Aednat and the Wolf

Chapter 21 Blood on the Snow

Aednat was awakened by the creaking as the door to her room slowly opened. She had fallen asleep reading so her room was illuminated by her reading lamp. She sat up quickly as the masked figure and his assistant crossed the room and clasped an astringent scented cloth to her face stifling her cry. She struggled feeling lightheaded. She saw her twelve year old brother Eric rush to her aid only to have his head struck by a small club and collapse into her bed staining the white bed covers with blood. She started kicking fiercely, striking with her fists, biting and screaming.

David was startled from his sleep by Aednat's kicking and flailing with her fists. She shrieked then bit his shoulder. David immobilized her arms by holding her in a hug and trying hard to protect himself from her kicking. "Aediy...you're OK. It's a dream," he said softly. She released her bite and looked around the room terrified and confused. "It's me...you're safe Nit."

"You guys OK?" Rosemary whispered as she tapped on the door.

"Nit had a nightmare again. Could you boil some water for hot coco Rosie? We'll be right out." Aednat looked into David's eyes. Her entire body was shaking, then the tears followed. "It's OK sweetheart." David held her in his arms as she continued to sob. "I'll get you something to wear. Let's set at the table and talk. I think the fire is still going in the stove." David dressed quickly and lifted Aednat into his arms after assisting her into one of his flannel shirts, buttoning it, and carried her out placing her on a chair near the fire.

"Your nose is bleeding bro," Rosemary said. Aednat looked into his face and seeing the blood sobbed even harder.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't..."

"It's OK Nit," David whispered. Then seeing Rosemary spoon hot coco into three mugs asked, "What are you wearing Rose?"

"Your tee shirt bro, I borrowed it."

"You sleep in my shirts?"

"Not exactly," Rosemary said blushing. She poured hot water into the mugs. "Should I stir Nit's?" Aednat responded by stirring her own hot coco.

"This time we ARE going to talk," David said kindly.

"I'm remembering..."

"Tell us more."

"I was being abducted. I think they killed my brother Eric," she said softly as tears fell from her eyes some landing unnoticed in her hot coco. "That attempt to kidnap wasn't the first time, but that's when I was sent away."

"Do you remember more?" David asked.

"No, it's like my brain shut down. The next thing I remember I was standing naked on a raised platform while people were shouting bids." David and Rosemary stood next to her holding her. "I don't know why or how I got there. I couldn't remember my past or understand what everyone was saying."

"That must have been terrifying for seven year old," David whispered.

"Then an owl landed on my head. I felt calm and knew I would be OK." Aednat took a sip of hot coco and continued. "A family bound for Greenland bought me. They told me the owl was a good omen. I learned later that they had lost a child and for some reason wanted me. I felt loved and happy, and they treated me well."

"If you want to simply stay in today I will understand," David said softly.

"And miss skiing! I'll be just fine. Besides you're fixing the snowmobile with Uncle Ted today."

"I forgot about that. Will you two be OK alone?"

"We're going to try one of the cross country trails," Rosemary said. "We'll tell you which one."