There was a stillness around us as he carried me through the hills. Our breathing seemed to be the only noise that came from us. Everything around us amplified in sound. It was as if nature was doing its best to keep our whereabouts hidden from our pursuers.
I could not tell how much time had passed since we had dashed out of the old rut house and there was no telling where he planned on stopping. My mind was in a whirlwind of questions about time though. I pondered how long I had been out, how long this man had kept watch of my wound, and just how long he would plan to keep me alive.
There was a pause, his legs stopped moving, his feet planted on the ground firmly. I turned my head to see what he was looking at, but he softly nudged me to keep myself concealed. I turned my face back to his chest and closed my eyes as I felt him take a deep a breath and exhale slowly.
Without a word he slowly began moving again, this time at a much slower pace. I pondered if he were going to abandon me. He had mentioned before that he did not have any use for me with my body in this condition. A sad feeling came over me that there was a chance he had come to the conclusion that he could not keep me at his side any longer. I did not feel any resentment or anger towards him. I understood that if this were his decision then I would gladly oblige to it. I could only put my trust in him at this point, and hope that he would take me somewhere that I would not be discovered by the wrong people.
"Stay here."
There was a pause as I realized that I was being lowered to the ground. The cold smooth surface of cobblestone woke the feelings in my lower half. The sounds of him dashing away echoed all around me. I slowly lowered my hands and felt each groove of the stones that I sat upon. The sharp and jagged mixture that kept the stones in place left a strong contrast in sensation. The air around me was cool and nipped at my exposed skin with every strong wind that blew into the area. I slowly lifted my head and took in my surroundings.
I was in a back alleyway at night. The low glow of the street lamps just outside of the alleyway's reach lit only so much of the darkness around me. I looked before me to see the small dip in which both sides of the alleyway curved into. A small trickle of water present at the very bottom of the crevice, perhaps leading to the street where all slog water drains to. Along the walls of the alley were piles of trash, worn from their days of being discarded and having vermin chew upon them. I tried my best not to shiver as I watched insects of different sizes scuttle around and amongst the debris.
I looked up to the sky and noticed there were no stars out tonight as the dark clouds above hid them like a long curtain. I watched as the clouds seemed to rush across the sky like wild horses thundering onto an open plain. The scene before me felt almost surreal as I found it more intriguing than the cold air or the strong whistling that came from the wind. I was far too mesmerized by the barreling clouds that built a sudden anticipation within me as if my body sensed the outcome before my mind could fully take hold of it.
The first flash of lighting caught me off guard, making me jolt upward and sent a surge of pain throughout my body. I seethed in agony as I cursed my triggered response, but the booming crack of the thunder afterward brought my mind to ease as I willed my tensed body to relax. As much as I should have been concerned with my well being, I appreciated the rain's sudden appearance. I smiled as the first couple drops hit my face, but quickly lowered my head as the sky opened up and began showering down upon me.
I silently thanked the turn of weather for gracing the evening during our escape, hoping that the water would clear any traces of the man. I smiled as I hoped the man was okay, but soon the smile began to slip and my mind began turning out more pessimistic thoughts as I sat in the rain.
Had he left me here to rot in the rain? Wouldn't it have been much easier to drain my life away? Then again, who would want the blood of a whore? I was wasted flesh.
I pulled my legs closer to myself and let out a low hiss as the wound began to sting from my dampening clothes. Every shiver and shake sent a sharp pain directly from the wound and all throughout me.
It felt as if hours had passed as I waited for him. I was never the type who could keep track of time very well though. For me, time went either too fast or too slow. It seemed that I was always on the losing end of it though.
I gathered a pile of discarded newspapers and with shaking hands, propped them over my head. A small barricade from me and the rain. It wouldn't last long though, but the smothering atmosphere from the papers covering my face brought a different kind of warmth that bloomed from my breathing. I stopped shaking for the most part and concentrated on the warmth. The sound of the rain pelting the paper was almost trance like, I hyper focused on the soothing sound and ignored all the other noise around me.
