Chapter 7: Cloth, Soap, and Words Oh My

I carried Charlotte back to the stray house after we noticed the tell tale signs of morning, she had been too tired to move. We had spent the night in a comfortable embrace, admiring the lights and the night itself. The fire had not penetrated the forest from where we had been hidden within the tall grass of the clearing. Not a single star had been dimmed. The yard was a mess of random objects, trash, and strays who were too tired to move inside. I walked past all of this in favor of entering the stray house. The bonfire from the night was just a pile of smoldering debris and ash.

The house was also packed with strays laid about. I had to take my time stepping over the ones that had squished themselves anywhere on the floor to sleep. I reached the stairs and went up in search of a spare room. Although I am also tired, Charlotte is already asleep and needs somewhere better to rest.

The first few rooms I tried were already full of strays. I continued down the hall until there was a room that had no one in it miraculously. I laid Charlotte on the bed and tucked her in with a suppressed sigh. I would not have minded sleeping under an open sky, but I also didn't want her to get sick. I grabbed the extra pillow on the bed and sat on the floor to settle in. I laid back and stared up at the ceiling a while before closing my eyes to sleep.

-

I awoke a few hours later to seek out some food to ease the hunger pangs I could hardly bear anymore. There were still a lot of strays littering the floor, but there was much less than when I first arrived. The kitchen had food, but the majority of it was odds and ends that no one wanted to eat. I stared into the pantry for a while before pulling ingredients out that offered a bleak hope of being edible. I tossed the ingredients on the counter to dig around the cupboards for a pot. Once I found one, I filled it part way with water and set the water to boil on the stove. With a pan I also removed from the cupboard, I put some ingredients and the simple spices of salt and pepper to soften and flavor.

As I boiled noodles for an easy but filling breakfast, the strays took their turns waking up to the smell of cooking food and coming to the kitchen to watch and softly converse among themselves. Occasionally I would hear my name tossed into the murmur, but I couldn't distinguish what they were talking about when it did come up. Though, they all stared at the stove with eyes the size of saucers. An amused smile appeared faintly on my face before I turned to strain the noodles.

"If you want to eat, wash up and grab a plate," I instructed while mixing the foods together.

I received dubious looks before they fled to wash up. From their reaction, I could tell that they didn't receive home cooked meals often and didn't wash before eating. But they would do it for the food. The fastest to follow my instructions quickly returned with empty bowls in which I filled before allowing them to go off and eat. Everyone who came for food was fed, I also enjoyed some myself.

We all sat on the floor in the main living space and ate our meal. The chatter was more joyful with their stomachs being filled even if it meant that they were eating on the floor. I felt the kindlings of warmth from watching them, they were so young and yet rarely held such carefree expressions. A dull ache in my chest reminded me of what was to come today, but I wouldn't allow my inner feelings to dampen the lively mood.

Charlotte, Odis, and Taylor finally descended the steps as I was washing the dishes. The bowls had stacked high beside the sink and all the cups and utensils had found themselves strewn within its basin. Taylor looked to me with sleep still clouding his eyes and offered an appreciative grin after looking around the lively atmosphere. They all grabbed bowls of food and went off to eat with the others, I noticed Odis was avoiding my gaze but thought nothing of it. The rag I was using to wash dishes was old, maybe I could buy one later and more soap would also be needed.

I quietly washed dishes as the others brought them up to me. Charlotte had finished right away and came to help me by drying dishes. Her hazel eyes were plagued by deep thoughts as she diligently took up the task. I gently nudged her side with my elbow.

"Something on your mind?" she shot me a glare after snapping out of her trance.

"Of course it is. What could be wrong other than the dead who built this town," her words were spat out harshly, but a look of horror struck her face as she looked at me apologetically, "But, I wasn't thinking of that. I'm just mad."

I let a smile glance her way while speaking truthfully, "I can't mind it. We all share the same fate, anyhow. What are you mad about?"

I dried my hands off with a separate towel as I waited for her to finish, I had a head start after all. The others had cleared off to their duties whether that be searching for jobs or simply up keeping the house.

She seemed to hesitate, carefully drying the current bowl she had in hand, "I was thinking of last night."

Her reply was vague, so I only somewhat understood what she meant, "If you are worried, I can assure you that I slept on the floor last night."

I looked to her fully while crossing my arms over my chest, daring her to finally meet my gaze so that she would speak freely, "No, it's not that.."

Her expression looked hopeless for a moment before she steeled her resolve to finally look me in the eye, "It's about the field and after that."

"After that..?" I found myself echoing her, still uncertain of what was bothering her.

