Painted Flowers

Chapter 31 - Behind the Mask

Yet again, Zain had a restless night. There was something so intriguing about the dog who had attempted to steal the Dark Brush, and it wasn't just her unusual demeanor and features. Something about her fascinated Zain in a way he couldn't explain. Something drew him to her.

Morning light peeked through the leaves of the baobab tree, shining brightly down the roots and into the den. Zain was settled next to his friends, with Kioni cuddled up on one side and Layali at the other. The den, initially intended for a couple and their future puppies, was crowded with the injured newcomer taking up a lot of the space, so Shani and Jabari were forced so close to the mouth that they were almost exposed to the outside. They insisted that they didn't care, and that everyone else needed their rest.

The patient's paw had been severed off at the wrist by Shani the previous night, and it was now a mangled, bloody stump wrapped up in several layers of bandages. Zain didn't want to think about the agony she must have endured during the entire process, so he made an effort not to look at it. Her mask had been removed, so Zain could see her face clearly for the first time. Her undernourishment affected not only her torso but her jutted cheekbones and sunken eyes. She had several small scars along her muzzle and ears, and dark bags under her closed lids. Her fur was tan and chocolate, with a small blaze on her nose, and a dark-tipped tail...traits that seemed prevailing in wanderers. 

Traits similar to Zahra's. And his own, now that he thought about it.

He didn't want to make any assumptions unless he had more evidence. Of which he wouldn't be able to find out until she woke up. He continued to stare at the wanderer in sheer fascination, but he realized it was a little creepy to watch a dog as she slept.

The resemblance was really uncanny, actually.

Zain had drifted off to a doze again, but jerked to consciousness when he realized the injured wanderer was no longer there. It must have been hours later, as the sun was shining brightly at that point. While Layali remained asleep next to him, everyone else was outside. He scrambled to his paws, accidentally kicking his friend when he did so.

"Ow! I'm sleeping here..." Layali slurred as she rolled over onto her back, snoring again almost immediately. Zain touched his nose to her head in apology before tiptoeing past her, ducking his head and stepping out into the harsh light. Right away, he was face-to-face with the dog he was so fixated on, and his fur spiked.

Shani was out there in the clearing as well, fiddling with the wrapping on the dog's stump-leg. The pair blinked in surprise at his arrival, and Shani looked relieved under her exhaustion. "Great, someone's awake...take over for me, will you?"

Zain's heart pounded rapidly at his sudden adrenaline rush, and he found himself rooted to the spot. Shani scoffed, walking over to him and grabbing his front paws, leaving in his grasp a bundle of leaves and vines. Frozen, Zain watched helplessly as she left him alone with the stranger.

At the den entrance, Shani turned around and growled at him. "Don't just sit there gawking! Make sure that wrapping is good and tight! I'm going to sleep." With that, she waved her tail and ducked inside.

Zain made awkward eye contact with the amputee. He transferred the foliage he was holding to his jaws and padded into the clearing. Settling down next to her, he gently held out a paw, gesturing for hers. She hesitated before placing her foreleg in his grasp. It already had been cleaned with a few layers of wrappings, but blood was still seeping through. Zain wasn't sure what he was doing was correct, but tried his best to bandage her, focusing on his task and trying to steady his shaking paws, avoiding the dog's gaze.

"I...had a bit of trouble sleeping through the night," she murmured after a while to break the silence. Her voice was rough, as if she hadn't used it in a while, yet it was sweet at the same time. "Even with the griffonia and lavender dosage I've been given. It hurts so much..."