Edgar -Part 3-

I slowly wake after, God only knows, how many hours. As I look out the window it must be early evening, the sun just starting to set. The pounding in my head finally going away. I look around to see where Victor could be. Listening to try and hear footsteps. I sniff the air, but pick of no trace of him. The sweet musk gone from the house, as if he hadn't been there all day. I look around and my suspicions are confirmed when I see the smoldering remains of the fire, the cottage now cold. I pull the fur back around me as I try to stand. I manage to get up but quickly stumble again. This time I aim for his chair and sit down. I don't want to be helpless on the floor this time. As my head starts to clear, I can't help but wonder, 'Where is he? He didn't leave for good, did he?' As I watch the sun finish stting through the window, I hear the door open. The wind rushes in and the sweet musk enters my nose again. It seems stronger this time, sweeter somehow. I sit quietly as I wait for him to enter the room. He comes in, with what looks like doves, hanging from his belt. He sees me sitting up and smiles.

"Ahh good your awake. Here," He throws the doves in my lap and places a bucket at my feet. "I'm sure you know how to clean a bird, get these ready for me while I fetch the rest of my stuff."

"Why should I?" I ask as I push the birds into the bucket.

"You wanna eat, Don't you?" He stands in front of me. "If you want to eat around here, you'll earn it. If you're strong enough to sit up, you're strong enough to clean a few pewny birds. Beside how long could it possibly take you, a few minutes?"

He smiles at me as he walks away, back outside. I was hungry, that rabbit seeming so far away now. I grab the birds and start cleaning. As small as they are it takes me only five minutes to clean all four. He comes back in with two large sacks and places them on the table then goes back outside. He does this three more times untill at least a months supply worth of food was spread out before me. He begins to put everything away. I watch as he puts away the usual dry good, a few odd looking jars that he quickly placed in a high spot, away from prying eyes, maybe? After a few minutes of digging he brings out a parcel. He brings it over and places it on the table next to me.

"Put these on. They should fit." He begins to walk away.

"What is it?"

"Well, clothes, of course," he smiles at me, "My clothes are too big for you, and as much as I am sure you would love to roam naked as a newborn, we can't have that., now can we?" He winks at me and continues with his work in the kitchen. After insuring he is distracted, I open the package and put on my new clothes. A simple pair of dark brown pants and a white shirt. I see a pair of boots at my feet. 'How did those get there? I didn't even see him come over.' I take my chances and put them on. I see a thick coat sitting on a chair and grab it, quickly putting it on. I sit back down as my head starts to spin again. I slump over tangling my fingers in my hair.

"Nicely done." I look threw my fingers and see Victor before the fire, within minutes it is roaring calmly. He quickly places the birds on the spit and into the fire. The smell of searing flesh enters my nose, causing my mouth to water. "So do they fit right? The boots and coat seem to fit nicely,"

I look up at him. "When did you put them by me? I never saw you bring them."

"Thats cause you weren't paying attention, my young pup. I brought them while you were trying to pull up your pants. Are they too tight?"

"No, why?" I ask, slightly puzzled.

"You just seemed to be having trouble pulling them up over your ass."

"Why are you staring at my ass?"

He laughs, "Well it's hard not to, there's enough of it there." He gives me a sly smile that makes me blush. He gets up and heads back into his room. I try to stretch a little more. How did he move so fast? I didn't think they really did that. I hear his door open and shut and he is soon pulling up a chair next to me. As he sits next to me the sweet smell of musk comes back into my nose. Strangly relaxing to me now. He is wearing a red shirt underneath a black vest. A pair of dark pants and thick boots complete his outfit. "These will be ready soon. Dont want them too cooked. Better with a little pink in the center." I shift in my chair as he stares at me with that sick grin again.

"Why are you out here?" I ask, trying to shift his attention onto himself.

"Queit," he replies, "peace and quiet. I live closer to a town a few hours north of here. But every once in a while I need a break from that and come out here." He takes a bottle from the able and pours a glass full. He hands it to me and I take it, sniffing the stronge scent of homemade whiskey makes my nose wrinkle. He pours himself one and takes a large swig. "Drink. It will help you feel warm." I slowly take a few sips, the alchohol burning my throat as it goes down. He chuckles as I grimace from the taste. " Too strong for you? Not used to the hard stuff yet?"

"I've had the strong stuff, but nothing like this shit. I'm surprised you're not blind." He chuckles as he finishes his drink in one big gulp and pours himself another.

He turns to me, a sudden seriousness in his eyes. "Why are YOU out here?"

"Wh- what do you mean?" I stammer at him.

"What are you, a young wolf, doing so far from the mountains, and so far inside vampire territory?"

"Territory? I- I dont understand what you meen."

"You dont know your own territory? I know your young but, are you really that nieve? The seperate territories we all call home. How do you not know that?" I look down at the ground. His words cut into me like a knife more than he realized. I should know something this simple, but it's not like I could have asked anyone.

"I just don't. I'll figure it out eventually."

"Well you should really figure that out. The next one might not be so nice."

"And why ARE you being so nice to me now? Are you up to something?" I turn to face him, "Why did you save me?" I stare into those blue eyes. The softness slowly coming back to them. He turns back to gaze at the fire, I can see the flames dancing in his eyes as he sips his drink.