It was Kazimir's barking that alerted Azazel. He opened his blue eyes and quickly went for the rifle he had obtained. The dog was tied to a tree near their tent. He quickly glanced at Anichka, who was sleeping soundly and then back at the dog. He was pulling on the rope around his neck, growling and snarling at something that was out there.
Azazel quickly stalked out of the tent and made sure to stay out of the glow of the fire that was burning well despite it being made on snow. He could not sense anyone or anything around them. He turned quickly to the sharp sound of snow crackling under the weight of something walking. He lifted his rifle and was ready to fire if he needed to. The weapon was loud, so he only fired when absolutely needed.
"Please, don't shoot!" A woman's voice called out from the surrounding wilderness. Azazel lowered his weapon and looked at where the voice came from. After a few moments and the sounds of movement, a woman stepped out from behind a large tree. She stepped into the light of the fire so Azazel could see her. She had dark hair and she seemed young, perhaps a few years younger than him. She wore different colored clothing all over her and when she stepped, the metal bands and necklaces on her, chimed.
"What do you want?" Azazel called out to her. His weapon was lowered but he would still fire if he needed to. Kazimir was still barking and growling so he could just barely make out what she said.
"I don't want anything. I simply stumbled upon your camp and your dog." She motioned toward the lanky dog that was still barking. Azazel walked to Kazimir and soothed him, which stopped the dogs barking, but now he growled and whined.
"Who are you, why are you out here in the middle of the night?" Azazel didn't trust this woman. She seemed like she was only trouble.
"I am Margali Szardos. I was just trying to stretch my legs. My caravan is nearby, so I thought your were one of us for a moment when I found your camp."
"'One of us'? There are more nearby?" Azazel was tempted to wake Anichka, but before he did so, he wanted to know if these people were friendly.
"Well, yes. We stopped for the night here. We run a traveling circus." Margali smiled sweetly. Her smiled captivated Azazel for a few moments before he snapped out of it. He raised his gun and aimed at her, making her step back fearfully.
"Please, you can trust me!" Margali reasoned.
"Sure. You and all your buddies? No way! Get lost!" Azazel motioned back to where she came from, hoping she would leave.
"I-I can offer you a safer place than in a tent. Warmer too." Margali stood her ground.
"Sure. You bring us in and then you kill us or rob us in our sleep. Like I said, 'No Way'!"
"Please. A little girl should not be in this cold."
Azazel lowered his rifle and looked back at the small tent, then back at Margali. He raised the gun and aimed it at her head.
"I thought you just stumbled upon us? The tent was closed, Margali. You were snooping around! You probably freaked out when the dog started barking, am I right?"
"Well, fine! I just wanted to know who it was! I didn't expect to find a demon and a little girl sleeping in a tent in the middle of the goddamn winter!" She threw her hands up in resignation and said finally. "I am offering you a safe place. We don't judge and we won't hurt you. If you won't do it for yourself, do it for her!"
Azazel thought for a moment before lowering his weapon. Everything inside of him was screaming not to do it, but he decided he would go with her. The woman had a point. "Fine."
Margali breathed a sigh of relief when he finally lowered the weapon and then moved closer to him. Azazel turned to her and glared. She stopped moving instantly. To her horror, Azazel let the dog off his tether and the dog bolted for her. She was about to run when she heard the man yell. "Kazimir, no!" The dog turned and cowered at the man's feet.
Azazel packed their small amount of belongings and then woke Anichka up.
"Puppy, we have to go."
"No, Azazel, let me sleep. Please." She covered herself in the blanket and Azazel sighed. When he looked back, the woman was closer. She reached out for his bag and he let her take it. The tent could be dealt with tomorrow. Azazel picked up the half asleep girl and carried her as he followed Margali. He was disturbed by how close these people really were.
Most of them were asleep in tents or trailer like things, but a few had stopped to stare at him. He hated the way people would see him as a demon or the devil, but these people looked at him differently. It was still unnerving, but he didn't feel a sense of danger.
"You can stay with me tonight." Margali looked back and smiled at him. He was in love with her smile, but he needed to stay focused. He followed her closely, with Kazimir trailing behind.
Eventually they made it to a trailer and Margali opened it for him to enter, He didn't look around too much, then Margali spoke.
"You can put her here if you'd like" Azazel complied and placed the girl on a corner with pillows and padding. It was really odd. Once he knew she was situated he turned to Margali.
"You can either sleep with her of you can sleep with me in my bed." Margali smiled once again. She then spoke again. "Only to sleep, of course." Azazel chuckled and answered her. "I will stay with her tonight."
Kazimir bolted through the open door and curled himself around Anichka. Anichka wrapped her arm around her dog and then drifted back into sleep.
Azazel sighed. There was no longer room for him. He looked at Margali and then spoke. "Perhaps I will stay with you tonight." She nodded and closed the door. He loved how warm it was inside, so when he did finally lay on the bed, he fell asleep almost instantly.
