Daniel looked at Autumn. Her gash was still bleeding. He got up from the bed. Her hand wouldn't let go of his. He looked down at her. She had a frightened look in her eyes again. He got down on his knees.
"You are still bleeding," he said. "I wish to clean your wound."
She nodded. She slowly let go of his hand. "Please don't be long," she said. "I'm so scared."
He quickly went to the cabin next to hers. He got a pad of cloth and clean water. He didn't want to clean her wound with salt water. He went back into her cabin. She hadn't moved from the bed. She watched the door like a hawk. She sighed in relief when Daniel got back. She had only felt safe when he was around.
He got on his knees in front of her. He put his handkerchief into the bucket of clean water. He gently touched her temple. She had expected it to hurt, but his was a feather-like touch. She relaxed her body. He cleaned her wound. Then he put the pad of cloth over it and covered it with tape.
Jim came into the cabin. He dropped her backpack on the floor. "I believe this is yours" he said. Then he left, shutting the door behind him.
Daniel got up and picked up her bag. "Is this yours?" he asked.
She nodded. She wondered how her backpack traveled through time with her. He sat on the bed next to her. He put the bag in his lap.
"May I look inside?" he asked.
She nodded. She felt that she could trust him. She was glad to have a friend. He reached inside and pulled out her wallet. He looked at it.
"What is this for?" he asked.
"It holds money and pictures," she said. "I doubt the money is good here."
He pulled out a plastic card. It had a picture of her and a bunch of writing. "What is this?" he asked.
"It's my driver's license," she said. "I can't drive an automobile without it. It's the law."
He nodded. He looked at the writing. It had her hair and eye color on it. It also said that she was five feet and six inches tall. He put the wallet aside. He reached into the bag again. He pulled out the book she was reading in the office. He looked at the cover. A man and a woman were locked in each other's arms. They looked at each other hungrily. He blushed and put the book down.
The rest of the stuff in her bag was college books. He put her stuff back in the bag. He set the bag down on the floor. He looked at her.
"I never seen these things before," he said. "That must mean you are from the future."
"Did you doubt me?" she asked, feeling hurt.
"A little," he admitted. "I am sorry."
"That is all right," she said. She stood up. She walked toward the closet. She opened the doors. Dresses hung from hangers. "What should I wear?" she asked.
He walked up to her. His eyes scanned the dresses. He pulled out a blue one. "This," he said. "It will bring out your eyes."
She smiled at him. "I'm going to change now," she said.
"Right," he said, blushing. He walked to the door. "Call me if I am needed."
"All right," she said. "Thank you."
He shut the door behind him. He stood beside the door, wanting to be near to hear her call. Five minutes later, the door opened. Autumn stuck her head out. She saw Daniel.
"I need help buttoning this dress," she said, blushing.
He came into the room. He shut the door behind him. She presented him her back. His eyes widened at the sight of her back. She looked over her shoulder.
"Daniel?" she asked. "Are you all right?"
He nodded, swallowing hard. With his hands trembling, he buttoned the dress. She turned around. She looked at him.
"How do I look?" she asked.
He couldn't help gawking at her. The bodice of the dress was tight and thrusted her breasts up. He was afraid she was going to spill out of the dress. He fought the urge to cover her breasts. He cleared his throat. He licked his lips, which had suddenly gone dry.
"L-like an angel," he said. And he meant it.
She smiled. She twirled a lock of blond hair around her finger. "I don't know what to do about my hair," she said.
"Leave it down," he said.
"Okay," she said. She went up to him and put her arms around his waist. "Thank you," she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her. She laid her head against his chest. He stroked her hair. She had to admit she liked being in his arms. She felt safe and secure. She snuggled closer.
"Do not be afraid," he said. "I will protect you from harm."
"Thank you for being my friend," she said.
He gave her a squeeze. He pulled away. She bit back a moan of protest. She didn't want him to leave her. He took her hand.
"Come," he said. "You are a lover of books?"
She nodded.
"I have something in my room I wish to show you," he said.
They walked out of her cabin and into his. Her eyes widened at the sight of the walls lined with books. She looked at him excitedly.
"Are these all yours?" she asked.
He nodded. He smiled. He liked to see the look of excitement on her face. Tugging on his hand, she went to one wall and looked at the titles. She recognized some of them. She reached up to take a book. She looked at him.
"May I?" she asked.
He nodded. "Take whatever you like," he said.
She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "You have made me so happy," she said.
He blushed. He liked pleasing her. At least someone cared about him. She turned and saw the look on his face. She wrapped her arms around him.
"You are going to make my time in the past a lot easier," she said.
"If you have a question," he said, "just ask me."
"See?" she said. "You aren't worthless."
She took a book out of his shelf. She told him that she wanted to be alone for awhile. He promised to check on her in an hour. She went into her cabin. She laid down on the bed. She began to read.
