Fervency

CHAPTER: T W O

Elodie and Newt stood outside the bath house while waiting for hot water.

"It's about time you bathed." Minho smirked.

"You should really be in there first." Newt backed her up. Minho shook his head and then went on his way.

"Is he always like that?" Elodie asked. Their conversation was soon interrupted by Alby's voice.

"Hot water, commin' up!"

"Thanks" Elodie nodded as Newt held the door open for her. The two of them stood back as the group of boys dumped a very large tub of water into the bath.

"Thanks boys" she smiled at the group. Some of their expressions showed it was clear that they were flustered by her gratitude while others shot her a "no problem".

"I would wait a few minutes. If you turn that knob, it will let out cold water." Alby pointed at the faucet. "Test it before you get in. Some of the bricknicks fell, so we don't need any more people in the medjack tent."

"We'll be outside." Newt enjoined, before walking out. As soon as Alby exited too, she tested the water with her fingertip.

Elodie inhaled sharply at the pang of pain that scolded the tip of it. It was definitely too hot. Next, she twisted the faucet allowing cool water to mix with the hot water. Once the temperature was just right, she tore off her clothes and stepped inside.

The warmth seeped into her skin, contrasting nicely against the feeling of the crisp morning air. She sunk deeper into the water, savoring the moment of relaxation while it lasted. Finally, she shot up and began scrubbing the dirt from her body.

Once she was finished, she found herself soaking in the warmth of the tub. But that had been disrupted by a voice yelling from the outside.

"You finished in there yet?" Quickly, Elodie climbed out of the tub and pulled the drain. While she was drying off, she heard Newt and Alby scolding Minho to leave her alone. With a snicker, she wrapped the towel against her skin and then stuck half her body out the door.

"Minho, was it?" she peered over to him, interrupting whatever heated discussion he was having with the other two.

There was a delayed response, while the three of them looked her way with wide eyes. For a moment, she scanned all of them in confusion. Alby refused to look her in the eyes, and Newt was so flustered, he had to turn away.

"That's me" Minho replied, taking a step forward so that he could blatantly measure her up and down.

"Let me ask you something." She inquired.

"Ask away, sweetheart." he shot her a cocky grin.

"Do you value your life?"

"-Yes!" He took a step back.

"Then what do you want?"

"I literally just came to give you this." He handed her a razor, "Since you're probably scary and hairy."

"That's it!" She gripped the doorway, "Don't make me come out there!"

"I wouldn't dare." a provoking grin played on his lips.

"Hairy and smelly? Seriously? Are you a man-child?" She snatched the razor and slammed the door. It was quiet inside until she poked her head out

"For your information, my legs aren't hairy right now!"

"Right now, huh?"

"Shut up!"

"You're welcome, Elodie~!"

With an eye roll, she pulled on the pair of clothes she was given. They were simple but well suited the curves of her frame. They consisted of a small black top and jean shorts.

Once she stepped outside, the hot summer sun claimed her as its victim. The temperature was now considerably warmer since she first arrived at the bathhouse.

"Elodie, meet Winston." Alby introduced the too. They shook hands and Winston motioned toward him, "Follow me. We have lots to do in the blood house."

Elodie tried her best to maintain her facial expression and lagged behind the boy as a precautionary measure. The blood house could mean a plethora of different things and she still wasn't sure who she could trust. 

They arrived before a large barn. Frenzies of flies were swirling from the entrance and the sound of cattle echoed from inside.

This was a slaughter house. She didn't want to put two and two together before and now that she knew, uneasiness filled her being.

"You're gonna wanna put this on so you don't get dirty" Winston yelled from inside the barn and came out with a pair of giant overalls.

As soon as she put them on, laughter was heard from afar. The two of them spotted Minho passing by with a few others at his side.

"Just ignore them. You gotta remember that none of us shanks have ever seen a girl."

"Trust me, that is very clear." she sighed.