Bandages and Flames

Ember

The room had a cool stale chill, which cut deep into my spine. I was too lost in the fog of cold in my own brain. Suddenly a warm pair of hands grasped my face, my cold flesh became fuzzy as the warmth embraced it. It welcomed the touch, the difference to the frigid air, the I couldn't even imagine how I looked, my skin couldn't have been anything but awful, sores always appearing on my fragile body which were roughly tended too. Lifting my head. I felt the bandages around my eyes shift, the caked-on blood rub against my irritated flesh. The warm hand reached up to between my ears, stroking my frosty hair. Who is this? Why such gentle touch? "I'll take her now..." I heard; My ear twitched as the hand hovered slightly too close to it. At least I know it's a girl now. Something clasped around my neck, my wrists and ankles released, the metal clanking to the ground against the icy tiles, the relief of heavy weight from my limbs was euphoric. Something tugged on my neck, it wasn't forceful. But a prompt to come. I followed, the unfeeling plates turning into a soft fluff, my hands welcomed it, as did my knees, though they still hurt when I walked. The horrific tiles were never welcoming to them.

I began to space out which was normal, not paying attention until I had bumped into something, my face colliding with whatever was in front of me. I raised my hand, slowly climbing up what was in front of me to squeeze the softness of what turned out to be the girl's leg. I had three on my right hand. My thumb, index and fourth finger. As I squeezed, I heard a soft squeak which caused me to stop. A presence crouching in front of me. The same warm soft hands gently clasped my chin. Scratching under it gently with her long stiff nails. A smile tugged at my lips, but I didn't allow it subconsciously shaking my head. I raised my head trying to face whatever was there. "what's your name?" the soft voice asked me. I thought back, trying to remember. It has been so long since I was called my name. Merely bring referred to as, "thing or it." It had been so long the word had become fuzzy. I cannot even talk anymore, what was the point of trying? I began gently pawed at the carpets, they felt so nice between my fingers, so different to the tiles that my claws would screech across. "You don't want to say?" I remained blank, as not to give her any insight into my thoughts, which lead to her putting her arms around me. This was when I realised how small she was. How petite and defenceless. She put her chin on my shoulder, leaning into the crook of my neck, she lifted my hands, putting them in her hips. I let my hands wonder. Feeling her legs, trying to get a feel of what her body would look like, a little chubby, healthy especially against my own bony frame.  

"My name is Ember" she spoke carefully her voice actually bring very pretty, seeming to not care that I was touching her. I felt her arms ghost over mine, they were bare, touching my skin just as warm as her hands. My hair stands on end and goose bumps appeared over me giving me the appearance of a freshly plucked chicken. My tail gently swished side to side. The way the air went through my fur felt nice, it was chilling but comfortable. Ember raised my head, I allowed it for a brief moment before pulling away, not wanting to be pushed around like some doll. She made a noise of sadness and her presence faded, I followed her footsteps, as muffled as they were in the carpet. She stopped so abruptly I didn't have time to register it, my hand touching her calf when I was ready for the next step. Her fingers gently scratched at my head, nails softly gliding over my sensitive flesh. I heard a door open and she took off whatever was around my neck, it dropped o the floor with a soft thud. Before she gently lead me inside. She put her hand on my waist, her thumb softly running up and down my flesh, her touch was electric. She continued to guide me, I was more than happy to until my fingers softly glided across tires, a sinking feeling hit me as I pulled away from her, I didn't want to go back. She let out a whine. "Come on... it's okay." I was reluctant but nodded, heading in. I didn't want to go back into that place, with the chains and the pain. How it was so cold. She took my hand and lead me deeper inside; I knew better than to get my hopes up. I was a fool. An idiot. I should've known it was all a lie.