:3 Glad to see someone is still around. So I dedicate this chapter to you Day-Of-The-Dead-TattooGal :D Enjoy

Chapter 6- Heart Stealing Eyes

The man walks slowly towards me, that disgusting smile plastered on his lips, and I glare at him, forcing myself to stand and back up with every step he took forward. My leg is a dull throb but I feel the muscles tighten with every step, threatening to cramp and send me to the ground again. His eyes are black, like the devils. My heart pounds in my ear and suddenly he has me pinned and is ripping off my top.

I scream until my throat is raw as he invades my body, my space. It had been so long, I thought I was free of torture such as this. I feel no pleasure, and little pain. I scream until my throat is raw, my head hurts and I'm dizzy. He wraps his hands around my neck and I close my eyes, if these were to be my last moments I want to be somewhere else. I think of Felson, how his eyes crinkle when he smiles, his voice, how he teases me, and I wonder how he would be as a lover.

I briefly wonder when I had grown so attracted to him, and my heart slows as my breaths shorten and darkness pulls at the edges of my mental image of him. I let darkness take me away from the pain.

I hear male voices around me, I'm amazingly warm and whatever this place is, it smells good. I groan and shift, the talking stops. "Am I dead?" I mutter my throat hoarse and it hurts to talk.

A chuckle from under my ear "No trouble you are not dead" that voice…..I know it. I open my eyes slowly and there he is, Felson is staring down at me, his eyes crinkled and filled with worry. I hurt. Everywhere. I look around to find we're back in the forest, its daylight but the thick fog surrounding us makes it seem late.

Felson runs a hand through my hair and I look around. He had been talking to Behmen. "What happened?" Felson regards me with an odd look. I shake my head "After….." he nods.

"Don't worry, we found you before he finished his deed. You were passed out and the inn had been set on fire. I picked you up and we left. Your cousin took care of you while I went ahead with Hagamar." I nod and I feel tears welling up in my eyes. He shakes his head "Shhhh shh. Here, I found this under the bed when I grabbed your things" I look down and notice I'm wearing the shirt he had gotten me the night before. He leans over and rummages through his saddle bag and pulls out the greenest piece of cloth I had ever seen. I take it in my hands and I'm in complete awe.

I smile and tie it around my hips, moving slightly and holding back a grunt of pain as I did so. I lean back into his chest and I have to crane my head to look back at him. "Thank you Felson. For everything" he shrugs and looks down at me, and he just stares. He's lost in thought. "What?" I ask, blinking my tired eyes.

"They say the grass is greener then the deepest emerald in Ireland." I nod, unable to follow his thoughts. "It must be a breathtaking sight" he says distractedly still watching me. I nod and smile softly at the thought of home. "But I don't think it could compare to the green of your eyes." At this he seems to snap out of it and he smiles "You're eyes will steal the heart of a poor man one day girl." Something is off but I don't want to push the subject. Right now I'm comfortable and tired. Behmen, who had walked away, came back. "Aisling, you'll ride on the cart with Debelzeq. We will hook Powder back up to the wagon so he doesn't cause problems" I smile softly and nod at him.

"We'll be leaving soon. There is a creek down that path if you want" he says, avoiding my eyes. I nod my thanks and I crane my neck back to look at Felson. He looks down at me and smiles that eye crinkling smile. I nod "That would be amazing" he chuckles and I sit up. I hurt, dear lord do I hurt. Every inch of my body is in pain. Felson helps me stand slowly and wraps an arm around my waist and helps me walk.

We momentarily stop by Powder and pull a blanket from the saddle bag. He must have taken it from the inn. We walk in silence to the river side and he lets me sit on a rock. It's too cold to bathe, so instead he takes out a rag from under his belt and dips it in the water. He is surprisingly gentle as he wipes my face. The water is cool and refreshing, and I feel weight being lifted off. I must be filthy. I look into his eyes and I'm surprised to see him lost in thought.

"Felson, what's wrong?" I ask hoarsely. He blinks and turns his beautiful eyes to me. "Huh? Oh….nothing" I can tell it's a lie. He moves my sleeve up and begins washing my arm and I'm surprised to see blood caked on it. After some silence he looks at me again.

"When I found you" he pauses and his brow wrinkles. I'm confused and listen to him intently. "I found you crying in the corner" I'm about to cut him off but he raises his hand and continues to clean my arm. "You were covered in blood, the man was splattered against the other wall, and he was nothing but mush." My eyes widen and my blood freezes. How could this be? I look at him waiting for an answer.

"Aisling, I have to ask. Are you a witch?" He doesn't look at me when he asks it. My heart has stopped and I watch as he continues to clean my arms softly. The hand holding my arm is shaking slightly and his eyes are clouded.

"Do you believe I am Felson?" I ask him softly and his eyes snap up to meet mine. He seems conflicted and confused with what to say next.

"I don't want to but there is no other explanation for what happened. How could a man turn to mush? There weren't any bones, he looked like horse shit smeared on the walls" there's something in his voice, a light tremble. I swallow the light lump in my throat, lost and confused as to what I should say next.

"Felson….I….."

There you have it ;) What happens next? Will you ever know? Possibly. Will I tell you? Maybe.

So a question for those reading, what's your favorite aspect of the story so far?