Re-Vamp

Chapter 14: Work

The small dwelling behind the store was more of a converted storage room, but it at least had the basics: a small bed, a rickety table, and running water. Arturo inspected it with shining eyes as Mrs. Juana showed them the facilities.

"Well, it's nothing fancy, but at least you'll have a roof and can get cleaned up," the old woman commented with an indulgent smile. "I'd say a bath wouldn't hurt either of you."

Arnaud shifted a bit under his hood, but Arturo simply laughed and nodded enthusiastically.

"A real bath! How exciting!" he exclaimed, making Mrs. Juana chuckle.

"I see you've been living like a wild animal all this time, young man" she teased, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Very well, I'll show you how it's done."

She took the child's little hand and led him to the small latrine in the corner, where there was a basin and a pitcher.

"To bathe, you just fill the basin with water from the pitcher, see?" she patiently explained as she did so. "And then, you use this..."

She took a small bottle from a shelf and poured some of its contents into the water, creating lather. Arturo and Arnaud watched in wonder as the bubbles quickly multiplied.

"What is that magic thing, Mrs. Juana?" the 5-year-old asked, fascinated.

"This, child, is called shampoo. We use it to wash our hair and remove dirt," the woman laughed at his amazement. "And this other thing is soap, it's for cleaning the skin."

She handed him a cream-colored bar and Arnaud took it with reverence, as if it were an invaluable treasure. He had never had access to such luxuries in his life before.

"Now, have yourselves a good scrub while I get some clothes ready for you and your brother," Mrs. Juana urged them with an affectionate gesture.

Arturo nodded excitedly and turned towards Arnaud, who remained silent by the door.

"Did you see, Ar? We'll have a real bath, like people!" he exclaimed as he began removing his worn shirt.

The old woman let out a chuckle and headed for the exit, leaving them alone. The poor boys didn't know that they too were people.

"I'll leave you two to clean up in private. I'll be back in a bit with clean clothes. And you'd better use them, boys!" she mock-threatened before stepping out and closing the door.

Arturo wasted no time stripping down completely, laughing in delight at the soap bubbles floating in the basin. Arnaud watched him unmoving, so the child looked up at him.

"Aren't you going to bathe too, Ar?" he asked with a mischievous grin. "You don't want to stink all day, do you?"

A soft laugh came from the shadows of Arnaud's hood, and he finally moved to lower it. In the light of the magical bulb, his pale, sharp-featured face was revealed.

"Very well, little Ar. I will not deny you this simple pleasure," he responded in a deep, warm voice as he too began undressing.

Soon, both were immersed in the exciting task of personal hygiene. Arturo delighted in the fragrances of shampoo and soap, rubbing the lathery bars over his little body until he had worked up a plentiful lather. Ar watched him with amused eyes, trying to mimic the child's motions.

"Aye, Ar, not like that! Not like that!" Arturo would laugh whenever the vampire made a mistake. Then he would take his hands and show him how, guiding him with infinite patience.

By the time he had finished helping Ar rinse off, they were both soaked from head to toe and the floor was a small puddle of water and suds. But their faces shone with happiness, free for once of the grime and filth that had accompanied them for so long.