Chapter 2: Books and old scars
The water in the tub feels lukewarm against my skin, the pressure feels gentle, like some complete embrace washing away the bad things. As I'm running my left hand over my right shoulder I will eventually feel it again, the place where my flesh slightly caves in under the smooth skin spun tightly over that missing part. Every time I touch it, it makes me feel... somewhat sad, yet... I can't remember when I got it, it must have been some time before Harry saved me. My skin, looking at it from here, is almost as pale as my wings. I wonder why that is?
Steps, the handle is turning, can it be time again?
"Harry!" What has he gotten his hands on this time?
"Oh Khatryn, you're already up. Get yourself done and dressed, then you can tell me what you've seen this time.", even if the mask covers most of his face, I can tell Harry's smiling, this trip must have gone well. But still... I can't put my finger on it, he almost seems to be in haste.
"Just one moment." Harry's taking a few steps backward, closing the door.
"Give it two knocks when you are done." The box by the mattress, maybe I should wear the light green sundress today, the color is almost like that forest.
Harry's sitting down unloading his massive backpack, his coal-black hair is messier than usual, the one blue eye not covered by that brown leather mask is searching through the contents within the bag in front, it can't be easy, taking care of someone like me, gathering resources for two... willing to help so much, expecting nothing in return, nothing but stories reminding him of the past. All that you have done for me, I think you are what I imagine a father would be like.
The contents are now all out, some water bottles, several chunks of dried meat some whole loaves of bread, and a small basket of oranges, it should last a while, I think.
"You seem a bit distracted Khat." Oh, I haven't started telling him yet.
"Sorry, for the first few nights after you left it wasn't much, some hazy images here and there, but tonight I ended up wandering through a forest, moss, endless trees, heather's of flowers, and animals, both flying and walking." That deep blue gaze, softening up.
"Will you describe them for me?".
"So at the end, you heard the growling again?" A slight twitch in that corner of blue. Did I worry him? My naked feet look so out of place against the wooden floor.
"Yeah..." His hand, is it his left? It is cupping my chin forcing my face upward, that look, it has softened up again. Is Harry trying to reassure me?
"It's ok, nothing can change what has already taken place, you don't have to be that considerate of me." The past... I hear it, and I see it in books time and time again, that it is set in stone... unchangeable. But this time, that crowned creature interacted with me. I'm sure it was trying to show me something, and even if the answer can't change the past then just maybe... it can perhaps pave way for something better to come.
"Right..." Wait, his hand has let go, the right rustling with something in the inner pocket of that thick and musty jacket.
"Cheer up Khat. I found this a few days ago while I was hiding out in an abandoned cottage during a descent." Could it be? My heartbeat, it's picking up, this flowing excitement, it can only be one thing, the things that pass my time during empty days.
"A Book!" The cover, cracked brown leather, the place where the title is supposed to be has almost entirely flaked off, shoving the almost fluffy layer beneath. This book must be really old.
"From what I understand this book contains a collection of folktales from the times of the old barons, it may look frail from the outside but the pages have held together well. Anyway, I taught you needed something new, you must have read almost every book in here by now." After all the dangers, he still finds amazing gifts for me... The cracked cover, it feels dry to the touch.
"Thank you... I'll make sure to cherish it." I'll make sure to commit every page to memory, to truly appreciate every piece, every story from long past. But every time there's a gift like this there's also...
"How long are you going to stay this time?" a time of hurry. When he's gone for longer...
"I'm sorry Khat. Only for today, I'll be heading out again in the morning. With how things are looking and the cold season hitting in a few months there are lots of things I must get done." Figures... but still, it will be lonely.
"Will I ever be able to go outside with you?" That one gleaming eye, is it pity?
"Not while the world is what it is, too dangerous. But I hope for the day where that changes."
How did the rest of the day pass? That small clock by the bedside, it's already past 10 on its three small needle fingers. What else did we do... we sorted the food and other necessities, and I read through one of the few books I hadn't finished yet. We also talked a bit more, Harry wanted to know how I was holding up... I ended up smiling and telling another lie, I can't tell him how worried and anxious I feel, every time he's not here, how cold and lonely it gets. He's doing so much, at the very least I can pretend to be strong and not burden him any more than I already am, I owe him that. But still, I want these moments where he enters from beyond the door to last for a little bit longer, to be more than just short stops of happiness between these stretches of empty dread.
Weekly Power Status
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