End of the World

2

Tess slowly opened eyes. At first she saw the wooden floor and the soft white pillow under the head. She lay on her belly and her face hung above the edge of the bed. She moved her head and moaned quietly. Muscles of the neck were paralyzed and caused pain, however which was a nothing compared with the backache and of shoulders. Had a dry and cracked mouth and the entire face ached her. She moved most slowly how could, but was afraid to raise. She didn't know what happened, but felt horrible pain of shoulders as if the skin was torn off to the bone. She lay not having a clue where she is, neither in what way was in this place. She remembered that she had led the horse, some gate, but the rest was blurred.

- Calm, please - heard the male lumpy voice - A bit will bake. You are burnt very much.

Tess felt how somebody is sitting down next to her and putting something on her back. She had a black abyss of pain before her eyes. Something cold in combination with her hot skin was like flagellating. She moaned once again. She couldn't see the face of the man, but felt something spreading on her back. He had rough, hard fingers which heightened fiery pain with every touch.

- You must lie so that ointment is absorbed. On the armchair beside I am putting t-shirt, you can put it. The backpack lies by the bed.

The man got up off the couch and came up to the door. From the position in which she lay, she could see only his legs and worn out leather shoes.

- Thank you - pushed the words through the dry throat.

- You're welcome. The bathroom is on the left, in the corridor - legs of the man got out of the room.

She bit teeth and got up a whit. Everything literally ached her. Noticed that she didn't have a top of clothes. Sat down, cautiously taking legs off the couch. She covered herself with the T-shirt, got hold of the backpack and slowly entered the bathroom. She looked around the interior. Neatly and enough ... ascetically. What riveted the attention for her, is a lack of a shower cubicle - a bathtub reigned. There were only essential appliances and a few brown towels evenly laid on the wooden shelf. Just in case she turned the key in the lock, undressed and entered the bathtub, turned water on. She felt as if on the back had thousands of slight cuts. She looked shocked to water whether isn't turning red. She expected the rivers of blood from sores, because pain was unbearable. She tightened eyelids and refrained herself by force from the shout. She stood up in front of a mirror wiping the body and looked at shoulders. She understood what felt such hellish pain with every move for. Both shoulders and the back were blue-red from solar burns. Her face looked a little bit better, although felt the bursting heat of the warmed skin. Cautiously she put wide t-shirt, inhaling the delicate male smell which he was soaked through. She plaited wet hair and left the bathroom.

- Better?

She slowly turned her head and saw an older man in the brown shirt and the not very clean jeans. He had carelessly cut grey hair and tanned face with wrinkles. His dark eyes watched her with the interest. Impulsively she looked at his shoes. Even though they were equally destroyed, weren't the same shoes which she could see, lying. It wasn't the same man.

- Yes, thank you. What happened with my clothes? And with horse which I led? – asked

- The horse is in the stable, and I cut clothes, otherwise you would have wounds on shoulders today. Do you remember anything?

- Last what I remember it is a gate, it seemed that it was so close - fell into a pensive mood.

- Go to the kitchen, girl. You must have something for breakfast.

Obediently she moved behind the man. She entered the big bright kitchen. She sat down at the table, trying to make fewest moves. The backache was unbearable.