Sixty-five

Soph was right, the man is extremely good-looking. Dark is the theme that seems to go around in the North.

Deep brown eyes peer back at me, demanding that I say something. When I don't he carries on, " So you must be the mystery girl that's been eating all my food, and sleeping in my bed for free," He looks over his shoulder at the men sitting at the table and nods at them in greeting.

They salute him back, amicably which implies friendliness and camaraderie.

" Uhmm...," I'm at a loss for words, " Thank you for your hospitality," I say sheepishly. I don't know this man, and I have no idea how to behave around him.

" Hmm...," He frowns at me," Hospitality?" He chuckles to himself, "Nothing about this place is hospitable. What brings you so far up north? Not many outsiders dare to venture so deep into these forests. They say they found you in the woods. One breath away from stepping into the eternal light," I shift the weight off my foot and his gaze follows the movement with a curious look.

" You're pretty banged up. Did someone beat you and leave you to die?" If only. Nature whooped my ass so thoroughly that I'll remember it for the rest of my life.

" No," I say quietly, as he picks up a tray and begins to spoon a little bit of each of the dishes onto a plate. Some of the dishes look familiar. Some, never seen in my life.

" They said, you're not much of a talker. I say you have secrets," He speaks as he spoons food on the tray, while I shift my weight from one foot to another, so I don't crumble to the ground and make a fool of myself.

More people begin to walk in, and the mess hall quickly fills up to maximum capacity. Right about now, I could use a buffer but Soph is nowhere in sight.

I haven't seen her since last night. She must be working. Or avoiding me since I'm such a delightful company.

" Where is Soph?" I have to know. Because I'd hate to drive yet another good person away.

" She is working a double shift. She is covering for one of our injured men. So he doesn't lose the pay," Gerald supplies and I can't help but think that the girl is a fucking Saint.

" Oh, " I say as he turns to me with a tray full of food, picks up two plates and heads to one of the tables that have two available spots. Three other men are sitting with us, so I already know that this conversation is going to be beyond awkward.

" Morning boys," Gerald says as he slips into the seat dragging the tray and plates with him.

" Morning boss," They all answer in unison.

" All good?" He asks as he picks up a few slices of what I assume is what he recommended to me and begins to dig into it.

" All good boss. We will be better once we dig out that deposit we found and get paid royally for it," Gerald nods as they fill in the details of the ore they found. Their laughter fills the mess hall, and despite everything they look happy. Happier than most people I know. It doesn't take long to figure out that they get paid a decent share of the ore they pull out of the ground. And overall Gerald is a good boss to them.

He supplies the land, and the machinery and they are the workforce.

" Are you not hungry?" Gerald asks when the men around the table begin to chatter among themselves.

" Hmm...I am," I say halfheartedly and extremely out of place.

" Well...," He points at my empty plate, and I'm embarrassed to say anything more. I shouldn't be allowed out into the world.

I pick a slice of what he has had, and since then he has moved on to something else, that I can't name. But if I have to guess, it looks like an animal intestine stuffed with rice and meat.

The boar heart is no different. It's meat stuffed with more meat.

I gingerly pick at it, somewhat relieved it is not fish. My stomach growls and I'm thankful for the rowdy crowd, their noise is enough to cover the loud rumble. I'm not hungry. I'm famished, but there are hundreds of eyes on me, and I just can't cope with the crowd.

Slowly, the men begin to rise from their tables and head out to work, I presume. Some are clean while others are covered in dirt, so I guess this is the time when the shift change happens.

Once the mess hall is clear, Gerald and I are the only ones left in the room. And I can't stay silent forever.

" So, " He begins just as the door to the mess hall opens. A latecomer.

Soph slips her hat off, hangs it on the hook right next to the door, and makes her way toward us.

" Gerald," She beams, and Gerald stands as if his ass is suddenly on fire.

He slips out of his seat and opens his arms," Sophie. How is my favourite medicine lady?" Thank god. My buffer is here. Knowing Soph, she will fill in the silence just nicely with her endless chatter.

Giggling she slips into his arms, while he pats on her the back, in a brotherly kind of way. Atta girl...

Although the dreamy look on her face says she has not so brotherly feelings about him.

" Oohh...I see you've met Lily," She says as she pulls away from his arms, and slides into the seat next to him.

She takes the plate that he's been eating from " I see you've been waiting for me," She hums happily, scarfing down morsel after morsel.

Gerald laughs," Of course. You take care of everyone else. Someone's gotta take care of you," He bumps his shoulder against hers and she looks at him as if he has hung the moon.

I know that look and that feeling, but for now, I don't have the luxury of looking down into that pit of sorrow and longing. Pushing away that thought, I watch Gerald and Sophie chat about the mine, and other things that she needs around the camp.

For once their attention is not on me, so I dig into my food and have my fill.