A soft touch on my arm jolted my attention back to my surroundings and I sprung back instantly. Running my hands over my body I checked for new injuries but found none. I sighed in relief and looked back at the puzzled girl.
“Not a big touch guy I see.” Her confused expression turned to amusement as she closed the distance between us, completely unafraid, and ordered me to sit. Before I could find a response I found myself sitting. This earned me another radiant smile.
Completely bewildered I let her wash away the blood from my leg, all the while watching her carefully as she dressed my wound.
“There” She patted her work gently and another smile, this time accompanied with a very satisfied expression, crossed her face.
Then the realization hit me. For the first time in my entire life someone touched me and it didn't hurt. There was no new pain following her touch. Tears formed in my eyes, but I did not let them fall. I had always feared others touch. Every time someone made contact with me, it was followed by a new injury. But her touch felt so very different from all the others. It was gentle, soft, and ...caring? Why on earth would this random girl care about someone like me? It didn't make sense. Why did my healing not work on her. Even if she was completely uninjured- a scratch, hangnail, any pain no matter how minute, would have been transferred.
I stared in disbelief and ran countless possibilities through my mind. How is it possible that there is someone immune to my abilities?
When she stood and smiled a final time before turning and walking away from me, something deep in my soul screamed not to let this be the end of things. Not to let her go.
I cleared my throat and stood.
“ I- “ my voice cracked from misuse and I cleared my throat .“ How did you end up separated from your horse?”
“ So they do speak” A grin spread over her face different than the smile earlier but captivating all the same.
The blood rushed to my cheeks and an unfamiliar feeling in my chest began.
“ I was attacked by bandits and barely managed to escape. The rest of my caravan weren't so lucky. “ Now her smile was completely gone, replaced by a distant, pained expression. A different but still unfamiliar sensation grew in my chest. Her voice was slightly shaky as she continued “My horse ran after taking a blow to his leg , trampling several bandits while doing so. I used the commotion to slip away unscathed… “ She took a moment, looking me up and down with a new expression on her face that i couldn't quite place. " The strange thing is when I examined him a few moments ago, he was right as rain. No injury-or evidence that it had ever been there. " Her eyes narrowed with curiosity but still no hostility. "And here you are with an almost identical gash on your leg. Curious isn't it?”
Dread flooded my body. Am I going to end up like I did before? Used relentlessly until the pain was commonplace. Expected even. It had been years since I was in constant pain inflicted by others. But somehow the memories haunted me still. The memory of that dark cold room, the memory of different people coming and going after transferring their pain to me. Left crying and bleeding, completely alone with only the pain to keep me company.
For the third time I let my guard down and didn't notice her until she was so near I could feel her warmth. I blinked in surprise. Yes because she was near, but mostly because she had another interesting look on her face. Never before have I met anyone with so many different emotions shown so plainly on their face. It was somehow… endearing ? I am not sure. There have been so many confusing events in a single day that my mind is spinning.
“ Judging from that face you don't want to talk about it.”
I nodded slowly, still watching her carefully, waiting for any signs of malice. But she showed none. In fact, her eyes and facial expression were... sympathetic?
“ That's quite alright. I won't pry. " She said lightly "We all have our little secrets. I know I sure do” Her curious smile accompanied by a wink shot an arrow through my heart. At least that's what it felt like. “ It is however, getting dark and I for one, have no idea where we are. Any chance you know of a safe place to camp for the night? “
Finally something I understood. I knew these woods like the back of my hand. “ There is not enough time before sunset to travel to the nearest village, so we'll have to stay the night in the forest. I know of a place- its safe, but nothing fancy. “ I explain, sounding a lot more gruff than I meant too.
“ I was beginning to wonder if you could speak more than one sentence at a time” A chuckle echoed through the clearing once more as she teased me with a smile.
I turned quickly to hide my bright red cheeks and smile that was slowly creeping onto my own face. “ We should leave as soon as you are prepared. I want to be out of the open before dark falls. “
“ Yes sir” she jokingly saluted and went to prepare her horse.
My mind was swimming with thoughts, but one was much louder than the other. This woman will be the ruin of me.
Even if i knew this with all certainty- when she walked towards me and I caught sight of that mysterious smile, I knew that it would be worth it.