Ella & Vlad at the end

#22 - sleeping dogs

That evening Ella woke to the change, on top of her clothes. Tired, confused and sore she stretches out studying the surroundings.

Okay, okay I'm in the conservation park. Noticing her dirty clothes now covered in hair she sighs, "jeez Ella on your own clothes - again."

Picking up each garment she shakes it out, before putting it on. Mentally she recants the last forty–eight hours. That really wasn't a dream. That all happened. All the running has left blistered sores on her palms and feet.

Fully dressed and hungry Ella swallows down her canteen of water.

After refilling the canteen at a park tourist station Ella wanders off with the same thoughts she wandered in with. Gnawing on a dried breakfast bar lost in those thoughts she has no true direction, just keeps walking.

A few hours later Ella in body only is staring up at the Kremer residence. Ella sways gently back and forth in the breezes her eyes blankly staring.

On the roof patio of the building Ida is bringing out the scraps from dinner, to feed her sole pigeon. Laying the crumbs on the balcony's railing she takes notice of Ella down below, "Papa! There's a strange woman down there staring up. Do you think she was sent here to find you? Or need you?"

The statement draws Adan and Miles outside.

Resting a hand on Ida's shoulder Miles looks down to where she's pointing. "I don't know? She looks familiar? You two wait here and I'll go down and see?"

"Okay." Adan peers over the edge to the street below, "who are we looking at?"

"Alright be careful. We'll keep watch just in case." Ida turns to watch Miles slip on sandals before leaving, "she looks lost like she's on something?"

He pauses going out the door, "most likely. She doesn't appear hurt. You two keep an eye on her."

"Okay." Ida turns back, noticing Adan still trying to locate the person, "right there. On the side of the street beside the old traffic light post."

"Oh." Adan does eventually see her, "oh yeah looks like she's listening to soft music with headphones on."

"Yeah it does," Ida watches how Ella slowly wavers back and forth, "or maybe she's sleepwalking."

Coming down the stairs to the main floor hall Miles observes Ella has yet moved from the spot. Opening the door he studies her face trying to place it. Stepping onto the stoop of the building he recalls the face, "Ella?"

The whispered name reaches Ella causing her head to slowly lower. Though she looks towards Miles he's not seen.

"Ella? Right?" Miles steps down off the stoop. Realizing she's lost in a mental haze he approaches her, "Ella? Are you okay?"

Her head seems to nod yes. Getting closer to her, he can see the face is tired especially with dark circles around the eyes. Her skin coloring is sickly white and dried blood around her mouth is visible, "Ella? What happened? Were you attacked by someone?"

Ella's eyes look up searching in thought for a reply.

Appearing like in shock Miles gently takes her arm, "Ella come inside and sit down for a while. You can tell me what happened. Cupping the small of her back he guides her towards the building.

Almost mindlessly following Miles she smell his neck and emits a growl, "hungry." She makes a feeble biting lunge for his neck.

Thinking she's on something or being silly Miles stretches his neck away, "easy there. We can fix you up something upstairs. Don't need to turn to cannibalism yet."