Trapped in an Iron Grip

I Don't Recognize the Bodies in the Water

You heard someone call your name multiple times as they shook you awake. 

Your eyes shot open to see a worried Ethan kneeling over you. You watched as Ethan let out a sigh of relief as he sat back.

"Thought I told to not to die."

"I never did," you responded, sitting up slowly. "How long was I out?"

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. "I went out around half an hour ago, but I did get you something to eat to help with the blood loss," Ethan said quickly, showing you a wooden plate of food. "It's some more herbed fish, fish and chicken are supposed to help with blood loss." 

You winced and Ethan quickly held you up, cradling you carefully. "Thanks, Ethan," you sighed. "Did you get any more bandages or medicine?"

"Yeah," Ethan said as he reached back into his dropped bag, "I got a lot. The Duke gave me a discount when he heard about your condition. Said that he didn't want to lose a valued customer." Ethan pulled out a few bottles of medicine, some herbs, and a lot of bandages. "He said that if you chew the herbs and swallow them, it'll heal the internal injuries better."

You nodded and reached for a leaf off of one of the herbs. Popping it in your mouth, you cringed at the horrible taste and chewed. As soon as you swallowed the first leaf, you reached for a second, then a third. By the time you swallowed the third, you already started to feel a little better.

Ethan also handed you a bottle of water that he said he got off of the Duke for free. Much like outside this village, the Duke handed out water since it was a necessity and it was just cruel to charge someone for water. You wholeheartedly agreed and mentally noted to say thank you to the Duke later.

"Is it dead," you asked after Ethan finished patching you up.

Ethan shook his head. "No, I haven't seen it since it attacked you," he said as he handed you the food and water. "Did find this though." 

Ethan held out a piece of paper so you could read it while you ate.

The wounds are severe. I won't last much longer.

I can hear it shuffling about outside.

It barely flinched when I shot at it.
I feel like it's toying with me.

That... isn't a wolf.

Still, I won't lie down like a dog!

If I can get to the old watermill I can stop it. I can protect you. It's so close...

Damn, I'm so cold. My legs won't work.

I'm so sorry, Luiza. Please forgive me.

"Luiza?" You raised a brow as you took a bite of the delicious food. "The woman that gave us shelter for a little bit?"

Ethan nodded as he put the note down. "Remember what she said about her husband?" You nodded and Ethan pointed his thumb over to a decaying corpse lying against the far wall. "I think that that might be him."

You sighed as you took another bite of food, practically desensitized to this shit. "Poor thing. He was just trying to find help and get back to his wife..."

"Maybe they're together now?"

"That's a nice thought."

You sat in a comfortable silence as you ate, occasionally passing the bottle of water to Ethan and convincing him to drink too. You felt so much better after finishing your food and tried to get up before Ethan pulled you down onto the straw.