"Are you crazy, Alex? Even I wouldn't go outside in this weather!" Tina ushered me into her house, "Blizzards are deadly."
"I had to take care of my animals. I don't mind this storm to be hon-ah-ah-choo!"
"You really should go home. Are you sick? Was it this snow?"
"I'm fine, it's just a sneeze," I rubbed my nose. I woke up feeling terrible this morning. I felt fine when I watched the stars with Allen. He didn't look sick, so I couldn't have caught anything from him.
"If you're sure," Tina sighed, "So how was last night? Did you have fun?"
"Yes, it was really beautiful." I didn't tell her about the kiss on the cheek. She'd probably freak out. I knew how she liked to gossip.
"It was. I think Rod was really happy. Poor boy kept stuttering though."
"Poor Rod. You should ask him out. You like him and he clearly likes you. I have an extra ring that you can give him. I accidently bought two of them so I can spare," I pulled one of them out of the bag and handed it to her.
"Oh, you going to confess to Allen then?" she nudged me.
I could feel myself going red, "No. He's just a friend. I don't like him that way. I bought it because Hana was selling them. I figured that I could use some jewelry."
"That's what they all say. It's ok if you like him. I won't tell a soul," Tina looked outside, "If you are going to see someone else, you should hurry. You might get stuck in my house! Iroha and Felicity are still in the inn. I left this morning to do my job."
"Be safe," I visited Felicity, Iroha, and Rod. They all told me the same thing: that while it was nice to see me, I shouldn't be out in this weather. Honestly, I loved my friends, but they didn't have to be so concerned. I could survive being out during a blizzard. I did build half the buildings in this town. I'd have to be very strong for that. I was a lot stronger then I was during that first spring.
I was about to enter the general store when I saw an orange shape run into the salon. What was Rod doing there on a day like this? The pet seller never left his house during a blizzard. It wasn't my business, but I couldn't help being curious. I softly sneaked over to the blue building and checked the window. Rod went up the stairs as I watched. After waiting a few seconds to be safe, I entered. I tiptoed to the bottom of the stairs and quietly sneaked up a few steps until I could hear their voices.
"Spring's almost here. I'm positive that's it's going to be this one," Rod seemed excited.
"That's what you told me in the beginning of winter. You might be wrong. Again."
"But I can sense it. I know she's special."
"And so what if she is? Nothing's going to change."
"But what if she is the one to break it?"
"You said that about Tina," Allen sounded very irritated, "I don't think it even can be broken. We don't even know what caused it in the first place. We should focus on that first."
"But-"
"Just go home, Rod. I'll figure it out. Just let me handle things." I heard footsteps, so I quickly ran to the door and closed it so that Rod would think that I just entered. To my surprise it was the stylist who walked down the stairs.
"Alex, what are you doing here? How long have you been in?" he crossed his arms and glanced at me suspiciously. His ocean eyes held none of the warmth they did yesterday.
"I just came in. I wanted to see how you were?" I lied, smiling innocently.
"You came to see me in this kind of weather, you must have really wanted to see me. But you should really go home. I wouldn't want you to be harmed."
"Ok. Here's some herb soup. I hope you enj-AHCHOO!" I gave it to him.
"Thank you. I'll enjoy this later. Be careful. You sound ill. Go on, get going missy." He lightly pushed me out his door.
They were hiding something. I really wish they'd tell me what.
After visiting the inn, I remembered Ruby. I haven't seen him since Neil interrupted us in the woods a few days ago. Poor thing must be freezing. Not to mention hungry. I checked my bag to see if I had any food, but all I had were ingredients and a plate of Genovese Pasta. I'm sure that a little bit of human food wouldn't harm him. The forest was covered in a think layer of snow as the wind rushed quickly.
I put my hands to my face and howled, hoping that Ruby would hear me. I didn't see any other animals in this weather, so they were probably not in the area. There might be a couple in the mines, but I didn't want to go in there just in case they get scared. I waited a while before howling again. I hope that he's ok...
I could see a shape in the snow, and saw red. Thank Goddess the wolf was ok. I called out when I saw him a bit better. But he didn't seem happy at all. When he saw me, he growled.
"Ruby? What is it?" I stretched out my hand, but he backed away. Was the weather making him act like this? I know he was a wild animal, but he seemed to be more aggressive this time. Then it hit me. He must be hungry. My mother once told me that my father was always a lot grumpier when he didn't eat anything all day. Maybe the wolf was like that?
"Are you hungry, boy? I don't have much, but I have this plate of Genovese Pasta. You wouldn't know what it is, you being a wolf and all. It is good though. Come here, please? And don't bite me." I held out the food. I could see the want in those blue eyes. They were beautiful, like the ocean. I put the plate on the ground and he ate it quickly. I guess I was right. I petted him after putting the plate back into my bag. He closed his eyes and his tail wagged like a puppy waiting for its owner to get home.
That's when my head started to hurt. I dropped my bag and held my head with my hands. Ow ow ow! I shivered as I felt tingles run through my skin. I could see goosebumps starting along my arms. My heartbeat was loud, as if it wanted to burst out of my chest. I panted as I felt the pulse in my temples. I could feel fur as Ruby wrapped himself around me. I sat on the snow as the pain continued. Ruby lifted his head and howled. I felt lightheaded, before passing out. The last thing I felt were. . . hands?
When I woke up next, I was in a white room. Huh? As I looked around at the familiar walls I realized I was in the clinic. How did I get here? I sat up as two people came into my room. Klaus walked towards me with an angry look and I gulped. I knew exactly what was coming. But the other person who entered the room with him. Neil?
"You need to be more careful when it comes to your health," the doctor scolded me, "You're lucky that Neil was there to drag you here. What were you doing in the woods in a blizzard? You got lucky this time. You slept all night."
"I wanted to check on the animals in the forest to make sure they were ok."
"Is it about Ruby? You didn't have to risk your life for that idiotic wolf. You looked liked you really did die. It scared the hell out of me. Please be more careful in the future," Neil looked so sad. Was he really that concerned for my health? I ignored him insulting Ruby. I hoped he made it back to wherever his home in the woods was. Speaking of which. . .
"What happened to Ruby. Is he ok? I hope he made it back to his house in the forest."
"You really don't know, do you? Did he not tell you?" Neil gave me a weird look.
"Alex is still recovering. Don't bother her with things she doesn't need to know."
"Did who not tell me?" I was getting really irritated. No one would tell me a damn thing and it's getting on my nerves.
"You need to rest. Forget what he said. It's not important," Klaus glared at the both of us, "I don't need you to get involved when it has nothing to do with you. And Neil, take care of her animals for her. She needs to relax."
"Come on, Alex. Klaus, are you going to tell him?" Neil grabbed my hand and glanced at Klaus.
"I think he's figured it out. Now go, I'm busy."
"Who?" I asked Neil as we walked to my house.
"Rod. He saw you go into the woods. It was around nine when he warned me. He was worried that he didn't see you come home. When I found you, that wolf was huddled around you. As much as I dislike him, he was the reason that you're still alive. I'm thankful for that."
I was speechless when we reached my porch. It looked around lunch time. Someone must have shoveled the snow leading to town and my barn.
"Be careful," he didn't look me in the eyes, "I'll take care of your animals. You just go and relax, ok? Leave it all to me." He softly squeezed my hand, before I went inside. I felt my face warm up.
