It takes me few seconds to recover, the sound of Nicole falling to the floor echoes through my head. Finally, my body starts to function again and I jump up and rush to her side. "Nicole! Nicole!" I shout desperately as I shake her arm. An unexplainable fear grips my heart. The idea of the infuriating redhead dying fills me with dread. Have I actually become fond of her?
Nicole stirs beneath my hand, to my utter relief. I push away my confusing thoughts and feelings to focus solely on the woman beside me. "Nicole?" I ask timidly. She moves to sit up slowly, her breathing coming out ragged.
Realizing she must have run the whole way here and is probably extremely thirsty, I get up and rush to the kitchen. I grab a wooden bowl and ladle some of the filtered stream water from the vat in the corner. Then I rush back over to the living room, where Nicole has managed to prop herself up against the bottom of one of the chairs. The deep cut across her right eyebrow makes me wince. It seems to be the source of the blood that has coagulated on her tunic.
I bend down, lifting the bowl of water to Nicole's lips. She places her hands over mine and give me a grateful look. Once I am sure she has fully gripped the bowl, I reluctantly remove my hands from beneath hers. I watch as she gulps down the water like a gazelle at a waterhole in the Serengeti. Then she lets out a satisfied sigh and wipes her mouth with her sleeve. "Thank you, Waves." She tells me, I smile at her warmly and nod.
The nasty cut on her eyebrow catches my eye again. It seriously needs to be cleaned. So, I head over to the bedroom. From a drawer I remove the miracle salve Nicole always uses on my ankle and a clean piece of cloth. I place the items on the floor next to Nicole once I return to the living room. Then I take the wooden bowl from Nicole's hands and head to refill it with water in the kitchen.
When I return, I wet the cloth and hold it hesitantly in front of Nicole. "May I?" I ask softly. The look of trust in her brown eyes as she nods takes me aback. I push down the inexplicable butterflies at the intensity of her gaze and set to work. I gently start to dab at the cut, Nicole winces ever so slightly every time the cloth makes contact. To fill the silence, I start questioning her. "Can…can you tell me what happened?" I ask gently, not wanting cause her any distress.
Nicole's whole body seems to slump. "Jack and I went to one of our regular hunting spots, in a meadow about three miles from here. We didn't have to wait too long before we spotted a fat hare, much like the one we saved from you." She wears a small grin and it makes me happy to see Nicole is still capable of joy in her current state. Perhaps it is how she copes with things. For good measure I poke her arm playfully, indicating my annoyance.
Her smile fades again as she continues with her story. "I gave Jack the signal to chase after the hare, after which I would track them. That is our usual hunting sequence. I tracked Jack through the underbrush and into a grove of birch trees. When I entered the grove, I couldn't spot him. Eventually, he pops out from behind a tree rushing in my direction. He looked very spooked.
I saw a figure running behind him and…and then I watched as they threw a net over him." Nicole's fist tightens and I hear her teeth grind at the memory. I gently place my hand in hers and immediately feel her relax. She lets out a breath and continues.
"I instinctively moved toward the figure who had caught Jack, not seeing the concealed pit in front of me. I tripped and fell in, felt a bang to my head and everything went black. I woke up a while later, when it was dark. My head was pounding. There was a sharp rock on one side of the pit, so I figured I hit my head on it when I fell in. Hence" she motions to her brow, which I had now cleaned thoroughly.
"Well, I think it could have been much worse. I really thought it was, when you just came in here with blood all over you like that." Nicole looks at me with an expression I cannot place, and it causes my stomach to do backflips.
"Were you worried about me?" She asks, her voice soft and a tinge of awe in it. Then she notices the set table and loaf of freshly baked bread. She raises her eyebrows in surprise. "Did…did you cook?" I focus on applying the salve to her forehead so I don't have to look at her as I bashfully nod.
"Yeah, I uh…I felt bad about what I said before you left." She frowns, seemingly have long forgotten my words. Then recognition flashes in her eyes. "Oh that. You didn't have to do that, Waves." Her voice is so soft and filled with awe that I stop applying the salve to look at her.
"I wanted to. And I was. Worried about you, I mean." I admit in a soft voice, more to myself than to her. At my words she smiles widely, her eyes flickers with light. I can't help but notice how she seems to glow like an ethereal being in the candle light. But then the light in her eyes dull again.
