The City Of Beginnings

Chapter 16

I knelt and observed my reflection in the puddle the rain had left behind. There was a stranger looking back at me. I looked so different. My hair and face were dirty and there were scratches covering my cheeks. I extended my arm and slowly tried to touch it. The image of me blurred. The child in the reflection looked like a starved orphan. I always used to be well dressed and my hair was clean and brushed. Now the only thing I'm wearing is my half burned furr coat and pants and my hair looked like it was black instead of brown and it was sticking together in knots. I splashed some water in my face and tried to rub away the dirt. I repeated it two times and waited for the water to still. I still had dirt on my face but I'd probably need soap to take it off. I took of my furr clothes and ran into the water. I yelped because the water was cold. I quickly washed myself and ran out of the river. I was shivering and had goosebumps. I positioned myself on a rock and let the rising sun dry me up. "Kid!" I heard Luca calling me. I turned around and saw him coming my way. I stood up and waved. He made a few more steps and then stopped. "Kid... you are naked..." he said. I looked down oh yeah I was. I looked back at him questioningly. "Could you put on some clothes?" he asked and looked the other way. I nodded and put on my fur clothes. I clapped twice saying I'm dressed and he slowly turned his head back at me still wary, but when he saw me he visually sighed of relief. "Ahem. Yes like I wanted to say before we're almost packed so we should go" he said regaining his composure. I nodded and watched him leave. Is it wrong to see someone naked?  I asked myself. It never was a problem for anyone in my family. We always swam naked and no one reacted the way Luca did. I shook my head and headed towards the campsite.

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