots, elixir, and holy water were quickly taking effect. The green veins that had been spreading through his body ever so slowly began to retract. I knew that the real process wouldn't start for a few minutes so I covered the wound in the cream-like substance until it was all gone, then stood to find something that I could use as bandages and a bowl. I saw a bucket I could use but looking back to the bed. I saw that he lay on a blanket and knowing that he was a demon and didn't need something to keep him warm, I slowly worked the blanket out from under him and started to tear it into strips with the help of my dagger.

Once I was done, I looked at the dirty heap and decided to go find a river. I heard running water so I knew it wasn't far. I picked up the bucket that I found and shoved all the strips of cloth into it as I then set out to the river. "Let's hope this works." I came upon it not five minutes later and rinsed the bucket out with the water to get it as clean as I could get it then I washed the strips in the bucket. I put a drop of holy water in the water itself and it seemed that all the dirt and germs just floated to the top from the sides of the bucket and from the strips of cloth. I dumped out the water, satisfied with the clean, then refilled the bucket with new water and set out back to the cabin.

♥

Feeling a strange burn in his abdomen, he slowly opened his eyes to see that he was on the bed in the cabin that he stayed in but felt that he had shifted and was now on the bed. He winced in pain as he attempted to lift his head but it only fell back down, slack and weak. "Hnnngh..." He let out a moan as he weakly looked down to his wound and found that someone had put some healing ointment on his wound, though for the life of him he couldn't think of who would've done it or even who he was. He felt as blank as a sheet of paper as he lay there, in pain, until a surge of destructive electricity was sent through his body. He remembered now that it was the woman who had hurt him and was probably the one who seeked him out and helped him. He didn't know why the hell she was so damn persistant and it made him confused and irate to even attempt to think of a reason why. She wasn't just a cat, now, who would be killed by curiousity but a bug killed by pestilence.

♥

As I neared the cabin, I heard shifting cloth and knew that the man had awoken. Now feeling uneasy, I approached the cabin and peered at him from around the corner. I saw his eyes coldly drift to me as he clenched his fists so I only smiled in return and stepped over a broken peice of wood to approach him, "It seems you have awaken. That's a good sign; you're getting better already." I said cheerily to him. He had a face of confusion as I knelt beside him and examined his wound. Looking at how quickly the wound was healing, a chill of shock coursed through my body but I should have known considering he wasn't human. I took a holy water doused peice of cloth and blotted his wound. I felt him cringe under my careful touch so I just decided to completely clean the wound. Once I did that, I applied some Lotus Pollen cream so it could remove all the dead cells and waited five minutes for it to work.

♥

He lay there, motionless and confused as to why she would help him. He felt her warm and gentle touch work over his wound as if she was tending to an injured bird and felt electricity, not pain, give him a sort of high whenever she would touch him. He had never before been cared for so gently, ever. From the last memories he could recount, the war nurses had moved with quick, harsh strokes. But she, well, she was different. He didn't know what was wrong with him but inside, he could slowly feel his emptiness disappear. He knew it wouldn't go completely but he felt more human than he had been in years.