"Waverly, I need to get Jack back. He…he is my best friend." Her voice is so full of sorrow that my heart clenches painfully. I put down the salve to face her. "Okay. What do you think we should do? Who do you think took him?"
She starts to get up slowly, I reach for her hand to steady her. Once upright, she starts to pace back and forth, much like I had a few hours ago when I was worried about her. She rubs her finger on her chin as she thinks. I move to take seat in the chair she had sat against.
"I am not 100% sure, but I think it could be Bobo's men. I know that he has been trying to get Jack for a while. I hear his men talk about "catching that damn dog" often when I scout their camps. They have even put up wanted posters in town and around the woods for Jack's capture."
At hearing this, I frown. "But wouldn't you fetch a greater price than Jack?" Nicole smiles ruefully at my question. "Oh, Jack and I are kind of seen as equals. Jack is just as much a thorn in Bobo's side as I am. We are partners so to speak, I have never sabotaged a camp without Jack's help. He really annoys the guards, stealing their food or precious items from their hands when he distracts them for me."
"Oh, but wouldn't the both of you together fetch double the earnings? Why would they just take Jack and not you too? Bobo's men know the Sparrow by now."
Nicole frowns, mulling over my words. "You have a point. Bobo's men would definitely have taken me from the pit after I fell in, as a prize to present to Bobo. They are always trying to win his favour."
"So, if it wasn't Bobo's men, then who?" I ask, with my head resting in my hand as I think.
"I am not sure. Perhaps they were planning on coming back for me after taking Jack? Or perhaps it was someone who was new to Monument. Someone who saw only Jack's poster and thought they could make a quick buck when they saw him in the woods today."
I nod. That may very well be the case. "Yeah, maybe that's it. But what is the plan to get him back, then?"
Nicole stops her pacing and looks toward the door. "There is only one way to find out." I realize what she is about to do and move forward quickly, intercepting her before her hand even touches the handle. "Oh no. Nope. You aren't going anywhere right now. You are tired and hurt." I say in a stern voice, my hand on her shoulder. She stops and looks at me, about to protest. "But…" I cut her off, raising my hand and holding it Infront of her face in a way that says 'No nonsense!' Her shoulders slump then, causing me to soften.
"Hey. Nicole look at me." I say, coaxing her to meet my gaze as I lift her chin with my hand gently. Vulnerable brown eyes meet my hazel ones. "Jack is a pretty tough doggo. I have seen him in action. He is going to be fine. Besides, you won't be of much use to him now." Nicole looks at me for a long moment before giving in with a nod. "Yeah, I guess you are right."
I smile up at her then. "I sure am. Now, come let's get you to bed. We can set out to find him tomorrow, if you feel better and refreshed." She nods and moves slowly to the bedroom then. She comes out with her regular blanket and pillow, going to throw it on the floor in front of the fireplace.
"What are you doing?" I ask in confusion. She looks up at me like a deer in lamplight. "Uh, getting ready for bed like you said?" She asks more than says.
I giggle at her. "No, silly. You are not going to sleep on the floor. Not when you are hurt. Come on." She looks like she is about to protest. "Don't even try to argue with me on this." I warn her.
She smiles sheepishly, then follows me to the bedroom. I watch as she gets in slowly, watching me the whole time with uncertainty. When she has finally settled, I move to exit the room.
Her voice stops me. "Waverly, will…will you stay? I mean, there is enough room in the bed. I… I don't want you to sleep on the hard floor." She must take my surprise for rejection, because she quickly adds. "But if you don't want to, that fine too. I just want you to be comfortable and…" she rambles adorably. One of the few times I have seen her like this. I like it quite a bit.
I cut her off with "No, I…see your point. I mean there is more than enough room, right?" She nods slowly. I move and get under the woolen quilt next to her. She turns her head to look at me, her gaze making the butterflies erupt in my belly once again. "Good night, Princess." She says before she falls asleep instantly. "Good night, Nicole." I whisper softly before I drift off too.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
The next morning, I am awoken by the sound of birdsong and the overwhelming smell of vanilla beans. I feel oddly comfortable this morning, a warm weight on my chest. So, I snuggle closer to the source of the warmth. Something tickles my nose and then I hear an annoyed sleepy whine. I slowly open my eyes to find red hair strewn all over my chest. Nicole had somehow moved much closer to me during the night. Her head is on my chest and her arm is slung lazily across my middle.
