Chapter 114 Take it?
Take it?
Milo POV
The quite strange voice led me deeper into the trees, away from the comfort of the bonfire, and even more, away from the shadow noise that faded in the background. I could sense my pulse racing with enough speed like a racing car.
My feet moved on their own, following the sound of my name, with every step I made, I could stop praying for it to be Damon!.
Has he finally come back from wherever James said he went to?
“Milo.”
I can hear the voice now, loud and clear unlike before.
When I paused through a small bush, I froze.
Heavy disappointment washed through me,
It wasn't Damon, nor any hooded silhouette like I was expecting…
It was a child, or rather a girl…
“The hospital girl, Rachael!!” I whispered, her name in astonishment.
She was the same thin girl from the hospital I had met that was down with the infection. According to Daphne she had survived but I didn’t ever think that I would meet her here.
Her cheeks were hollowed out, her skin looked dull under the moonlight, except for her eyes that were blinking up at me with those slightly familiar enormous, apologetic eyes. For a wild, stupid second I wanted to let out a bitter laugh at my own foolishness in giving myself a false hope. I should have known better that he wouldn't come—
But then, the little girl shouldn’t be here. She should be anywhere but outside the pack in the middle of the night…with her mothers sister's family, but there she was, sitting on a mossy root like she belonged to the forest.
She turned, her wide eyes catching the moonlight. “Milo,” she said softly, as if we had been expecting each other.
“Why are you out here?” I asked, horrified that my voice came out suspicious and accusing.
She shrugged, the movement looking so fragile. “I… could not sleep. I heard the shadows are hosting a ceremony out here. I wanted the air. I want to be one.” Her fingers found my sleeve and tugged at it like a child would. “I wanted to see the shadows.”
Confusion mixed with guilt and pity knotted inside my stomach. “But… it’s the middle of the night, wont your aunty look for you. this isn’t safe at all.”
The girl lowered her gaze, twisting her fingers together. “I… I was just… following the fire. It looked pretty. I got lost in the process.”
My heart softened. She looked so small and innocent, Guilt climbed my throat… the sort of guilt that makes you do stupid kind things.
“Come on, let's get you closer to home,” I said, before I could think. She didn't protest when I lifted her up. She smelled faintly of herbs and sweet bread, and when I carried her she made a small nose of gratitude, curling deep into the crook of my arms, as I carried her farther away from the circle to the path I remembered was close to the pack.
Up close I could see the almost malnourished thinness of her wrists, the bruise discoloring the rim of her left eye. My hands twitched, wanting to heal her, but I hesitated, I didn't know if my blood could heal physical wounds — the urge to keep her safe came like never before. The Shadows howls were getting fainter as we neared the pack borders.
We stopped in a quiet hollow close to the pack, where the moon spilled silver across the earth. I set her down gently, brushing dirt from her somewhat worn out clothes.
“You could’ve been hurt,” I said, trying to feign anger “Next time… don’t come this far.”
The girl only smiled. She dug inside her pocket behind her back, and pulled out a small apple, its red skin glistening as if freshly polished. “Here… for you” Her voice was shy, embarrassed, as she held it out in both hands.
I hesitated. My first thought was suspicion… What kind of child had an apple out here in the middle of the night? Why was she carrying it?...
“ I stole it from the kitchen. Don't you want it?” her smile faltered, as she sadly lowered her hands a little.
I stared at the apple. The girl watched me with a look that was filled with hope and apology, like she was caught doing bad things. Shame washed over me… She was just a harmless girl.
What was wrong with me? doubting someone so young, so innocent? she deserved better than thievery. She deserved warmth and mended sheets and a warm and caring family, that wouldn't be so careless with her.
“You shouldn’t be out,” I murmured, softening despite myself. “They will look for you.”
Her smile was a sliver. “They won’t even know that I am gone. I can come and go inside the house anytime I want.” She tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Take it. Please, I… I wanted someone to share it with. You look hungry.”