She nodded and turned away from me to continue drying the dishes, "When you brought me here. It was like my heart was trying to explode. I could have walked back, but I wanted you to carry me, " suddenly she grew quiet as a blush crept over her fair cheeks, "I was happy when you saw the clearing. I haven't experienced joy like that. It was like pride, but it was a nicer feeling. Softer."

I silently watched her tell me these things, the way she spoke was cute. But she was my best friend's sister, so she was like my little sister. I couldn't tell her that, though. Maybe in time, but not now.

"I'm glad I could make you happy as well. I want to head to town this morning, tell Taylor and your brother for me, " with that, I left while she protested at the sink.

I didn't look back, I didn't have to see the look on her face to know that I had disappointed her. I just wanted to be on my own for now.

-

The town was hushed. It always was after the stray bonfires. Burnsley was covered in a hazy smoke that would often disorientate the townsfolk who have lived their entire lives here. Even finding my way to the cheapest store close by was quite risky. Hopefully the strays knew their way back enough.

I suddenly have found myself concerned for the children that had shared the roof over their heads with me. But it was almost expected of me to, so I am not sure why it is surprising now. Taylor had been ramping them up for when I became a stray, but they had been hesitant in accepting me until this morning. Food had won their conviction.

From working around town, I had some money to spare for soap and a washcloth. I found myself at the Lawson home, the local tailors. The home was like that of any other in Burnsley, but the item that set it apart was the sign above the door that was of decorated clothes being stitched by a needle and thread. Clever of the small business to chip into such an easy way to find what you are looking for.

I rapt my knuckles against the wooden door and waited for it to be answered. The door cracked open and I saw Irene peeking at me through the crack.

"Jinn?" her green eyes lit up like a spring meadow as she opened the door further, "What are you doing here?"

She glanced behind her as if expecting that someone would walk up and spook her.

"I came to buy some cloth. Material for washcloths. And soap if you have any to spare, " I watched her expression drop momentarily before perking up in a smile that surprisingly met her eyes.

"Of course, I'll bring them to you so wait here," she disappeared within the house and returned momentarily with what I asked for.

Irene had wrapped a bar of soap into the cloth that was just right for its task, I paid for the goods and watched her movements carefully. She seemed happy, but I couldn't find it within me to share the moment.

"Excuse me, I must be going, " I looked away from her bright eyes in favor of staring down at the cloth she had handed me.

"Oh, of course. I'm sure you are busy today. Take care."

Her voice didn't sound disappointed but females tended to hide those feelings away. So confusing. I stared at the shut door before heading back.

-

On the road back to the stray house, I met up with Odis. He had been running to town in a rush and looked almost scared out of his wits. I grabbed his shoulders and forced him into a stop. His breaths were short and his eyes were looking around wildly. His cheeks were also a deep red, but it may have been from running and over exerting himself.

"Odis, what's wrong?" I tried to meet his gaze but it continued to move anywhere but to me, his mouth was open and moving like a fish.

"Snap out of it, " I bit out impatiently and headbutted him.

He blinked and looked at me, dazed but now aware, "Jinn? Jinn!!"

Odis threw his arms around me and fiercely hugged me. Uncertain of what was causing this odd behavior, I returned the hug awkwardly. He tucked his head to my shoulder, and I waited for him to calm down. Upon doing so, I saw other marks along his neck and face.

"What were you running for? I asked once he could breath normally.

He startled and looked up at me, his hazel eyes somewhat guarded, "I was told to find you. "

I held his gaze and gripped his arm. He may be telling the truth, but there was more. It had been bothering me for a while now.

"Odis," just speaking his name caused him to flinch.

"Yes, Jinn?" I could feel him trying to pull his arm away, so I tightened my grip with a warning hidden beneath my glare, he fell still.

I narrowed my gaze and finally spoke the question I had been meaning to ask, "What is going on between you and Taylor?"

For a moment, Odis looked stricken as if I had just slapped him across the face. His mouth moved once more, but no words came out. I was patient, so I would wait. He was still my friend.

Some words finally made it out of his mouth, "It started out as a fight."

I nodded, this I knew of. I encouraged him to continue but he shook his head.

"Not now. Let's talk later. We really need to get back, " I stared down at him in which he returned a pleading look. Pitiful even.

I released him with a tired sigh, "Fine, but you owe me a full explanation."

"I know, " he rubbed his arm where I had been holding and glanced away shamefully.

I gave him a final curious look before heading back to the stray house. He would tell me, otherwise I'm sure there are other ways to find out that would be unpleasant for the both of us.