Second chance chap 6, part 3

In the quiet darkness of the cool basement, Elizabeth sat, running her fingers through her friend's tangled raven hair.

"Pray, I warn you I am not terribly experienced with this, but I know the basics. Please feel free to guide my actions."

Peter let out a strained laugh,

"Of course I will, Miss Elizabeth."

"I'll be back in a moment," said the woman getting up, leaving to the guard's area, and going to look for some basic medical supplies. Thankfully in almost no time she found a bowl and a towel. Luckily nearby was a skin of water as well as the needed bandages.

She felt even more foolish then before with her rash response. She was no expert in the field of medicine. She had only watched servants clean up Victor's wounds in their youth. Not to mention she was a bit squeamish with blood.

But as she walked back towards the cell she pushed back her childhood fear. Once there she put down her supplies, poured some water into the bowl, and dipped the towel into it.

"I'm going to pull the blanket down to your waist, okay?"

Peter nodded as they both took a deep breath. Elizabeth gently pulled the wool fabric away revealing the bloody mess beneath. She looked to her friend's face which mirrored hers in anxiety.

"Please try to relax for me," asked the woman feeling the irony of what she was asking. But nonetheless she took the towel in her hand, biting her lip and touched the towel to his shoulder.

He tensed immediately but said,

"I shall try"

Elizabeth smiled as she felt the man relax his muscles beneath her hand. She began rubbing circles slowly cleaning away the blood. In only a few moments the red cleared showing layer after layer of healing wounds, scars, and stitches in rippled skin.

She couldn't help but allow her fingers to wander over the rough skin. And she couldn't help but notice the different tones of parts of the skin. She tried not to let the thought penetrate too deeply but it came to the surface and she couldn't help her hand quickly pulling away.

Taking another deep breath she dipped the towel into the water, wringing it in the water, her hands shaking slightly. Once again she came face-to-face with the fact that the "man" she was caring for was not actually a man, but truly a creature.

Pulling the towel out of the water wringing it once more before placing it on the middle of his back, beginning the process of cleaning the skin once more revealing even worse scars then what was on his shoulders. They strayed longer and deeper obvious to be bites of a whip and other tortures.

Even if he wasn't truly a man did he deserve such pain? Peter's manner was gentle and warm towards her. All she had done is shown him the barest face of kindness. Did no else know of his kindness because they could not show a face a kindness themselves?

'Men are cruel,' was all she could think once more. But yet again men only see what they want to see, commonly disillusioning themselves from reality to obtain what they wish.

"I'm so sorry," she muttered feeling weak once more.

"Sorry?" asked Peter finally relaxed under the woman's touch.

"What torture you must have endured," said the woman her hand stalling shaking enough for Peter to feel it. Sorrow emulated from her voice as well chocking it. Now he felt truly confused by her. Was this true compassion? He had satisfied himself with her mere pity.

"I could have stopped them," Elizabeth continued suddenly interrupting his thoughts. It seems she took on a weight of his torture, too much did she try to take and now it fell too hard on her.

"I ran away like a coward and you were further hurt because of it."

At these words, Peter could no longer bear to hear Elizabeth to speak of such things, and forced himself to turn over to face her, as painful as it was.

"Please don't say such things," he said gritting his teeth from the pain. He saw a glistening wetness cornering her eyes, much to his surprise. He couldn't believe he was the cause of his angel's sadness.

"Don't despair on my account. It is better you did not appear during their rage for I am sure they would have made you a victim to it," said peter remembering his own rage and what casualties came of it. He continued,

"This is a great thing that you are doing…never has anyone cared to help me. Never have I been shown pity or, dare I even think, compassion for my pain."

This seemed to jerk the glistening liquid from the woman's eyes, causing them to trail carelessly over her cheeks.

Peter dared to lift his arm and catch a few of the salty drops.

"Thank you for your compassion Miss Elizabeth. But please do not weep in such a way. I might be a monster but I do not wish to cause angels to cry for to me it seems a grievance crime."