I realize the compromising position we are in and immediately move to jump out from beneath Nicole. The movement wakes the redhead and it's almost comical watching her eyes also widen in realization. We both look at each other for a long moment. " I uh…" " We should…" We both say at the same time. I nod and head out the door quickly, face flushed red.
As I splash water onto my face, an unexpected thought pops into my mind. Waking up entangled with Nicole actually felt really good. I splash myself just a bit more for good measure, hoping it will fully awaken me from the stupor I seem to find myself in.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
I watch as Nicole examines another broken twig and some invisible tracks on the ground. Observing her tracking capabilities is quite something. She seems completely in tune with the woods, knowing every sign of human disturbance in the sea of green and brown. She looks completely in her element out here. I think I'm beginning to understand some of her reasons for wanting to living out here.
She seems to spot another lead and indicates for me to follow. I follow swiftly after her, chasing the signs of Jack's kidnappers.
After our awkward start to the day, we both got ready for the rescue mission. Nicole got us each a satchel and threw in some fruit, dried meat and even some of the bread that I had baked yesterday. Then she grabbed her bow and arrows, attaching them to her back. I made sure to put my dagger into my belt too. We had no idea what we were getting into, but we were determined to get Jack back. Then we set off in the direction of where Nicole last saw Jack. The redhead quickly spotted signs of the culprits and then we were off, hot on their trail.
To me, everything just looks the same. A broken twig? A skid mark on the ground? It could be anything, it could be nothing. But Nicole seems to know exactly when it's something. She has been leading us in a direction with confidence. Finally, we get to the edge of another clearing, smoke can be seen rising from above the tree line.
Nicole crouches down, pulling my down too and placing a finger to her lips to silence me. I nod at her in determination and then we move in a crouched position along the treeline until we finally spot the camp. In the middle is a fireplace, the fire seems to have been doused quite recently. To the left is a tent that has been put up right next to the treeline. On the far side, there is a wagon with intricate designs on the side hitched to a horse. At my questioning frown Nicole explains "Gypsies." Gypsies? Mother had told me about them, but I have never come across any of them myself. What would they be doing out here?
I am drawn from my thoughts by the sound of an all too familiar whine. Nicole immediately stiffens. "That is Jack!" She whisper-shouts. We move a bit further to the left, following the sound of the whining. We finally spot a tiny cage between a tree stump and the edge of the tent.
Inside, a very sad looking Jack can be seen. But upon sniffing the air and recognizing his master's scent, he immediately perks up. His tail wags frantically, but Nicole indicates for him to be quiet. Like the good boy he is, he complies. I can't help but adore their relationship, the warmth blooms in my heart at witnessing their reunion.
Nicole indicates for me to wait and remain hidden at the edge of the woods as she slowly moves towards Jack's cage. She makes sure to check that no one else is around before she darts towards the front of the cage and removes a lock pick from her pants.
I am so absorbed in watching Nicole picking the lock that fail to hear the footsteps from behind me. A hand grabs me by the waist and another covers my mouth, stopping my scream. I watch on helplessly as another figure, a woman, moves from the underbrush towards Nicole. The woman removes a dagger and presses it slightly into Nicole's back.
"Well well well. You thought you could outsmart us, now did ya?" I watch Nicole's face carefully and I can see her contemplating. She turns to face her captor slowly, holding her hands up in surrender. I know Nicole has some trick up her sleeve, her body is too tense. As she turns slowly, she starts to say "Yep, it would seem that you got us." I see the woman slightly let her guard down for a second, thinking she had won. That was all Nicole needed. I watch in awe as the redhead moves forward lightning fast, grabbing the unsuspecting woman's hand, causing her to drop the knife.
Nicole doesn't stop there, she pulls the still shocked woman by the arm, flips her to the ground and pins her in one fluid motion. From behind me, I hear the other person let out a gasp. It's distinctly feminine. Another woman. The woman holds a knife to my throat and then pushes me forward, moving me into the clearing. "Hey, get off her! Or I'll hurt your friend." She says, trying to sound menacing.
Nicole looks up, her eyes filled with worry as she sees my vulnerable position. Then she looks at the woman behind me, and I see her eyes widen. "Mercedes?" She says in surprise. My captor stiffens. "Nicole Haught?!" I hear her exclaim. Haught? That name sounds oddly familiar. Now where have I heard that...it hits me like a ton of bricks. Nicole Haught. As in Countess Eleanor Haught.