Basil

Chapter 2: Rosey Knees Are Burning

"Is this the correct direction..?" A deep voice phased through my ears. It was soft and comforting.

"Meow.." A cat replied.

Snowflakes landed on my nose, melting at the contact. I felt warm. As if I was in a cozy bed, but I wasn't. Is this a dream? What a strange one. It's not often you hear voices so perfect in them... Or feel hands so close. I wiggled, trying to roll over.

Trembling arms restricted me.

Oh.

My eyes shot open, the white-eyed male staring down at me. I screamed, flailing and clawing toward him.

"Ah— Gem, you assured me she wouldn't react with hostility!" He struggled to hold me. I scratched his face and smacked his chest. He dropped me into the snow, holding his wrist. My bare legs hit the snow first, shocking my body like lightning. Then it burned around my ankles like a freezing fire. It's as if I was never warm in the first place.

My teeth chattered as I held the sweater around me, the blanket he had me in falling next to me.

"Gem! I beg, intervene!" He yelled, his voice cracking as he held his hands to his chest. He groaned, looking away from me. My heart pounded so hard it felt as if it was going to break loose from my chest.

Gem rushed over to me, her tail swishing in the snow as it fell harder. Are we having a blizzard? Am I caught in a blizzard with a stranger??

I glanced up, ready to ask him what was going on. But he was rushing off toward the trees. My teeth chattered, making my jaw ache from the vibration.

"Meow." Gem brushed her head against my arm as I watched him. What is he doing? Where is he even going?

I grabbed the blanket and put it back around me, trying to consume any amount of warmth it held. But it was already consumed by the ice. I curled into my knees, huddling as close as I could to my own body. Maybe I shouldn't have flailed that way... I couldn't see him now.

How did I get here?

I searched my brain for explanations. Memories flushed back. He did help me. He put me in front of that fireplace and gave me the sweater. But that was all I remember. What was he trying to do now?

Gem's ears went into airplane mode before pinning down. I furrowed my brows, reaching my shaking hand to her.

'BANG'

The ground shook, snow falling off of a tree and landing straight on my head. I ducked and closed my eyes as the freezing powder rolled down my face. It sounded like lightning hit a tree. But it's only snowing? I held the blanket around me tighter as I glanced around.

I just want to go back to that bed. That plain room sounds so comforting compared to here. I'd do anything... Gem brushed her head against me, watching the woods. I reached toward her, my fingers growing numb.

The stranger returned from the woods. His shoulders didn't move, he wasn't panting from running. He was still as a lamp post. I sniffled, tucking my hands between my thighs.

As eerie as it was, I felt relieved he was back now. I lowered my head as he stepped closer, his black boots compacting the snow. "If I may— other, please refrain from striking me again." He crouched down to my level.

His lips tugged into a frown as he held his wrist against his chest. I looked away, Gem keeping her eyes glued to me. "You are worsening. Your ankles appear severely frostbitten." He sighed, adjusting his jacket.

"What were you doing with me..?" I shivered, my words fluctuating with each cold chill. "I was trying to return you home..." He stood up, putting his hand back out to me. The ashes were thicker this time, flaking off with each movement.