The Silver Dagger

A Friend

CHAPTER 2

The birds are chirping when I woke up and bright light coming from a hole in the wall. I opened my eyes slowly until my vision started to become clear. I was still in the hut. Then I rolled to my side and heard something moving. The man was placing something on the table which smells good. But then I remembered I should not be here now if this was a dream. Feeling troubled, I took a deep breath and asked this stranger.

"Why am I still here?"

The man stopped what he was doing after he heard my query then he took a few steps towards me.

"You're just tired. You need to get some rest," he said with his eyebrows crossed.

I narrowed my eyes and I stared at him where he stands idly.

"Don't worry, I will not do any harm," he said, maintaining eye contact.

I looked at him with relief and turned to my side facing the wall.

(I think I am just hallucinating due to the car crash.)

"How long have I stayed here?", I asked.

He took a stool and placed it beside the bed before answering me.

"You've been here for two days," he said, then he sat on the stool. "And you were in a bad shape. It's good you look better now. I was.."

I cut him before he was about to continue what he was saying.

"Two days!! I was here for two days?!" I said with a cracking voice, jumping into a sitting position on the bed.

He looked at me and leaned forward. "That's right. And if you feel hungry I prepared a stew earlier. Would you like to have some?"

I sat there in silence. Thinking. 

(I'm not sure if I should trust this person easily and why does he act so calm. Did he kidnap me? Was he planning to do something bad? NO! I'm too young to be raped.)

 Then shuffled my legs and looked at him. " I'm good," I said with a firm voice.

Grughgrugh! my stomach growled.

I placed my hands over my belly, trying to conceal the noise.

"Well, it looks like you're hungry." A smile was hiding at the end of his mouth. So he went to grab the bowl of stew on the table, walked to where I'm sitting, and hand it to me. I reached for it. The bowl felt warm.

"What's your name?" he asked, returning to his seat.

"Erin.." I answered while enjoying myself with my first meal even if I still don't trust him but I can't resist my hunger now.

"This really tastes good," I said while gulping every full spoon, filling my belly.

He turned to me with a fixed gaze, "That's a nice name you have there, by the way, you can call me Ragnall."

I sipped the last drop before placing the empty bowl on my lap.

"Nice to meet you, R-A-ag-nall? Did I say it right?"I asked.

He looks at me with confusion, wrinkling his forehead. " No, it's pronounced as Rei-nall."

I can feel my face turning red so I blurted," I'm sorry." Then I sat straight, dangling my feet on the floor, and tried to make up. I reach out for a handshake but he just stared at my hands.

"It's a greeting," I said, waiting for him. He makes a fist before gripping my hands firmly.

I smiled shaking our hands together before releasing.

"No one ever did that to me."

"Then it's my pleasure, Ragnall." I smiled while looking at him wondering how will he respond. But then he got this serious look on his face thinking deeply, staring at his hand.

I did not want to interrupt so I decided to bring my empty bowl somewhere so I left the bed and walked to the table before leaving the bowl. There was a stool across the table so I decided to sit before turning to him.

"How did I get here," I asked, furrowing my brows.

He leaned back and stared at me trying to read my mind. Then he started to talk.

"I was on my way home on that stormy night when I saw you, lying on the ground covered with blood, breathing heavily and unconscious so I decided to bring you home. I can't leave someone helpless like that."

"I see." I tilt my head and pressed my lips together.

(How was that possible?? I should be in my car.)

He leaned forward and asked, "What happened to you in the woods?"

"I don't know, I can't explain what really happened, it's confusing, "I said, covering my eyes with my hand.

Then I stared into blank space trying to think things over. 

(Now I feel guilty judging him like that. If it's not because of him I will be still be bleeding out on the ground and might not able to make it.)

"It's okay if you can't tell it right now."

"Thanks," I responded before I stand and stared at the doorway.

"I just need some air and try to remember what happened."

He nods before serving himself from the pot of stew.

I strode to the doorway and there was a bright light on the other side so I raised my hands above my eyes trying to adjust. There was a view of a clear sky on the horizon. Then I scanned the area, I discovered the hut was in a remote place surrounded by mountains and unfamiliar terrain. There were animal skins hanging along the side and a black stallion was tied on a post beside a bucket of water. One cart on the left with more rolls of leather. No concrete roads or buildings on site. Even if I try to move a few meters from the hut. It's just I only saw more grassland and forest at the far end of the hill.

"Great! This is just great," I said pressing my lips together. "First the broken dagger, then accident, and now, a place decades before my time. Come on! Is this a joke?!"

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