I gave her a look that bordered on sympathy. I wanted to refuse her request, to tell her that she had to leave, but I knew I could not. She looked so helpless…so vulnerable. Her dress was torn, her hair stuck to her face, and she was clutching at her cloak, covering the cuts on her arms. I let out a sigh.
“Come on then.” I said. “My house is this way.”
A smile crossed her lips and her face lit up. That was what she wanted to hear. She grabbed my hand and I led her through the forest, toward my home.
“I have no home, you know.” She said, almost to herself. “I lived with my brother until I ran away. When I heard he was sick, I came back…”
She stopped herself. There was something she did not want to tell, and I was fine with that. I was not about to go and destroy her sanity by forcing her to tell me every detail of her life. She would tell me when she was ready. Passing by the dark, twisting trees, I felt as though they were not quite as dark. I stopped in front of my house, and looked over at her. Her face had scrunched up.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
She nodded and looked up queasily. “The smell is a bit overwhelming….”
It was true. The smell of rot and death surrounded my home. I mean, I ate animals. It was not bound to smell nice. I thought about apologizing, but realized that it would do no good. Instead, I walked inside. The smell of Kita was still lurking in the shadows, but fading fast. Soon she would be gone altogether. Red followed me inside, and stood against a wall.
“This is your home?” She asked. “Seems cozy…nice…”
She muttered something under her breath, but I did not catch it. She turned to me, and I saw a trickle of sweat trail down her face. Her hair was matted, her face was covered in dirt…but she was still beautiful. Her eyes met mine, and a faint blush crawled over my cheeks. She had seen me staring at her. I cleared my throat.
“If you want to bathe, there is a bathing chamber down the hall and to the left.” I said softly.
She looked confused, and I realized that I would have to show her. Our footsteps echoed, and the sound of our breathing filled the halls. When we finally stopped, I was relieved.
“Here we are.” I mumbled. “You get started, and I will get you some clothes.”
She nodded quietly and stepped into the room. Without turning to see if I had left, she started to strip her clothes off. I turned my head away, but got a glimpse of the scars all over her body. The questions started up in my mind again, but I stopped them. It was not my business what her past was. I went to my room and looked around. I found a set of Kita’s clothes, and wondered if they would fit Red.
Probably not… I thought doubtfully. But we will try it anyway. I brought the clothing to the bathing area and set it down beside the edge of the water, far enough that it would not get wet. Red stared at me from the water and smiled. Slowly she crawled out, and stood beside me. The scars were all over her. They were red, faded…I looked away.
“I’ll bet you’re wondering about these…” She said. “Well I’ll tell you…after I get dressed.”
