Rule#3: Never Let Them Know

Relaxing in the water, I must've drifted off. Next thing I knew, Anna's cold nose is shoved in my ear. "Wha- Anna!" I startle. I glance around and see that the sun is setting. The warm summer air carresses my body as I stand up and climb out of the spring. I don't even bother with my dress except to pick it up and toss it over a tree limb. I normally don't bother with clothes. Who's going to see me, anyway?

Anna's at my heels as I walk around front and head inside, my knee length hair dripping wet, around me. Stepping quietly inside the main room, I see the man is still laying there, eyes closed. I grab my towel off the hook by the door, flip my hair, and wrap it up with the cloth. Turning back around, I stop dead in my tracks.

"What a sight to wake up to." The hoarse voice echos through my little home. The man, whom I thought was still out cold, is propped up on his elbows.

I shake off the sudden shock. "What do you think you're doing?! Lay down before you pop out your stitches!" I demand. I turn back around, finish drying my hair and hang my towel back up by the door.

Letting my hair fall down my back, I turn to face the stranger with my hands on my hips. "Do you have any idea what it took to keep you from dying? You should be more careful to not get shot again, by the way." I say with a frown upon my face.

The man chuckles then winces. "You saved me? But why are you naked?" The smirk on his face makes me frown deeper.

"I was bathing. what's it to ya? And why were you in the Forbidden woods? Don't you know a witch lives in these parts?" I ask as I pass by him, into my bedroom. I grab the first dress I see and slip it over my head, pulling my hair out and tieing the back with it's sash as I walk back out into the main room.

"That's who I'm looking for. The witch they call Catalina." The stranger says. I stop in my tracks. "Catalina." I mutter my mother's name. "She's dead and gone."

I look at this stranger and we lock eyes.

"No...." he whispers. "That can't be. I need her." He sits up too fast, popping his stitches.

Rushing to his side, cursing, I push him back down on the table. "Will you lay down?! Now I have to stich you back up, damnit. Anna! Bring my bag!" I call for her.

I turn around and stoke the fire, grabbing some more clean cloth. Facing him, I apply pressure to his wound and look up at his face. His eyes, for the first time I notice, are like lavender crystals. I glance away as soon as he looks at me.

"Listen, I don't know why you are looking for my mother but you won't find her here. Or anywhere, for that matter. She literally vanished six years ago. Now hold still. Anna!" I call for her, once more.

Anna comes bounding in the house at that moment, drops a large dead rabbit by the fire, rushes into the back room and is back in no time with my bag. She sits next to my feet, offering me my 'medical' bag.

"You're lucky you caught dinner or you'd be in trouble, girl." I tell her as I fiddle through my bag, finding what I need.

The stranger's eyes are wide when I sneak a peak at his face. "What? You never seen a coyote before?" I ask.

"Not in these parts. She's smart." He remarks.

A small smile creep on my face. "That she is. Found her as a pup four years back." I say as I start to stitch him back up. "Some hunters killed her ma so I helped her out. Now, we help each other."

I see the man wince as I go about my work. So I ask, "What's your name, stranger?"

"Rowin" He says with clenched teeth. "And you are?"

I hesitate. I don't know if this strange man is a convict or bandit. Or maybe he's just curious. Either way, I can't break my third rule. Never let them know who I really am. "Call me Bells."

"Bells? Like the sound of your beautiful voice." He says it like an observation. I laugh. "Talking like that won't get you anywhere, Mister Rowin." I say with a smile on my face. Looking up into his eyes, my breath catches. Weren't his eyes lavender a few minutes ago? How are they bright red?