Chapter 10 - Anya

I kept staring at the wall like a dumb ass when I woke up. My hair all knotted up some of the strands were stuck to my face from the dry tears. I wiped my nose with my sleeve, knowing its probably red from wiping it to much.

It wasn't a dream, as fresh tears were threatening to spew out. My body started to tremble uncontrollably.

I heard a knock on the door, "Anya, are you awake?" The door opened and Blaze popped her head in. I could see her at the corner of my eye. I wanted to respond to her but I didn't want to lie so I kept my mouth shut.

She rushed to my side, "Are you alright?" I didn't want to worry her as she looked at me with consern.

"I'm okay." I said weakly knowing I'm not okay but I didn't know what else to say. I could see her hesitating as she wrapped her arms around me. I couldn't help but tense up but it was warm and comforting. I loosened up in her arms and leaned into her.

"I haven't been hugged by a girl since high school." I chuckled to Blaze who was stroking my hair.

I couldn't see her face but I knew she was smiling I could hear it in her voice, "I know you don't know me and my brother very well and I know you are not from around here."

I could tell she was having trouble with her words, "But I think it would be best if you stayed with us. I mean I know you don't have any place to go or have a horse to move around on and I think it would be easier for your brothers to find you if you stay put." Blaze said fumbling over her words.

She must be a fast speaker when she is nervous but she made a lot of sense. Even when I was a child I was always told to stay put when I was lost and someone would find me.

This is no different but that doesn't mean I wont try to find any clues to how to get back to where I belong.

"I don't have any money to pay you." I said feeling a little nervous about not having a dime on me.

"That's okay you can work here with me and Jet and we will supply food and shelter as your payment until you find your way home." Blaze said cheerfully still playing with my hair.

"Is your brother going to be okay with that I don't want to impose?" I asked her wondering if she even asked her brother about this.

"Yes I'm fine with it as long as you are a hard worker." We both jumped at Jet's deep voice who was leaning on the entrance of the bedroom door watching us.

"How long have you been standing there?" Blaze asked with irritation.

"Since your little speech about her staying here." Jet said staring at my face. I moved away from Blaze feeling the warmth leave my body.

"Do you mind if I took a shower?" I asked embarrassed about the way I looked. They both didn't answer so I reworded my words.

"You know a bath with hot water and soap." I said feeling silly as I pretended to scrub my head and body.

Blaze giggled, "we have a bath house not to far away from here."

I couldn't help but gasped, "you mean a public place to bathe with.. other.. people?" I asked in horror. Blaze starting laughing at my reaction.

"Yes, but if we go now there shouldn't be a lot people there." Blaze said waiting for another reaction from me. I hate getting undress in front of others I even hid myself every time I had to undress for P.E.

"Is their something wrong?" Blaze asked studying me. I lean towards Blazes face.

"I never undressed in front of other people before." I whisper to Blaze embarrassed about my own insecurity. Her eyes gone wide but her eyes soften and she smiled.

"Its okay I'll be there with you," She said sweetly.

"Just let me go grab some bathing supplies and we can head that way." She said still smiling walking around Jet. I couldn't help but jump forgetting he was there. I can feel the heat rising up to my face, Oh god what if he heard me. I thought to myself as I looked down at my feet.

"I take it your not married." Jet asked analysing me.

"What?" I blink a few times at his unusual question before answering him.

"No I'm only 19 I'm way to young to be thinking about marriage." I said surprised with his forwardness, I guess he did hear me I thought to myself as I studied his face.

He looked at me with confusion, "You think you are to young?" Jet asked me questionly.

"Yes, I have to meet a man first but even if I meet someone it will be a while before marriage ever comes up." I said shrugging my shoulders. Why is he so curious about my love life?

His eyes were tender as he walked up to me reaching his hand out and touching my hair. "I never thought women around your age are still so innocent and pure. . .You have beautiful hair." Jet said lifting some strands of my hair to his lips. He dropped my hair moving his fingers gently down my jawline. A shiver went down my spine as I stepped back away from him.

"What are you doing?" I asked getting all flustered putting my hand over my jawline where he touched. His fingers were rough but warm when he touched me but I couldn't help feel stange with him touching me.

"Okay Anya I got everything, ready to go?" Blaze asked walking in front of the door way glancing between me and Jet.

"Am I interrupting something?" She asked grinning at both of us.

"No," I said walking passed Jet in a hurry. "I have some gym clothes in my bag just let grab it and we can go." I said in a hurry ignoring the feeling building in my chest.

"Don't worry about it I have some clothes for you, your clothes might stand out and draw unwanted attention and we don't want that." She said grabbing my hand and leading me out the door to the bath house.