" Is she going to die?"
" Language Nigel! It isn't that serious."
" But she lost consciousness Martha. I'm not the only one who happened to see that, am I? She lost blood too."
" Stop talking."
I feel myself regaining consciousness and then I can hear voices in the room, or I'm still outside I think. But right now I feel like I am on a bed, it is not that comfortable but it's manageable, grandpa's and mine wasn't appreciable too.
" Don't call me when she's dead!" When I open my eyes slowly I can see the same boy from earlier leaving the room, this time it's only his back view I caught, and he didn't seem happy with... I look up at the person who was wiping my forehead with a cloth... Martha.
The woman from earlier—the woman slowing me down. I struggle to sit up but Martha pushes me down. " You don't have the strength to move around now dear. Rest a little bit."
I sit up still. " I have to....go." My voice was tiny because of how dried my throat was and Martha was quick to hand me a glass of water. Seeing my hesitation to drink, she smiles and then stretches her hand forward to retrieve the glass. " I can take a sip from it if you want. I promise it's good."
I drink from the glass with my left eye staring right at her as I downed it in one go. I had to be careful around strangers, if her lip lifts in a smirk then I might just smash the glass into her face and force myself to vomit.
" How do you feel now?"
" Hmm." I hum and a pleased smile lifts her lips.
" That's nice to hear." She takes the clothe she had used to keep my temperature down. " Are you by any chance hungry?"
" No thank y—" Just before I can finish, my stomach grumbles in dispute. I was hungry but I would rather face the trouble to climb trees and hunt for food than accept anything from a stranger.
" I prepared shepherd's pie just in case you were hungry, dear." Shepherd pie, my weakness, it was a savory pie made with minced meat and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes and it was the most delicious of all pies I had ever tasted before. This pie recipe was originated in England but some travelers managed to share this recipe idea to us abroad.
Grandpa used to lure me out of bed with this pie and he sometimes made me work on the farm by suggesting he would make me at least three of this pie.
I swallow hard as she places it in front of me. " Don't hesitate dear. I have children too, hurting someone's child isn't an idea of mine, and even if I did want to hurt you, you would still be on the ground right now." She was right, I was currently on a bed, certainly hers, and it was all because she helped me, strangers don't help strangers but she helped me.
At least all I could do to repay her kindness was give her a little amount of trust. I form a smile at her and before she can hand me a cutlery, I dig two of my fingers into the pie and then pull them out and give a sharp lick without the thought of Martha probably looking at me with disgust~ yummy.
" I'm glad you like it, dear."
༻☆༺
The night sky was a breathtaking canvas of endless wonder, painted with the soft glow of countless stars that twinkled like distant diamonds. Sitting beside Martha's house, I just gazed up at them with a deadpan expression.
All I could think about right now was grandpa and how he was doing. If he was alright and if Maggie kept to her promise. Grandpa was just a village away and there would be no harm in going back to him to be sure he was fine… but then again, it would rather increase the days of my journey to the ethereal golden rose petal.
I hear the door into Martha's house slam shut and when I turn I see him… again. I never got a good view of his face before but right now, I could see him clear enough—he seemed… like a brat.
I look away not wanting to draw his attention but a soft gasp escapes my lips when he drops close to me on the bench I am sited on. There is silence at first and then I speak. " It's already occupied."
" I don't see anyone occupying it." Said the boy and I roll my eyes.
" I am occupying it, and you sitting here does nothing but occupies my space, so kindly leave." I didn't want anybody around me, I was getting a little bit comfortable with Martha because I wanted to please grandpa and be kind to at least a few people, accepting to talk kindly with Martha didn't mean I had to be nice to everyone.
He points out without hesitation—Martha would've covered up my rude act and suggest something else. " You're rude for a guest."
" Like I asked you to take me in."
" You would've been dead by now if Martha hadn't brought you in."
" I didn't ask Martha to bring me in."
I notice him turn to look at me and when I turn to him I still wear my deadpan expression. " You're a girl, at least smile. Nobody would want to be friends with—"
" I don't need friends." I get up from the bench because if he doesn't want to leave then I will leave, Martha is the reason I stayed the night, she was worried I wouldn't be okay alone out there so I—
" Let me come with you." I turn to the boy who forms a smile at me as he gets up on his feet too. " I won't be a nuisance, I promise. I just want to help."
" With what?"
" Well.. Martha told me the only reason you're here is because you bumped into her. It looks like you're on a quest and I want to come along so I can help people on my way and maybe enjoy the adventure."
" No thank you."
" Please… I don't want to stay here anymore. Martha bores me out, you do the same thing too but at least as I can go on rough paths and have lots of fun. Martha only makes me clean the kitchen and bathe the kids. I'm the reason you got hurt in the first place so why don't I accompany you?"
" No thank y—"
" Please!"
" No." I walk past him and towards Martha's house as I watch Martha step out looking like she came to call us in.
" Alright Nigel, it's time for you to go to bed. You too dear." I feel Nigel's eyes burning my back view but I ignore him and just as I'm about to enter the house—
" I'll make you Shepherd pie every time you request for it."