I began to feel more comfortable in the situation, assuring myself that as long as I focused on the smothered warmth I received from my breath that I shouldn't have a reason to focus on the cold. Even with the pain, I forced myself to believe my own lies. As if waiting in hopes of this strangers return justified freezing to death during a rainstorm was the right thing to do. At this point though...I didn't have anywhere to go or anyone else to depend on, so I sat.
"You followed my order. Even in this cold pouring rain, you chose to remain."
The voice caught me off guard and I quickly jerked my head up to look at the man, causing the newspaper to tear, and cling to my soaked head and upper torso. He was dressed differently now. He wore a long black trench coat and a black top hat over his wrapped head. He looked down at me, a puzzled look upon his face. I began to pull away bits of paper and toss them, realizing how I must have looked like I belonged in the gutter. With ever motion I made, I couldn't help but wince from the shooting pain blossoming from the stitched wound. I gritted my teeth as I sucked back an urge to show any discomfort and instead forced my mouth to push out words.
"I have no where to go any longer. I've told you before that I am in-debt to your kindness. I have no longing to leave your side."
He squatted to my level, his arm hooking around my back as the other maneuvered under my legs. He hoisted me up, looking for pain or discomfort in my face. I should have been in pain, but in truth I was more relieved in the fact that he had returned for me. My mind settled in peace, thankful he had not abandoned me.
He carried my drenched body through the back alleys until we came upon what seemed to be an abandoned part of the town. He seemed more focused on trying to allow as little rain to hit me as he hurried. Yet I noticed there was a clear destination in the direction he hurried toward.
The area itself seemed to be that of failed shops and shut down entertainment venues. It didn't surprise me though, being that more and more people were turning toward the far more exciting sites such as Rome or Venice. It seemed that little towns like this one hardly ever stood a chance, their quaint appeals seeming less drawing to the eyes of tourists.
The building in which he had focused on seemed to be that of an old theater, the old showing signs hung dilapidated above the weather worn entrance. All of its entrances and windows appeared to be boarded up from the inside, and was made clear as I began to notice the obvious signs of broken glass and shards that littered the ground around the building. As we drew near, I took in that part of it seemed as if it would give at any minute. I wondered how he intended to get in with me still in his arms.
I prepared myself to be released from his arms as he slowed his pace rounding a corner and heading toward the back end of the building. I waited for his cue as he paused before a boarded back entrance that seemed far too sturdy to break apart without a tool.
In the stillness, I noticed that he too seemed to be assessing the strength of the boards. Just as I was going to assure him that it was fine to place me down, he suddenly readjusted me in such a way that I was forced to look into his chest. I was astonished as I began to realize that I was being cradled in just one of his arms. My heart beat raced wildly as I could only imagine the amount of strength this man truly had.
His actions only seemed to leave me in more wonderment as I could clearly hear his free arm ripping away at the nailed boards as if they were mere cobwebs in his way. I wanted to make a comment or to turn to watch this man's pure strength in action, but a sudden chilling wind took hold of me. It left me burrowing deeper into his chest as the cold began to take hold in my body.
The inside carried a heavy smell of dust and wet dirt, it couldn't be helped with the rain all around. He made no motion to put me down though as he seemed to be scanning the area. With quick movement and precise action, he pulled an old curtain down and swiftly swung it in such away that it snapped loudly in the air. All of the dust seemed to immediately leave in one large cloud and it appeared much cleaner.
He spoke sternly in a commanding way that brought my attention back to him.
"I'm going to set you here. Cover yourself with this and try to focus on warming your body before you attempt to assist me."
I nodded as he set me down upon what I could only assume was the right wing platform of the main stage. I cautiously wrapped the curtain around my damp body, making sure it covered my head as well. It's velvet outside seemed to provide little warmth, but I wasn't one to complain.
He looked down at me as I got as comfortable as I could, seemingly content with my actions, he gave me a small nod before taking off once more.
I was left alone as he went about the building. I listened to his movements intently, internally marking his possible positions in the imaginary floor layout in my mind. At some point I could here the boards from before being placed back where we had first entered. I pondered how long we'd be able to stay here peacefully before having to go on the run again.
