Blood drained from her skin the moment she got a clear look of the old man.
He had a strange appearance. Almost bald, his face timeworn and wrinkled as if his youth finally got the best of him. He had crooked teeth and the way his white beard hung from his chin was unusual as it looked like he never had the time to trim it into place all his life. The clothes he wore were ragged and threadbare, almost like giving passage of time.
He gaped at her, narrowing his eyes. Chills crawled from her spine.
She sat up and shuffled uncomfortably as he approached, "What do you want from me?"
He stepped closer, looking at her like an insect being examined from a magnifying glass.
She turned her head around as they were almost face-to face. Without thinking of the consequences, she pulled the chain around her neck and handed it to him, "Take this instead. I don't have any money. Please… please just let me go."
She knew she'd regret it the moment she offered to give it to him, but she didn't have any other choice.
Her heart sank. It was the only thing that reminded her of her mother before she became distant, and now she'll hand it to someone in hopes of sparing her life.
Suddenly, the old man guffawed, the corners of his eyes creasing. She only looked at him with confusion on her face. Was there something funny in what she said? She couldn't understand.
When she realized he didn't have any interest in the necklace, she dumped it into her pockets. "What do you want?" she asked and narrowed her eyes.
The old man placed his wrinkled hand on her shoulder, "Do I really look evil to you?"
He offered her a hand. She took it anyway and stood up, if standing was another term for almost bending over. She held the wound on her stomach and stiffened her feet to prevent herself from stumbling.
"Come with me. I have clothes to warm you for the night," he observed her from head to foot; "It looks like you've been in some hell."
The man started walking, but Allyria didn't follow right away. What if it was a trap? What if he was one of them?
He must have noticed no sound of footsteps following so he turned around, "Come on now, I assure you I have no intention of hurting you," he said in a croaky voice.
She couldn't sense a hidden malice in his words. Maybe he was telling the truth. Besides, this is the first time someone's given her a kind offer.
"All right," she said and limped her way towards him.
***
The cottage came into view. It crouched low into the grassy embankment, as though it were trying to hide. It was so old and poor that it was surprising how it was still standing. And yet it seemed alive and welcoming, a warm ribbon of smoke rising from the old chimney.
The walls were made of dilapidated wood and the roof was clearly stone. From the looks of it, it seemed like it has been passed by storms for how many years. It was the only one in the woods. There were no other houses around it, and this one would have looked abandoned if not for the smoke.
They entered through the front porch and the floor creaked with every step she took.
The outside was enough to say what was on the inside. A small wooden bed laid on the corner and a dining table not far from it was positioned just in front of the living area. It had a furnace enough to heat the inside, and two leather sofas peeled beyond repair.
"Silas, I'll be leaving now–" wide eyed, her heart almost leapt not from fear but relief.
"Kaius?"
"Allyria!"