Red Moon Rising(5)
James set his plate on one wide leg and, still keeping one arm firmly around Bree, began to eat. She leaned back against him and watched Tia gnawing at the bone Nicholas had given her. The food in her belly had made her feel better, more alert, and she reached down and touched the cuts on her side through the shirt.
She hissed quietly, touching them made them burn a little, and James moved her hand away gently. “No Bree, do not touch them. They’ve stopped bleeding but they haven’t healed over entirely yet.”
She felt her face, pressing on her mouth and then around her eye. Neither caused any pain and she wiggled her tongue against her front teeth again. They were as solid as ever. She had been dying last night, she knew that as well as she knew her own name, and she had no idea why she was alive and healing.
“Do you remember what happened to you Bree?” James asked quietly.
He had finished eating and was staring curiously at her. She shook her head quickly as Nicholas gathered the plates.
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t remember!” She spoke loudly, a hint of hysteria in her voice, and James immediately rubbed her back soothingly.
“Okay little one, okay.”
She twitched against him. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
He nodded and stood up, lifting her as though she weighed no more than a feather. He left the blanket lying against the log and carried her towards the trees.
He set her down next to a large clump of bushes. “I’ll be waiting right here for you Bree. Do not try and run. Do you understand?”
She nodded, her skin breaking out in goose bumps as she moved carefully around the bushes and squatted.
She was tired and cold and by the time she had finished and stood up, her side was throbbing. She staggered a little as she rejoined James, and he picked up her and carried her back to the log. He wrapped the blanket around them both and sat down. She rested against him, watching quietly as Nicholas cleaned up from breakfast.
Tia stood at James’ feet and whined softly. He reached down and scooped her up, placing her on Bree’s lap. The dog curled up on her lap and stared adoringly at her.
“What kind of dog is she?” James asked. Tia was small with short brown hair and large ears.
Bree shrugged. “Just a mutt.”
“Where did you get her?”
“She was a gift.”
James waited for her to elaborate. When she didn’t, he asked, “How old is she?”
“Two.”
“She’s a friendly little thing.”
“How did you find me?” She asked suddenly.
“Your little mutt dog actually.” James replied. “We were traveling through the forest and she came running up to us, whining and crying and trying to get us to follow her. She led us straight to you.”
He rubbed the dog’s head. Tia licked his hand before staring at Bree again.
“Why are you in the forest?” Bree asked.
“We were visiting friends and are on our way home.”
“Do you live close to here?”
He shrugged. “It’s about a day and a half by foot.”
She frowned. “You don’t have horses?”
Nicholas laughed. “We like to walk.”
James studied Bree. “Is your home close to here?”
She immediately tensed. “I – no, it isn’t.”
“Where are you going?”
She hesitated. “Um, I – “
He was staring at her curiously, and she blurted out the first thing she thought of. “I am going to visit my aunt.”
“Where does she live?”
“In Vanden.”
He frowned. “The city? It is a long way to walk little one.”
“I like to walk.” She mimicked Nicholas’ answer and James snorted softly.
“We should get going James.” Nicholas had washed and packed the dishes, and he started to distinguish the fire.
“Aye.” James agreed.
He stood and set Bree gently on her feet. “How do you feel Bree?”
“Fine.” She replied. “May I have my pants back please?”
“Your clothes were soaked with blood. We burned them last night.”
She frowned. James’ shirt would not keep her warm enough. “May I trouble you for the blanket?”
He nodded and handed it to her. She wrapped it around her body and whistled softly for Tia. The dog stood at her feet and she gave James and Nicholas a small smile.
“Thank you for your kindness and for breakfast.”
She turned and started to walk away. James followed her and snagged her arm through the blanket.
“Where are you going Bree?”
“I told you, to my aunt’s house.” She attempted to tug her arm free.
“You’re not travelling alone. It isn’t safe.”