Rule#2 Never Bring Anyone Home

After constructing a makeshift sled and attaching it to Anna, I dragged the man onto it and headed for my home.

My cabin is not large at all. it consists of the main room/dining area/kitchen, a large bedroom, and a back room. The back room, I mainly use for drying out and storing my herbs. It used to be my room before my mother disappeared, so it still has a cot in there for emergencies.

Between myself and Anna, we were able to get him inside. I push everything off my kitchen table and pull his heavy body up on it. Tearing the rest of his shirt off, I try not to look at this stranger's chest as I asses the damage. I notice something odd. There's no exit wound. "Ah fudge!" I cry out. "Anna! My bag!" I rush around to heat up water and find clean cloth. Anna comes back, holding my "medical" bag in her jaws. "Thank you, love" I whisper as I pat her head real quick. I heat my tongs in the fire and let them cool before I use my fingers to feel for the bullet, inside the wound. Finally, after searching a bit, I find what I'm looking for. Using the tongs to keep the hole open, I dig my fingers in until I have ahold of the metal bullet. I pull it out and pour some antiseptic into the hole. I use a needle and thread to sew him up, then use the warm water to wash him. I use this time to take a better look at the man I just broke my second rule for. Never bring anyone back home.

This stranger has the palest of hair, almost white. Strangely pointed ears peak out of his long hair. His broad shoulders lead down to muscular arms that are about as thick as my thighs. His chest is hard with silver hairs all over it. My gaze follows the lines of his abs to the line of hair running down to his.... I shake my head. Oh hell no! Not going there.

I turn away from the stranger on my table and look down at my bloodied hands and clothes. I go outside and behind my little house to the hot spring. The main reason why mother chose this particular spot.

I pull off my dress and step into the hot water. I sink down, sighing as the water reaches my neck. Leaning back against a smooth stone, I close my eyes and let the stress of the morning melt away.