Rouge

Chapter Three

"I’ll collect Alp- Isaac and Harriet," he told them, as if they could understand them, taking a brief glance at the girl to see if she noticed that he had almost slipped up. She hadn’t. So when he walked off, the wolves sat on the floor, staring at her with human-like eyes, waiting. It was in her best interest to avoid the sharp teeth that were probably coated in saliva from salivating. Even the one she had pet was watching like a hawk.

Maren avoided the creepy gazes, turning her attention to her wound. The bleeding had slacked off, but it kinda looked infected. Would the pain subside if they were to tear into her? Would she be distracted enough not to notice? She shivered at the oh-so-happy thoughts, still holding her arm close.

The bleeding hand was grabbed gently by another, making Maren’s look up quickly. In front of her was an older woman with graying hair, whom looked to be in her mid fifties. She gave Maren a sweet smile before pulling the girl’s hand to her. She surveyed the wound before looking up.

“I told those boys to be careful when being with a woman,” she chastised, looking to the door quickly. She didn’t get the chance to catch the way Maren’s face turned a bright red, resembling a round firetruck.

“No…. No, we didn’t. I didn-,” Maren stuttered out, nervous under the woman’s gaze. It held so much weight, it hurt to even look her in the eyes. Somehow Maren managed. The silver-haired woman started to laugh, amused by the teens nervousness.

"I understand,” she whispered, amusement falling from her face, replaced by a soft smile that could have sworn she had seen before.

“I’m going to have to flush the infection out with alcohol.... Is that okay, dear?" The woman - who Maren thought may be Harriet – released the younger female’s hand and grabbed a bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol that was under the bed. She waited patiently for Maren to lose her expression on distaste at the idea and when the girl nodded, Harriet all but dumped the liquid on her palm.

As the area started to foam - signaling that it was cleaning some sort of infection- Maren screeched. The pain was too much, even if it only lasted for a few seconds. She bit the inside of her cheek and squinted – small tears as the pain subsided. And all the while, she heard two deep laughs at her expression. By the door stood the same guy that guided the wolves and another, who seemed to radiate power, more so than the other. Enough power to make the wolves flinch, but Maren was not impressed. Conflict flickered in his eyes, but Maren paid it no mind. She just glared at the two and flipped them the bird, scoffing when they resumed their laughter.

"Wound your fucking hand, dump alcohol on it, and the tell me how you feel. Cause it hurts," Maren barked, satisfied at the expressions that crossed their faces. They looked taken aback. She raised her head in pride and sneered in their direction, turning back to Harriet who had a small smile on her face – as if she knew something the others didn’t. She was in on the joke and was waiting for it to be played.

"The verdict, Harriet?" The second man asked, brushing back his brown hair out of his blue eyes, which flickered over to her every so often. He reminded Maren of the Adonis in the forest, but his hair was light and his eyes weren’t as soft, as mischievous, or playful. They reflected hopelessness, callousness, fatigue, things someone his age shouldn’t have to face.

Harriet smiled at the man –  her tantalizing silvery gray eyes lacking the enthusiasm – and looked back to Maren. "She’s fine, Isaac. She’ll heal, but it may very well scar. The bark must have really dug into her hand. It penetrated a few layers of skin and had been bleeding," the older woman said, watching Maren. When she turned back around to the brunet, their eyes met, and for a few seconds it seemed like they were having a silent conversation.

"Hmm.... Well, I guess I’ll show you to your room then...," the man, Isaac said, making Maren stand and take a step towards the door. No one ever said anything about her staying, especially not when she had more important things to do. She never agreed to that. Maren looked between Isaac and the guy from before.