5:00
I woke up first, my back aching like never before.
I stealthily moved around and went to the window.
The sun is starting to rise, the sky grey with dim lighting.
I can see some walkers wandering the street below.
I opened the windows, letting the fresh, cold breath of nature enter and brush against my skin.
I slowly sit in a lotus position and gently close my eyes.
Slowly, I breathe in the fresh air cooling my body.
Exhale...
Inhale...
Exhale...
Inhale...
Exhale...
The feeling of the wind on my arms, my face, and my hair is calming.
I turned my attention inward, scanning for pain—not to reject it, but to recognize it, not as something hidden, but known.
Finally, I opened my senses, my mind, and took in every bit of information the world gave me.
The temperature of the room, the wind, the sound of the wind. The rustling of cloth and blanket.
I concentrate deeply, sinking and widening my senses. I can hear the sound of water droplets dripping from the roof.
DRIP
DRIP
DRIP
DRIP
I switch my focus, and I can hear scratching sounds. I don't know what it is scratching.
I am curious, I want to know.
But nonetheless, I let go.
---
CREAK
I heard the parquet creak, and I suddenly turned my head and looked toward the source of the sound.
I looked at the guest room's closed door.
I saw a shadow shift behind the door.
And then the door opened and Rhea appeared, with unkempt blond hair, shorts, and a sleeveless t-shirt showing honed muscle.
She scratched the back of her head and yawned.
Then she noticed my gaze.
Startled, she took a step back.
After recovering from the shock, she slowly walked to the kitchen, ignoring me.
I stood up and stretched before going to the kitchen to see Rhea.
I look at my watch.
It's 5:34
I hopped over Dante, sleeping on the ground, and entered the kitchen, closing the door behind.
She was using the camping stove to heat up water.
-"Hi, you are up early."
"Yeah hi YAWN. You woke up before me, you know."
-"Ha Ha, yes, of course."
While talking, I went to the window and opened it.
"Close it back please, it's cold."
-"Isn't it refreshing?"
"No, I am shivering."
-"Well of course, you aren't wearing anything."
She turned back with a blazing stare and slightly blushing.
"I can wear whatever I want, understand?"
-"Uh... Yeah, sorry."
Feeling downcast, I slowly closed the window.
These people, really. Who doesn't like the fresh morning air? It's not as polluted here as back home.
They don't know their luck.
Pitying me, she asked if I wanted a coffee.
-"Don't you have tea?"
She sighed and looked at me.
"You... You are frustrating. It's like taking care of a kid."
-"Oh, I didn't think you were a mom, as you know..."
Before slipping up, I held back and stopped talking.
Maybe she could consider it offensive.
Fuck, I came to chat and get closer.
"I know what?
What did you mean?"
-"Well, you look young, you know, like 20, so it's a little early, I thought, for children."
She lightly laughed.
She relaxed and started to talk.
"You are right, I am not a mom, but I have brothers and sisters. Or I had, I don't really know."
Uncomfortable...
-"Sorry I brought it up. I just wanted to get along with you, but every time I try, it seems people hate me more..."
---
Alex sulked and turned back, going toward the door, leaving.
I hesitated but blurted out.
"Wait!"
---
I looked at her, and she smiled lightly.
"Don't worry, I know you tried and didn't mean harm. It's important, it means a lot."
I smiled, happy that she understood me. It feels great.
-"You are surprisingly soft."
"Ha Ha Are you sure you're not doing it on purpose?"
-"Why?"
"Your clumsiness is almost cute."
I paused for a second, looking at her face.
When she smiles, she sure looks different than the stern face she usually adorns.
The water was boiling, and Rhea turned the stove off.
-"Almost? That's too bad." I said, smiling teasingly.
"Yeah, your words can hurt. And you don't even realize it."
-"Well, before the fall and even now, I didn't have many friends. I don't really know how to connect or interact. I don't have much experience with socialization.
It's just, you know, I don't want to mess up with you."
---
Fuck, he really is cute when he apologizes.
He looked me in the eye with a calm, cold, yet intense gaze. But from his point of view, my eyes must be trembling and not calm.
I turned back suddenly and opened the bag containing the food for our stay.
I rummaged through it and took out the instant coffee and tea.
I got 2 mugs.
I put them down and turned back toward Alex.
He is standing really close to me, and by reflex, I kick him and push him.
He fell on the ground on his butt.
Oh fuck!
---
While she was taking out the tea,
I came closer to her, wanting something in the bag to eat, but suddenly she turned back and she kicked me in the gut.
My thoughts stopped. Why did she attack me? What did I do?
I frowned.
-"Why did you do this?
What did I do this time?"
My hand went where she struck.
I looked at her, and she was panicking, waving her hands left and right, trying to say something but no words coming out.
I may not be really smart in human interaction, but I am not blind. I stood up and dusted my pants.
She was still in a kind of bug, and I grabbed her shoulders.
-"Rhea, I understand. Don't worry, I know it was an accident."
She calmed down.
"Yeah, it's just, you know, a reflex or a habit. I didn't think you would be so close, and you know we always need to be alert.
And most of the time, if something is just before me and I didn't see or hear it coming, it's safe to kick, you know.
I'm really sorry."
-"As you should be. It hurt like hell. But I'm impressed, it was a great kick—there was no hesitation and it looked systematic. You must have trained it."
"So you forgive me?" she asked in a soft voice.
-"Well, let's see... not yet. I want you to do something." I replied teasingly.
I smiled, came closer until we could feel each other's breathing, and whispered what I wanted in her ear.