Chapter 10

It had only been a few hours from what Carmen could guess, before Bella awoke. She was (as expected) fully dressed minus her armour. Her hair had been combed until it was as fair as the lady Gwen's. Since then Carmen had moved into the main room and sat at the table with a cup of water still attempting to clear the questions from his mind. Bella sat down beside him and looked at him with clear concern. She put her arm around his shoulders playfully.

"What's the matter? You seemed so happy yesterday. What's changed? From what I see, we've been given a home and food and water on the table. Its not like we're getting it free either so it cant be guilt. How goes your endless search for items and devices for fixing. Maybe you're bored. I don't know. I can keep guessing and annoying you or your could just tell me"

When there was no reply she started prodding him in the arm. Soft at first but she gradually got harder and harder until she hit a muscle and he flinched.

"Are you going to tell me now I do I have to start punching"

He looked at her. Her eyebrows were raised in an expectant manner resulting in an impatient expression however the presence of her arm around his shoulder made him feel more like a friend than a punching bag. He wasn't ready to tell her yet. He finally spoke.

"It's just… yesterday. What we did. It was wrong. I shouldn't have done it but I've got to move on. Did you sleep well?"

She seemed like she was about to push the situation further until her face receded and she lent back in her chair and removed her arm from Carmen's shoulder.

"Very well actually although I had nightmares that for some reason did not interfere with my sleep. Its like I was locked up in the dream world and no amount of noise or pain or fear would wake me. Then I just woke up as if they had finally decided to let me go. Never mind though. Gwen showed me around before bed last night. As the girl she believed that I was helplessly dragged into your little apple theft. we found a few more apples and diced them ready for breakfast as she felt that she was a little hard on you because after all "it was just a few apples". I'll make your breakfast while you go and wake the Arthur. Fair?"

He calmly got up and began to walk away before hesitating and speaking softly:

"Thank you"

She turned.

"For what?"

"For everything. For the offer to talk, for making breakfast. Life will be much more bearable, not to mention easier now that you're here to help. So thanks"

She smiled an appreciative smile.

"It's my pleasure"

He smiled back before turning and walking toward Arthurs room. The door was slightly ajar. He frowned as he heard a peculiar noise from the inside of the room. He touched the door ever so slightly until he had viewing space. He could see Arthur on his bed, lying on his stomach. The origin of the noise seemed to be what seemed like stifled crying. He felt his heart drop. A heavy weight that he thought had been lifted was suddenly brought crashing back down. Whatever he was crying about it surely had something to do with his new living arrangements of which Carmen was ultimately responsible. His leg started to shake. He slipped causing his knee to slam violently into the floor.

"Who's there?"

Although the crying had stopped, evidence of his sadness was still evident in his voice as it was cracking and fragmented. He clearly noticed as a quick raspy cough followed clearing his throat of any saliva. Carmen had no choice.

"It's me Arthur. I was told to wake you. Breakfast is being prepared and we await your arrival"

"Fine" he voice more together now. "I'll be there in a moment"

"Yes Arthur. Would you like a cup of water?"

"No"

Carmen started to walk away.

"Thank you"

Carmen smiled as he retreated back to the breakfast room. As he sat down a bowl of porridge was placed in front of him. Pieces of apples were scattered around the rather unappealing breakfast in what he gathered was supposed to form a smiley face. He looked up and smiled as widely as the man in his breakfast. She laughed and began to prepare Arthurs with the same smiley, happy face. Carmen had the feeling that Arthur would not appreciate her artwork as he did.

By the time Carmen's bowl had been scraped clean, Arthur arrived fully dressed however his hair remained the same scraggy, messed up lump that it was. He slumped himself down rather ungracefully on the table were he was greeted by a curious Bella. She placed it in front of him and asked carefully:

"is anything the matter Arthur?"

He looked up at her, his eyes still bloodshot despite his attempts to rub them of tears as Carmen could see that around his eyes had become red and irritant were he had wiped them.

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern, however it is not needed"

Carmen realised Arthur was a lost cause and so he help Bella clean up and went around the house in search for faults.