As I thought, I pondered if there were any possible way to make the wound heal faster. I recalled how he had mentioned something about his blood being able to heal the wound faster, but the thought of taking his blood seemed out of line at this point since I had refused it before. I wasn't about to just bring up the matter with the man who was saving my life. I found the action to be selfish and desperate which in turn made a guilty feeling blossom within me.
My mind continued to work on though.
After I had caught him up on everything that would be considered of historical importance to him, I would certainly be just a burden upon him and his own quest. I mentally made a note that I would supply him with all the knowledge I had while pacing myself at the time it would take for me to fully heal that way when I had recovered, he'd find no reason to see me as a burden and with my body, hopefully, healed at that time, that'd I be able to stay by his side as someone of use to him.
Just as my mind seemed to trickle into a deeper thought process of planning, there were several strikes of lightening that illuminated through the small cracks within the theater. There were several loud and booming cracks that exploded afterward and scared me as it seemed that the building's structure groaned and shook in defiance to the thunder.
My heart leapt and beat faster as the rain began to pour down in such an intense manner that made it feel as if the heavens were going to drown us. I shook out of fear and coldness as I tightened my eyes shut. I pulled the curtain tighter around me as I began to overthink and couldn't stop focusing on my racing heart beat. It seemed as if the air were becoming condensed as I struggled to breath and my shaking began to become uncontrollable. I seethed in the urge to cry out.
It wouldn't take long for me to pass out from my over exasperated worrying, but luckily my savior had taken the time to unknowingly create an escape from my mind for me.
It took a bit of time for me to notice, but there was a slow moving trail of smoke that began to linger in the air. The smell seeped into my nose first and coaxed my eyes to slowly open. The smoke was thinning into the drafty air, but the smell it carried gave off a small promise of warmth from wherever it was originating from. It's presence calmed my shaking body slowly and gave me something to direct my focus on.
My body quaked in defiance as I forced myself to gain stability. The wound's painful pokes felt distant as I carried myself up and toward the twirling lines of smoke that seemed to beckon me. I walked softly, dragging the curtain along like it were a long cape that draped along my shoulders. I focused my eyes on the first signs of the bright orange and yellow hues that licked at the air. The welcoming warmth pulled me closer and I could barely comprehend the voice before I had situated myself before the fire.
"Oh, you have decided to come to me instead! I was just about to go and get you. I thought your body could use some better warmth since I doubt that fabric is actually doing anything at all."
I nodded as I gazed upon the man and thanked him. I was filled with even more gratitude as I set my gaze back onto the fire.
"You truly are too kind to me...and I'm not sure what I've done to gain your favor, but I cannot stress the debt I am to you...yet I must be blunt and ask you if you can answer my question from before..."
I pulled the curtain tighter around me as I turned the slightest bit red and pondered if he even could recall the question. I dared not even look at him to save me the embarrassment of catching a glimpse of confusion on his face.
Instead, he tossed in a couple more chips of wood and spoke calmly as the flames began to feast up on the new pieces of wood.
"I have been called many things, and have held many titles during my time on this Earth, but I prefer the name Kars out of all of them."
Hearing him answer so eloquently had me a bit taken aback. I pondered his past and how someone of his stature would be sent out to space...though I recalled his manner of wanting to wipe out the human race being a large factor; it was a question I'd someday ask, but for now I was content with the answer.
I nodded, showing my acknowledgment to his answer as I peered into the fire.
"If you are okay with it, may I call you Master Kars? I do not feel comfortable or worthy to address you without an added title."
He was silent and I could suddenly feel his eyes staring at me. His gaze held a powerful aura as I dared not look at him. Instead I waited patiently for his answer, my own eyes gazing down into the fire.
He seemed to adjust himself which caused him to break his gaze from me, allowing me to quickly steal a glance up at him. A small smirk had formed on his face as it seemed he were gazing at the fire now, but his eyes seemed to be lost somewhere in his mind.
He spoke sternly, but his features did not change on his face and neither did the look in his eyes.
"You may call me...Master Kars..."