Chapter 043

Oscar

When I got to the inn, I met the innkeeper's wife, Martha. She was happy to see me and wondered why I had visited them in the evening. I asked for Karen's room and she showed it to me.

" That girl hasn't eaten all day. She has been drinking since yesterday. I am concerned about her health." She complained and I nodded.

I knocked on the door and no one answered. I began to panic and ask for a spare key. Martha brought the key and I let myself in.

Karen was lying in her vomit. She never really did well with alcohol. I wondered why she would drink herself to stupor. I ran a bath for her and carried her to wash her body. She was awake but I doubted she knew what was happening. Her words were slurry and she tried to fight me off thinking I was a stranger. She calmed down when she realised it was me.

After washing her body and helping her to wear her pyjamas, I placed her on the bed and she began to cry.

" I am sorry Oscar... I did not know you were coming," she managed.