Branches from an unknown plant covered the door as if keeping me away. I gathered all my strength, in order to pull it off. There is nothing I can do to pull it off, so I just decided to search the room for a possible way to escape. This room live in a constant shadow, as if the walls keeps on running away from the sun's reach. There is no enough light to know where dust clings. A small bed is placed at the left side of the room, as it slowly rot in there. All furnitures around is as cold as ice, stealing the warmth of my fingers, not even caring if my heart froze.
A window that wasn't too meanly proportioned to squeeze through, got my attention. I instantly find my way to get there, but a foul stench seize my nostrils, I paid no mind with it and continued making my way out. I nearly vomited at the sight, a dead body, there is only bits of flesh attached to the bones that the grey rats are eating. I came closer, making the rats run in different directions. Most parts of the body are already gone and only left with bones, the only thing that is left untouched was the head, the woman, the person that I just met. I took a deep breath as I walk closer and a screetching sound came. Ahh!
I woke up with sweats building up of my body. What was that dream means? I gasped when I witnessed the woman sitting at the floor while staring at me. Seriously?! I almost fell on the floor when I saw her. The moment after I gasped, the woman gasped as well, trying her best to copy me. She's really weird!
"Have you been watching me the entire time?"
"Yes," she said keeping her straight face.
"Why is that?", I asked. She tilted her head, as if reading my expression.
She said, "It's what I do everytime. When everything is still and at rest, I watched those that moves," Does this mean she's not sleeping?
"Do you sleep?"
"No. I can't sleep and I don't think I need it." There is something with her, I don't think she's the same as me. I should get up now even though it's five in the morning. Well, there is nothing better than a good food in the morning. We should also shop for some clothes she doesn't have any clothes.
After eating, I ran the bath again for the woman. "Hey! you need to bath now, I need you to be really clean." I waited for her to finish bathing and dressing up, before taking a step bathing.
We carefully make our way out of the building, afraid that phoenix might know. I made the woman wear my cap and a mask, so no one will notice her and recognize her. I left the parrot at my room, but I keep it entertained by leaving some sunflower seeds and keeping the television on, I should buy more seeds.
I held the woman's hand until we reach valmart. Everything is new to her, I guess. "Hey! Wait for me here, I'll go grab some bird seed. Don't you try to do something funny" I made my way to the seed section, I took a pack of each good bird seeds, I immediately return to the canned goods section where I left the woman.
An old lady was asking the woman to get some canned hotdogs that was out of her reach, I was surprised the woman helped the old lady. I noticed a smile plastered on my lips after what I saw. The woman looked backed at me with no expression, I sprint my way to them.
"Thank you lovely girl." The woman said with a bright smile. Then she asked, "May I know your name?"
"I do-"
"Her name is... Be... Belle, Belle Autumn." I said, making the old lady smile and turn to her feet and leave. Belle lookes at me straight into the eyes, is she waiting for an explanation?
"Look, I only told her that your name is Belle because it would be suspicious if you don't have one." She is still looking at me while narrowing her eyes, Does she want me to explain more? Fine.
"Belle means fair and... Secret! I won't tell you. Autumn because It's autumn when we first met, more like the end of autumn, winter is coming. From now on, when someone wants to know your name, tell them you're Belle Autumn." I said, I wish she catched up with what I said. "Let's go and buy you some clothes." I held her hands as we walk towards the women's section.
For her clothes, I bought her some jackets, shirts, beanies, gloves, socks, mittens, jeans, long-sleeve top, and 5 pair of shoes. I think this is enough for the winter. After buying clothes, we went to the counter and pay for everything in the cart.
I carried everything that is heavy, I'm afraid she'll loose a limb by carrying something heavy. After a minutes of walk, I don't notice Belle's presence anymore. I looked back, I saw Belle conversing with a man asking for alms, She took a bar of chocolate from the grocery bag and hand it to the man, the man thanked Belle and ask her name. I got frozen at the scenario, my feet won't even move, waiting for her reply. She replied, "My name is Belle, Belle Autumn." then she walked towards me, I feel reassured and no longer at distressed, She held me at my forearm as my hands are full. "Let's get going now."